Things to do in Vatican City

Take a stirring journey through art and religious history with skip-the-ticket-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Avoid the long ticket lines and then enjoy your visit at your own pace.  Wander through the Greek Cross Gallery to see elaborately-carved sarcophagi that might just contain the earthly remains of some of antiquity's famous kings and queens. Peek at the Cabinet of the Masks, or tour the Sala degli Animali to see a virtual menagerie of fantastic beasts, real and imagined. Walk the Upper Galleries, including the Gallery of Maps, to see how cartographers depicted the world through the ages. See masterpieces by Renaissance masters in the Raphael Rooms, and rest for a while in the Borgia Apartments. Then, it’s time to marvel at Michelangelo’s exquisite Sistine Chapel, the crown jewel of the Vatican, and perhaps even of all the world’s art treasures.

Take a tour of one of the holiest sites in Christendom on this guided walking tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. First, visit the Pine Courtyard, Belvedere Courtyard, the Gallery of the Maps, Candelabra Gallery, Pio Clementino's Rooms, the Tapestry Gallery, and the Sistine Chapel. Then, be led by an expert guide to some of the major attractions, as well as to some lesser-known spots that other tourists often miss. You will also get to see other galleries of the Vatican corridors. Finally, visit Michelangelo's Pietà at St. Peter's Basilica before concluding your tour at the Sistine Chapel.

Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with a skip-the-line entrance ticket. Visit the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps and immerse yourself into the fascinating world of art and historical artefacts. After meeting your host (NOT Tour Guide), you will enter the main hall without waiting in line and have the opportunity to explore the museums at your own pace. Discover the marble sculpture Laocoön and His Sons at the Museum Pio-Clementino, one of the renowned museum spaces within the complex. Next, see the famous Belvedere Torso, Round Hall, and the Raphael Rooms. Admire the unique theme and frescoes depicting various scenes and subjects. Continue to the Sistine Chapel, renowned for the remarkable frescoes by Michelangelo. You will be amazed by the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and other Renaissance artists. Marvel at the beautiful collection of ancient sculptures, Renaissance paintings, tapestries, manuscripts, and archaeological findings. Enjoy a remarkable visual journey into the world of the Renaissance at your own pace. 

Discover Rome at your own pace on an open-top hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. See the imperial monuments of Ancient Rome as well as the Baroque and Renaissance buildings of the historic center as you learn about the city's glorious past and present. Experience Rome like never before on our Hop-on Hop-off bus routes. Choose where to start your tour and admire all the best landmarks and top sights of the Eternal City on our Green Route, explore the Italian tastes on our Orange Route, and enjoy off-the-beaten-path sites of Rome on our Blue Route. Onboard the audio guide will provide you with a city commentary as you tour. You can jump on and off as many times as you like during the Daily, 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour period from when you first validate your ticket. Buses run approximately every 20 minutes: Terminal 1 (Piazza dei Cinquecento corner Via Cavour)4 Santa Maria Maggiore (Piazza Dell'Esquilino,12) Colosseum (Via di San Gregorio close to the entrance of Palatine) Circus Maximus (via del Circo Massimo Belvedere Romolo e Remo) Piazza Venezia (Via del Teatro Marcello in front of civic numbers 32 -34) Vatican City (Lungotevere Tor di Nona 7) Villa Borghese (Via Ludovisi 48) Barberini Square (Via Barberini,14) Pyramid/Testaccio Quarter (Pyramid of Cestius- Non Catholic Cemetery, St. Paul City gate and St. Paul out of Wall) Eataly (Eataly market, Garbatella Quarter, Street Art) Borghese Gallery (Via Pinciana ) Bioparco/Zoo (Via Mercadante 34,36) Villa Giulia ( Piazza Thorvaldsen -National Etruscan Museums,National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art) Auditorium Parco della Musica (Via de Coubartin) Maxxi Museums (via Guido Reni 4/a)

Explore St. Peter's Basilica and Dome like never before, from 136 meters up. Take in Rome's views from high up on a self-guided tour. Situated in Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica stands as a remarkable symbol of both long-standing religious importance and exceptional architectural ingenuity. Initially ordered by Pope Julius II during the 16th century, this grandiose basilica was constructed on the presumed location of Saint Peter's burial, the esteemed disciple of Jesus Christ, encapsulating centuries of history and spiritual reverence. First, climb the dome, and get a close look at the interior mosaics while your audio guide tells you about the church's history. Be amazed by the panoramic views of St. Peter's Square and the Vatican Gardens. Next, take in the Colosseum from afar, and gaze over the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, and other ancient buildings that make Rome unique. After descending from the dome, admire Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's Baldacchino, and the final resting places of St. Peter and other popes. Using a digital map and 27 designated listening points, the audio tour will lead you on a journey through the basilica's key highlights. Explore the detailed embellishments and elaborate mosaic art that grace the interior walls. Delve into La Pieta of Michelangelo and the meanings and historical significance of the extraordinary pavement beneath you. In adherence to our commitment to transparency, respect, and passion in all aspects of our business, we present the cost breakdown of this package for your consideration: - Tickets for the Saint Peter's Basilica Dome with Elevator: €10.00 - Audioguide for the St. Peter's Basilica: €7.00 - Audioguide for the St. Peter's Basilica Dome: €8.50 - Self-Guided Tour of the Vatican area in Rome: €3.50

Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without waiting in the often long public lines. Take a journey through the awe-inspiring museums where you’ll find a treasure trove of Roman statues, Renaissance paintings, and Italian artworks. With these Vatican Museum skip-the-line tickets, have more time to explore the immense collection of art that can be found in the Vatican Museums. Walk through the exhibits and galleries from the Round Room to the Gallery of the Tapestries. Discover the Belvedere and Pinecone Courtyards and the famous Gallery of the Maps. This room filled with topographical maps of Italy by Danti dating back to 1583 remains one of the largest geographical pictures to this day. Browsing through the Pio Clementino Museum you can see the Greek Cross Hall, Gallery of the Statues, Hall of the Muses, and other paintings, sculptures, and statues from artists spanning centuries. Pass through the majestic collection of ceremonial carriages that are now part of the Carriage Pavilion. Discover the countless treasures of the Vatican with a visit to the Raphael Rooms. Admire the 4 rooms of the Vatican famous for their frescoes by the High Renaissance great Raphael. Gaze in awe at Raphael’s The School of Athens. Observe the most famous chapel in the world – the Sistine Chapel. Witness the beautiful frescoes that decorate the interiors from Botticelli, Rosselli, Perugino, and Ghirlandaio and the most famous fresco of all – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Enjoy a SIT shuttle bus transfer between Vatican City area and Fiumicino Airport and book your ticket in advance in both directions. Benefit from a service that runs every day of the year to suit the needs of all passengers.  Exit the airport and make your way to the shuttle bus area outside Terminal 3. Benefit from the services of the attendant staff as they assist customers with their transfer details. The driver will help you store your luggage in the provided area before driving towards Vatican City, Via Crescenzio 2. Depart from Via Crescenzio 2, near Piazza Cavour, where staff will be on hand to assist you. Simply present your voucher on arrival for redemption, and then sit back and relax in comfort. Due to Rome's notorious traffic, you are strongly advised to book a departure time well in advance of your flight. Get dropped off outside the arrivals hall at Terminal 3 of Fiumicino Airport, where you can easily walk up the stairs to the departure gates.

The Vatican is massive, and let's be honest—exploring it alone can feel overwhelming. That's exactly why our expert guide is here, ensuring you won't miss a thing by taking you straight to the highlights. Kick off your adventure with exclusive skip-the-line access at the incredible Vatican Museums, a treasure trove filled with centuries of art, history, and jaw-dropping ceilings. Together, you'll stroll through: Gallery of Maps: Think Google Maps, but hand-painted and 500 years old! Gallery of Tapestries: Gigantic, intricately woven masterpieces that tell amazing stories. Rotunda Room: Ancient statues beneath a stunning domed ceiling that rivals Rome's greatest architectural gems. Next up, step into the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Sure, you’ve seen pictures, but nothing compares to standing beneath Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes. Look up at "The Creation of Adam" and "The Last Judgment," picturing Michelangelo tirelessly painting every incredible detail. If you've chosen the full experience, continue into the majestic St. Peter's Basilica, home to Michelangelo’s emotional Pietà and Bernini's spectacular bronze Baldachin. Your journey concludes outside the Basilica, giving you plenty of time to explore St. Peter’s Square or discover nearby Castel Sant’Angelo at your leisure.

Meet your tour guide at the tour office, located in the oldest neighborhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following an introduction by your guide, walk through the charming shops of the Borgo and get some local tips for eating and sightseeing in Rome. Learn a bit about the history of the Sistine Chapel, and then head to the square as a group, passing along the Via della Conciliazione. Admire the flags and surrounding embassies as you walk through this street, which serve as the primary access point to St.Peter's Square. Arrive at St. Peter's Square, which is marked by a towering Egyptian obelisk and enveloped by columns and statues of saints. Hear about the history of the square and the legendary artist Bernini who designed it. En route to the Vatican Museums, see and hear about how residents of the smallest city in the word go about their day-to-day life. Snap a photo of the Swiss guards the pontifical bodyguards in their distinctly Renaissance uniforms. Then, slowly head towards the museum's entrance, where you will be led to a special area reserved for skip-the-line groups. Walk through an astonishing collection of Roman and Greek statues, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of Maps. Admire Michelangelo's famous works, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement at the Sistine Chapel. This spectacular fresco evokes lifelike images within the mind, vividly portraying stories of mankind in the biblical era. Finish off your tour with St. Peter's Basilica. You will be brought in front of St.Peter's Church, where a special entrance will allow you to enter directly from the museum and bypass the long queue out in the square. Got questions? Ask you guide before parting ways!

Explore the Eternal City from a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus with your 1 Day, 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket. Travel past the city's icons, leave the bus at any of the eight stops, and hop back on the next bus when you want to continue. Stay flexible while seeing all the amazing sights in Rome. Legend tells of Romulus and Remus and the 7 hills of Rome. Today the city is home to one of the world's largest churches, the Basilica di San Pietro of the Vatican, approached through a marvelous elliptical piazza. Among its other famous sights are the magnificent Colosseum, cinematic Trevi Fountain, and romantic Spanish Steps. With its vibrant café culture and quaint trattorias, Rome never fails to inspire. The full loop takes 100 minutes and you can jump off at any of the following points along the way: Location closest to our Bus Stops Terminal A Largo di Villa Peretti or Terminal C Piazza dei Cinquecento Santa Maria Maggiore San Giovanni in Laterano Colosseum Circo Massimo Piazza Venezia Largo Argentina Piazza Navona Vaticano (Castel Sant'Angelo) Piazza di Spagna (Fontana di Trevi)  Piazza Barberini