Vatican Museums

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. 

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.

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 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

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.

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. With our package, you’ll not only have the opportunity to visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, but also explore so much more! Relive Ancient Rome with our multimedia video, available daily at our office in Piazza d'Ara Coeli. This video transports you to the iconic places of Rome, offering a detailed view of what the city looked like during the Roman Empire. Join us for an unforgettable journey through some of the world’s most treasured cultural and artistic wonders!

Highlights of the Vatican Museum Skip-the-line Tickets When you purchase Vatican Museums skip-the-line tickets, you can enjoy several highlights without having to wait in the regular entrance queues. Explore the biggest museum full of vintage and antique sculptures & frescoes at Vatican City. The Gallery of Candelabra, Tapestries, and everyone’s favorite the Gallery of Maps. You can look at the 300 years old unified Italy at one glance at the Gallery of Maps. Highlights of the Skip-the-line Sistine Chapel Tickets When you purchase skip-the-line Sistine Chapel tickets, you can directly access this iconic masterpiece without waiting in the regular entrance queues. Once you are inside you can experience the most celebrated artworks by Michelangelo. His painting always shows the sheer magnitude. While you are inside the Chapel, you will see the beautiful frescoes. With only a ticket and no accompanying guide, it’s possible to get lost around the enormous museum. For that, if you want we provide you with the map and also be aware of the Vatican City visitor information as a reference. It’s important to note that the Sistine Chapel is located within the Vatican Museums, and skip-the-line tickets specifically for the Sistine Chapel may not be available. However, skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums generally include access to the Sistine Chapel. By bypassing the regular entrance queues, you can directly immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sistine Chapel.

Explore St. Peter's Basilica, its Dome designed by Michelangelo, Bernini’s masterpieces, and the Papal Tombs. Choose the optional Dome climb for stunning panoramic views of Rome. Your journey begins in St. Peter’s Square, where your expert guide will introduce you to the grandeur of its colonnades and fountains, designed to embrace millions of visitors. Learn about the square’s historical and spiritual significance as the heart of Vatican City. Step inside St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most renowned churches in the world. Marvel at masterpieces by Michelangelo, Bernini, and other legendary artists. Stand before Michelangelo’s Pietà, a moving sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding Christ, and admire Bernini’s grand Baldachin, the towering bronze canopy over the high altar. Your guide will share fascinating insights into the basilica’s history and spiritual importance. Next, descend into the Papal Tombs, the resting place of popes who shaped the Church’s history. Discover their lives, legacies, and contributions to the Vatican. Your guide will bring their stories to life, providing a deeper understanding of their influence on world history and Catholicism. For those seeking an elevated experience, opt for the Dome climb, where you’ll witness breathtaking views of St. Peter’s interior before stepping onto the highest point in Vatican City. From the top, take in a 360-degree panorama of Rome, with iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum in sight. This tour is perfect for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and those fascinated by Vatican City’s rich heritage. Whether you choose to admire the Dome from below or climb to the top, this unforgettable experience will leave you with lasting memories. Book now—availability is limited!