The Vatican City is a must-see for anybody visiting Rome, and the popularity of the Vatican is evidenced by the long lines that gather outside the Vatican. Several visitors visit the holy city every day to admire at its architecture and extensive collection of revival and other period paintings the line of people waiting to enter the Vatican is known to be hours long. If you arrive to the Vatican without your tickets, expect to wait in line for up to two hours before being allowed to purchase them.

The Vatican is the official headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is one of the world’s smallest and most powerful nations. It is the base to the beautiful Basilica of St. Peter and the Sistine Chapel. Another uniqueness of Vatican City is Vatican Museum, which has an excellent collection of ancient Roman and Renaissance artworks.

Getting to the Vatican can be confusing if you’re a first-time visitor. The Vatican City has two main entrances. When visiting the Vatican, we’ve put up a quick guide to help you choose the best entry.

Vatican Museums Queues

The Vatican Museums have 3 lines to enter. To avoid wasting time, double-check that you’re in the correct line.

•  The first line is for people who want to purchase the tickets on the spot. During peak season, wait times might reach two hours.
•  The second line is for people who bought regular admission tickets online. On a typical day, the wait can be up to 45 minutes.
• The third and quickest line is for those who have bought skip-the-line tickets online. Purchase these Skip the Line tickets to gain priority entrance and save time.