Art Lover's Guide to Rome

The vast collections of the Vatican Museums can be overwhelming, not least because of the long lines at the entrance every day. Skip-the-line tours offer a way to beat the queue and make sure you don’t miss the most important pieces, such as the Apollo of Belvedere and the Laocoon.

The Sistine Chapel is considered to be part of the Vatican Museums, and it’s usually visited on tours of the museums. Choose a tour that starts at the Sistine Chapel to get in before the crowds and view Michelangelo’s work in peace.

Inside this former nobleman’s home is a fabulous collection of Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings. The Borghese Gallery can only be visited on a guided tour, which fill up well in advance—be sure to book ahead.

This 17th-century palace houses part of the National Gallery of Ancient Art (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica). The collection features pieces from the 13th to 18th centuries, with particularly notable works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, and Bernini.

The 18th-century Palazzo Corsini contains another part of the National Gallery of Ancient Art, with most works on display having once been a part of the Corsini family’s private collection. The pieces are well preserved, almost entirely in their original locations on the walls from when they were donated by the family.