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Offered languages
- English
- English
Discover the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on a skip-the-line guided tour with an expert guide. Choose a classic Vatican tour, a semi-private tour limited to 8 guests, or an extended option with St. Peter’s Basilica access.
Explore Vatican highlights including the Pinecone Courtyard, Gallery of Maps and Gallery of Tapestries, then enter the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment.
Select the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour, the Semi-Private Vatican Tour for max 8 guests, or the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica option. With the Basilica option, access St. Peter’s after the guided tour and explore independently with the Towns of Italy App digital map.
Options are separate experiences. Duration, group size and inclusions vary by selected option.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Itinerary
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1Vatican Museums
Visit the Vatican Museums with skip-the-line entrance and a licensed Vatican guide. Explore the Gallery of Maps, Gallery of Tapestries, ancient sculptures, Renaissance art and highlights of the papal collections before reaching the Sistine Chapel
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
2Cortile della Pigna
Visit the Pinecone Courtyard inside the Vatican Museums, famous for its monumental bronze pinecone and striking architecture. Discover the history and symbolism of this impressive Vatican courtyard with your guide.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3Museo Pio Clementino
Explore the Pio Clementino Museum, home to some of the Vatican Museums’ most important Greek and Roman sculptures. See celebrated classical masterpieces and learn about their history and influence on Renaissance art.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
4Galleria dei Candelabri
Walk through the Gallery of the Candelabra, one of the Vatican Museums’ elegant galleries. Admire ancient Roman sculptures, monumental marble candelabra, frescoes, and richly decorated interiors as your guide reveals their history.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
5Gallery of Tapestries
Discover the Vatican’s Gallery of Tapestries and admire magnificent Renaissance tapestries created from designs by leading artists of the period. Your guide will reveal the details, stories, and artistic techniques behind these remarkable works.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
6Gallery of Maps
Explore the Gallery of Maps, one of the most spectacular highlights of the Vatican Museums. Admire detailed 16th-century maps of Italy and the gallery’s richly decorated ceiling while learning about Renaissance art, geography, and history.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
7Sistine Chapel
Enter the Sistine Chapel during your Vatican Museums tour and admire Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment. Learn about the chapel’s history, symbolism and role in Vatican City before your visit.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
St. Peter's Square (Pass by)
Reach St. Peter’s Square, the monumental heart of Vatican City designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Admire its sweeping colonnades, ancient Egyptian obelisk, and views of St. Peter’s Basilica while discovering the history of this iconic Vatican landmark.
Admission ticket free -
8St. Peter's Basilica
IF ST. PETER’S BASILICA OPTION IS SELECTED: continue to St. Peter’s Basilica after the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour. Visit one of Rome’s most important churches and admire its sacred art, architecture and history. Access may vary due to religious events or Vatican restrictions.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Big bags and liquid bottles will not be allowed inside the museums
- This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchair or with impaired mobility
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Big bags and liquid bottles will not be allowed inside the museums
- This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchair or with impaired mobility
- Entry to the Vatican Museums is based on strictly timed tickets. Late arrival may be refused with no refund.
- D required. All visitors must pass a mandatory security check
- 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
- Even with the skip-the-line entrance, there is still a compulsory security check which may cause some delays in entering the museum
- Please note that from January to March 2026, The Last Judgment fresco in the Sistine Chapel will undergo conservation works. Restoration elements will be present, but the fresco will remain visible, accessible, and enjoyable
- For St. Peter's Basilica the access tickets are nominative and non-transferable, requiring the holder’s name. Visitors must present valid ID at ticket checks.
- Best time for fewer crowds: choose the 7:45 AM departure when available. Recommended for guests who prefer a calmer Vatican visit or feel uncomfortable in very busy places.
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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.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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