vatican group tour

Vatican Tours

Vatican City offers countless artistic and architectural treasures, and you’ll be able to make the m...

Our tours in Vatican

Pristine Sistine at Closing Time: Late Entry Vatican Tour

The Complete Vatican Tour with Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica

Pristine Sistine™ Early Entrance Small Group Vatican Tour

Rome in a Day Tour: Including Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center

St. Peter’s Basilica from Top to Bottom with Dome Climb & Crypt

VIP Vatican Key Master’s Tour: Unlock the Sistine Chapel

Alone In The Vatican: Exclusive VIP Access Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour

What to know about vatican from our local guides.

The Vatican Museums house 70,000 of the world’s greatest artistic treasures, of which 20,000 are on display. From ancient Roman sculptures to Renaissance paintings, it would take days to discover it all, which is why we highly recommend booking a Vatican tour to help you make the most of your time at the museums.

A few of the collection’s undisputed highlights are:

• The Sistine Chapel, adorned with Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes
• The Raphael Rooms, which include the famous School of Athens
• The Gallery of the Maps, perhaps the most famous of the Museums’ galleries adorned with 40 maps depicting the different regions of Italy
• Laocoön and His Sons, an enigmatic masterpiece of ancient sculpture
• The Belvedere Torso, which is said to have influenced the work of Michelangelo himself

The Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous individual room in the entire world. This is in no small part due to the significant artistic masterpieces adorning its interior, with Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” and ceiling frescoes being the highlights.

Pope Sixtus IV, the chapel’s namesake, commissioned its construction in the late 15th century. Today, its best-known use is for the papal conclaves, the process through which a new pope is elected by the College of Cardinals. It also serves as the Pope’s own private chapel when he is at the Vatican.

Want to have the Sistine Chapel all to yourself, just like the Pope? Avoid the crowds on a VIP tour outside opening hours. For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can even accompany the Vatican Key Master himself as he opens the silent halls and galleries in the Vatican Museums early in the morning—including the Sistine Chapel.

As the largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is itself a masterpiece of art and architecture. It houses some of the most significant religious art in the world, including Michelangelo’s moving Pietà sculpture and the Baldachin, Bernini’s massive bronze altar canopy.

Michelangelo was also the mastermind behind the famous dome crowning the basilica. Climbing the dome is a fantastic way to see not just the incredible mosaics lining the interior up close, but also to feast your eyes on spectacular views over Rome from the very top. Keep in mind that there are over 500 steps to get to the top of the dome from ground level, though an elevator is available to bypass approximately the first half. Underneath the Basilica, the Papal Crypts mark the final resting place of some of the most important Popes in Catholic history.

A guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica will give you an up-close look at all of these treasures and more. Led by an expert art historian guide, you’ll see a side of the world’s most iconic church that few others get to experience.

The best and easiest way to ensure you skip the line at the Vatican is to book a guided tour . With no-wait access to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll save precious hours of time that would have been spent in line. Plus, you'll be in the company of an insightful guide who can provide context on the innumerable masterpieces that can be hard to make sense of on your own.

The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 9 am–6 pm. They tend to get more crowded the later in the day you go, so consider booking an early morning Vatican tour to get ahead of the crowds and ensure a more relaxed visit.

For an especially exclusive experience, consider joining the Vatican Key Master himself as he unlocks the silent halls, galleries, and even the Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning before the Museums open to the public. Accompanied by a small group of just 20 other people, the Key Master’s Tour is the most special way to experience the Vatican in total peace and quiet.

Don’t want to get up early? Another excellent option is to take a special access tour after closing time to wander the halls of the Vatican in peace—and have the Sistine Chapel all to yourself.

From May through October, the Vatican Museums offer extended opening hours until 10:30 pm on Fridays and 8 pm on Saturdays. Taking a night tour of the Vatican is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t soon forget!

The Museums are closed most Sundays (except for the last Sunday of every month) and on certain public holidays.

The Vatican is a religious site, and official rules mandate that visitors dress appropriately or risk being turned away. All guests regardless of gender are required to keep their shoulders and knees covered. In warmer months, it’s useful to have a shawl, scarf, or light jacket handy to pull on when entering the Vatican if your outfit doesn’t meet the dress code standards. Additionally, hats are not allowed.

While the Vatican dress code doesn’t have any hard-and-fast rules regarding footwear, keep in mind that you’ll be doing a lot of walking on your Vatican tour. As long as you have comfortable shoes that are good for walking, you’re all set.

While there aren’t any restaurants within Vatican City itself, the surrounding Prati and Trionfale neighborhoods offer plenty of excellent options—particularly if you don’t mind walking a few blocks away (or further) from the Vatican walls. For a quick, on-the-go option, Anthony Bourdain-approved Bonci Pizzarium serves up some of the best pizza by the slice in Rome. In the mood for a sit-down meal after spending hours on your feet at the Vatican? Velavevodetto ai Quiriti—the Prati outpost of Testaccio icon Flavio al Velavevodetto—is perfect for home-cooked Roman classics.

Check out our popular Vatican articles

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THE 10 BEST Vatican City Tours & Excursions

Vatican city tours.

• Walking Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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What travelers are saying.

• Lisa D Taormina, Italy 1 contribution 1 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great service Great guide made it entertaining, our plane was delayed so we were running late but the lady in the office took us running up the street to catch up with the guide , what great customer service , book with this company as they offer a proper service Read more Review of: Skip-the-Line Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group Written May 4, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Michelle T 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Rita at Liv Tours is an excellent guide We booked a skip the line Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica tour. The tour was a small group tour for up to six but there were only four of us. Rita was so knowledgeable and efficient. Despite the crowds we were able to see everything close up as she always found the most direct route and quietest spots to enjoy the breathtaking artwork. Thanks Rita at Liv Tours! Read more Review of: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter Small Group Tour Written May 4, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Rick B 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience! Maria is the best! Maria was the best! You cannot ask a question for which she has no answer. Friendly and fun with perfect English and an easy way about her. She took us through each site smoothly and efficiently while imparting her knowledge of the site and its significance. I watched her interact with other guides and noticed the respect they gave her and the friendly way in which staff and security at each site interacted with her. That speaks volumes. I will never tour Rome without Maria to guide me! Read more Review of: Rome in a Day Small Group Tour with Vatican and Colosseum Written May 4, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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The Vatican City is a sovereign nation within the city of Rome. The Vatican Museums are inside the Vatican City, and the Sistine Chapel within the museums. The Sistine Chapel is connected to the St. Peter's Basilica by a "guide only" corridor, saving you from a long walk and waiting in line twice. The Vatican Gardens are also accessible to the public and can be enjoyed by visitors purchasing our Castel Gandolfo day trip. Every Vatican tour includes the Sistine Chapel in varied degrees. The more costly tours visit during specific times when there are fewer visitors--permission we pay extra for and value we pass onto our guests. Our Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour is the most popular and our first product. It enters at 8:00 or 8:30 am depending on your start time which is an hour to 30 minutes before general admission. The most exclusive Sistine Chapel tour is our "Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour with Aperitivo," which not only visits the chapel with max 99 other guests but includes a cocktail in the pinecone courtyard! The St. Peter's Basilica is in the Vatican City but not included in your admission to the Vatican Museums. Luckily, there is no cost to enter as all churches in Rome are free. If you want to climb the Dome, there is a charge, and we highly recommend doing it if you are in decent physical shape. For a few extra euros, you can take the elevator which will remove much of the toll on your legs. We run a St. Peter's Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour which includes climbing the dome and a tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. For an extra special experience, why not book a private tour of the Vatican? With your own private guide, you can tour the Vatican Museums, St. Peters Basilica and Sistene Chapel at your own pace. Throughout the length of your tour, your guide will be able to answer any questions you have. There will be no waiting on others in the group or being rushed to the next gallery. If you fall in love with a specific work by Raphael, feel free to bask in awe.

