Embark on an enchanting journey through the Vatican with our expert guide, immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. Let the rich history and stunning artwork come alive as your guide leads you through the labyrinthine halls, providing fascinating insights. Skip the lines to explore captivating spaces like the Gallery of the Maps. Stand in the iconic Sistine Chapel, captivated by the masterpiece 'The Creation of Adam' by Michelangelo. Conclude your unforgettable tour with a visit to the majestic St. Peter's Basilica.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔  Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
✔  Skip-the-Line Access to St. Peter’s Basilica
✔  Small groups of 20 people or less
✔  Reserved Access to the Vatican Museums
✔  Access to the Sistine Chapel
✔  All entrance & reservation fees
✖  Gratuities
✖  Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure & Return
Departure:  Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

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).
Arriving from Ottaviano - Musei Vaticani Metro A Station:
Exit the turnstiles – walk straight to the back end of the station and go to the left side exit. Once you’ve reached the left side exit – exit at V.le Giulio Cesare (to your right). Exit Station and walk down V.le G. Cesare to street light, cross the street and take left on Via Leone IV. Take right on Via Sebastiano Veniero and go 1 ½ blocks.

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

View Map
Itinerary
1
Vatican City Gain exclusive access to the UNESCO-listed Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with this small-group tour of 20 people or less, experience the renowned sites in the best conditions with your expert guide.

Duration:  5 minutes

2
Vatican Museums Stroll through rooms like the Gallery of Maps, with its golden, vaulted ceiling and the stunning Sistine Chapel, considered to be the Pope’s home chapel, with Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement. On your early-access tour, you’ll find the galleries to be considerably quieter than they would be later in the day.

Duration:  1.5 hours

3
Cortile della Pigna Nestled within the Vatican Museums, the Pineyard Courtyard is a tranquil oasis exuding timeless elegance. Adorned with lush greenery and surrounded by classic architecture, this courtyard features a striking bronze statue, the Pigna, designed by Donato Bramante. The atmosphere is serene, providing a peaceful respite for visitors. As you stroll through, the sound of rustling leaves accompanies the captivating sight of the Pinecone Courtyard, offering a moment of reflection amid the cultural richness of the Vatican Museums.

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:  5 minutes

5
Gallery of the Maps Discover the Vatican Museums' Gallery of Maps on your tour: an enchanting showcase of detailed cartography spanning centuries. Immerse yourself in history with vibrant maps, capturing the beauty of geography and artistry.

Duration:  15 minutes

6
Sistine Chapel Meet and greet your guide opposite the entrance to the Vatican Museums, a collection of galleries filled with classical and Renaissance masterpieces, including the Sistine Chapel frescoes. Walk inside through a reserved door without any waiting. This access is even faster than the priority lines. Once inside, there are more than 2,000 rooms and nine miles of art, so follow along with your guide who will point out the highlights and explain the story behind each piece. The small-group nature of your tour allows you to remain close to your guide at all times, but a headset is included to make sure you can always hear the commentary clearly.

Duration:  20 minutes

7
St. Peter's Basilica At last, your guide will escort you into St. Peter’s Basilica, bypassing long lines of spectators, to provide an overview of this spectacular church. At the end of the tour, you can remain in St. Peter’s Basilica at your leisure, or you may return outside to St. Peter’s Square to admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion and the basilica’s heavenly façade.

Duration:  30 minutes

8
St. Peter's Square St. Peter's Square, an iconic masterpiece in Rome, embraces visitors with its grandeur. Designed by Gian Lorenzo 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. The most fantastic way to finish your Vatican tour experience!

Duration:  5 minutes

Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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
•  Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women to enter to the venues
•  Only small bags are allowed in the venue
•  Saint 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
•  Please note all participant names are required at the time of booking in order to enter the Vatican. If we do not receive the full customers names, we will cancel the booking. Every customer is required to carry a valid ID that matches the name on the ticket, or an entry will be refused. Name changes are not permitted once the booking is confirmed.
•  Please be advised that this tour option is non-refundable, with no cancellations or date changes allowed due to pre-purchased tickets. It is mandatory to bring a valid ID or Passport for security checks, and entry will not be granted without proper documentation.
Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours Art Tours Walking Tours