Enjoy a half-day guided tour of the Vatican with a knowledgeable guide. Skip the long ticket lines and explore highlights such as the Sistine Chapel and St.Peter's Basilica.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Small group
- Limited to 10 participants
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 3 hours
- Starting times 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM
- Skip the ticket line
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English, German, Italian, French, Spanish
Experience
Highlights
- Skip the long ticket lines and explore the Vatican City highlights
- Learn about Michelangelo's frescoes including the Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis in the Sistine Chapel
- Marvel at the architecture of Saint Peter's Basilica
Full description
Enjoy a thorough tour of the Vatican highlights including the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, Saint Peter's Basicala and many more famous sites. Meet your guide at the entrance and enjoy privileged skip-the-ticket-line access to the collections.
Start your tour with a visit to the rooms displaying Ancient Greek and Roman art collected from ancient Rome. Learn about the most interesting masterpieces including the Belvedere Apollo and the sarcophagi of Helen and Constance, the mother and daughter of Emperor Constantine. Proceed to the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra, passing by precious Roman mosaics and stopping in front of amazing statues of Diana of Ephesus, the Muses and famous greek philosophers.
Next, head to the Gallery of Tapestries, the Sobieski Hall and the Raphael Rooms. These rooms formed the apartment of Pope Julius II and were spectacularly painted by Raphael and his disciples. Be amazed by the colors and symbols of the School of Athens and the Parnassus.
Finally, reach the Sistine Chapel, Italy's most visited site. Learn about Michelangelo's frescoes such as the Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis. Get up close to the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino, and other famous Renaissance masters. Listen to anecdotes and behind the scenes secrets about each of the paintings from your guide.
End your tour in Saint Peter's Basilica, the grandest Catholic church on Earth. There, marvel at another Michelangelo masterpiece: the Pietà. Learn about the building's architecture and symbols and see the tombs of the Popes John XXIII and John Paul II. Discover the secrets and curiosities of Bernini's square and see the balcony where the smoke comes out during the Pope's election.
Includes
- Semi-private tour
- Guaranteed skip-the-ticket-line access
- Local, professional art history guide
- Local taxes
- Gratuities
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
COVID-19 precautions
Traveler requirements
- Customers are required to bring and wear masks
- Customers will get a mandatory temperature check
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Vatican Museums entrance, on the stairs under the big white gates with statues, Viale Vaticano.
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
What to bring
- Passport or ID card
Not allowed
- Pets
- Shorts
- Oversize luggage
- Smoking
- Luggage or large bags
- Short skirts
- Sleeveless shirts
- Alcohol and drugs
Know before you go
- All visitors must pass through airport-style security. During high season the wait at security may be up to 30 minutes.
- No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed in certain Vatican museums and places of worship. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may be refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
- Some areas of the Vatican may be closed without prior notice, particularly the Sistine Chapel and/or St. Peter's Basilica. In the event of a last-minute closure, the local operator will not refund nor reschedule the tour; instead, your guide will provide an alternative, moving the tour inside the Vatican museums.
