Route from Sistine Chapel to Pinacoteca

The Pinacoteca is located not far from the top of the escalator as you enter the Vatican Museum (after you scan your ticket you head up the escalator). A lot of people naturally walk straight ahead from the top of the escalator to the outdoor area to catch a glimpse of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. As you're looking at the dome, the Pinacoteca is off to your right on the same level. When I take my students to the Vatican Museum, we take a group photo in that area and then start our tour with the Pinacoteca. That seems the most natural progression to me. You'll see modern religious art as you approach the Sistine Chapel if you don't take the shortcut to the Chapel.

Ok. I’m also taking a tour that doesn’t include the Pinacoteca. After my tour is concluded should I just retrace my steps back to the Pinacoteca? I’ve heard that if the museums are crowded that may not be easy to do, that’s why I’m wondering if there is another route. In Rick Steves guide he seems to indicate a lower level that is accessed after seeing the Sistine Chapel.

If the tour doesn't exit the Sistine Chapel and head to St. Peter's Basilica, then, yes, you will be going back to near where you started. It's a long way back, but you'll be following the crowd. Once you get near the exit, you'll go down stairs, through a gift shop, and then will have the opportunity to go back upstairs . The Pinacoteca is easy to locate from there.

Ok. Thanks. That’s what I wanted to know. I won’t be exiting to St. Peter’s as will have been there earlier in the day. 3:00pm was the only ticket I could get but it’s ok as the museums are open late on Saturday.

You can also have your guide point you in the right direction at the end of the tour.

Good point! I’m used to being the tour guide and itinerary planner. Bought the guided tour as non-guided tickets were unavailable

Guess there’s no way to see the paintings 1st since it’s timed entry?

I will only be in Rome for 2 days and ticket availability was limited. I really want to see both the modern religious art and the Pinacoteca which are not included in the tour so am hoping these areas are accessible after 5:00 when my tour ends. Now I’m not worried about directions but if they’ll be open at all!

I prefer getting the earliest entry time possible and going directly to the Sistine Chapel. You can see a great deal along the way and its really amazing to be alone in the Sistine Chapel, if only for a few minutes. Doubling back has never been a problem but you do have to swim upstream into the flow of oncoming patrons. I like to go to the Pinacoteca next as it is probably the least crowded of the many museums in the complex.

So… maybe I’ll ask about times when I get there. If necessary, politely bow out of the tour and do the Pinacoteca first proceed through the normal course, do the modern religious paintings then the Sistine Chapel. I can use Rick Steves audio.

Once people commented that the painting gallery may not be open late, I emailed the Vatican and asked. I actually got a reply. They are open until 20:00 on Saturday. Assuredly, I will double check on my arrival.

I think you'll find the rooms with the modern religious art also uncrowded.

Don't be surprised to find individual rooms cordoned off even early in the day. There were quite a few I couldn't get into.

I was at the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel about 3 months ago on a Friday evening entry. The Pinacoteca was open during the time I was there. Also, if I remember correctly, there were signs directing you to the Pinacoteca when you left the Sistine Chapel. That was late and I was a bit tired after a long day, so I would not take any bets on my memory.