Overview
Get ready for an exclusive and unforgettable experience at the Vatican! Our direct-access tour allows you to beat the crowds and discover the wonders of the Holy See in peace. With both early morning and afternoon start times, you'll be sure to be able to squeeze in a visit tot he Vatican state!
With the help of our expert local guide and an extra small group of maximum 10 travellers, you’ll enjoy priority access to the Vatican Museums jumping right past the ticketing line.
This means you'll get an up-close and personal view of the stunning art and architecture of the Vatican Galleries, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica without having to push through the masses. Trust us, you won't regret starting your day off with this tranquil and awe-inspiring adventure!
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Admire Raphael Rooms and its Famous School of Athens
Access to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
Semi-Private Small Group of Maximum 10 People!
A Professional, English-speaking Guide
Skip-the-line Entry & Visit to the St. Peter's Church
Skip the Line Direct Access to the Vatican Museums, Pio-Clementino Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra
Hotel Pick Up / Drop Off
Food & Beverages
Gratuities
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
Please arrive 10 minutes early. Your guide will meet you between Tmark Hotel Vaticano and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign reading “The Tour Guy.”
End point
The tour will end at St. Peter's Basilica (except on Wednesdays when we finish inside the Vatican Museums).
Good to know
* DRESS CODE: Entrance into any religious site requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. We will not be held responsible for refused entry due to unsuitable dress.
* IMPORTANT: During State visits or special religious events, there may be unexpected closings of different parts of the Vatican. We will do our best to inform you on time of possible closings, but for the most part, the Vatican does not announce them in advance.
In the event that an area normally covered on the tour is closed, our guide will still provide the explanation and will show you an extra site or gallery to compensate for the closure.
• Large bags, backpacks, luggage, and tripods cannot be brought into the Vatican Museums. There is a coat check at the museum entrance, however, the tour ends far away. If you choose to leave anything at the Vatican Museums coat check, you will be responsible to retrieve it on your own after the tour.
• Mandatory: Everyone is required to carry a copy of the identification page of their passports on all tours.
• On Wednesdays, the tour does not visit St. Peter's Basilica due to an Audience blessing being held there. On this day will cover other areas of the Vatican Museums in place of the Basilica.
• Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, & missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded.
• We are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
• We will be subject to a security check at the entrance to all sites. Depending on the volume of visitors, we may have a short wait in the security line.
• The museums, sites and monuments we visit on our tours are among the most popular in the world. Careful planning helps limit crowd exposure, but please be aware that some locations may be unavoidably busy during standard hours/high season.
What to expect
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Vatican City
5 min
Meet your guide and semi private group of maximum 10 participants, at a selected location in Vatican City (see voucher) from where your tour will start.
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Sphere within a Sphere
5 min
Before entering the extensive halls of the Vatican Museums, join your guide on a walk through the stunning Pinecone Courtyard. Here you'll have a chance to marvel at Arnaldo Pomodoro's famous ''Sphere within a Sphere''
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Vatican Museums
1 hour 30 min
Highlights of the Vatican Museums
Experience the best galleries at the Vatican with your expert guide, visiting the Candelabra, Tapestries, and Maps galleries. Admire ancient Roman and Greek statues, Flemish tapestries, and spectacular topographical maps commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. Your guide will reveal the stories behind these treasures as Vatican secrets are unveiled to you. See Raphael's famous fresco, The School of Athens, and other masterpieces in multiple rooms inside the Vatican Museums.
Raphael Rooms
Experience the grandeur of the Renaissance with a visit to the Raphael Rooms inside the Vatican Museums. As one of the most iconic artists of the era, Raphael's frescoes are a must-see for any art enthusiast. Explore multiple rooms adorned with stunning artworks. And don't miss the chance to marvel at The School of Athens, one of Raphael's most renowned masterpieces that depicts some of history's greatest thinkers in a grand architectural setting. -
Sistine Chapel
15 min
Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's Last Judgement
Prepare to be wowed as you visit the Sistine Chapel - a top attraction in Vatican City. Arriving early gives you the chance to admire Michelangelo's incredible artwork without the crowds. As a sacred space, silence is required, but your guide will provide you with a guide and a pre-visit explanation of what you're about to see. Inside, you'll be mesmerized by the sheer number of figures painted by Michelangelo - over 600! This masterpiece is not only a testament to his talent but also serves as a gathering place for cardinals of the Catholic Church.
Please note: The Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, so visitors are required to have their knees and shoulders covered when inside. Failure to do so will result in refused entry to a portion of the Vatican tour. During Rome’s hot summer months, consider bringing a shawl or sweater for covering yourself when necessary. -
St. Peter's Basilica
45 min
St. Peter's Basilica - (Except on Wednesdays!)
The last stop of your tour brings you to St. Peter's Basilica. Accompanied by your guide, you'll enter through a dedicated corridor for groups, granting swift access to the basilica skipping the long queues that often appear on the square. Inside, you'll have the opportunity to witness the Vatican's most esteemed church, believed to house the remains of St. Peter himself. Your guide will introduce you to the cathedral before you enter to explore on your own, allowing you all the time you need to take in the beauty of this religious site.
Admire the architecture and art, including Michelangelo's La Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino, and bask in the peaceful atmosphere of this spiritual sanctuary.
Please note that St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays for the Papal Audience and can occasionally experience other unexpected closures. If this happens, your guide will make up the time at other areas within the Vatican.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (Europe/Rome).
Additional Information
- Please contact The Tour Guy to book a wheelchair accessible tour
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Rome Tour With Skip-the-Line Entry and Sistine Chapel
Can I cancel Rome Tour With Skip-the-Line Entry and Sistine Chapel for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Where does the tour start?
Meet your guide between Tmark Hotel Vaticano and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase at Viale Vaticano, 100. Arrive 10 minutes early.
Where does the tour end?
It ends at St. Peter's Basilica, except on Wednesdays, when it finishes inside the Vatican Museums.
Which places are visited, and in what order?
The 5 stops are Vatican City, Sphere within a Sphere, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. On Wednesdays, the tour finishes inside the Vatican Museums instead of at St. Peter's Basilica.
How long is the tour, and what language is the guide?
The tour lasts 3 hours and the guide speaks English.
Is pickup provided?
No, all travellers meet at the start point between Tmark Hotel Vaticano and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase at Viale Vaticano, 100.
Operated by The Roman Guy Tours
