Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

based on 6403 reviews

Duration:3 hours (approx.)
Location: Rome, Italy

From $53.41

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A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece.

This budget-friendly tour is the best value for money for travelers that are interested in 1) seeing the museum’s highlights 2) meeting a new friend or two through your group and 3) skipping the lines (trust us, with over 6 million tourist spilling into the museum every year, you'll want it!)

Disclaimer: you will be entering the Vatican museum during one of the busiest times of the day. While the tour provides skip-the-line access, the crowds in the museum vary from day to day and some delay with security can be expected (it would be misleading for other tour operators to not tell you this!)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Borgo
Meet your tour guide at our office, located in the oldest neighbourhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following a self introduction by your guide, you will walk through the charming shops of the Borgo, as he/she shares some local tips for eating and site seeing in Rome, including off the beaten track sites that you must visit during your holiday! Some background will also be provided on the history of the Sistine Chapel (we do it here as the chapel forbids noise and travellers are expected to observe silence once entering).
2. Via della Conciliazione
Admire the flags and surrounding embassies as you walk through this street, which serve as the primary access point to St. Peter's Square, and by extension, to the Vatican City itself.
3. St. Peter's Square
We arrive at St. Peter's Square, which is marked by a towering Egyptian obelisk and enveloped by columns and statues of saints. Hear about the history of the square and the legendary artist Bernini who designed it. Fun fact- the Pope addresses crowds from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, during the Papal audience held every Wednesday and Sunday morning.
4. Vatican City
En route to the museum, you will get to see and hear about how residents of the smallest city in the word go about their day to day life (including getting their mail!) Snap a pic of the Swiss guards- the pontifical bodyguards in their distinctly Renaissance uniforms. Our Tip: send yourself a post card after the tour. The post office sells a variety of memorabilia, including stamps with Pope Francis's face! Then, slowly head towards the museum's entrance, where you will be led to a special area reserved for skip-the-line groups.
5. Vatican Museums
Be prepared to hear about stories as your guide walk you through an astonishing collection of Roman and Greek statues, the gallery of tapestries, and a gallery of maps depicting 16th century Italy.
6. Sistine Chapel
Admire Michelangelo's famous works, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement. This spectacular fresco evokes lifelike images within the mind, vividly portraying stories of mankind in the biblical era. Note that the museum requires visitors to observe silence and a dress code (knees and shoulders covered).
7. St. Peter's Basilica
You will be brought in front of St. Peter's Church, where a special entrance will allow you to enter directly from the museum and bypass the long queue out in the square. Got questions? Ask you guide before parting ways!

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : robjX1555AE
Our tour of the Vatican was excellent. Our guide was knowledgeable, funny, informative, open to questions. Everything you might ask for
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 10:24:45

Posted By : Evan_M
Such a great experience. If you don't use Skip The Line, you're going to be waiting hours! It was SO worth the money. The tour guide was excellent and we saw all of the highlights. Nothing was rushed and we would highly recommend this tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 10:04:16

Posted By : Edgar_S
Our guide had excellent knowledge and was funny. He was an older gentleman who could have been a history professor. His name was something like Siniestro. 👍🏻 He did such a great job that we all felt compelled to tip him well.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 09:17:43

Posted By : donnamF4604VE
Skip the line was 100% worth it as the queues were extremely long and that was at 9am!
We met at the local office on other side of Vatican and our tour guide Karl took us aside to explain the paintings we would see before we reached the Chapel. I am glad he did as it was extremely busy once inside. You could tell Karl was very passionate about being a tour guide and he knew so much about the history. He was very approachable, funny and always stopped to make sure he had all of his group with him at different points of the tour. You get ear pieces so that you can hear the guide as the noise level rises with the number of tourists who are visiting, so that was a plus point. For us, Karl made the tour very enjoyable so thank you.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 06:42:36

Posted By : K9449AYyvonneh
Booked last minute with group of friends. One of the best tours in Rome. Carl the tour guide was amazing. Really informative and engaging. Friendly and attentive. We all loved him!! Would book again just for Carl.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 06:12:58

Posted By : markspetr
Mamma Roberta was a very good and caring guide. Tempo and explanation was good. She also argued and complained to the security in order to let us in to the Sistine Chapel.

Also I messsed up and we overslept and the company happily arranged a later time slot for us - which we really appreciated.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 05:54:22

Posted By : ANASTASIA_O
Fantastic tour. Carlo was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable filling us in with many interesting details about everything along the way and trying to engage us with interactive questions. It was totally worthwhile!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 05:21:29

Posted By : Francisco_D
Great tour and experience. I can’t remember the ladies’ name but she was awesome and passionate about everything. Tour lasted well over 3 hours and was worth it.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 04:10:31

Posted By : Stephen_B
Our tour guide had great knowledge of the Vatican and the history surrounding the paintings and other articles. She added a lot of local culture and even a bit of local folklore "rumor". She was very well informed, didn't rush us and gave us every opportunity to see all of it! I highly recommend this tour company.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 03:14:41

Posted By : Safari58038344059
Tour included st peter is double the price, which does not include entrance fee because it's free entrance. I got it when the city decided not to open St. peter the day of the tour. How about letting us know as soon as the company received the news. But they don't communicate at all and give any option of price change when service changed. How about the option of St. peter Square, so I know at least you tried? But No, instead, telling me to go on your own next day. So why do I pay you more than $100 to visit St. peter which doesn't require a ticket? Please refund
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-09 23:57:06