The Vatican Museums, Raphael’s Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel

About 3+ hours (premium small-group tour)

Over a one-week period in Rome, I visited Vatican City twice. Once with friends and then a few days later with my husband. Both days included a small-group tour of the Vatican museums and a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. And, no that is not something you need to do or really want to do in one week. That said, if I were to visit one place in Rome multiple times, it would be Vatican City—specifically the Vatican Museums, Raphael’s Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel.

Vatican City is a roman-catholic religious and cultural center so be aware that there is a dress code in the Museums. According to the official Vatican Museums website, ‘sleeveless and/or low-cut garments, shorts above the knee, miniskirts, and hats are not permitted.’ For more details on other decorum requirements (some tattoos may be a problem, for example) and what you cannot bring into the exhibition space and must leave in the cloakroom, please refer to this website page.

I’ve been asked if the Vatican Museums are ‘just for Catholics’ and my answer is ‘No.’ Some pieces may be more important to Catholics as they can relate to the religious moment depicted but, in my opinion, anyone can enjoy this experience regardless of their religious beliefs. I’ve been to some museums in Florence that felt much more ‘Catholic’ than the Vatican due to the works of art shown there. The Vatican Museums hold so many treasures of historic importance.

When most people refer to ‘the Vatican Museums,’ they are actually referring to not only the Vatican Museum but also Raphael’s Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. They are all connected and included in a Vatican Museums tour.

The tour follows a one-way route through long hallways and many connected rooms. Tour guides talk and walk continually to keep everyone moving. I know all this may sound a bit like cattle herded but it works and everyone I know that has visited the museums has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The Vatican Museums include 24 galleries, or rooms, including the Sistine Chapel. Of the approximately 70,000 pieces of artwork contained within the museums, approximately 20,000 are on public display. (Photo: Edie L. Kramer)

*A fresco by the artist Raphael, titled ‘Disputation of the Holy Sacrament,’ is located in Rafael’s Rooms within the Vatican Museums. (Photo: Erik J. Kramer)*

The museums hold world-renowned works of art including paintings from masters like Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Giotto to name a few, medieval maps and tapestries, Greek and Roman sculptures, and much more. But it’s not just the artwork hanging on the walls, or statues positioned throughout some of the rooms, that are impressive. The building’s interior architectural elements are like no other—very ornate and works of art in their own right. Expect to spend a good portion of your time craning your neck as you look at ceiling frescos that barely get a nod from most visitors (except for the Sistine Chapel.) With over 20,000 works of art housed on-site, do your best to take as much in as you can. It’s no wonder that some people return to Vatican City to specifically revisit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. They’re just that impressive.

Both times I visited, I booked a premium small-group tour (no more than 10 people.) We met our guide across the street from the entrance and went through Vatican security with them. Security is similar to what you would expect from an international airport. No pics allowed in this area. Our tour started outside on the museum grounds before entering the building where we spent most of the tour.

You’ve never seen so many priceless artifacts and works of art in one place. Understanding what it is you are looking at makes for a great experience. For that, you need an experienced tour guide that will highlight details in tapestry, maps, or artwork you would miss on your own. Even if you are not ‘a museum person,’ take a tour. It will make the experience far better than experiencing it without a guide, particularly if this is your first visit to the Vatican. Your tour guide will use a microphone and supply you with a headset. Worth every penny.

The tour I took with friends was mid-morning but with my husband, I booked the first daily tour (starts at 8:00 am) to see if there was any benefit (as advertised.) It is so worth the early start. Since I went on two tours within a week, I can tell you that you’ll see more without other tours ahead or behind you if you take the first tour of the day. Museum entry groups start every 1/2 hour and even mid-morning things get a bit tight as groups start to overlap. The pictures tell the story.

Is it worth getting up early for the first tour of the day at 8:00 AM? Absolutely. Two pictures taken in the Gallery of Maps show the 10:30 AM tour (left) and the 8:00 AM tour (right.) (Photos: Edie L. Kramer)

Raphael’s Rooms

Raphael’s Rooms are four connected rooms that were originally a part of the papal residence around the middle of the 16th century. Now part of the Vatican Museums, each showcases large frescoes by the artist, Raphael. Many say that the frescoes in these rooms are only second to those of Michaelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is amazing. Out of respect, this area remains SILENT and has a strict NO PHOTOS rule. In fact, your tour guide will give you information about the Sistine Chapel before you enter the room so that silence is maintained in the Chapel.

If you are part of the day's first tour, you’ll have about 20 minutes or so alone with your group before additional groups join you. And once they start to enter this final room on the tour, the floor space fills up quickly.