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is the most visited attraction in Rome. Even if you buy tickets in advance you may face long lines, crowds, and confusion. We've worked closely with the Vatican for over a decade, so you'll appreciate our first-entry access before the public and our skip-the-line entry to the Vatican—not to mention our top-rated guides. We started at the Vatican and our experience shows in our 1000s of positive verified reviews. The Vatican City is a sovereign nation within the city of Rome. The Vatican Museums are inside the Vatican City, and the Sistine Chapel within the museums. The Sistine Chapel is connected to the St. Peter's Basilica by a "guide only" corridor, saving you from a long walk and waiting in line twice. The Vatican Gardens are also accessible to the public and can be enjoyed by visitors purchasing our Castel Gandolfo day trip. Every Vatican tour includes the Sistine Chapel in varied degrees. The more costly tours visit during specific times when there are fewer visitors--permission we pay extra for and value we pass onto our guests. Our Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour is the most popular and our first product. It enters at 8:00 or 8:30 am depending on your start time which is an hour to 30 minutes before general admission. The most exclusive Sistine Chapel tour is our "Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour with Aperitivo," which not only visits the chapel with max 99 other guests but includes a cocktail in the pinecone courtyard! The St. Peter's Basilica is in the Vatican City but not included in your admission to the Vatican Museums. Luckily, there is no cost to enter as all churches in Rome are free. If you want to climb the Dome, there is a charge, and we highly recommend doing it if you are in decent physical shape. For a few extra euros, you can take the elevator which will remove much of the toll on your legs. We run a St. Peter's Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour which includes climbing the dome and a tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. For an extra special experience, why not book a private tour of the Vatican? With your own private guide, you can tour the Vatican Museums, St. Peters Basilica and Sistene Chapel at your own pace. Throughout the length of your tour, your guide will be able to answer any questions you have. There will be no waiting on others in the group or being rushed to the next gallery. If you fall in love with a specific work by Raphael, feel free to bask in awe.

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18 results found

Skip the Line

Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Explore the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more!

( 1500 ) From: $178.59

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Skip the line and gain direct access to the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man, and St. Peter's Basilica

( 1300 ) From: $94.59

Vatican at Closing Time with Sistine Chapel

Book a unique experience that visits the Vatican in the early evening with fewer crowds

( 170 ) From: $109.76

Semi-Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Enjoy a premium and exclusive tour of the Raphael Rooms, St.Peter's Basilica, and more!

( 1114 ) From: $133.79

St. Peter's Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour

Save money while seeing Rome from above, the Papal Crypts below, and the Vatican museums nearby

( 454 ) From: $133.79

Entry Ticket

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets

Skip the line and gain quicker access to the Vatican so you can explore at your leisure

( 58 ) From: $44.19

Climb the Dome

Ultimate St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb and Tour with Papal Crypts

See St. Peter’s Basilica up close and climb the dome for the best views of Rome and the Vatican

( 88 ) From: $50.35

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

See the wonders of the Vatican on a tailored private tour with expert guide and skip-the-line entry

( 137 ) From: $441.28

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Guided Tours of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

• Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
• From the world-famous Sistine Chapel to the extensive art collections of the Vatican Museums, uncover it all on this unforgettable tour.
• Discover the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica, a sanctuary of faith and artistic beauty, with skip-the-line entry and self-guided exploration.
• Journey through centuries of history as an expert guide reveals the stories and secrets behind the art and architecture of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
• Behold the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, including the iconic ceiling and Last Judgment, showcasing the genius of one of history's greatest artists.
• Choose between local English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guides who will regale you with intriguing anecdotes.
• Skip-the-line entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line entry to St. Peter's Basilica
• Expert local English, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese-speaking guide
• Audio equipment
• Group tour of 25 or less
• Tip: Avoid booking on Wednesdays! Did you know the Pope speaks in St Peter's Square Wednesday mornings? Sometimes this results in last-min closures, so plan for another day if possible.
• The Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (with certified invalidity exceeding 74%). In the case of visitors lacking in self-sufficiency, free entry is extended to their companions.
• Please note: All guests must pass through airport-style security. During high season and peak hours, the wait time at the security check may be up to 30 mins.
• Compulsory Vatican dress code: Visitors must wear clothing that covers their knees, arms, and back.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, or baby carriages.
• The Basilica may be subject to last-minute closures. In the event that it is closed, the tour will be extended inside the museums.
• St. Peter’s Basilica may be closed on Wednesday mornings and afternoons as the Papal Audience takes place in St. Peter’s Square. If you’re considering visiting St. Peter's Basilica, please make plans for another day.
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

• Make the most out of your visit and jump straight into the action. Skip the line with this guided tour, bypassing long queues at the Vatican Museums.
• Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime? The expert guides share stories and hidden symbolism behind artworks, adding a whole new dimension to your experience.
• With unforgettable masterpieces and exquisite art, explore a vast collection spanning centuries, from ancient artifacts to Renaissance marvels.
• Tour in the language of your comfort. Choose from English, Italian, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Romanian, and Polish-speaking guides.
• Discover Michelangelo's awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel frescoes, including the iconic ceiling and Last Judgment, showcasing the genius of Italy's most renowned artist.
• Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line entrance to the Vatican Museums
• Priority entry to the Sistine Chapel
• Expert English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Romanian, and Polish-speaking local guide (as per option selected)
• Group size (up to 25)
• Tip: Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
• Please be dressed appropriately. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted.
• Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• It is recommended to cover tattoos and any other similarly visible distinctive personal signs.
• Photography and the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
• Luggage and/or large bags are not allowed inside the venue. You may drop off your bags with the free cloakroom service.
• Pets and other small animals are not allowed in the venue, with the exception of guide dogs.

