Guided Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip the Line Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Vatican Museums

  Skip the (always long) lines into the museums, diving right into the galleries holding some of the most famous works of art in the world. Your expert, English-speaking guide will offer eye-opening insight and context (along with some great stories) as you explore the Belvedere Courtyard with ‘Apollo Belvedere’ and ‘Laocoön and Sons’, the Pinecone Courtyard, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of the Maps, and the Gallery of the Tapestries. If you select the 4:15pm tour at time of booking, you'll visit after the daytime crowds have left, allowing you the extra space and silence to appreciate the magnificent artwork in the Museums.

  2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• Sphere within a Sphere (Pass by)

  Inside the peaceful Pinecone Courtyard you'll pass a spectacular bronze globe. It was designed for the Vatican by well-known Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro and copies of it can now be found all over the world, including Dublin, Tel Aviv and New York City.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Guided tour & Photo Stop

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Guided tour & Photo Stop

  Admission ticket free
• Gallery of Maps (Pass by)

  Guided tour & Photo Stop

  Admission ticket free
• 2
  Sistine Chapel

  Then head to the Sistine Chapel just before closing time for a peaceful experience with just a handful of other visitors. Before entering, your guide will explain the stories behind the creation of these iconic frescoes as well as what they mean. When you enter, you will then be able to appreciate the full majesty of the room, spotting the little details and quirks that most people miss. Please Note: Between January 12 and March 31, 2026, the Vatican Museums will carry out a dedicated preservation project focused on Michelangelo’s "Last Judgment" in the Sistine Chapel. To allow specialists to work safely and thoroughly, the entire wall featuring the fresco will be covered by scaffolding throughout the intervention. The Sistine Chapel will remain open to visitors, though this specific artwork will be temporarily out of view during the restoration period. We appreciate your patience and understanding as essential conservation work is performed on this remarkable masterpiece.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
• All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
• Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
• Areas visited during this tour are subject to closure. Your guide may need to modify the itinerary on the day of the tour.

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