Vatican City

Rainy-day activities

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, Raphael Rooms (only on early morning tours), 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.

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 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.

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. 

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

Discover the art collection inside the Vatican Museums on a tour with an art historian guide, with an optional entry to Castle Gandolfo. Walk through the galleries and admire masterpieces by Michelangelo inside the Sistine Chapel.  Meet your guide, an art historian who will tell you all about the masterpieces you will be encountering. Hear fascinating facts and stories as you visit the Gallery of the Maps, the Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Gallery of the Candelabra. Round off the tour with by encountering the marvels of the Sistine Chapel, complete with frescoes by Michelangelo. Be awed by coming face-to-face with Michelangelo’s most famous artwork: The Last Judgement.

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 Museums are a must-see destination for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to experience the cultural heart of one of the world’s smallest but most powerful states. Located in Vatican City, the Museums are home to an extraordinary collection of art, antiquities, and historical artifacts gathered by the Popes over centuries. Established in the early 16th century by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums encompass a vast network of galleries, including some of the most famous in the world, such as the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps. The collection spans over 3,000 years, showcasing works from the ancient world through the Renaissance and beyond, with pieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and many other legendary artists. A visit to the Vatican Museums offers more than just a chance to see masterpieces – it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of Western civilization, the Catholic Church, and the development of art itself. Whether you are exploring the sculptures of the Pio Clementino Museum, the intricate tapestries in the Gallery of Tapestries, or the awe-inspiring frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums promise to leave you with a deeper appreciation of human creativity and devotion. Join us for an unforgettable journey through some of the world’s most treasured cultural and artistic wonders! Feel free to visit the Pantheon, one of the most iconic and best-preserved monuments of Ancient Rome. As you step inside, prepare to be awe-struck by the grandeur and history of this architectural masterpiece, which has stood for nearly 2,000 years. Originally built as a temple to all the gods of Rome, the Pantheon was completed in 126 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Its stunning dome, with an opening at the center known as the oculus, is a marvel of engineering and design, and remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome to this day. As you explore the Pantheon, you will discover its fascinating blend of Roman innovation and religious significance. It was later converted into a Christian church in the 7th century, which helped preserve its remarkable structure. Today, it serves as both a place of worship and one of Rome’s most visited attractions. To enrich your experience, choose one of the following options: - Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour with Audioguide - Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour with Delicious Breakfast Before the Visit - Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour with Pizza Before the Visit - Vatican Gardens by minibus with audioguide & Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Discover the Vatican Museums on this guided tour with skip-the-line guaranteed. Visit St. Peter's Basilica and marvel at the works of Michelangelo and Bernini. Begin your guided walking tour at the Vatican Museums, with their immense collection built by the Popes throughout the centuries, and discover one of the world's most remarkable art collections. See the Pio Clementino Hall, the Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere. Marvel at works by ancient cartographers in the Gallery of Maps and wander the Candelabra Gallery and the Gallery of Tapestries to see Flemish works by pupils of Raphael. Go inside the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's legendary frescoes. From the Museum, exit directly into St. Peter's Basilica, the most important Christian church in the world, where you will admire, among others, Michelangelo's masterpiece the Pietà and the impressive Baldachin Altar by Bernini. The tour ends in St. Peter's Square, dominated by Michelangelo's imposing Cupola and surrounded by the famous Bernini's double Colonnade.