Spend more time inside with no-wait access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica through an official Vatican partner entrance. On this comprehensive guided tour, you'll experience the best of the Vatican in just three hours, including the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and more. Navigate the vast complex of artwork and history with an expert, who will bring this ancient collection to life. Choose from several departure times and languages.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔  Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
✔  Guided visit of St. Peter’s Basilica (except: Vatican Museums only / Evening / Wed morning options)
✔  Group of 20 people or less
✔  Reserved Priority Access to the Vatican Museums
✔  Access to the Sistine Chapel
✖  Gratuities
✖  St Peter's Basilica Tour [for: Evening / Wed Mornings/ Vatican Museums only options]
Departure & Return
Departure:  Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

Meeting point: At the bottom of the steps across the street from the Entrance of the Vatican Museums. The steps are located right next to Caffè Vaticano on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi.
The closest Metro stop is Line A (Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani).

Return: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

View Map
Itinerary
1
Vatican City Vatican Museums tours with skip-the-line access are popular, yet even fast-track lines can be lengthy. This exclusive experience provides admission through a dedicated entrance, ensuring a queue-free visit.

Duration:  5 minutes

2
Vatican Museums Embark on an exclusive journey into the treasure trove of the Vatican Museums. Explore the intriguing Gallery of the Maps and Tapestries, immersed in tales of Vatican secrets. Marvel at captivating Italian maps, and be awe-inspired by the sculptures in the Gallery of Candelabras. Capture memories with a photo stop at the Pigna statue in the Pinecone Courtyard, crafted by the renowned Donato Bramante. Join our English speaking expert guide for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Vatican City!

Duration:  1.25 hours

3
Cortile della Pigna The Pineyard Courtyard at the Vatican Museums is a serene haven, blending classic architecture with lush greenery. Donato Bramante's Pigna statue stands as a bronze centerpiece, creating a peaceful retreat. Amidst this cultural richness, the courtyard invites reflection and appreciation for its timeless elegance.

Duration:  10 minutes

4
Sphere within a Sphere In the heart of the Vatican's Cortile della Pigna stands a notable bronze sculpture: Sfera con sfera (Sphere Within a Sphere) by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. This captivating artwork depicts two fractured orbs resembling intricate machine gears, symbolizing the intricate and fragile nature of the modern world. Pomodoro began creating similar sculptures in the early 1960s, exploring the theme of complexity.

Duration:  10 minutes

5
Gallery of the Maps The Gallery of the Maps is a mesmerizing display of intricate cartography, spanning centuries. Immerse yourself in history through vividly detailed maps, capturing the beauty of geography and artistry.

Duration:  15 minutes

6
Sistine Chapel Explore the Museums rooms and then enter the incredible Sistine Chapel— the Pope's own sanctuary and a must-see on any Vatican visit. Stand beneath Michelangelo's iconic The Creation of Adam on the ceiling, and marvel at The Last Judgement, his vibrant mural gracing the wall.

Duration:  20 minutes

7
St. Peter's Basilica After marveling at the Sistine Chapel, your guide leads you to St. Peter's Basilica, the symbolic heart of the Catholic Church. Dive into its rich history, exploring Vatican art like Michelangelo's La Pietà, crafted when he was just 24. Admire Bernini's baldachin and bid farewell to your guide in St. Peter's Square. Note: On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audience, St. Peter's Basilica and Square may be unavailable. Fear not, as an extended Vatican Museums itinerary awaits you as a perfect alternative.

Duration:  30 minutes

8
St. Peter's Square St. Peter's Square is an iconic masterpiece in Rome. It embraces visitors with its grandeur. Designed by Bernini, the vast elliptical space is encircled by a majestic colonnade, symbolizing the Church's embrace. The central obelisk and fountains add splendor, while the stunning façade of St. Peter's Basilica stands as a beacon of architectural brilliance, inviting pilgrims and tourists alike to marvel at the heart of Vatican City.

Duration:  5 minutes

Additional info
•  Public transportation options are available nearby
•  Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
•  Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
•  We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
•  Avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour
•  At times, despite our priority access tickets, we may experience delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues
•  St Peter’s Basilica is subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we're happy to offer customers an extended tour of the Vatican Museums. While we endeavour to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica's opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
•  On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audiences, access to St Peter's Basilica is not possible until 1pm
•  St Peter's Basilica is not accessible on the evening tours
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Free cancellation
 31671
Price:
From $81.65
Ticket:
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
duration:
3 hours
Guide in:
English   Spanish   
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Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.