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CultureArt & museumsHistorical

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour

4.7(6493 reviews)Rome, Italy
2hDurationEnglishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupEasyLevel

About this experience

Experience the Vatican Museums with a guided, skip-the-line entry that allows you to avoid queues. During the tour, you will visit key highlights such as the Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps while receiving insights into the art and history from your guide. The standard tour can be upgraded to a small group for a more intimate experience or extended to include priority access to St. Peter’s Basilica. Alternatively, if your interest lies solely in St. Peter’s, a guided visit option is available. A shorter, 1.5-hour tour is also offered for those with limited time, allowing quick access to the Vatican Museums and early entry to the Sistine Chapel. This tour is suitable for those who appreciate art and history but may not be ideal for individuals looking for a leisurely exploration.

Itinerary

1

Vatican Museums

Visit the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel on your own or with a guide (if option selected). Tickets provide skip the line access.

2

Cortile della Pigna

Explore one of the Vatican's many open air courtyards. This one is decorated with a giant bronze pinecone sculpture, giving the courtyard its name.

3

Sphere within a Sphere

Access Vatican Museums and discover the famous "Sphere within a Sphere" sculpture.

4

Museo Pio Clementino

The Vatican Museums are divided into many smaller, unique museums. Among them, the Museo Pio Clementino is likely the most important, and the many highlights it contains cannot be missed! Stop at the Octagonal Courtyard for the Laocoön and His Sons, and the Apollo Belvedere - or the Round Room for the giant marble bathtub patrolled by an enormous bronze statue of Heracles. Spot a sculpture of your favorite fauna at the Room of the Animals, or just marvel at the 3D painted vaults of the Gallery of the Candelabra.

5

Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche

One of the most popular galleries of the Museums, make a stop here and try to spot the Italian cities you have travelled to, or your ancestor's hometown. These hand-painted maps, dating to the late 1500's, can also be admired for the exquisite attention to detail and embellishments. See if you can spot the nod to Christopher Columbus' voyage across the Atlantic...

6

Stanze di Raffaello

Admire Raphael's Rooms, painted by the master himself and his pupils around the same time as the Sistine Chapel, and inspired and challenged by Michelangelo's greatest masterpiece.

7

Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo's masterpiece, take time to admire the vaults.

8

St. Peter's Basilica

Only for tours where the option to access St. Peter's Basilica is selected in the booking process, access directly from the Sistine Chapel to the Basilica, skipping the outside security lines, will be provided. Your tour will end at the entrance to the Basilica and, after an introduction, you will be free to explore on your own inside.

9

St. Peter's Square

An introduction to the Square of St. Peter's will be provided for tours where access to St. Peter's Basilica is included.

10

Vatican City

Visit Vatican City

What's included / not included

Direct Access to St. Peter's Basilica (only when option is selected)All taxes and feesProfessional & Passionate Art Historian Guide (when guided tour option is selected)Professional Headsets to hear your guide clearly (when guided tour option is selected)Skip the Line Entrance to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (except for the Basilica Only option)Access to Pinecone Courtyard, Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps & Pio Clementino Museum
Food and drinksTipsHotel pickup and drop-off

Additional information

Accessibility and comfort

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Good to know

  • Children 6 and under are entitled to free access to the Vatican Museums (with proof of age)
  • Children aged 7-18 are entitled to a reduced entry fee (see tour and ticket pricing) and must provide proof of age.
  • Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • 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.
  • At least 4 people are required for the guided tour options to take place.
  • Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
  • Guests with a certified disability of over 75% are entitled to free entrance to the Vatican and do not require a ticket. For guests who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended to a companion.
  • Important: St. Peter's Basilica is not included in all tour options. If you wish to visit the Basilica as part of your experience, please ensure you select a tour where it is explicitly listed as included.
  • Please include all names as they appear on your passports when booking. Tickets are non-transferable and if the names on your booking do not match your ID you may be denied access and will not be due a refund. Any name changes must be communicated at least 72 hours in advance.
  • Please bring an ID or a photo/copy of ID.
  • Important: The ‘Basilica Only’ option it does NOT include access to the Vatican Museums.

Traveller reviews

4.76493 reviews

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