Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

4.6 (15,619 reviews) Rome, Italy
Duration3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 200 travelers
Skip the linePriority entrance

Overview

A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece.

This budget-friendly tour is the best value for money for travelers that are interested in 1) seeing the museum’s highlights 2) meeting a new friend or two through your group and 3) skipping the lines (trust us, with over 6 million tourist spilling into the museum every year, you'll want it!)

Disclaimer: you will be entering the Vatican museum during one of the busiest times of the day. While the tour provides skip-the-line access, the crowds in the museum vary from day to day and some delay with security can be expected (it would be misleading for other tour operators to not tell you this!)

Options

Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

English Tour & Tickets

Vatican English Tour & Tickets

English Tour and Tickets
SKIP-THE-LINE Tickets & Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Includes: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Meeting Point: Via Plauto 17A, 00193 Roma, Italy

Exclusive PRIVATE Vatican Tour

Skip-the-Line Tickets Included: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Exclusive Private Guide: Enjoy a dedicated licensed Vatican guide exclusively for your party.
Duration: 3 hours

ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR

NOT included: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
INCLUDES Tickets & Tour:: ST.PETER'S BASILICA
Duration: 1 hour
Meeting Point: Via Plauto 17A, 00193 Roma, Italy

What's included

  • Admission tickets to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and/or St. Peter's Basilica
  • Entry/Admission-Vatican Museums (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR)
  • An expert tour guide with over 10 years of experience. Excellent story teller.
  • Entry/Admission- Sistine Chapel (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR)
  • Guaranteed skip-the-line access
  • Entry/Admission - St. Peter's Basilica (check below to see which option does not include it)
  • If you book the “Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour” option it does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
  • If you book “ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR” option it does NOT include the Museums & Sistine Chapel.
  • Gratuities (Tips)

What to expect

  1. Borgo
    40m
    Meet your tour guide at our office, located in the oldest neighbourhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following a self introduction by your guide, you will walk through the charming shops of the Borgo, as he/she shares some local tips for eating and site seeing in Rome, including off the beaten track sites that you must visit during your holiday!

    Some background will also be provided on the history of the Sistine Chapel (we do it here as the chapel forbids noise and travellers are expected to observe silence once entering).
  2. Via Della Conciliazione
    Pass by
    Admire the flags and surrounding embassies as you walk through this street, which serve as the primary access point to St. Peter's Square, and by extension, to the Vatican City itself.
  3. St. Peter's Square
    20m
    We 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.

    Fun fact- the Pope addresses crowds from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, during the Papal audience held every Wednesday and Sunday morning.
  4. Citta del Vaticano
    15m
    En route to the museum, you will get to see and hear about how residents of the smallest city in the word go about their day to day life (including getting their mail!) Snap a pic of the Swiss guards- the pontifical bodyguards in their distinctly Renaissance uniforms.

    Our Tip: send yourself a post card after the tour. The post office sells a variety of memorabilia, including stamps with Pope Francis's face!

    Then, slowly head towards the museum's entrance, where you will be led to a special area reserved for skip-the-line groups.
  5. Vatican Museums
    45m · Admission ticket included
    Be prepared to hear about stories as your guide walk you through an astonishing collection of Roman and Greek statues, the gallery of tapestries, and a gallery of maps depicting 16th century Italy.
  6. Sistine Chapel
    15m · Admission ticket included
    Admire Michelangelo's famous works, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement. This spectacular fresco evokes lifelike images within the mind, vividly portraying stories of mankind in the biblical era.

    Note that the museum requires visitors to observe silence and a dress code (knees and shoulders covered).
  7. St. Peter's Basilica
    15m
    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. Got questions? Ask you guide before parting ways!

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The meeting point is located in Borgo Pio, near St. Peter's square. The exact address is Via Plauto 17/A.
IMPORTANT: Please check your booking for the start time of the Vatican ENGLISH tour. Arrive 20 minutes
before at the meeting point ( Via Plauto 17A ) for check-in.
Thank you !

End point

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Unforeseen events= The Vatican is its own country and therefore the Pope can decide also last minute to close St. Peter’s Basilica for ad hoc events. It is a very rare event during the year but it is possibile and we will do our best to inform you. If it is too late to inform you, our guide will extend the tour in the Vatican. Not to worry that the incredibile collection of Vatican Museums and the masterpiece of Michelagelo in the Sistine Chapel will still be included.
  • Most of our tours include the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. However, there are two specific options with different inclusions. You will find below:
  • Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour – Includes the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel but does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
  • ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR – Includes St. Peter’s Basilica but does NOT include the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.6 (15,619)
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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