Explore the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, and get a unique understanding of the history and world-class art collection of the Vatican. Enjoy priority access to St. Peter's Basilica as well.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 3 hours
- Starting times 9:45 AM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM
- Skip the ticket line
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English
Experience
Highlights
- Gape at Michelangelo's frescos in the Sistine Chapel
- Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms
- Skip the ticket line at St. Peter's Basilica using a special entrance
- Enjoy a specially designed route that shows you all the works you know you wanted to see and a few surprises you won’t expect
Full description
Start your tour by skipping the (always long) ticket lines to get into the museum and diving right into the galleries holding some of the most famous works of art in the world. This specially-designed route encompasses all the can’t-miss pieces while also including some of the lesser known works that will really dazzle you.
Your expert, English-speaking guide will give you eye-opening insight and context (along with some great stories) as you explore the Raphael Rooms, the Belvedere courtyard with ‘Apollo Belvedere’ & the Laocoön group, the Pinecone Courtyard, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of the Maps, and the Gallery of the Tapestries.
The piéce-de-resistance is, of course, the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will prep you for your time here by telling you the stories behind the creation of the iconic frescoes as well as what they mean. When you enter, you will then be able to appreciate the full majesty of the room, spotting little details like Michelangelo’s self-portrait and the rather painful revenge he plotted for the Pope’s aide (he wasn’t his biggest fan…)
Skip the ticket line at a special entrance to St. Peter's Basilica. Your guide will point out the most important features of the interior, including Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini's Baldachin Altar, the magnificent dome, and more.
The Vatican is more than just a museum. It's home to the Pope and Catholicism and is one of the world's smallest yet powerful states. On this intimate tour, your guide will ensure that you get an overview of it all – from papal scandal to Renaissance masters and the day-to-day operation of Vatican City.
Includes
- Skip-the-ticket-line entry and reservation fees for the Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-ticket-line entry to St. Peter's Basilica
- Headsets
- English-speaking expert tour guides
- Gratuities
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
COVID-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
- All required protective equipment is provided
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Meet at the green bar (called l'Ottagono) in Piazza del Risorgimento. We meet just outside the green bar in the middle of Piazza del Risorgimento Square. This is the only bar/cafe located on the square. The bar is on the side of the square towards via Crescensio - close to Tram stop number 19.
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
What to bring
- Passport or ID card
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirt
Not allowed
- Shorts
- Short skirts
- Sleeveless shirts
Know before you go
- All visitors must pass through airport-style security. During high season the wait at security may be up to 30 minutes. Please leave liquids and sharp items at home
- Please remember that the Sistine Chapel is a holy place, and attire must be appropriate for the visit. Both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. The tour operator cannot be held responsible for entry denied due to improper dress
- Please note that guests may only carry small handbags inside the Vatican Museums. Larger backpacks and big pointy umbrellas must be left at the cloakroom. It is the responsibility of the guest to return to the Vatican Museums entrance to collect these after the tour
- Please note that St.Peter's may not be accessible at times. If this occurs during your tour we will spend more time inside the Museums & Chapel and your guide will give you a tour of the church from the outside
