Inside the Vatican Museums: 10 Must-See Artworks Mapped Out

The Vatican Museums are among the most visited collections in the world, but with so many masterpieces it can be overwhelming to understand which one to prioritize. To help you out, this guide maps out the 10 most important artworks, listed in the order you’ll encounter them.

If you’ve ever found yourself in the labyrinth of the Vatican Museums, trying to figure out where you are between the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The Vatican Museums are a treasure trove of masterpieces, but they can also feel like a maze built by someone who really didn’t want you to leave the building. But fear not. This guide will take you through 10 must-see artworks, all in the order you’ll encounter them in the museum layout, so you don’t have to zig-zag like you’re playing a game of hide-and-seek with Caravaggio.

Here’s how to hit the most famous masterpieces without getting lost—or worse, accidentally skipping Michelangelo’s ceiling. Trust me, you won’t want to do that.

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First, a bit of orientation. The Vatican Museums aren’t just one big museum—they’re more like a collection of museums, galleries, and apartments all smushed together into one very long and winding route.

Typically, you’ll start your visit on the main floor, where you’ll encounter ancient treasures from Egypt and Greece. From there, you’ll head upstairs to the vast galleries of Renaissance artefacts, sculptures and paintings, including the Raphael Rooms. As you wind your way back to the museum’s ground floor, the grand finale awaits: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. But don’t rush out just yet—there are still a few modern gems and some famous highlights before you make your exit.

For an overview of the suggested tour route, you can check out the Vatican Museums official map.

1. ‘Laocoön and His Sons’ Sculpture

Location: Pio-Clementino Museum, Octagonal Courtyard (close to the entrance)
Date: c. 40-30 BC

Start your journey with one of the Vatican’s most dramatic sculptures: Laocoön and His Sons. This masterpiece from the Hellenistic period was unearthed in Rome in 1506 and immediately became a beloved possession for its emotional intensity and intricate details. The statue depicts the Trojan priest Laocoön and his two sons in their final moments, struggling against sea serpents sent by the gods. Every muscle, and every twist of the body is captured in stunning, almost painful realism.

Why it’s special: Michelangelo was so captivated by this sculpture that it influenced much of his own work, including the Sistine Chapel frescoes. The emotional depth and technical skill make it a cornerstone of classical art, and it’s one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Greek sculpture you’ll ever see.

Pro tip: The Octagonal Courtyard where this piece resides also houses other significant sculptures like the Apollo Belvedere, so take a moment to admire the full range of classical art here.

2. ‘Museo Gregoriano Egizio’ Egyptian Artifacts

Location: Ground floor of the Vatican Museums.
Date: Various, 2nd millennium BC to 1st century BC.

After taking in the ancient Greek drama of Laocoön, shift to the Museo Gregoriano Egizio, which houses one of the Vatican’s most impressive collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Established in the 19th century, this museum features everything from mummies to intricate sarcophagi, as well as statues of gods and pharaohs that date back thousands of years.

Why it’s special: The collection gives a rare glimpse into the religious and cultural practices of ancient Egypt, making it one of the most diverse and historically rich sections of the Vatican Museums. The sarcophagus of Psammetichus I and the statue of Anubis are just two of the highlights.

Pro tip: Take your time here—it’s not often you get this close to Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt itself. If you’re particularly interested in Egyptian mythology and burial customs, this gallery will be a favorite.

3. ‘Gallery of the Candelabra’ Marlbes

Location: On the upper floor, accessed by ascending a grand staircase after the Museo Gregoriano Egizio
Date: Various, 2nd century AD onwards.

Continuing on, the Gallery of the Candelabra takes you into the grandeur of ancient Rome. This long gallery is lined with towering marble candelabras, Roman sculptures, and detailed mosaics. The space feels almost ceremonial, with every artifact offering a peek into the daily life and opulence of the Roman Empire.

Why it’s special: The stunning collection of Roman art and the architectural beauty of the gallery itself make it one of the most impressive sections of the Vatican Museums. The intricate marble work and ancient mosaics are masterpieces of craftsmanship. This is a great place to slow down and take in the details, especially the ceiling frescoes that often go unnoticed because of the towering sculptures.

4. ‘Gallery of Maps’ Renaissance Cartography

Location: Connecting corridor between the Candelabra Gallery and Raphael Rooms.
Date: 1580s.

Next, you’ll find yourself in the breathtaking Gallery of Maps, a 120-meter-long corridor filled with frescoes that showcase cartographic depictions of Italy from the 16th century. These maps were commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII and offer a window into the geographic knowledge of Renaissance Italy.

Why it’s special: The scale of the gallery is awe-inspiring, but it’s the artistic quality of the maps that makes this space truly remarkable. Each map is not just accurate for its time but also beautifully embellished with artistic flourishes and surrounded by intricate ceiling frescoes.

