Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms + Basilica Access

based on 867 reviews

Duration:2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Rome, Italy

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Experience a timeless Skip-the-Line tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Raphael's rooms. Take advantage of Skip-the-Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica at the conclusion of your tour whenever possible. Ensure you don't miss any highlights as your expert tour guide adds a touch of fun and fascination to your visit. Our shared groups are limited to a maximum of 20 people, equipped with headsets for easy exploration and clear narration.

Prefer a more personalized experience? Upgrade to the Small Group option, accommodating 10 people or less, or opt for a First Access tour to be among the first visitors for the day. If you prefer to go without a guide, choose the escorted ticket-only option, allowing you to skip the lines and explore independently. All choices include Skip-the-Line access to St. Peter's Basilica, whenever it's available (excluding Wednesdays and special events).

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Vatican Museums
Together with your guide, set foot inside the smallest country in the world via the fastest possible entrance!
2. Cortile della Pigna
One of the first stops inside the Vatican Museums is the Pinecone Courtyard where you will find the Sphere within a Sphere sculpture as well as the Roman fountain, an enormous bronze pinecone, that lends the courtyard its name.
3. Sphere within a Sphere
The bronze Sphere within a Sphere sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro marries this historic setting with a touch of modern art.
4. Museo Pio Clementino
The Vatican Museums are made up of multiple Museums forming many "wings". The wing containing the highest concentration of highlights is the Pio Clementino Museum. Follow your guide from the Octagonal open-air courtyard where you will encounter the Laocoonte and Apollo Belvedere, to the eerily life-like statues in the Room of the Animals. Check out the masterfully painted vaults creating a 3D effect in the Gallery of the Candelabra.
5. Gallery of the Maps
In this Gallery of hand-painted maps, you can admire the world how it was seen nearly 5 centuries ago. With the help of your guide, pick out the towns in Italy you have visited, or just enjoy the incredible hand-painted details that make these maps unique.
6. Stanze di Raffaello
"Raphael's Rooms" inside the Vatican Museums are a spectacular testament to the talent of the painter Raphael, as well the inspiration of the master Michelangelo. Explore them with your guide.
7. Sistine Chapel
Your guide will prepare you to take in the Sistine Chapel ahead of time, as no speaking is allowed in this sacred place. Admire this monumental work by Michelangelo.
8. Museos Vaticanos
Your visit ends at the entrance of the Vatican Museums. From here, you are free to continue to explore on your own within official opening hours.
9. St. Peter's Square
When available, access is provided to St Peter's Basilica, skipping the lines. A tour is not provided inside the Basilica, only access. Your visit will end at the steps of St. Peter's Square with an introduction made by your guide after which you will be on your own to continue exploring.
10. St. Peter's Basilica
For the guided tour options only, and when available, Skip the Line access to St. Peter's Basilica via a special exit from the Sistine Chapel will be offered to you at no extra cost. Please note that St. Peter's Basilica is a separate venue from the Vatican Museums, is free to enter and does not require ticket. However, skip the line access is only possible via the museums and is not available at all dates and times. It is not possible to know in advance when access to the Basilica will be available. At the time, our 3:15PM tour departure does not include Basilica Access.
11. Vatican City
Vatican City, Vatican City, Lazio

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children 6 and under are entitled to free access to the Vatican Museums (with proof of age)
• Children aged 7-18 are entitled to a reduced entry fee (see tour and ticket pricing) and must provide proof of age.
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
• At least 4 people are required for the guided tour option to take place.
• Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
• Entrance into St. Peter's Basilica is separate from the Vatican Museums and is not always available. When available, you will be given the option to benefit from Skip the Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica at no extra cost. Entrance to the Basilica is free and does not require a ticket.
• Guests with a certified disability of over 75% are entitled to free entrance to the Vatican and do not require a ticket. For guests who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended to a companion.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : LaDena_S
Our tour guide Maria Laura was absolutely amazing. She was very knowledgeable and extremely nice. This was a memorable experience and one that I highly recommend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-18 14:05:55

Posted By : michellelT6249NZ
Found the whole experience stunning. Was blown away by the Sistine Chapel.
Would suggest making this experience longer or splitting it up more. So much to take in.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-17 05:13:50

Posted By : SRShuter
Our guide, Marina, was excellent. She is knowledgeable and entertaining. Meeting spot was easy to find from the Cipro metro stop.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-17 04:45:15

Posted By : Toonbarbie
Giuseppe was our guide and he made it brilliant!!!! He was so easy to listen to and understand ( unlike some guides )
I would recommend this tour to anyone
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-16 11:08:00

Posted By : hg67as
Rosalba and EcoArt did a very good tour. The meetup location was clear and the queue jump went well. Rosalba was knowledgeable and interesting. Unfortunately the museum was totally packed and it was difficult for the tour group to keep together among the crowds. The audio system is also a bit unreliable, so sometimes it is hard to hear what Rosalba is saying. The tour went through all the main galleries including ancient Etruscan and Roman art, map room, Raphael room (very quickly) and Sistine chapel. Also the tour visited St Peter church. No time on the tour to visit gardens or to linger over art works.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-16 03:34:08

Posted By : Liliana_B
On time
Excellent Knowledge from Tourist guide
But she left us to guide us and the End of the tour the church wasn’t guide by her.
No good for her side
The Tour is wonderful to see !
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-16 02:57:02

Posted By : Caroline C
This tour is well worth the money. Skipping the very lengthy queues and navigating the crowds inside was great, especially when you have children. Our tour guide Giuseppe was excellent, he had so much knowledge about the buildings and all the incredible works of art. He pointed out lots of fascinating details but was never boring and make us laugh. Would highly recommend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-15 15:25:19

Posted By : Maps38892007286
His presentations are not just informative; they are immersive experiences, carefully crafted to elucidate complex concepts with clarity. Through meticulous attention to detail and a wealth of examples, he ensures that even the most intricate topics become easily comprehensible. This comprehensive approach not only enriches our understanding but also fosters engagement and enthusiasm among participants.

Moreover, his willingness to share numerous examples further enhances the learning process, providing practical applications and real-world context. This multifaceted approach not only broadens our knowledge base but also equips us with the tools necessary to navigate diverse scenarios effectively.

In essence, his sessions are not mere lectures; they are transformative journeys that leave a lasting impact. With an approximate duration of three hours, these immersive information-sharing tours offer a deep dive into the subject matter, ensuring a thorough exploration of key concepts. I am confident that you will find this experience both enriching and rewarding, and it presents an excellent opportunity to expedite your journey into this domain.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-15 10:59:29

Posted By : soumitri_c
A costly tour but the plus point is a friendly and knowledgeable guide. Viator should seriously think about keeping an eye on price control otherwise tourists will suffer.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-15 10:55:02

Posted By : V9966PDelainej
This tour was well organised and very informative. Maria our EcoArt tour guide was fabulous and spoke to our group through headphones.Definitely recommend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-14 07:31:40