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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica Private Tour

5(63 reviews)Rome, Italy
3h30DurationGerman, Russian, English, Italian, French, SpanishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupWheelchair accessibleAccessibilityEasyLevel

About this experience

Experience a private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica, lasting approximately three hours. This tour is suitable for individuals or small groups and includes fast-track entry to the Vatican Museums complex, where you will see various artworks, sculptures, and frescoes. Highlights include the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Maps, and Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel. The tour concludes at St. Peter's Basilica, featuring Bernini's Baldachin and Michelangelo's sculpture "La Pietà." Note that the tour may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, as it involves walking through multiple galleries and churches. Additional options are available for those interested in the Raphael Rooms or climbing St. Peter's Dome for city views.

Itinerary

1

Vatican Museums

With this Tour, we get you inside the Museums. we will visit together the Vatican Museum Galleries and halls

2

Cortile della Pigna

The Courtyard of the “Pigna”, created from the 16th-century area of the “Belvedere”

3

Sphere within a Sphere

The Sphere within a Sphere" by Arnaldo Pomodoro at the Vatican Museums is a striking sculptural masterpiece that graces the Cortile della Pigna. This captivating artwork features a large bronze sphere with a textured, fractured surface, revealing a smaller sphere within. The interplay of light and shadow on the intricate patterns adds to its mesmerizing allure. Symbolizing themes of complexity and inner depth, Pomodoro's sculpture at the Vatican Museums stands as a testament to the convergence of art, spirituality, and profound meaning in the heart of one of the world's most renowned cultural institutions.

4

Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche

The Gallery of Maps, inside the Vatican Museums, displays a stunning collection of topographical maps of Italy. Created in the 16th century under Pope Gregory XIII, these beautifully painted maps span 120 meters, offering a unique geographical snapshot of the Italy of the past.

5

Stanze di Raffaello

If RENAISSANCE OPTION SELECTED: the tour will include the Rooms of Raphael. Each room offers a vibrant tableau of Renaissance ideals—harmony, intellect, faith, and history. The interplay of art and history takes visitors on an unforgettable journey through one of the most remarkable periods in Western art and culture.

6

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. It is known throughout the world both for being the place where the conclave and other official ceremonies of the Pope are held (in the past also some papal coronations), and for being decorated with one of the most famous and celebrated works of art of artistic civilization the frescoes by Michelangelo.

7

St. Peter's Basilica

INCLUDED ONLY FOR OPTIONS THAT INCLUDE ST. PETER'S BASILICA: Enjoy the breathtaking Saint Peter's Basilica, shrine of Christianity and Art. You will marvel at the Priceless Pietà, by Michelangelo, and stop by the venerable tomb of Saint John Paul II & Pope Karol Wojtyla. The Pietà (1498–1499) is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

8

La Pieta

INCLUDED ONLY FOR OPTIONS THAT INCLUDE ST. PETER'S BASILICA: The Pietà is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères, who was a representative in Rome. The sculpture, in Carrara marble, was made for the cardinal's funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.

9

St. Peter's Basilica

IF DOME OPTION IS SELECTED: The dome of St. Peter's Basilica, a masterpiece designed by Michelangelo, stands as a defining symbol of the Vatican and Rome. As one of the largest and most iconic domes in the world, it offers breathtaking views both from the ground and its viewing gallery. Dominating the skyline, it reflects the architectural brilliance of the Renaissance.

10

St. Peter's Square

INCLUDED ONLY FOR OPTIONS THAT INCLUDE ST. PETER'S BASILICA: This monumental elliptical space, enclosed by 284 Doric columns four rows deep (196m wide and 148m long), is the masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who laid it out during the pontificates of Alexander VII and of Clement IX.

What's included / not included

If RENAISSANCE OPTION SELECTED: Raphael Rooms included in the itineraryPrivate Tour with Blue Badge GuideVisit of the Sistine ChapelVatican Museums Skip The Line TicketShortcut to St. Peter's BasilicaIf ST. PETER'S DOME OPTION SELECTED: climbing of the Cupola included in the itinerary
Food And Drinks

Additional information

Accessibility and comfort

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • For ST. PETER'S DOME OPTION: not recommended for guests with mobility issues or claustrophobic

Good to know

  • 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
  • Please advise in case of mobility issues - wheelchair partly accessible
  • For ST. PETER'S DOME OPTION is not suitable for wheelchair users
  • For ST. PETER'S DOME OPTION: don’t attempt to visit the dome if you can’t physically climb steps or if you’re claustrophobic. A lift takes you some of the way, but then you still have to tackle 320 steps (and space is a bit tight in places).
  • St. Peter's Basilica may close at the last minute for ceremonies or masses without warning
  • In the case of visitors using wheelchairs and mobility scooters, please note that the Museums are partially accessible, and the Basilica won't be included
  • St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are 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 endeavor to inform our guests ahead of time about any planned disruptions to the opening hours, this is not always possible. In these cases, we are unable to provide refunds or discounts
  • A current valid passport or ID document is required on the day of the tour for children under 18 years old as proof of their age
  • All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check please allow at least 20 minutes to clear security
  • Please review the confirmation message that we send one day prior to the tour date, which confirms the final details of the service
  • To ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, every reservation that includes minors (under 18) must be accompanied by at least one adult. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bookings made exclusively by unaccompanied minors.

Traveller reviews

563 reviews

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