Get ready for an exclusive and unforgettable experience at the Vatican! Our direct-access tour allows you to beat the crowds and discover the wonders of the Holy See in peace.
With the help of our expert local guide and an extra small group of maximum 10 travellers, you’ll enjoy priority access to the Vatican Museums jumping right past the ticketing line.
This means you'll get an up-close and personal view of the stunning art and architecture of the Vatican Galleries, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica without having to push through the masses. Trust us, you won't regret starting your day off with this tranquil and awe-inspiring adventure!
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Admire Raphael Rooms and its Famous School of Athens
✔ Access to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
✔ Semi-Private Small Group of Maximum 10 People!
✔ A Professional, English-speaking Guide
✔ Skip-the-line Entry & Visit to the St. Peter's Church
✔ Skip the Line Direct Access to the Vatican Museums, Pio-Clementino Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra
✖ Hotel Pick Up / Drop Off
✖ Food & Beverages
✖ Gratuities
Departure & Return
Departure:
Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Please arrive 10 minutes early. Your guide will meet you between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign reading “The Tour Guy.”
Return: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
The tour will end at St. Peter's Basilica (except on Wednesdays when we finish inside the Vatican Museums).
Itinerary
1
Vatican City
Meet your guide at a selected location in Vatican City (see voucher) from where your tour will start.
Duration: 5 minutes
2
Vatican Museums
Highlights of the Vatican Museums
Experience the best galleries at the Vatican with your expert guide, visiting the Candelabra, Tapestries, and Maps galleries. Admire ancient Roman and Greek statues, Flemish tapestries, and spectacular topographical maps commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. Your guide will reveal the stories behind these treasures as Vatican secrets are unveiled to you. See Raphael's famous fresco, The School of Athens, and other masterpieces in multiple rooms inside the Vatican Museums.
Raphael Rooms
Experience the grandeur of the Renaissance with a visit to the Raphael Rooms inside the Vatican Museums. As one of the most iconic artists of the era, Raphael's frescoes are a must-see for any art enthusiast. Explore multiple rooms adorned with stunning artworks. And don't miss the chance to marvel at The School of Athens, one of Raphael's most renowned masterpieces that depicts some of history's greatest thinkers in a grand architectural setting.
Duration: 1.5 hours
3
Sphere within a Sphere
Before entering the extensive halls of the Vatican Museums, join your guide on a walk through the stunning Pinecone Courtyard. Here you'll have a chance to marvel at Arnaldo Pomodoro's famous ''Sphere within a Sphere''
Duration: 5 minutes
4
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's Last Judgement
Prepare to be wowed as you visit the Sistine Chapel - a top attraction in Vatican City. Arriving early gives you the chance to admire Michelangelo's incredible artwork without the crowds. As a sacred space, silence is required, but your guide will provide you with a guide and a pre-visit explanation of what you're about to see. Inside, you'll be mesmerized by the sheer number of figures painted by Michelangelo - over 600! This masterpiece is not only a testament to his talent but also serves as a gathering place for cardinals of the Catholic Church.
Please note: The Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, so visitors are required to have their knees and shoulders covered when inside. Failure to do so will result in refused entry to a portion of the Vatican tour. During Rome’s hot summer months, consider bringing a shawl or sweater for covering yourself when necessary.
Duration: 15 minutes
5
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica - (Except on Wednesdays!)
The last stop of your tour brings you to St. Peter's Basilica. Accompanied by your guide, you'll enter through a dedicated corridor for groups, granting swift access to the basilica skipping the long queues that often appear on the square. Inside, you'll have the opportunity to witness the Vatican's most esteemed church, believed to house the remains of St. Peter himself. Your guide will introduce you to the cathedral before you enter to explore on your own, allowing you all the time you need to take in the beauty of this religious site.
Admire the architecture and art, including Michelangelo's La Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino, and bask in the peaceful atmosphere of this spiritual sanctuary.
Please note that St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays for the Papal Audience and can occasionally experience other unexpected closures. If this happens, your guide will make up the time at other areas within the Vatican.
Duration: 45 minutes
Additional info
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• A specific dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
• A fair amount of walking is involved, and there will be stairs between different levels. We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
• Please contact The Tour Guy to book a wheelchair accessible tour
