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Offered languages
- Portuguese
- English
- Italian
- French
- Spanish
Skip the long lines and discover the treasures of the Vatican with an expert guide. Explore the Vatican Museums' world-renowned collections, including masterpieces such as the Laocoön, Apollo Belvedere, and the Belvedere Torso, while learning the fascinating stories behind centuries of art, history, and papal patronage.
Continue through the breathtaking galleries, including the Gallery of Maps, Gallery of Tapestries, and Gallery of Candelabras, before arriving at the magnificent Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo's iconic frescoes.
If the Basilica option is selected, your experience will conclude inside St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will discover some of the most important masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Your meeting point is our office at Via Sebastiano Veniero, 74, where our welcome staff will greet you, check you in, and introduce you to your guide. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. The nearest metro stop is Ottaviano (Line A), a 5-minute walk away.
Ticket Redemption Point
Via Sebastiano Veniero, 74
Itinerary
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1Vatican Museums
Start your experience by meeting your host or, if included, your expert tour guide, who will provide your skip-the-line tickets and help you access the Vatican Museums. For guided options, headsets are included for clear commentary as you explore some of the museum’s most celebrated highlights, from the Pinecone Courtyard to the Pio-Clementino Museum and the stunning Vatican Galleries. Your guide will bring the collections to life with stories and insights along the way. If you select the ticket-only option, your host will escort you to the entrance and you will then visit the museums independently.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
2Cortile della Pigna
Discover the Cortile della Pigna, a striking open-air courtyard named after its monumental bronze pinecone.
10 minutes • Admission ticket included -
(Pass by)
Discover the Vatican Pinacoteca, home to an extraordinary collection of paintings by masters such as Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Caravaggio. Please note that this section is not always included in the tour, as the itinerary may vary depending on the visitor flow inside the Museums.
Admission ticket free -
Museo Pio Clementino (Pass by)
Discover the Pio Clementino Museum, home to the celebrated Laocoön masterpiece, whose dramatic beauty is said to have inspired Michelangelo.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Visit the Gregorian Etruscan Museum and explore a fascinating collection of artifacts that reveal the rich history and culture of the ancient Etruscan civilization. Please note that this section is not always included in the Guided Tour option, as the itinerary may vary depending on the visitor flow inside the Museums.
Admission ticket free -
3Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche
Uncover the Gallery of Maps, a remarkable Vatican gallery decorated with richly detailed frescoed maps that celebrate the geography and beauty of Italy, along with other iconic sections such as the Gallery of Candelabra and the Gallery of Tapestries.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included -
Stanze di Raffaello (Pass by)
Admire the Raphael Rooms, a series of extraordinary frescoed chambers renowned for their beauty and for masterpieces such as The School of Athens, one of Raphael’s most celebrated works. Please note that this section is not always included in the Guided Tour option, as the itinerary may vary depending on the visitor flow inside the Museums.
Admission ticket free -
4Sistine Chapel
Your experience continues with a visit to the Sistine Chapel, one of the world’s most famous and awe-inspiring landmarks. Marvel at Michelangelo’s extraordinary frescoes, from the Creation of Adam to the dramatic Last Judgment, and take in the beauty and significance of this sacred space. As the chapel is a place of worship, silence and respectful behavior are required during the visit. Seeing it in person is a truly unforgettable highlight of any Vatican experience.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included -
5St. Peter's Basilica
IF OPTION SELECTED: Your experience culminates at St. Peter’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. From the Sistine Chapel, your guide will lead you through a reserved fast-track entrance to the church, avoiding the usual long lines. Inside, marvel at Michelangelo’s exquisite Pietà, Bernini’s grand Baldacchino, and the awe-inspiring dome. Should the basilica be closed, your tour will include an extended exploration of the Vatican Museums instead.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
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
- Please note that access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to Vatican regulations and official events and may close these areas without prior notice. However, your ticket will still grant access to the Vatican Museums and partial refunds cannot be issued
- Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter during your visit
- Visitors with a certified disability of more than 75% are entitled to free entrance and do not need to purchase a ticket, but they are still counted in the group, so the guided tour portion must be reserved. Please contact us so we can assist you better
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
- Please note that access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to Vatican regulations and official events and may close these areas without prior notice. However, your ticket will still grant access to the Vatican Museums and partial refunds cannot be issued
- Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter during your visit
- Visitors with a certified disability of more than 75% are entitled to free entrance and do not need to purchase a ticket, but they are still counted in the group, so the guided tour portion must be reserved. Please contact us so we can assist you better
- Please note that this tour involves extended walking, stairs, and areas with limited or no elevator access. For this reason, it may not be suitable for guests with serious mobility difficulties
- Guests using wheelchairs or mobility aids must follow an alternative accessible route and therefore cannot join the standard group itinerary. Access to St. Peter’s Basilica from the Sistine Chapel is never permitted with wheelchairs and mobility aids. Please contact us before booking so we can assist you with the most suitable option.
- Strollers are allowed inside the Vatican Museums only if foldable, as they may need to be folded and carried during certain parts of the visit, especially when the Basilica option is selected, and must remain folded inside the Basilica
- During high season, a mandatory security check to access the museums may require a wait of up to 30 minutes
- Photography is not permitted inside the Sistine Chapel
- We're sorry, but late arrivals will not be able to join the guided tour due to Museum regulations
- Basilica access, if selected in your option, is permitted only with the guide, and the priority cannot be used independently as it is included through a shared group reservation
- Not suitable for guests with serious mobility difficulties
- Guests using wheelchairs or mobility aids must follow an alternative accessible route and therefore cannot join this standard group itinerary
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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