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb
• Commence your tour by climbing to the terrace of St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will uncover unmatched panoramic views of Rome from atop Michelangelo’s Cupola.
• Immerse yourself in the genius of the Renaissance on VIP Vatican tour, guided by experts with skip-the-line access.
• Discover the Basilica's Barocco charm and Michelangelo's Pieta. Then, witness Bernini and Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpieces at the Papal Sarcophagi.
• Pay a visit to the beguiling Sistine Chapel, and marvel at the cherished murals here, such as the painted ceiling and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo.
• Skip-the-line VIP access to Vatican Museums
• Admission to the Sistine Chapel
• Admission to the St. Peter’s Basilica
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Dome climb and visit to the Papal Sarcophagi
• Headsets (for groups of six or more)
• Reservation fees
• Transportation
• Food and drinks
• Visit to the Necropolis / St. Peter’s Tomb / Scavi
• Tips: Don't forget to look down as you ascend the dome. Through special windows, you can catch glimpses of the basilica's interior below, offering a unique perspective.
• It's recommended to wear clothing that covers their knees, arms, and back.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users.
• Note that the following are not allowed on this tour: tripod, flash photography, knives, weapons, or sharp objects.

Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Guided Tour

• Elevate your Vatican experience with this exclusive, small-group tour of the museums and Sistine Chapel. Personalized attention and a fun-filled day await!
• Skip the crowds and embrace VIP treatment on this small group tour. Say goodbye to long lines and the hustle of larger groups.
• Dive deeper into history with expert storytellers. They bring the Vatican and the Chapel to life with captivating stories and intriguing anecdotes.
• Imagine Michelangelo lost in his brushstrokes as you listen to interesting backstories, in English, Italian, French, Spanish, or German.
• Beauty awaits you at every turn! With the help of a local expert unveil Vatican's best-kept secrets and get ready to step into the world of Renaissance.
• 2.5 - 5 hour guided tour (as per option selected)
• Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums
• Entry to the Sistine Chapel
• Charismatic local expert
• English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German-speaking guides
• Intimate group size of 16 or less
• Tip: This tour ends inside the museums…so, why not make the most out of your visit and enjoy a coffee in the courtyard before leaving the site?
• Strict dress code: Sleeveless and/or low-cut garments, shorts above the knee, miniskirts, and hats are not permitted.
• On rare occasions, the Sistine Chapel closes without notice. If this happens, you will spend your full tour diving into the depths of the Vatican Museums.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Early Morning or After-Hours Skip-the-Line Tour

• Get priority access by skipping the line to the Vatican's top attractions and firsthand experiencing its renowned wonders such as central panels and the Last Supper.
• Make your way to the historical Sistine Chapel and marvel at the staggering collection of artworks by Renaissance artists like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Ghirlandaio.
• Upgrade your stay with a delectable American breakfast in the Pinecone Courtyard. Upgrade and opt for a night tour of the museum as an alternative option.
• Choose between an early morning guided tour, ideal for a walk, or an after-hours guided tour where you enjoy the soft evening light and count on much smaller crowds than usual.
• Entry to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• After-hours guided tour of Vatican Museums (optional)
• Early morning guided tour of Vatican Museums (optional)
• 30-min breakfast in the Vatican's Courtyard (optional)
• Group of 20 people or less
• Tip: Located in the Vatican Museums' exit area, this unique double-helix staircase was designed by Donato Bramante. Its innovative design allows you to ascend and descend without intersecting each other, creating a visually captivating architectural marvel.
• Note that tripod and flash photography are not allowed in this experience.

Small-Group Guided Tour of Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

• Enjoy the beautiful Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with a semi-private and informative guided tour of the Vatican City.
• You get a chance to learn all about the history and rich culture of the Vatican in an intimate group of 8 to 12 people or less.
• Take a stroll and admire the wonderful interiors, and frescos of the pristine Sistine Chapel, the official residence of the pope.
• Witness the largest collections of art and classical sculptures and gain knowledge about them from your private tour guide.
• Enjoy a hassle-free entry in a small group with your personal tour guide.
• Entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Expert tour guide (English, German, Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian)
• Small-group tour (up to 12 people)
• Headsets (if required)
• Entrance to the Dome
• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
• Pick-up & drop-off
• Food & drink

This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:

• English Guided Tour
• German Guided Tour
• Italian Guided Tour
• French Guided Tour
• Portuguese Guided Tour
• Russian Guided Tour

Rome in a Day: Vatican Museums & Colosseum Guided Tour

• Head to Rome's renowned spots Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this expertly crafted tour.
• Admire masterpieces by Renaissance maestros at the Vatican Museums followed by a visit to the Sistine Chapel and time to explore St. Peter's Basilica.
• Head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city.
• At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary on the ancient amphitheater and the larger-than-life shows hosted here in the past.
• Finish your full-day tour with a walk down the ancient path of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra.
• Full-day guided tour of Rome
• Access to the Colosseum floors 1 & 2
• Access to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
• Access to Vatican Museums
• Access to Sistine Chapel
• Access to St. Peter’s Basilica
• Tip: Don't miss checking out Pietà by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most famous sculptures to exist in the world.
• All visitors must carry a photo ID for security checks.
• Please note that in case of unexpected closures of some of the areas inside the Museums, the guide may have to modify the itinerary slightly.
• Please note that you will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica on your own. Your guide will not take you inside, since direct access from Vatican Museum is not possible.
• St Peter’s Basilica is an active place of worship and may be closed without prior notice for religious events: in this case, the visit will be substituted by a visit to the Vatican Library.
• Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering venues. Guests with a pacemaker will need to show a certificate to bypass security screening
• Facilities: Cloakroom at Vatican Museums
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, people with mobility issues.
• Strict Dress Code : In order to enter St.Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museums, one must abide by a dress code. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• Note that the following are not allowed inside Colosseum: large backpacks or pieces of luggage.
• Note that the following are not allowed inside Vatican Museums: suitcases, backpacks, containers, umbrellas, walking sticks (except those required by disabled visitors), tripods for cameras and video cameras, signage of any kind.

Small-Group Guided Tour of St. Peter's Basilica

• Head over to St. Peter's Basilica, and discover an iconic church with an official Vatican guide in a language of your choice.
• Check out the stunning works of art and architecture by Renaissance greats such as Bernini, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, and more.
• Pay homage to the grand tomb of St. John Paul II on this guided tour.
• Entry into St. Peter's Basilica
• Guided tour in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish (as per option selected)
• Specialized guide for small groups (no more than 25 people)
• Tip: Be prepared to go through a security screening before entering the basilica, so it's best to avoid carrying large bags or backpacks.
• To pay your respects, you must abide by the Basilica's dress code. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes as the experience involves a fair amount of walking.
• Expect a considerable wait time as you queue for the security checks. It could take up to 60 mins during the peak season.

Guided Tour (<30 Guests) of Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel

• Witness two astonishing landmarks, the Vatican Museum, and Sistine Chapel, by taking a 3-hour guided tour.
• Take a stroll around the museum and spot the world’s largest collections of art, the Renaissance masterpieces, and classical sculptures.
• Check out the breathtaking Renaissance frescos decorated at the Sistine Chapel.
• Get a tour of the Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms, Tapestry Gallery, and many other rooms within the Vatican Museum.
• Tour of Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
• Priority entrance
• Expert English, Romanian, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Portuguese, German, French, or Italian-speaking guide
• Group tour of less than 30 guests
• Personal radios and earpieces
• Audio guide
• Tip: May through September are usually considered the high season in Rome, with a mini-high season around Easter. So plan your trip accordingly!
• The Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (with certified invalidity exceeding 74%). Additionally, in the case of visitors lacking in self-sufficiency, free entry is extended to their companions.
• Certification of invalidity must be shown before the issue of the entrance tickets either at the Reception or at the Special Permits Desk, located in the entrance hall of the Vatican Museums.
• Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour, especially on national holidays and events.
• This tour is not suitable for guests with mobility impairment.
• Please note the following are not allowed on tour: large bags, backpacks, and suitcases.

