Why choose this Rome tour ?
Spend more time inside with no-wait access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica through an official Vatican partner entrance. On this comprehensive guided tour, you’ll experience the best of the Vatican in just three hours, including the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and more. Navigate the vast complex of artwork and history with an expert, who will bring this ancient collection to life. Choose from several departure times and languages.
Make the most of your Rome adventure
What makes Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour a unique experience ?
Vatican Museums tours with skip-the-line access are popular, yet even fast-track lines can be lengthy. This exclusive experience provides admission through a dedicated entrance, ensuring a queue-free visit.
Embark on an exclusive journey into the treasure trove of the Vatican Museums. Explore the intriguing Gallery of the Maps and Tapestries, immersed in tales of Vatican secrets. Marvel at captivating Italian maps, and be awe-inspired by the sculptures in the Gallery of Candelabras. Capture memories with a photo stop at the Pigna statue in the Pinecone Courtyard, crafted by the renowned Donato Bramante.
Join our English speaking expert guide for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Vatican City!
The Pineyard Courtyard at the Vatican Museums is a serene haven, blending classic architecture with lush greenery. Donato Bramante’s Pigna statue stands as a bronze centerpiece, creating a peaceful retreat. Amidst this cultural richness, the courtyard invites reflection and appreciation for its timeless elegance.
In the heart of the Vatican’s Cortile della Pigna stands a notable bronze sculpture: Sfera con sfera (Sphere Within a Sphere) by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. This captivating artwork depicts two fractured orbs resembling intricate machine gears, symbolizing the intricate and fragile nature of the modern world. Pomodoro began creating similar sculptures in the early 1960s, exploring the theme of complexity.
The Gallery of the Maps is a mesmerizing display of intricate cartography, spanning centuries. Immerse yourself in history through vividly detailed maps, capturing the beauty of geography and artistry.
Explore the Museums rooms and then enter the incredible Sistine Chapel— the Pope’s own sanctuary and a must-see on any Vatican visit. Stand beneath Michelangelo’s iconic The Creation of Adam on the ceiling, and marvel at The Last Judgement, his vibrant mural gracing the wall.
After marveling at the Sistine Chapel, your guide leads you to St. Peter’s Basilica, the symbolic heart of the Catholic Church. Dive into its rich history, exploring Vatican art like Michelangelo’s La Pietà, crafted when he was just 24. Admire Bernini’s baldachin and bid farewell to your guide in St. Peter’s Square.
Note: On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audience, St. Peter’s Basilica and Square may be unavailable. Fear not, as an extended Vatican Museums itinerary awaits you as a perfect alternative.
St. Peter’s Square is an iconic masterpiece in Rome. It embraces visitors with its grandeur. Designed by Bernini, the vast elliptical space is encircled by a majestic colonnade, symbolizing the Church’s embrace. The central obelisk and fountains add splendor, while the stunning façade of St. Peter’s Basilica stands as a beacon of architectural brilliance, inviting pilgrims and tourists alike to marvel at the heart of Vatican City.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
- It is the responsibility of all visitors to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated & missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded.
- At times, despite our priority access tickets, we may experience delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues
- St Peter’s Basilica is subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we’re happy to offer customers an extended tour of the Vatican Museums. While we endeavour to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica’s opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
- On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audiences, access to St Peter’s Basilica is not possible until 1pm
- St Peter’s Basilica is not accessible on the evening tours
- Avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Vatican Private – English
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Tailor your Vatican experience to perfectly suit your needs on this private tour, with an expert, English-speaking guide - Vatican Group – Italian
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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica tour with Italian-speaking guide & small group of 20 people or less. - Vatican Semi Private – English
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Experience the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica with an intimate group of up to 10 participants. - Vatican Group – English
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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica tour with English-speaking guide & small group of 20 people or less. - Vatican Evening Tour
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Skip-the-Line Access: Enjoy a Skip-the-Line access to both the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel to maximize your time inside.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Early Evening Departure: This early evening tour finishes at a perfect time for dinner.
Ends at Sistine Chapel: This option ends at Sistine Chapel. Please note St. Peter’s Basilica is not accessible in the evening tour
Vatican Special Evening Group: Escape the crowds and visit the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel at sunset on this small-group tour of max. 22 participants. - Vatican Group – Spanish
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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica tour with Spanish-speaking guide & small group of 20 people or less. - Vatican Museums only
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2 hours highlights tour of the Vatican Museums (does not include St. Peter’s Basilica).This tour ends at the Sistine Chapel.
Duration: 2 hours - Vatican Small Group – English
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Experience the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica with a small group of up to 15 participants.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
- Group of 20 people or less
- Guided visit of St. Peter’s Basilica (except: Wednesday morning)
- Reserved Priority Access to the Vatican Museums
- Access to the Sistine Chapel
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by City Wonders Ltd.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Rome.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 35374 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.
• It is the responsibility of all visitors to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated & missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded.
• St Peter’s Basilica is subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we’re happy to offer customers an extended tour of the Vatican Museums.
• On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audiences, access to St Peter’s Basilica is not possible until 1pm. It is not accessible either on the Vatican Evening Tour.
• If you select the “Vatican Museums only” option, the tour finishes at the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica guided tour is not included.
• While we endeavour to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica’s opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
• For help with meeting points or other urgent issues, please phone +39 06 8336 0561.
• Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering the venue.
• Only small bags are allowed.
• You must wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for visiting sacred or holy places.
• Gratuities for your guide/driver that provided excellent service are appreciated!
