3 hours
Skip the line
Guided in English
Private tour

Highlights

The Vatican is home to a portion of the world's most noteworthy show-stoppers, from traditional figures to the perfect works of art of Raphael and Michelangelo. This stunning visit, under the direction of an Art Historian, will take you through the features working through the world renowned Vatican Museums, Raphael's 'Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica.

Inclusions

What's included

Local guide
Professional art historian guide
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Local taxes

What's not

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Itinerary

Visit the Vatican with special insight into the Sistine Chapel, the Rooms of Raphael, . Meeting at the historical centers, you will be able to skip the long queues and have a chance to drop off items, umbrellas large bags in lockers before the tour begins. The tour will begin by visiting the Ancient Greek and Roman craftsmanship, recovered from old days when the Popes used to be the leaders of Central Italy. The learned guide will highlight the Belvedere Apollo, the Torso, the Busts of Claudius and Hadrian and the Sarcophagi of Helen and Constance, the mother and girl of Emperor Constantine. Continuing into the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra, then venturing through Roman mosaics. Your guide will point out the statues of Diana of Euphesus, the Muses and the celebrated greek scholars.
1 hAdmission included
Following on to the rooms holding Tapestries, the Sobieski Hall and the famous Rooms of Raphael. These rooms were painted by Raphael and his pupils for the Pope Julius II. Marvel at the hues and detailed imagery of the School of Athens and the Parnassus.
30 minAdmission included
Getting on to the Sistine Chapel, the most famed room in Italy. You will see Michelangelo's frescoes particularly the Last Judgement, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis. Along with more subtle elements from the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino and other Renaissance experts. Your guide will recount stories and insiders facts about the scenes adorning the walls.
15 minAdmission included
It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome.
30 minAdmission included
The tour ends in the Magnificent Saint Peter's Square.
15 min

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

4.9

Ratings come from 19 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: At the stairs outside the Vatican museums, at the monumental white door. Viale Vaticano.
Pickup: Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
Ticket type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by: Private Tours of Rome

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Please note, the Basilica/and or the Sistine Chapel might not be accessible as part of the tour, due to the special celebration. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queueing.

How it compares in Rome

Its from-price is 126% above the median of the 8352 experiences we list in Rome.
Its length is typical for the group.
By number of reviews it ranks 1769 of 8352.

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.

See all 8352 experiences in Rome