Top things to do in Rome

Vatican City is the only independent city-state to be part of the UNESCO registry as a World Heritage Site. A revered location, Vatican City is the heart of the Catholic Church, frequented by millions of pilgrims and tourists each year. There’s plenty to see in Vatican City: historic sites like the Vatican Museums , Sistine Chapel , and St. Peter’s Basilica . These landmarks are a feast for art and architecture enthusiasts, hosting works by iconic names like Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Bernini among others.

The best way to explore and soak in history is through a guided Vatican tour. Enter a world of insightful facts and trivia about art and artists, the history of Christianity and Vatican City, and more through a guided tour of Vatican City. 

Hear from our guests

Which vatican tour is best for you, combo tours.

Duration: 3+ hours Suited for: Travelers short on time Ticket price: From €59.50 to €92.15

Why go for it?

• Explore more for less with these combo tours. See iconic landmarks within Vatican City and Rome with these 2-in-1 packages.
• Avail guided tours to some of the most celebrated monuments in the world, like the Colosseum.

Recommended tours

• Combo (Save 2%): Vatican Museums + Borghese Gallery Tickets
• Combo (Save 5%): Colosseum + Vatican Museums Guided Tour
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Reserved Entry Tickets with Vatican Gardens Open Bus Tour

Small-group tours

Duration: 2.5-5 hours Suited for: Solo travelers Ticket price: From €69

• Beat the crowds and immerse yourself in a small, tight-knit group of like-minded individuals as you explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
• Make the most of an expert tour guide. Feel free to ask all your doubts: you're in a cozy setting after all! Be assured that personal attention will be paid to you.

Recommended tour

Early morning/after hours tours

Duration: Flexible Suited for: Early birds/night owls Ticket price: From €99

• Beat the crowds when you choose to visit the Vatican Museums either when day breaks or later in the evening, when the rush has subsided. See renowned sculptures and paintings in soft new light just after daybreak or as the sun sets.
• Benefit from an expert tour guide who is sure to enlighten you on the history and significance of various artworks and exhibits.

St Peter's Basilica Tours

Duration: 3-5.5 hours Suited for: Religious pilgrims/culture enthusiasts Ticket price: From €54 to €104.95

• Begin your journey at the Vatican Museums, then moving on to the Sistine Chapel, and finally finishing at St. Peter's Basilica.
• By visiting all three attractions, you'll enjoy a comprehensive experience that will help you appreciate the Vatican's artistic treasures, historical significance and spiritual influence.

Why Take a Vatican Guided Tour?

Vatican City is a popular traveler’s destination in Rome. Here’s why you should take a guided tour of the Vatican:

• Visit multiple attractions: You can book a Vatican tour that includes access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
• Get faster access to Vatican attractions: By opting for a Vatican tour, you can enter St. Peter’s Basilica directly through the Sistine Chapel entrance, instead of having to walk around and wait in long lines to enter
• Skip long lines: Your Vatican tour includes skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, allowing you to bypass the long waiting lines.
• Learn more about the attractions: Gain insights into each painting, fresco, and sculpture that adorn these historic landmarks with the help of your professional, multilingual tour guide
• Enjoy priority access: Get priority early morning access to the Vatican Museums by opting for a guided tour. This way, you can beat the crowds and explore comfortably

What to expect from your Vatican guided tour?

A visit to the Vatican can be overwhelming for the uninitiated, especially since this tiny city, only 120 acres in total, packs a punch. A guided tour is possibly one of the best ways to get the most out of your trip to Vatican City, a vestige of Renaissance-era architecture and baroque style.

• Once you meet your certified guide and group at the meeting point, you will be taken straight into the Vatican Museums . Explore the Gallery of Maps, tapestries, Raphael’s Rooms, and more. 
• Through the Vatican Museum, you will be taken to the world-famous Sistine Chapel that is home to famous frescoes like Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment and Botticelli’s ‘Temptation of Christ’, among others.
• At St. Peter’s Basilica, which you can access through Sistine Chapel with a guided tour, you can observe art and architecture by famed artists like Raphael and Michelangelo, the architectural marvel that is the Dome — which you can climb up to as well to get splendid views of Rome and Vatican City. Your Vatican tour ends at St. Peter’s Square. 

What to see inside the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums boast a vast collection of over 70,000 artworks, spanning millennia and various cultures. Must-see exhibits include Raphael's Rooms, the Gallery of Maps and more.

Protect Your Trip »

The 5 best vatican tours of 2024.

Guided Vatican tours can make the experience less overwhelming and more enjoyable.

The Best Vatican Tours

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Key Takeaways

• Guided tours can help you make the most of your visit to Vatican City.
• Ticket prices can vary considerably depending on the tour group size.
• Anticipate crowds regardless of when or how you visit, as many tours offer early entry, after-hours and/or skip-the-line access.

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, Vatican City draws more than 5 million people each year, which means that no matter when you visit, you can expect massive crowds. Along with the crowds, the sheer size of this sovereign city-state in Rome can make a visit to Vatican City feel overwhelming.

If you're feeling intimidated by the experience, consider one of the following small-group Vatican tours, guided by local experts who can both explain the history of the Eternal City and help you navigate the crowds.

What a Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour

Price: Adults from $87; kids from $82 Duration: 3 hours

One of the best tours in Rome , this small-group option includes skip-the-line tickets to all the museums as well as St. Peter's Basilica . Tourgoers are also given headsets so they can better hear their guide. Recent visitors praise the knowledgeable tour guides for helping them maneuver the museums, as well as ensuring guests are comfortable (finding a shady reprieve on a hot summer day, for example).

Tours depart from the What a Life Tours office ( Via Santamaura 14B ) at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Tickets for children ages 5 and younger are free.

What a Life Tours also offers skip-the-line access that omits the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, as well as local food tours and tours of the Colosseum .

Check prices & availability on:

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

The Roman Guy – Vatican After Hours Tour with Sistine Chapel

Price: Adults from $124; kids from $100 Duration: 2 hours

Instead of early entry, this tour offers after-hours access to the Eternal City on select weekends in the summer months. Tours depart at 5:30 p.m. from Caffé Vaticano . Guided by a local expert, you'll see the Vatican museums, galleries, Raphael Rooms and School of Athens before the tour concludes at the Sistine Chapel. Recent reviewers highly recommend this tour, pointing to the tour guides' breadth of knowledge and the ability to experience Vatican City with fewer crowds.

The Roman Guy offers a number of other local tours that include visits to the Colosseum and Catacombs of Rome as well as food tours (and tours that combine some or all of the above).