Pro tip: Pay close attention to the map of Rome—it’s fascinating to see how much the city has evolved over the centuries. The frescoes on the ceiling, depicting Italian cities and landscapes, are also exceptionally beautiful.

5. The School of Athens by Raphael

Location: Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello), Stanza della Segnatura.
Date: 1509-1511.

As you keep moving upstairs, you’ll enter one of the Vatican’s most famous sections: the Raphael Rooms. The first of these frescoes is The School of Athens, a vivid celebration of philosophy, science, and art. Depicting ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle in a grand architectural setting, this fresco has become the symbol of Renaissance humanism.

Why it’s special: Raphael masterfully used perspective, placing his figures in an idealized ancient world while giving them faces inspired by his contemporaries (Plato is modeled after Leonardo da Vinci, for instance). It’s a perfect blend of art, science, and philosophy—everything the Renaissance stood for.

Pro tip: Don’t just rush to the center of the painting—look at the surrounding figures and architectural details. You’ll spot other Renaissance icons like Michelangelo, hiding in the background.

6. The Liberation of St. Peter by Raphael

Location: Raphael Rooms, Stanza d’Eliodoro.
Date: 1514.

In the next room, Raphael continues to amaze us with The Liberation of St. Peter. This fresco is notable for Raphael’s innovative use of light and shadow, which creates a sense of divine intervention as St. Peter is freed from prison by an angel. The interplay of light—illuminating Peter while leaving the guards in darkness—foreshadows the dramatic lighting techniques of the Baroque period.

Why it’s special: Raphael pushes the boundaries of what fresco painting can do with light, creating a spiritual atmosphere that adds depth to the narrative. Stand back and notice how the lighting draws your eye to the central figure of Peter. Raphael’s careful attention to detail here is easy to miss if you’re too close.

7. ‘Sistine Chapel’ Michelangelo’s Ceiling

Location: Back to the Ground Floor, inside the Sistine Chapel.
Date: 1508-1512.

By now, you’ve wound your way to the Sistine Chapel, the crown jewel of the Vatican Museums. Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes, painted between 1508 and 1512, depict scenes from Genesis, with the iconic Creation of Adam at the center. Every inch of the ceiling is covered in vibrant detail, from God’s commanding gesture to the intricate figures surrounding the central scenes.

Why it’s special: Michelangelo redefined the possibilities of art with this ceiling. His understanding of human anatomy, combined with his bold use of color and perspective, turned what could have been a flat surface into a masterpiece of depth and dynamism.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to look behind you as well. Michelangelo’s Last Judgment, painted on the altar wall years later, is equally impressive and rounds out the story of salvation.

8. Collection of Modern Religious Art

Location: Near the Sistine Chapel.
Date: Established in 1973.

Despite not being overly-famous yet, the Collection of Modern Religious Art is absolutely a must-see. Established by Pope Paul VI in 1973, this collection brings the Vatican into the modern era with works by artists like Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse. These pieces reflect religious themes but through the eyes of modern masters.

Why it’s special: The collection shows that religious art didn’t end with the Renaissance. It continues to evolve, with modern artists offering new interpretations of age-old themes. Keep an open mind—this gallery offers a refreshing contrast to the classical art you’ve just seen and provides a new perspective on spirituality in the modern age.

9. The Entombment of Christ by Caravaggio

Location: Pinacoteca (Vatican Art Gallery), Room XII.
Date: 1603-1604.

Before making your way to the exit, make sure to visit the Pinacoteca to see Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ. Painted in the early 17th century, this work captures the moment Christ’s body is laid in the tomb. Caravaggio’s revolutionary use of chiaroscuro—where light and dark contrast dramatically—brings a raw emotional intensity to the scene.

Why it’s special: Caravaggio’s realism and emotional depth stand in stark contrast to the idealized forms of the Renaissance. This painting is a stunning example of how the Baroque style transformed religious art. Pay attention to the gestures and expressions of the figures—Caravaggio’s skill lies in his ability to make you feel the weight of the moment.

10. Bramante’s Spiral Staircase – The Grand Exit

Location: Vatican Museums exit.
Date: 1932 (Inspired by Bramante’s original design).

As you prepare to leave the museums, one last architectural masterpiece awaits: Bramante’s Spiral Staircase. Designed in the 20th century but inspired by the Renaissance architect Donato Bramante, this double-helix staircase is as much a feat of engineering as it is a work of art.

Why it’s special: The staircase was designed to allow for two-way traffic—visitors ascending and descending without crossing paths. It’s a beautifully symmetrical end to your Vatican Museums experience.

Pro tip: Take a moment to snap a picture of this architectural marvel before you leave, as it’s one of the most photographed spots in the entire museum.

By following this route, you’ll experience the Vatican Museums’ most iconic works and famous paintings in a perfect order, from the ancient world to modern times. Plan ahead, take your time, and soak in the beauty—this is an art collection you’ll remember for a lifetime.

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