How to Book Sistine Chapel early access tickets & tours

Looking for Sistine Chapel early access tickets? Wondering if guided tours are worth it? Read below our suggestions for getting early access tickets and get the most of your visit to the Sistine Chapel.

Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited monuments in the world today, and the waiting lines are generally very long and will not allow you to fully enjoy your holidays. In that case, it is better to order early access tickets to the Sistine Chapel online: this will allow you to skip the line and save a lot of time.

Are you ready to book your Sistine Chapel early access ticket right now? Don’t feel like reading ahead? Book now your ticket or guided tour.

How much Sistine Chapel early access tickets cost?

Sistine Chapel ceiling

A Sistine Chapel early access ticket costs approximately €50.

Overview

Get a head-start on your trip by skipping the lines and entering the Sistine Chapel before the general public arrival.

Visiting the Sistine Chapel before the crowd will allow you to quietly admire Michelangelo’s beautiful frescoes (among them is the famous “Creation of Adam”).

St. Peter’s Basilica was designed by very well-known artists and architects, such as Raphael, Bramante, Bernini, Michelangelo or Maderno. In addition to be the largest religious building of the world, you will also find here the ancient tomb of the apostle St. Peter.

Which services are included?

Tour companies offer various services for the purchase of a Sistine Chapel early access ticket:

  • An early entrance
  • A guarantee to skip the line
  • Supply of a multilingual audioguide
  • A DVD souvenir
  • An entry/admission for different Vatican Museums

Is it worth it?

Absolutely. Early access tickets are great, you will skip the line and visit the Sistine Chapel without any crowds around you.

Furthermore, a special option can allow you to take an American buffet breakfast in the Pinecone Courtyard or the Vatican cafeteria, depending on the weather conditions. This is an unmissible offer!

Even if the price is higher than regular tickets (between €59 and €68), it’s definitely worth the money!

How to book Sistine Chapel early access tickets?

You can book your early access ticket with an online travel agency such as Viator, Getyourguide, Civitatis or Musement.

There are very competitive prices and regular discounts. Make sure you make a price comparison before booking: you will often find generous discounts.

Are Sistine Chapel early access guided tours worth it?

Vatican Museums early access tours cost between €71 and €109.

Overview

Book a Sistine Chapel tour to avoid the crowds and enjoy this amazing building before the opening hours.

Visiting Saint Peter’s Basilica before the general public will allow you to quietly admire some of the most tremendous masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance art.

Which services are included?

Numerous services are offered as part of a Sistine Chapel early access tour:

  • A guarantee to skip the line
  • An early entrance
  • An admission for different Vatican Museums
  • An expert guide
  • Supply of headsets
  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges

Is it worth it?

Early access tours are worth it because you will, besides learning more about Vatican Museums, avoid the crowds to totally enjoy your trip!

Luckily, grabbing a ticket for one of the Sistine Chapel early access tours can help take the stress out of navigation. After all, there’s nothing better than being led around the chapel by a professional guide, because you’ll get an insider’s take on some of the most fascinating chapel spots.

Remember that you can also take an American breakfast in the Pinecone Courtyard or in the Vatican cafeteria before beginning your Sistine Chapel tour. To benefit from this unbeatable offer, click on the button below:

How to book a Sistine Chapel early access tour?

You can directly book a tour with an online travel agency like Viator, Getyourguide, Civitatis or Musement.

There are very attractive prices and daily discounts. Remember to make a price comparison before booking, as you will often find generous discounts.

Why booking in advance?

The Vatican is one of the most popular places to visit in Rome (millions of tourists come every year). However, there are regular long waiting lines in Vatican, with tons of tourists falling into the trap because they didn’t book their entrance ticket online. Indeed, the average length of time of the waiting line is two hours, and it can exceed three hours in summer!

Booking your ticket in advance online will allow you to skip the queue and go directly to the security check. Of course, you will pay a little bit more than a ticket at the office, but would you prefer to visit a beautiful chapel or wait for hours under the sun?

What will I see during my visit?

Vatican guard

The Vatican State is the smallest country in the world, with a surface area of 0,44 km² and about 1,000 inhabitants, but it welcomes each year over five million tourists.

The chapel served as a place for both religious and functionary papal activities. The Sistine Chapel is well-known for its various frescoes that decorate the walls, and most notably for its ceiling.

Southern wall

The southern wall is decorated with the stories of Moses, painted between 1481 and 1482. They include:

  • Moses Leaving to Egypt (by Pietro Perugino and assistants)
  • The Trials of Moses (by Sandro Botticelli and his workshop)
  • The Crossing of the Red Sea (by Cosimo Rosselli, Domenico Ghirlandaio or Biagio di Antonio Tucci)
  • Descent from Mount Sinai (by Cosimo Rosselli or Piero di Cosimo)
  • Punishment of the Rebels (by Sandro Botticelli)
  • Death of Moses (by Luca Signorelli or Bartolomeo della Gatta)

Northern wall

The northern wall is decorated with the stories of Jesus, also painted between 1481 and 1482. They include:

  • Baptism of Christ (by Pietro Perugino and assistants)
  • Temptation of Christ (by Sandro Botticelli)
  • Vocation of the Apostles (by Domenico Ghirlandaio)
  • The Sermon on the Mount (attributed to Cosimo Rosselli)
  • The Delivery of the Keys (by Pietro Perugino)
  • The Last Supper (by Cosimo Rosselli)

Eastern wall

  • Resurrection of Christ Resurrection of Christ (by Hendrick van den Broeck (1572) over Domenico Ghirlandaio’s original painting)
  • Disputation over Moses’ Body (by Matteo da Lecce (1574) over Luca Signorelli’s original painting)

Ceiling – Michelangelo’s frescoes

The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, is an essential work of High Renaissance art. Michelangelo depicted nine scenes from the first book of the Bible – the Book of Genesis. Finally, the frescoes are organized into three groups of three alternating large and small panels.

What are the Sistine Chapel opening hours?

Current opening days and times

Monday to Saturday

09.00 a.m. – 06.00 p.m. (the last admission is at 04.00 p.m.)

Every last Sunday of the month

09.00 a.m. – 02.00 p.m. (final entry 12.30 p.m.) However, Easter Sunday, Sts. Peter and Paul at the end of June, Christmas Day and Feast of St. Stephen on 26th December are excluded.

The Sistine Chapel is closed on a number of Sundays and visitors should check the current position.

Visitors should leave the halls 30 minutes before the chapel closes.

Travel tips

  • Will I need a guide? It is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended.
  • Follow the dress code. It is very important to have an appropriate dress before entering the Vatican. Sleeveless blouses, mini skirts, shorts and hats are not allowed. Large bags or backpacks are also prohibited inside. However, there are cloak rooms that will allow you to store your bags.
  • Are there free visits? Yes, there are. Just go to the Sistine Chapel on the last Sunday of each month: it’s free!

Wishing you an excellent visit to the Sistine Chapel ?

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Lorie Halliday is a freelance content writer based in the UK, with over a decade's experience as a professional journalist, including a tenure with CNN. Passionate about traveling, she continually journeys across the globe, crafting compelling articles for TourScanner's blog. Whether exploring historical places, nature trails, or surf beaches, Lorie brings a unique perspective to her readers.