Liv Tours – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour

Price: Adults from $140; kids from $124 Duration: 3 hours

This intimate tour is limited to just six people, making the experience more personal and enjoyable. Your tour guide will take you to through the famous galleries, the Julius II apartments, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Recent tourgoers say they could see a difference in this tour versus the other Vatican tours. They also note how kind the tour guides are.

Tours, which are available during a wide variety of time slots each day, start and conclude at Caffé Vaticano , right across the street from the entrance to the museums.

Other experiences offered by Liv Tours include a Jewish Ghetto & Travestere Tour, cooking classes and tours designed for kids.

Private Tours of Rome – Vatican and Sistine Chapel Private Tour

Price: Adults from $364; kids from $87 Duration: 3 hours

Explore the Vatican with a professional historian on this private tour. Recent travelers say they're so glad they chose to visit the Vatican on a private tour, noting how much they enjoyed hearing the guides' personal stories about the museums and the pope.

Tours depart from Viale Vaticano at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

If you're looking for a private tour of other attractions, Private Tours of Rome offers a variety of options. It also offers shore excursions, with pick up and drop-off at your ship in Civitavecchia.

Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

Price: From $1,345 Duration: 6 hours

If you're short on time and/or prefer to see several Rome attractions at once, this jam-packed tour is a great option. During the six-hour excursion, you'll see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum , Trevi Fountain , Piazza Novana and the Pantheon before visiting the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square (and then moving on to other sites). This tour includes optional headsets and skip-the-line access at all ticketed attractions. Recent travelers say the tour guides make this experience especially fun.

This full-day tour starts at 9 a.m. in front of the Angelino "ai Fori" dal 1947 restaurant and concludes in St. Peter's Square. It's typically offered Monday through Saturday. While babies and toddlers up to age 2 are permitted free of charge, this tour is not recommended for children.

Through Eternity Tours offers a number of other guided experiences in Rome, including an Angels and Demons tour based on the bestselling book. The company also offers shore excursions and day trips to Tivoli, Florence and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Vatican is a sovereign city-state recognized under international law. Its government includes the pope and the departments of the Roman Curia that help him exercise his responsibilities.

In short, yes. Vatican City is considered an independent nation-state and is the world's smallest such entity.

Yes, and there are a variety of ticket options you can purchase on the Vatican's website . However, many travelers opt for a guided tour to see the highlights with the help of an expert. Plus, many Vatican tours include stops at other attractions in Rome.

All visitors must dress appropriately for a place of worship. Shorts, hats, miniskirts, sleeveless tops, low-cut tops and garments that show the knees are not permitted. Guests dressed inappropriately will not be allowed inside.

When choosing your outfit, remember to wear comfortable walking shoes . Any visit to Vatican City requires a lot of walking.

All visitors are required to go through a security check to enter the museums, and there are a variety of items that you may not take inside:

• Luggage: Bags, backpacks and the like must not exceed 40 x 35 x 15 centimeters (16 x 14 x 6 inches); if they're too big, they must be checked in the cloak room (free of charge).
• Umbrellas: If necessary, these can also be checked in the cloak room.
• Video cameras: Non-flash photography is permitted in all areas except the Sistine Chapel.
• Food and drink
• Weapons and firearms

The Vatican is easily accessible from different sections of Rome.

Metro: You can take the metro to either the Cipro or Ottaviano stop on Line A (orange line) to be dropped near the Vatican Museums.

Bus: If taking the bus, multiple routes drop off near St. Peter's Basilica.

Taxi: You can also opt for a taxi or walk into St. Peter's Square.

Additionally, there are parking garages outside of Vatican City if you want to drive there, though driving in Rome is generally not recommended, as there are many areas where driving is restricted and you could be fined. Traffic in Rome can also be brutal, especially during the summer. Plan to arrive at the tour departure point at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.

The Vatican museums are open Monday through Saturday.

From March 2024 onward, hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The museums are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday of the month and certain holy days throughout the year, including Christmas. Final entry to the museum is approximately two hours before closing.

St. Peter's Basilica opens at 7 a.m. year-round, closing at 6:30 p.m. in the winter months and 7 p.m. from April through September.

Be sure to check if there are any museum closures ahead of your visit.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Rome
• The Best Places to Visit in Italy
• The Best Italy Tours and Small Group Trips

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Vatican Group Tours

Best-Selling Vatican Tours Group Tours

Early Morning Vatican with Sistine Chapel Semi-Private Tour

(327 Reviews)

max. group size: 10

adults 129 €

students 119 €

St. Peter’s Basilica Tour with Dome Climb and Papal Crypts

adults 69 €

students 64 €

5 results found

Essential Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St. Peter's Basilica Semi-Private Tour

(240 Reviews)

adults 119 €

students 99 €

VIP Vatican In a Day Semi-Private Tour: Experience Art and History As Never Before

(119 Reviews)

adults 149 €

students 139 €

Rome in a Day Group Tour with Colosseum and Vatican by Minivan & Lunch

(10 Reviews)

skip the lines

max. group size: 7

adults 279 €

students 269 €

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The Best Vatican Group Tours

A small state located exactly in the center of Rome, steeped in history and art in every aspect. Thanks to our Vatican group tours you can let yourself be amazed by its timeless beauties in routes organized by our licensed official guides that will make every visit unique and unforgettable.

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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Small Group Tour

Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award: Top 5 Cultural Experiences - Worldwide

Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award: Best Cultural Experience - #1 Tour Worldwide

• Discover the marvels of the Vatican on  TripAdvisor’s Number One Tour in the World . Be mesmerized by Michelangelo’s world famous Sistine Chapel and Last Judgement and hear the stories behind this wonderful art-work. Then wonder at the treasures inside St. Peter’s Basilica , from Michelangelo’s Pietá to Bernini’s enormous bronze altar.
• With our Reserved Entrance , you can head straight into the Vatican to explore the museums without wasting any of your precious vacation time.
• Tours are limited to 20 people with an expert, English-speaking, art historian as your guide that will bring the artwork to life using headsets to allow you to hear seamlessly throughout the tour.

Enjoy your Vatican Tour experience

What's included.

• Reserved Access to the Vatican Museums
• All entrance & reservation fees
• Access to the Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-Line Access to St. Peter’s Basilica
• Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
• Small groups of 20 people or less

Sites Visited

• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel
• Gallery of Maps
• Gallery of Tapestries
• St. Peter's Basilica
• St. Peter's Square

No One Gets You in Faster

Visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica on this exclusive and fully guided walking tour of up to 20 passengers. With our Reserved Entrance, you can head straight inside and explore without wasting any time - you’ll also discover the stories about the characters that walked these corridors before you as artists and Popes.

No One Gives You More Access

Inside, your guide will take you out to the Vatican Gardens balcony for your first glimpse of the dome of St. Peters Basilica before strolling through the ancient statues and modern sculptures of the Pinecone Courtyard. As there is no talking allowed in the Sistine Chapel your guide will prepare you here for the many fascinating details you otherwise might miss on your own.

