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

based on 6490 reviews

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

From $53.51

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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 : Lynn_G
It was great! Organized and Sylvia our guide was awesome. I had skipped the line tickets, would highly recommend. Although we stood in a line, they went quickly, and we were able to get into everything that we needed to see.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 17:36:44

Posted By : William_B
Our guide Niccolo was full of little anecdotes that provided some context for the amazing amount of art we saw. He made the tour a much richer experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 15:41:25

Posted By : Traveler469814
The tour was amazing. I had initially booked through another service and they contacted me the day before to tell me that the guide cancelled and there was nothing they could do? Head start I believe was the place! I ended up using you guys! Thanks. Lara was great!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 15:15:16

Posted By : 874suen
Meeting point was too far away a lot of time was wasted walking to our destination.
Once in wow...what an amazing place well worth a visit to the Chapel,the museum was boring and was not relevant to the Vatican but mainly to Italy...
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 13:13:47

Posted By : Rafsh74
A very informative 3.5 hrs, be prepared for a lot of walking and waiting. The Sistine chapel and St. Peter basilica were breathtaking.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 11:12:59

Posted By : sophie b
The skip-the-line tour of Vatican museum, Sistine Chapel and the Basilica is a must when you visit Rome, but be ready for the crowds! There are SO many people. Silvia our tour guide was brilliant in keeping the group together, and navigated us through the Sea of bodies. She was very thorough in her explanations, she obviously loves history and sharing it with others. The tour was very well organised, and everything ran to time. Would highly recommended!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 09:05:20

Posted By : 414nannetter
Our guide was knowledgeable, funny and efficient. He had excellent experience and gave us a great tour. The price was right, and everyone was on time, and they provided bathroom breaks as needed. He also provided valuable instruction on going through the cathedral, even though it was not part of the tour. It was a great experience!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 04:20:57

Posted By : Stephanie_N
Tour company extremely accommodating as we were late from our travels and traffic. They put us right into the next tour. June was so friendly. We really did skip the lines and it was I worth it. Thank you.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 03:57:49

Posted By : Dunia_B
Amazing experience really cultural and enjoyable !! If you want to learn culture this is the best tour
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 02:24:07

Posted By : Monojit_C
Vatican museums are a must see and therefore, extremely crowded (more than 4 hours to enter if you have not pre-booked a skip-the-queue tickets). This was therefore an excellent choice that we had made.
Our guide, Saverio Pescatore went extra mile to explain us the paintings, art work and added an extra tour to the Estruscan gallery which was not part of the original tour. He also explained us the history and things to see and do in St. Peter's Basilica, which too was not included in the trip.
Overall it was an excellent tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 00:29:54