Sistine Chapel: How to Get In, Hours and Prices

The Sistine Chapel is the most famous room in the Apostolic Palace of Vatican City and the most famous chapel in the world. It was the making of Michelangelo, the leading figure of the Renaissance, as an artist.

Here's why it's one of the essential sights you have to see in Rome, and why you shouldn't skip it.

History of the Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is the best known chapel in the Apostolic Palace of Vatican City and in the world. It has hosted all sorts of papal events, above all the conclave, the gathering of cardinal electors who decide who will be named pope.

Between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo worked nonstop on the frescoes that decorate the chapel's vault, which are now more than 500 years old.

Sixtus IV was pope when various Renaissance painters were commissioned to decorate the chapel. The list included several famous names of the day. On August 15, 1483, Sixtus celebrated the first Mass in the Sistine Chapel, and the space was consecrated to the Virgin Mary.

But the story didn't end there. Twenty-five years later, Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to decorate the chapel's vault. The result was a staggering creation that changed the course of Western art forever.

Works of art in the Sistine Chapel

The most famous works by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel are The Last Judgment (painted above the altar wall) and The Creation of Adam. They rank among the Vatican's greatest treasures.

Curiously, Michelangelo initially turned down the commission to decorate the chapel, thinking the job was simply too big. He even suspected his rivals had recommended him for it so they could watch him fail. The fresco technique was almost unknown to him at that point.

In total, Michelangelo painted 460 square meters. The result still draws millions of people eager to admire one of the most remarkable works of art in history.

Tickets for the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel

Even though it sits right next to St. Peter's Basilica, the only way into the Sistine Chapel is through the Vatican Museums.

There are plenty of ticket options for the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. You can see the details, prices and advantages of each one in our full guide to the best Vatican tickets.

Remember you can also get in free to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel with the Roma Pass from Go City and the Omnia Card.

Opening hours

• It is open Monday to Saturday.
• On the last Sunday of every month it is open to the public (free entry from 9:00 to 12:30, closing at 14:00). When that Sunday falls on Easter, June 29, or December 25 or 26, the chapel and the museum stay closed.
•  The other days the chapel is closed to the public are: January 1 and 6 / February 11 / March 19 / April 20, 21 and 27 / May 1 (Ascension) / August 14 and 15 / November 1.

Rules

• As with the museum, you need to be dressed appropriately to get in. Sleeveless tops and shorts are not allowed.
• Inside the chapel, talking, photos and video are all forbidden. Security staff are authorized to delete any material shot inside the chapel.
• Children under 6 enter free.

Getting there

The Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican. You can get there by metro, getting off at Ottaviano station, or on tram 19.

The neighborhood around the Vatican is quiet and residential, with a huge range of places to stay. If you want to be able to walk to St. Peter's Square, take a look at this selection of hotels in Rome near the Vatican and save yourself time getting around.

The Sistine Chapel is a treasure of humanity and belongs in any Rome itinerary. Naturally, we've included it in our recommendations for what to see in Rome in one day, what to see in Rome in 2 days and what to see in Rome in 3 days.