To reach the Chapel, your guide will lead you along the Hall of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries and through the Gallery of Candelabra.  These works of art will come to life as you follow your guide’s commentary on your dedicated audio earpiece. At the  Sistine Chapel , take some time to pick out the rich details on the walls and ceilings – from Michelangelo’s boneless self-portrait to the shields representing violent bible stories.

After learning all about the chapel’s rich renaissance history, we’ll use our Skip-the-Line Access again, to enter  St. Peter’s Basilica . Bypass the long lines as your guide provides an overview of this magnificent church. Here, you will see Michelangelo’s ‘Pietá’ which portrayed Mary as being as an eternal young mother. Spend some quiet time in this vast place of worship beneath the tallest dome in the world. When you finish, you are free to remain inside St. Peter’s Basilica to experience more of this amazing church at your leisure or return outside to St. Peter’s Square to admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion and the basilica’s heavenly façade.

In just 3 hours, we’ll introduce you to the artistic treasures of the Vatican in an enjoyable and hassle-free manner. From the enormous Vatican Museums to Michelangelo's ground-breaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, you will see how the Popes used art and culture to spread their message. You’ll leave not just appreciating the Vatican but having understood it too. 

Check out our full list of Vatican tours .

Thousands of 5-Star Reviews

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Near Museum Entrance - Open in Google Maps

Important Notes

• Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. Knees, shoulders, and backs must be covered.
• Please note that in case of unexpected closures of some of the areas inside the Museums, the guide may have to modify the itinerary slightly.
• On Wednesday mornings St. Peter's Basilica may be closed to the public due to the Papal Audience taking place in St. Peter’s Square. Customers who wish to visit St. Peter’s Basilica are advised to travel on another day. Saint Peter’s Basilica is 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 endeavour to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica's opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.

Cancelation Policy

• Please be advised that some tour options are subject to a 24-hour cancelation policy. If you wish to cancel or amend your booking, you can do so without charge by contacting us up to 24 hours in advance of your expected departure time.
• Please be advised that some tour options are non-refundable, with no cancellations or date changes allowed due to pre-purchased tickets.
• It is mandatory to bring a valid ID or Passport for security checks, and entry will not be granted without proper documentation. Thank you for your cooperation.
• Book Direct: Best prices always guaranteed.
• Multilingual Customer Service: Talk to us, we are here to help.
• No Hidden Costs: All taxes and fees included.

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Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Semi-Private Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Tour

Vatican tours, vatican museums tours, get to know city wonders.

A City Wonders tour is the product of meticulous research, detailed planning, and a passion for providing customers with travel experiences they will cherish forever.

With City Wonders it's not just facts, our passionate guides tell you the stories that bring the sights to life.

• All of our guides are experts in their field
• We only hire fluent English-speakers so nothing is ever lost in translation
• We focus on the little details and anecdotes that make City Wonders so special

Recommended Vatican Posts

• (+39) 0669921343
• 9 am to 7 pm

Colosseum and Vatican Combo Small Group Tour

Tour Description

Colosseum tour: discover ancient rome in one day.

Looking to maximize your time in Rome? Our Colosseum and Vatican Combo Small Group Tour offers the chance to visit two of the city’s most iconic attractions in just one day . Join a small group of no more than 30 people and explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Vatican with expert licensed guides.

Follow in the Footsteps of Gladiators

Continue your Colosseum tour with a fascinating exploration of Ancient Rome. Led by an expert licensed guide, you’ll visit the Colosseum’s main areas and learn about its rich history, including intriguing anecdotes about the life of gladiators. Discover the Roman Forum , once the heart of everyday life in ancient Rome, and Palatine Hill , where emperors built their palaces.

Vatican Tours: Explore the Smallest Country in the World

Take a short break to refresh and have a quick lunch before continuing your Colosseum and Vatican Combo Small Group Tour. Meet our guide at our office located in via Vespasiano 28 , near the Vatican. Enter the smallest country in the world accompanied by a fully licensed guide and a group of maximum 30 people .

Walk through the Vatican galleries and marvel at its art and architecture while your guide explains everything you want to know about the Vatican state. Reach the Sistine Chapel, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire its stunning ceiling as well as Michelangelo’s breathtaking masterpiece “The Last Judgement.” Let your guide explain how this fresco was painted and the profound meaning hidden in it.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see the best of Rome in just one day with our Colosseum and Vatican Combo Small Group Tour. Book now and experience the history and beauty of these iconic landmarks with expert guides.

6 hour licensed English-speaking guide Access to Colosseum and the Vatican Admire the Colosseum inside and out Visit the Sistine Chapel

Vatican Galleries Apollo of Belvedere Laocoon Nero’s Bathtub Gallery of the Candelabra Gallery of the Tapestries Gallery of the Maps Sistine Chapel Colosseum Roman Forum Palatine Hill

Tour's Notes

Please Note: to access the Colosseum you need to add in your reservation the exact name and last name of all participants in your reservation, child name has to be specified. In case of mistake in writing your name and last name in your reservation, if the Colosseum access controllers denied the access due to the wrong name and last name we decline any responsability and NO REFUND will be provided

For your comfort, we highly recommend comfortable shoes and a refillable water bottle. Please bring a valid ID. No shorts above the knees, no sleeveless t-shirts are permitted, no big backpacks are allowed, no big umbrellas are permitted, no pointed objects are allowed. Please note that, for disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%, the Vatican Museums offers free entry that is extended to a companion for visitors who are not self-sufficient. To benefit from this, make sure you mention it at the time of booking so that our staff may handle your request.

• Small Group Tours
• Colosseum , Rome , Vatican
• Best Tours , Combo

6 hour licensed guide Access to Colosseum (euros 24) Access to Vatican Headsets for both of Tours

• Not Included

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• Meeting Point

Tour Solutions

• Shore Trips
• Private Tours

Destinations

Contact info.

Our office in the Vatican district: Via Vespasiano 28 Phone: +39 06 83936 432

• Email: info@ colosseumandvaticantours.com
• Office Number: (+39) 0669921343
• Emergency Phone for colosseum group tours: (+39) 345 529 2606 e +(39) 327 646 8014

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• 6 Apr 2019: “Highly enjoyable tour with Diego”
• 6 Apr 2019: “Great tour or colosseum, Palatine Hill and...”
• 5 Apr 2019: “Giorgio was brilliant”
• 5 Apr 2019: “ancient Rome”
• 4 Apr 2019: “Great tour very worthwhile”
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Colosseum and Vatican tours by Italy Wonders srls Tour operator License : Italy Guided tours released by the province of Rome : N.R.U. 275

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Vatican Museum Tours - How to pick the best one?

By Elyssa Bernard

December 21, 2023

Wondering which of the many Vatican Museum Tours is right for you?

There are so many options, so h ow do you decide which one to take?

Vatican Museum Tours - Why it's so hard to choose

One of the questions I get most often is "How do I decide which Vatican tour to take?"

I know there are a lot of choices.

