Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

based on 32733 reviews

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

From $108.72

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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.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Vatican City
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.
2. Vatican Museums
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!
3. Cortile della Pigna
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.
4. Sphere within a Sphere
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.
5. Gallery of the Maps
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.
6. Sistine Chapel
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.
7. St. Peter's Basilica
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.
8. St. Peter's Square
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.

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.
• Avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour
• 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

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Carolyn_T
I definitely recommend this tour if you are interested in seeing the most famous works in the museum and don’t have a lot of background. Our guide Elisa’s enthusiasm for the art and history was contagious and she taught me so much! She even made sure to take everyone’s photo individually in front of St. Peter’s.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 20:55:36

Posted By : Erica_O
Alessandra (Alex) was a wonderful guide, so kind and had a wealth of knowledge to share! We were blown away by this location, of course.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 15:19:34

Posted By : James K
Ami was an outstanding tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable. Witty. Just a pleasure to follow and listen to her throughout our 3 hour tour of Vatican Museums, Listeners Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. Highly recommend. Skipped the mile-long queue to get in. Worth every dime.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 15:04:07

Posted By : Laurent_J
I chose this tour because it mentioned "semi-private" with only 10 guests.
When the tour started, they mentioned that the tour will be for 20 people and that we'll get a partial refund. I have no clue whether I'll actually get the refund or when I'll get the money.
No point in booking that tour. Just book a regular one.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 13:44:01

Posted By : Nancy_F
Great guide, great tour, loved every minute. Fellow tour goers were lovely as well. Highly recommend!
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Posted On : 2024-06-01 13:27:57

Posted By : mshort8188
Must not miss this wonderful place! There a lot of people everywhere but everything went smoothly! There is so much beauty, art, and architecture everywhere. I wish we had more than one day at this place!
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Posted On : 2024-06-01 11:06:07

Posted By : Lordofcurragh
Did the City Wonders tour of Vatican with our Guide Amy from Spain she was very informative and funny and made the experience more enjoyable highly recommend it. Book in plenty of time as they sell out fast !
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 10:56:56

Posted By : Molly_B
Beatrice was a great tour guide. She provided a lot of knowledge and it was amazing to see in person.
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Posted On : 2024-06-01 10:42:21

Posted By : maguireg5
Amy was our tour guide ,she was fantastic,we really enjoyed the tour she was so knowledgeable and funny it was a very quick and enjoyable tour we would highly recommend it.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 10:25:54

Posted By : JDellish
Like many Roman attractions, going with a tour group got us in the door a bit quicker. Very challenging place to run a group tour due to the insane crowds. Prime crush conditions. The tour groups meet on a staircase opposite the Vatican Museums entrance and next door to a mediocre cafe. Follow the flag of your guide.

Everyone is told to dress appropriately for the location but we did not see anyone stopped for bare arms, short skirts, etc. People seemed to just wear whatever. Theoretically, the rule is to cover knees and upper arms. Men are meant to remove hats. You and your belongings will also pass through a metal detector on entry.

There was not much time to fully appreciate the collection. This was not the guide's fault. There was a near constant sea of people moving toward the Sistine Chapel. It would be helpful for Museum admin to consider capping the number of guests. Really the crowds seemed dangerous in places.

Many statues, tapestries, and frescoes throughout the area. Obviously the big draw is the Sistine Chapel. We had about 20 minutes here to cycle through the huge mass of people and admire the ceiling and walls. There is no photography of any kind allowed in the Sistine Chapel.

Tour ends abruptly inside the Basilica. Unfortunately the Pieta was not viewable on the day we went. There are other artworks and historical sites within the church though. When you leave the church, there is a long way to go to reach the street so take your time to rest if needed.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-01 10:23:02