Skip-The-Line Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour
- 3 hours
- Skip the line
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
Highlights
Searching for a Vatican tour, but struggling to find one that fits into your schedule and budget? Look no further, as we have the perfect solution! Our Vatican tour has it all, multiple start times throughout the day, at a fantastic price point, with included timed entry tickets and an expert guide. In addition to accommodating your schedule, this tour promises an unforgettable experience. Alongside an expert guide, you'll journey through the Vatican Museums, marvel at the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, explore the stunning Raphael Rooms, and visit the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, guaranteeing an all-in-one experience!
Inclusions
What's included
- Visit the Raphael Rooms, Borgia Apartments and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
- Access the Scala Regia to St. Peter's Basilica (not included with Dome Climb or Ticket Only options)
- Timed entry tickets and guided tour to the Vatican Museums
- Expert English-Speaking Guide
- Headsets (from group tours of 6+ people)
- Guided visit of St. Peter's Basilica (except Wednesday)
What's not
- Guide tips
- Important: The ''Ticket Only'' option covers admission fees only and does not include a guided tour.
- St. Peter's Basilica & Scala Regia Access (On Wednesdays, or Ticket Only option).
Itinerary
Meet your guide at a selected location in Vatican city, from where your guided tour will start!
After entering the museums, join our guide on a brisk walk through the Pinecone Courtyard. Here you'll see the famous ''Sphere within a Sphere'' sculpture.
Experience the best of Vatican City with our Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour. Use timed entry tickets and delve into the treasures of this holy place, guided by an expert who will reveal the secrets behind the stunning artworks and artifacts. Follow your guide through the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps, marveling at the ancient Greek and Roman statues, Flemish tapestries, and detailed maps of Italy. In the Pio-Clementino Museum, home to some of the world's most famous sculptures, you'll see Laocoön and His Sons, the Belvedere Torso, and the magnificent sarcophagus of St. Helen, mother of Constantine. Next, enter the Raphael Rooms and immerse yourself in the Renaissance era of amazing art and literature. See the rooms frescoed by Raphael and admire his most famous work, The School of Athens, as your guide shares insights into the artist's life and influences.
Then, have one of the most iconic experiences in Vatican City, visit the Sistine Chapel. Once you step inside, you'll understand why this masterpiece is revered as one of the greatest works of art in Western civilization. Since the chapel is a sacred place of worship, speaking is not allowed inside, and your guide won't be able to provide commentary while you're there. But fear not, they'll provide commentary before entering ensuring that you're fully prepared to take in all the wonders of the Sistine Chapel. To gain entry into the Sistine Chapel, both men and women must ensure that their knees and shoulders are covered. Failure to comply might result in the Vatican denying entry to religious sites. We understand that the Roman summers can be scorching, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl, scarf, or sweater with you. Get ready to be spellbound by the sheer grandeur of the Sistine Chapel!
(Except on Wednesdays) Your tour will wrap up at the breathtaking St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll miss the long lines in the square by entering through the Scala Regia, a special group-only corridor. Step inside one of the most iconic churches in the world, believed to be the final resting place of St. Peter. Take your time soaking in the beauty of Michelangelo’s La Pietà and Bernini’s Baldacchino in this sacred space. Please note: St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on Wednesdays for the Papal Audience and may occasionally close without warning. If that happens, your guide will adjust the tour to make the most of your time elsewhere in the Vatican.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.5
- 5838
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Ratings come from 1,089 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Please arrive 10 minutes early. Meet your guide at Largo Del Colonnato. This is the area just outside of the St. Peters Square colonnades, on the right side when looking at St. Peter’s Basilica. Our staff will be there holding a “The Tour Guy” sign standing between the fountain and the green kiosk.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 20 travellers
- Operated by
- The Tour Guy
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Guests not meeting the dress code may be refused entry. No hats or flip flops please.
- You are advised to be ready at the meeting point up to 15 minutes ahead of the start time to ensure a prompt start. After leaving the meeting point, your guide will bring you inside the Vatican Museums. Since we have a strict entrance time, in case of delays and late arrivals, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to add you to the group.
- Important: The 'Ticket Only' option covers admission fees only and does not include a guided tour nor access to the St. Peter's Basilica
- St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings until 1:30 PM due to the Papal Audience. Tours during this time will not include basilica entry Tours starting after 3:30 PM are not guaranteed entry into St. Peter’s Basilica.
- The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so visitors are not allowed to speak inside. Your guide will explain what you will see before entering.
How it compares in Rome
- Its from-price is 75% below the median of the 8352 experiences we list in Rome.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 112 of 8352.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Rome
Rome layers nearly three thousand years of history into one walkable city, from the Colosseum and Forum to Baroque piazzas and Vatican art.
Ancient Rome is still in plain sight. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill sit together at the city's heart, the Pantheon still stands with its open oculus, and fragments of temples and aqueducts turn up between apartment blocks. Across the Tiber, Vatican City holds St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Top-ranked sights in Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel.
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