The Vatican Museums in Vatican City are among the most celebrated art institutions in the world, featuring a vast collection curated by the Catholic Church over several centuries. Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the museums host approximately 70,0... read more00 works, with around 20,000 on public display. Highlights of the visit include masterpieces from antiquity through the Renaissance, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Key attractions within the Vatican Museums include the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo's iconic ceiling frescoes and "The Last Judgment," and the Raphael Rooms, which house the renowned "School of Athens." Visitors can also explore the Gallery of Maps, a richly decorated corridor with 16th-century cartographic paintings, and the Pio-Clementino Museum, which showcases classical sculptures such as "Laocoön and His Sons." The Pinacoteca Vaticana offers works by masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael.

The museums are open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with last entry at 6:00 PM. They also open on the last Sunday of each month from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM with free admission, except on select holidays. Modest dress is required, and photography is generally allowed except in the Sistine Chapel. To avoid long waits, it’s best to book tickets in advance. Weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded for those seeking a quieter experience.