There are early morning tours, small group tours, tours that include Saint Peter's Basilica, the  Necropolis of Via Triumphalis  or the Vatican Gardens . . . And even then, there are a lot of different companies that offer the same or similar tours. 

So how do you choose?

I'm going to break down the different TYPES of tours, and then give you links to book the best ones of each type.

On this page about Vatican Museums tours, you'll find:

• Is it worth taking a Vatican tour?

Tours through the official Vatican website

• Standard Group Tours of Vatican Museums
• Vatican Museum Tours before Opening Hours
• Super-speedy Tours of Vatican Museums  - head straight for the Sistine Chapel and bypass the rest
• Small/ Semi-private Group Tours of Vatican Museums
• Vatican Museums on Friday or Saturday Night
• Private Tours of Vatican Museums
• Vatican Gardens and Vatican Museum Tours Combo
• VIP Vatican Museum Tours with out-of-hours viewing of Sistine Chapel
• Tours that include the Vatican + Colosseum
• Do it yourself - build the Vatican tour you want!

Vatican Museum Tours - Is it Worth Taking a Tour?

I love to visit the Vatican Museums on my own because I can take as long as I want, and linger over a painting or a room if I feel like it.

But that is partly because I am lucky enough to live here and be able to visit often.

I've also taken part in pretty much every Vatican tour out there, and love that experience also.

Now the question is, is it worth taking a tour to visit Vatican Museums?

In my opinion, absolutely yes.

Here's why:

• Easy -  Your tickets will be bought and ready, nothing for you to do but show up.
• Focused -  With the vast amount of art to see in the Vatican Museums, having a guided tour can help you to focus on just some of the most important sections and pieces.
• Just the right amount of sight-seeing -  On a guided tour, you will keep your visiting time to a limit, and won't overdo or exhaust yourself trying to "see it all."
• Help with your questions -  When you have a guide, there is someone to answer your questions as they pop up. This happens to me all the time and I find myself asking museum guards (who may or may not know the answer), or trying to look things up on my phone. It's considerably nicer to have a knowledgable guide who can tell you (correctly, and in person) just what you want to know.
• Don't miss a thing! -  On a guided tour, you will no doubt see things you would have overlooked on your own. This also happens to me a lot in Rome, and every time I take a guided tour with an expert, I learn something new. The first time I went to the Vatican Museums on my own (years ago), without a guide, I breezed past the  Laocoön sculpture because I didn't even know what it was, let alone to look for it!

And if you take a more special kind of guided Vatican Museums Tour , like a private, small-group, out-of-hours tour, then it can make an even bigger difference.

Vatican Museums Audio-Guide

You may also decide to skip the Vatican Museum tours, and visit on your own with an audio-guide.

This can be a good compromise, because you will get more information than you can from the little printed info-cards next to some of the pieces in the museums.

I still would recommend a human guide because they are better able to bring the whole thing to life for you, and are there to answer questions.

If you do decide to use the Vatican Museums Audio-Guide, you can book this when you pre-book your Vatican Museums tickets through the Vatican website, or, you can opt to get the audio-guide once you enter the museum.

Vatican Museum Tours - Which One is Right for You?

One of the most frequent questions I get is, which Vatican Museum tours do you recommend?

And of course, there is not one right answer: this depends on what you are looking for, how much time you have and want to commit to, and your budget.

All Vatican Museum tours include skip-the-line tickets, a visit to the Sistine Chapel , and a licensed tour guide  (someone who is knowledgable and who is legally allowed to take you on this tour.)

Most tours are offered in English or Italian.

You can usually book a guide in other common languages too, such as Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, etc.

There are also a few options for pre-booking special tickets, without a tour.

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What happens when you book a tour of the Vatican Museums using the official Vatican Museums website ?

First, you will pay less, as there is no tour agency or middle-man.

Second, you will be assigned a tour guide who is directly employed by the Vatican Museums.

What is the difference between booking a tour of the vatican through the vatican website and a tour agency?

All guides who give tours of the Vatican Museums must be licensed guides and they must have permission from the Vatican Museums to give tours there.

The difference between a Vatican Museums employee/guide and an outside guide may simply be in the quality of the guide.

I must say that I have taken tours with Vatican Museum employees/guides, and some of them have been fantastic.

But you just never know.

No matter what tour you book, unless you hire a private guide that you either know or who has been recommended to you, you have no way of knowing what that guide will be like.

Reasons to choose booking with the Vatican Museums or with a tour company

Sometimes, tickets and tours may not be available on the Vatican Museums website but you might find more availability for tickets and tours on a certified reseller such as Tiqets, Get your Guide, or Viator.

Or, perhaps you have heard about a specific tours company or tour, such as Walks of Italy, who offer two of the most popular tours of the Vatican Museums, Pristine Sistine, and the Vatican Key Master Tour in which you get to open the museums.

Read on to discover more tour options, and the differences between the different types of tours you'll find, both on the Vatican website and on outside tour company sites.

NEW FOR 2024!

The archeological area of the Vatican Necropolis of Via Triumphalis is now open for visitors.

This is an ancient Roman burial site that is within the Vatican walls and before now was very difficult to get access to.

You can only enter as part of an official Vatican tour group, and tickets need to be purchased through the official website .

This is an entirely separate visit, so you will not have access to either St Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums.

Click here to watch my YouTube video about it and see what it's like!

Vatican Museum Tours - Skip the Line Group Tours

One of the most popular of the Vatican Museum tours is the group tour .

You skip the line of course, and have a knowledgable guide so you don't have to think about what to see or where to go.

All of these tours  include the Sistine Chapel , usually ending there.

St Peter's Basilica Shortcut

You can only take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's Basilica if you are on a tour that INCLUDES the basilica.

The shortcut is open from 9:30 am - 5 or 5:30PM, and it's ONLY accessible to tour companies or private guides that you book OUTSIDE the Vatican Museums website.

The Vatican Museums does not have any ticket or tour that includes the shortcut.

This means that you won't have access to the shortcut during the  KeyMaster tour , the  Extra Time tour , or any other tour that does not specifically include the basilica.

If you book any tour of the Vatican Museums, you can check the details to see if it finishes in the  Sistine Chapel  or the basilica.

Click here to view a map of Vatican City  (it will open in a new page.)

When you take a group tour, you will have what's called "whisper" headphones, so the guides can speak in a normal tone and you can easily hear them.

As of January 1, 2024, all group tours will be limited to 20 people.

The best part about this kind of group tour is the price.

This is the least expensive option of the Vatican Museum tours.

Visit the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the public on this special access tour.

There are many options even for taking a group tour.

Click the below to book a group tour of the Vatican Museums that includes:

• Only the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (and not St. Peter's Basilica - just access, but no tour)
• The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica (this is an excellent tour because you skip ALL the lines, even the priority lines, AND you get a tour of the Basilica)
• Handicapped access (most tours do NOT accommodate wheelchairs , so you need to pick one that specifically DOES. This tour covers the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel but not St. Peter's Basilica.)
• The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and The Pinacoteca (The Pinacoteca is the Vatican Museums Paintings gallery - most tours skip this but it is amazing, full of masterpieces, and worth the time if you have it! The Basilica is not included on this tour, but you can visit on your own without queuing.)
• The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica with Hotel pick-up/drop-off 

A word about "skip the line"

Of course one of the benefits of taking a tour is the possibility to skip the line.

