Bramante Staircase (Scala del Bramante)

The Basics

Many visitors mistake Giuseppe Momo's 1930s staircase for the historic Bramante Staircase, but the original was built more than 400 years earlier and is closed to the general public. Only private groups led by an official Vatican-approved tour guide are authorized to visit the elegant Renaissance staircase.

Some small-group guided tours of the Vatican Museums—among the most popular attractions in Italy—include access to the Bramante Staircase. Book in advance to avoid long ticket and entry lines. Extended tours generally also include stops in the Painting Gallery (Pinacoteca), Gallery of Tapestries, Gallery of Maps, Gallery of the Candelabra, the Sistine Chapel with its frescoes by Michelangelo, and the Raphael Rooms before moving on the St. Peter's Basilica.

Things to Know Before You Go

• There is a security check at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, so items like pocket knives, corkscrews, and umbrellas must be left at the coat check.

• If your Vatican tour includes entry to the Sistine Chapel, be sure to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.

• Vatican tours generally require quite a bit of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

• The Bramante Staircase is not wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

The Vatican Museums are located adjacent St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The closest metro station is Ottaviano on Line A.

When to Get There

The museums are most crowded at midday, so opt for a morning (or early-access) tour or plan a visit in the offseason winter months if you prefer a quieter experience.

Visiting the Vatican’s Painting Gallery

Most Vatican Museum tours include a stop in the Painting Gallery, a highlight of the museum complex. Here you can view one of the world's best collections of works by Italian masters such as Giotto, da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio.

Ways to explore

Many visitors mistake Giuseppe Momo’s 1930s staircase (the one at the Vatican exit) for the historic Bramante Staircase; however, the original was built more than 400 years earlier and is closed to the general public. Only private groups led by an official Vatican-approved tour guide are authorized to visit the elegant Renaissance staircase.

Some small-group guided tours of the Vatican Museums—among the most popular attractions in Italy—include access to the Bramante Staircase; book in advance to avoid long ticket and entry lines. Extended tours typically include stops in the Painting Gallery (Pinacoteca), Gallery of Tapestries, the Sistine Chapel, and the Raphael Rooms, before heading to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Accessibility

The Bramante Staircase is not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers. The original staircase is only open to those with special VIP access.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water, camera, small backpack

What to wear

Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is required for entry to the Vatican Museums. Comfortable shoes are also recommended.

Not allowed

Large backpacks, selfie sticks, tripods, sharp objects, flash photography

Amenities

Restrooms, water fountains, and gift shops are available in the Vatican Museums complex.

Address

The original Bramante Staircase is located in a closed part of the Vatican Museums and is not accessible to the general public. However, if you do have special private or VIP access, it’s best to travel by public transportation.

Driving

While you can drive, it’s certainly not recommended—traffic is awful, and the Vatican area has many restricted driving zones. There is a paid parking garage at the Vatican Museums (Viale Vaticano), but spaces are limited. There are more parking garages around a 10-minute drive away.

Public transportation

Take line A (the orange line) to Ottaviano-San Pietro station, and from there it’s about a 5-minute walk to the Vatican Museums entrance. Follow signs to Musei Vaticani, or ask locals to point you in the right direction.

Best times to visit

Arrive early morning or late afternoon to avoid the largest crowds. The Vatican Museums usually close at 6pm, with the last entry at 4pm. Morning visits generally offer better lighting for photographs.

Best days to visit

Come on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekdays typically have smaller crowds; you’ll want to avoid Mondays, when many other Rome museums are closed, and Wednesdays due to the papal audiences.

Best months to visit

November through February—except the Christmas season–offer fewer tourists and shorter wait times. March, April, and October provide a good balance of manageable crowds and pleasant weather.

Special events

Holy Week, Easter, and the Christmas season bring special Vatican ceremonies but extremely large crowds. Museum Night (typically in May) sometimes offers extended evening hours with special programming.