Skip the Line group Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter B

based on 88 reviews

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

From $113.92

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Enjoy a Skip the LIne tour with a local guide dedicated to answering questions and enlightening everyone on the spectacular history behind this heritage site.

This immensely catholic journey will be explained by our expert local guide where you'll learn the history behind many places and things such as the beloved Sistine Chapel, the iconic Belvedere Courtyard, the antique galleries, and so much more. Take that perfect picture in front of the Pigna Statue in the Pinecone Courtyard, discover the series of galleries in Raphael’s Rooms.

The Sistine Chapel will surely be a highlight of this tour, as it is extremely important and where the Pope goes to worship.On this journey,you'll learn the secrets and legends that only a local would know and will get a special look into this historical site.

Do you know where the special chimney used for the black and white smoke traditionally is? Your guide will tell you!

Were Raphael and Michelangelo friends? Not exactly, let's discover it!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums, located within Vatican City, are a series of art and historical museums showcasing an extensive collection of artwork and artifacts amassed by the Catholic Church over centuries. Founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century, the museums encompass over 50 galleries and halls, spanning approximately 7 kilometers of exhibition space. Among its highlights are iconic works such as Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, Raphael's "School of Athens," and the Gallery of Maps, featuring topographical maps of Italy created in the 16th century. The collections include sculptures, paintings, tapestries, and archaeological finds from ancient civilizations, providing visitors with a comprehensive journey through art history.
2. Cortile della Pigna
The Pinecone Courtyard, also known as the Cortile della Pigna, is a picturesque open space located within the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. This courtyard is named after the colossal bronze pinecone sculpture that stands at its center, believed to have originally adorned a Roman fountain. Surrounded by Renaissance architecture and adorned with ancient statues and fragments, the Pinecone Courtyard serves as a tranquil oasis within the bustling museum complex. Visitors can admire the intricate details of the pinecone sculpture while taking in the serene atmosphere of this outdoor space. The courtyard is often a point of pause and reflection for museum-goers, offering a moment of respite amidst the wealth of art and history found within the Vatican Museums.
3. Gallery of the Maps
The Gallery of Maps, or Galleria delle Carte Geografiche, is a remarkable highlight within the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. This stunning gallery is adorned with a series of large-scale frescoes depicting maps of Italy and its regions, created in the 16th century. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII and executed by Ignazio Danti, the maps showcase intricate details of Italy's geography, towns, and landscapes as understood during the Renaissance period. The Gallery of Maps offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore both cartography and artistic expression from centuries past. The grandeur of the frescoes, coupled with the historical significance of the maps, makes the Gallery of Maps a captivating and educational experience within the Vatican Museums.
4. Stanze di Raffaello
The Raphael Rooms, or Stanze di Raffaello, are a series of four interconnected chambers located within the Vatican Palace in Vatican City. Commissioned by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, these rooms were decorated by the renowned Italian Renaissance artist Raphael and his workshop. Each room features breathtaking frescoes that depict a combination of religious and secular themes, showcasing Raphael's mastery of composition, color, and perspective. The most famous of these frescoes is "The School of Athens," located in the Room of the Segnatura, which portrays a gathering of ancient philosophers and intellectuals. The Raphael Rooms serve as a testament to the artistic brilliance of the High Renaissance period and remain a highlight of the Vatican Museums. Visitors are awe-inspired by the beauty and complexity of Raphael's creations, making the rooms a must-see destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike.
5. Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most iconic and revered spaces within the Vatican City. Built in the late 15th century under the direction of Pope Sixtus IV, the chapel is renowned for its stunning Renaissance art, particularly Michelangelo's masterful ceiling frescoes. Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes, completed between 1508 and 1512, depict scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgment on the altar wall. The intricate details, vibrant colors, and profound symbolism of these frescoes have made them some of the most famous artworks in the world. In addition to Michelangelo's work, the Sistine Chapel also features frescoes by other Renaissance masters such as Botticelli, Perugino, and Ghirlandaio. Beyond its artistic significance, the Sistine Chapel is also a place of great importance for the Catholic Church, serving as the site for papal elections (conclaves) and other important ceremonies.
6. St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peters Basilica is included in the ticket but not in the experience as the access from the Vatican Museums has been closed due to Covid. The guide will explain you how to admire the masterpieces of La Pietà, the statue of St. Peter, the Baldacchino, the famous Pope’s tombs such as John Paul II and John XXIII so in case you would like to go by your own.

