Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & Basilca Fast Access

4.8 (21 reviews) Vatican City, Italy
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Duration3h
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Italian
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Skip the linePriority entrance

Overview

Avoid the queues with our private 3-hour Vatican tour, accompanied by a local guide.  You will visit the Vatican Museums, and other noteworthy venues. 

Hear the history, facts, and curiosities of the Sistine Chapel during your visit there. Your guide will tell you  something of the history of these fascinating places as you meander through these wonderful buildings, drinking in the atmosphere.

What's included

  • Local guide
  • Private tour
  • Professional art historian guide
  • Guaranteed to skip the long lines
  • Local taxes
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pick up and drop off

What to expect

  1. Vatican Museums
    1h · Admission ticket included
    As this is a private tour group there is the opportunity to visit some of the smaller museum rooms not on the usual tourist trail.  You can go at your own pace and take your time to enjoy the magnificent artwork.  Tours begin at either 9.00 a.m. or 2 pm  - you will meet your guide at the entrance to the Vatican museums and with skip-the-line entry go straight to the Belvedere Courtyard followed by the Pio-Clementino Museum to see the magnificent collection of ancient Roman and Greek Statues.   

    The tour continues with visits to the Gallery of Tapestries and then on to the largest and most important display of Renaissance maps in the world housed in  the Geographic Gallery.  The largest canvas painting in the Vatican is housed in the Sobiesky Room; learn all about this from the guide as well as details of the beautiful frescoes that adorn the Immaculate Conception Rooms.
  2. Stanze di Raffaello
    30m · Admission ticket included
    In Raphael’s Rooms you will gain an insight into the artist’s  greatest works, the Parnassus and the School of Athens that were painted for Pope Julius II.
  3. Sistine Chapel
    30m · Admission ticket included
    Of course, the tour highlight is the Sistine Chapel where you can see Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoes, as well as those of Botticelli and other famous artists.  Your guide will regale you with the history of the chapel as well as recounting interesting facts and anecdotes, including details of the conclave that is held to elect the new Pope.
  4. St. Peter's Basilica
    30m · Admission ticket included
    It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome.
  5. St. Peter's Square
    30m
    The tour will end in Saint Peter's Square

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

At the Vatican Museums entrance.
Below the white gate topped by the statues of Michelangelo and Raphael.
Your tour guide will hold a sign with your name.

End point

At the Vatican Museums entrance.
Below the white gate topped by the statues of Michelangelo and Raphael.
Your tour guide will hold a sign with your name.

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A 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
  • READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during your Vatican tour: the Sistine chapel and/or the Basilica of Saint Peter might not be accessible. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
  • Please note due to the Jubilee, the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute.In any case, you can go there after the tour, queueing.

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

4.8 (21)
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€355.00 per person
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Operated by Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tours · Booked through Viator
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