The Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy, are an immense repository of works gathered by the Catholic Church and the papacy over centuries. Roughly 70,000 works are held here, spread across 24 galleries that lead you through ancient, Renaissance and modern art.
Why it is worth the trip
You walk through the Gallery of Maps, where topographical maps of all of Italy are painted across the walls, and into the Raphael Rooms, home to The School of Athens. In the Octagonal Court you meet the Laocoön and His Sons, a masterpiece of ancient drama, and the Apollo of the Belvedere. The route climbs the double spiral of the Bramante Staircase and ends in the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo's ceiling and altar wall. Along the way, corridors feel like bridges to the past, and the sheer scale carries real cultural weight.
The best time to go
Go as early in the day as you can, since arriving early beats the crowds in any famous museum. Shoulder seasons and cooler months are generally more comfortable for the queues and the long walk through the galleries, though the material does not name a specific season.
How long to allow
Plan to spend several hours to appreciate the shift from ancient sculpture to Renaissance grandeur. If you want to linger in the Pinacoteca or the Egyptian and Etruscan collections, allow even more time.
What to book ahead
Reserving your entry in advance is always wise at a site this popular, as it saves time in the queue. Check the official channels before you travel for the options available.
Nearby
Castel Sant'Angelo, which once served as a refuge for Popes, is close by. Farther into Rome you can visit the Pantheon, the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, where ruins of the Flavian Palace can be seen.