The Vatican Museums contain one of the world's most important art collections, accumulated by popes over centuries. The highlight for most visitors is the Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo's legendary ceiling and Last Judgment.
In person, these galleries are often packed shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists. Virtually, you can explore at your own pace and actually see the details.
Official Vatican Virtual Tours
⛪ Vatican Museums Official Virtual Tours
Seven different 360° tours including the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, Pio Clementino Museum, and more. Completely free.
Start Official Tour →Available Virtual Tours
- Sistine Chapel — Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgment in stunning detail
- Raphael Rooms — The School of Athens and other Renaissance masterpieces
- Pio Clementino Museum — Ancient Greek and Roman sculpture
- Chiaramonti Museum — Over 1,000 Roman sculptures
- Braccio Nuovo — Classical statuary gallery
- Niccoline Chapel — Fra Angelico's frescoes
💡 Sistine Chapel Tip
In the virtual tour, look up! Use your mouse or VR headset to explore the ceiling in detail you'd never see in person (no one lets you lie down on the floor in real life).
Google Arts & Culture
🎨 Vatican on Google Arts & Culture
High-resolution images of manuscripts, rare books, and artworks from the Vatican Apostolic Library. Zoom in to see incredible details.
Explore Collection →Must-See Works
- Sistine Chapel Ceiling — Michelangelo's masterpiece (1508-1512)
- The Last Judgment — Michelangelo's altar wall fresco
- The School of Athens — Raphael's greatest work
- Laocoön and His Sons — Ancient Greek sculpture
- Apollo Belvedere — Classical ideal of male beauty
- Belvedere Torso — Fragment that inspired Michelangelo
Enhance Your Virtual Vatican Visit
Recommended Resources
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VR Headset
Stand inside the Sistine Chapel in VR. Look up at the ceiling as if you were there.
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"The Sistine Chapel" (Book)
Large-format photography book with details invisible to visitors.
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"Vatican: All the Paintings"
Every painting in the Vatican collection in one comprehensive volume.