ADDITIONAL INFO

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Posted By : F884MEsalvadorr
Excellent treatment and guide from David, he was very helpful at all times, very good that the groups are small and thus he does not give almost personalized treatment, I would definitely return to take another tour with him!! thanks for everything !!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-14 01:58:00

Posted By : A4827JCstephanieg
The Vatican is such an incredibly enormous and magical place! Wow! Our tour guide, Cinzia, was very knowledgeable, attuned to the group needs, and helped us move through the Vatican efficiently without missing anything important. I learned so much! Definitely don’t miss this tour! One thing we learned is that the year 2025 is a jubilee year, so it’s going to be really busy at the Vatican during 2025. Go now before it gets too busy.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-06 09:42:35

Posted By : Brian_H
The entire experience was great. Not only is the trip worth the price. The tour guide I had was phenomenal! She was able to immerse the group into historical events with her knowledge and passion. I have never walked away from a tour feeling better because my contact with a tour guide. She is truly a gem to the company. My only regret is she lives in Rome instead of the states. I would truly have her as a friend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-06 07:35:34

Posted By : knicholas67
The only way to see the Vatican is with a guide, you learn so much more about what you are seeing. The crowds at the museum can be overwhelming, so to have someone lead you through is was so helpful. Would recommend this tour to everyone!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-03 11:13:47

Posted By : Prathinav_V
Staring up at the Sistine chapel and looking at the School of Athens by Raphael was amazing. The other Vatican museums were alright and nothing too crazy. I wish we spent some time in the St. Peter’s basilica though.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-01 03:59:17

Posted By : tproulp
“The tour was interesting and comprehensive. Our tour guide, Sylvia, was very knowledgeable and presented the historical aspects in an interesting manner. She also took the time to answer all our questions, and made sure to keep our group together so that no one got lost. Highly recommend this tour!”
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-27 11:22:37

Posted By : Inspire41952977322
A beautiful visit with a trained and passionate guide. The Sistine Chapel alone is worth a visit. The quick access to the Sistine Chapel is valuable. Nice day.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-22 15:30:43

Posted By : Olivier G
Very good visit, very interesting and a must-see in Rome. Which has the fault of its quality... the crowd. It's crowded everywhere... But we found it was worth it all the same. This is also where we said to ourselves that we had done well to take access with a guide 😅
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-18 07:29:23

Posted By : Grady_W
This review was submitted while taking into account that our tour took place on Good Friday, and that entry to St. Peter’s Basilica would be ending at 12:30pm that day. We had booked a 10:00am tour, and our guide had This review was submitted while taking into account that our tour took place on Good Friday, and that entry to St. Peter’s Basilica would be ending at 12:30pm. We had booked a 10:00am tour, and the tour company had requested that we arrive by 9:40am. We got to the meeting location at 9:30am just in case, but the guide didn’t arrive until around 9:50am or so. Not a deal-breaker, but kind of annoying knowing that we might be short on time. Once we got inside the museum and through security, we were handed off to a different guide (with a different company name on her flag). She was fine, and at the beginning of the actual tour (which by this time was past 10:15am), she assured us that we should be able to have enough time to visit the basilica. The big problem came when she was going through the museum so quickly that we passed by a handful of interesting rooms, and we also missed one key portion of the tour - namely, the Raphael Rooms, which was one of the main reasons I chose this particular tour, as not all tours claim to offer this. By the time we made it through the Sistine Chapel, it was just past 11:30am, plenty of time to have spent a little time at any of the rooms or the Raphael rooms we skipped. Instead, after descending the stairs outside the Sistine Chapel, we were told to turn in our headsets, and we were instructed to explore the basilica on our own, with no guide to assist. Everyone in our entire group were a bit stunned that the tour was over. We had finished the guide portion of the tour in about half the time as indicated in the tour listing. Other than hitting the main highlights of the Vatican Museum, we were overall pretty unhappy and would not recommend this tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-29 22:39:32

Posted By : 794marjorier
“Lorena was exceptional! She put a new point of view on the tour with the historical aspects behind it. It was a truly wonderful good time. Wear good shoes!”
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-25 09:35:47