Sistine Chapel Tour and Vatican City Private Tour

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3 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

See the best of the Vatican City with this three hour private tour with an expert guide. Throughout the tour your guide will talk about the history of these iconic locations and tell you more about some of the artistic gems in the Vatican’s collections.

There is a choice of a 9:00AM or 2:00PM start for this tour, and one benefit of a private tour is that you can set your own pace, as well as be able to view some of the rooms in the museums which are not open to larger groups.

What's Included

Private tour
Professional art historian guide
Local taxes
Gratuities
St. Peter's Basilica

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Viale Vaticano, 100

Meet your guide in front of Caffè Vaticano - they will be holding a sign with your name.

End point
Saint Peter's Square

Saint Peter's Square

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Vatican Museums

    You will meet your guide at the entrance of the Vatican museums and with pre-booked tickets you’ll begin the tour right away, visiting the Belvedere Courtyard, the Pio-Clementino Museum and the large collection of Ancient Roman and Greek statues. You’ll move next through the Tapestries Gallery and then the Maps Gallery: one of the most valuable collections of Renaissance maps in the world. In the Sobiesky Room you'll see one of the Vatican’s largest paintings in addition to visiting the room of the Immaculate Conception, which is home to some beautiful frescoes. One of the most enchanting stops on the tour is at Raphael’s Rooms. These rooms were decorated for Pope Julius II and house some of Raphael’s greatest works: the Parnassus and The School of Athens.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 2
    Sistine Chapel

    As there is no talking allowed in the Sistine Chapel, before entering your guide will discuss the works of art you will see inside, including the mesmerising frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli and others on the walls and ceiling. Your guide will also share captivating anecdotes about the chapel, which is still in use today as the setting for the papal election: Conclave.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 3
    St. Peter's Square

    The tour will end in Saint Peter’s Square where you can see the exterior of the papal palace as well as glimpse the colourful Swiss Guards.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.
  • READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during you Vatican tour: the Sistine chapel and/or the Basilica of Saint Peter might not be accessible. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
  • Please note that, due to Jubilee restrictions, the Basilica is not accessible
Supplied by Private Tours of Florence

Tags

Half-day Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Art Tours
Walking Tours
Religious Tours
Viator Plus
Zombie
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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