Vatican City in OneDay: Vatican Museums,Sistine Chapel & Basilica

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Vatican Museums

  A standout stop on this tour is the Borgia Apartments. In the 15th century these rooms were home to the infamous former cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (then Pope Alexander VI). You’ll see some of the family portraits and hear from your guide some of the secrets of one of the most renowned and most controversial papal families. There is a lot of history hidden within the paintings’ religious content. You will also have a peek into the scandalous life of the Pope’s beautiful daughter Lucretia and also his son Cesare.

  4 hours • Admission ticket included
• 2
  Sistine Chapel

  You will then head into Michelangelo’s world-famous Sistine Chapel. Before entering, you’ll hear the stories behind the frescoes from your guide, their meaning and their significance. Michelangelo spent eight years of his life painting these wonderful frescoes – an incredible undertaking!

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

  It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome. There is still more to see though below ground level. You guide will lead you below ground to the papal crypt where, over the centuries, many of the Popes have been interred. This special place is a site of pilgrimage for many Catholics.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Saint Peter's Square

  Finally, it is out into St. Peter’s Square to visit Bernini’s magnificent statues that surround this wonderful square.

  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
• PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Jubilee the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queuing.
• READ CAREFULLY: Due to the jubilee it can happen quite often that some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice, especially the Sistine Chapel and/or the Basilica of St Peter. In case of such events we do NOT refund NOR reschedule the tour, our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.

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