You can skip the line even without a tour, simply by pre-booking your tickets.

HOWEVER, you should know that nobody can skip the line for security, and when Rome is really crowded, as it is nearly all the time lately, you may find a bit of a wait to get through security.

So prepare yourself for that, and also plan to arrive a bit earlier than your entry time to give yourself plenty of leeway in case of long security lines.

Vatican Museum Tours - Early Access

The Vatican Museums open at 8AM Monday - Saturday. (There can be different closing times depending on the time of year.)

However, it is possible to gain early access to the Vatican Museums.

There are two things you need to know about this kind of tour:

• There are a LOT of companies doing this , so you will not have an exclusive visit (although of course there will be a lot FEWER people than during the morning rush.)
• In order to get the advantage of seeing the Sistine Chapel before the crowds arrive, you will need to rush through the rest of the Vatican Museums on your way there, missing most of the major works of art along the way. Either the tour will go back through so you can see the rest of the museums at a slower pace, or, if the tour itself does not offer this, you can do it on your own. In either of these cases, you will wind up in the Sistine Chapel a second time before you finally exit.)

That said, it will still feel like a special experience to get in there before the crowds fill in.

Also, many people do want to "just" see the Sistine Chapel, so this helps to keep the visit short if you want to.

For a more exclusive experience, jump down to this section .

As of January 2024, it will only be possible to gain early access to the museums by booking a tour.

Previously you could book early access entrance tickets, but these have been removed with the extension of the opening hours from 9AM to 8AM.

Open the Vatican Museums and turn on the lights of the Sistine Chapel!

One of the most special tours I ever took was with the Key Master of the Vatican Museums .

We literally went through the museums and opened them up and turned on all the lights.

You can book this through Take Walks and I assure you it will be one of the most amazing things you've ever experienced!

Before Hours Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel and Basilica Tour

With this 3-hour tour, you will go with group of around 15 people into the Vatican Museums before they open to the general public. 

Click here to book this Early Access Group Tour of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican , Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , Pantheon , Piazza Navona , Spanish Steps , Castel Sant'Angelo , and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers .

Speedy Express Tours of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Maybe I should have put this one at the top of the page.

One of the most common questions I hear about the Vatican Museums is:

Can I just go see the Sistine Chapel ?

I've answered this before (the answer is no) and even with a tour that guarantees this, you really cannot. 

There is an "express route" to the Sistine Chapel from the entrance of the Vatican Museums, which skips the Pinacoteca, the Pio-Clementine Museums, the Egyptian and Etruscan wings.

But you still have a lot of museum to get through before you make it to the Sistine Chapel, so even without visiting any of the above, and bee-lining to the chapel, it will still take you at least 30 minutes just to walk there quickly, without stopping to look at anything. 

That said, there are tours that help you do this.

In the section just before this one, about Early Access Vatican Museum Tours , you have options for going in before opening hours.

In theory, these could also be considered as fast tours, since you do go directly to the Sistine Chapel.

But with the above, you are also given the chance to go back and take more time in the museums.

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 things never to leave at home:

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Normally I would urge you to visit the rest of the museums, as they are chock full of some of the world's most amazing and beautiful art.

But maybe you have really limited time, or who have been to the museums before and want to re-visit just the Sistine Chapel.

So, you can book an Express tour:

Visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with option to add on St. Peter's Basilica .

Your guide will provide explanations of the Sistine Chapel, but as you are sort of speeding through the rest of the Vatican Museums, you won't get detailed explanations of what you're walking past.

Vatican Museums - Small Group Tours

In the section above, there is a link to a small group, exclusive tour.

That tour goes inside the Vatican Museums early, before they open to the general public.

It's an amazing experience and I highly recommend it! (More about this below.)

If you're looking for an excellent truly small group Vatican Museums tour, click here.

Their small-group tours are max 20 people, but when you go to choose your date, you can see they also offer even smaller groups or private tours (which costs a bit more but may be worth it.)

Ready to plan your trip?

Vatican Museums - Private Tours

Taking a private tour is exactly what it sounds like: this is a fantastic option if you want a completely private, personal tour, with the guide focused just on you.

Of course, if you are a family or group of 4-6 people, it becomes more affordable.

Click here to book a private tour (minimum 2 people), of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Vatican Museums + Vatican Gardens Combo Tour

The Vatican is home to some amazing gardens , which are beautifully kept and landscaped.

But they are in two places: one is just behind St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

The other is in the summer residence of the Pope, Castel Gandolfo .

You can easily book the Vatican Gardens tour through the Vatican Museums website .

It includes entry to the Vatican Museums but no tour or guide.

If you want, you can book this through an outside agency so you get a more complete tour experience.

See below for options.

Tour of Vatican Museums and Vatican Gardens in Vatican City

With this small-group tour, you will first visit the Vatican Gardens.

After visiting the gardens, your group will head inside to tour the Vatican Museums, finishing inside the Sistine Chapel.

Click here to book a Vatican Gardens + Vatican Museums combo small-group tour.

Currently unavailable - stay tuned for the updates!

Visit to Vatican Museums and Gardens in Castel Gandolfo

If you have a full day to dedicate to this, and want to experience something really special, a whole world of tranquility, quiet and beauty, away from the hustle and bustle of Rome, this is a wonderful tour.

It allows you to skip the line and visit the Vatican Museums, then walk through the Vatican Gardens and get on a train that will take you just half-hour outside Rome to the summer residence of the Pope: the stunning Barberini Gardens at Castel Gandolfo , only recently opened to the public.

Click here to book your full day Vatican Museums + Vatican Gardens at Castel Gandolfo tour . 

(Note this option does not include a visit to Saint Peter's Basilica.)

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VIP Vatican Museum Tours with out-of-hours Viewing

There are a good selection of Vatican Museum tours that offer early morning entry to the museums (see above.)

This means that although your group is going in before the normal opening time, you will also be going in with all the other tour groups doing the same thing.

Which means it is not quite as exclusive as it sounds, even if it's definitely less crowded than going at opening time (which is why it's actually a pretty affordable tour, usually costing less than 100€ per person.)

If you're really looking for an exclusive visit to the Vatican Museums out of hours, here are a couple of options:

VIP: Sistine Chapel Private Viewing and Small-Group Tour of the Vatican's Secret Rooms

Visiting the Vatican Museums after hours and seeing the secret rooms was one of the best tours I ever took.

You can read more about it on my dedicated page .

VIP Vatican Museum Tours - After Hours Private Viewing of Sistine Chapel

For a really special experience, book a VIP tour , that features  after-hours viewing.

You really do have a much more exclusive experience than the groups going before the Museums open.

Most Vatican Museum tours do not offer this option, so you will have the Sistine Chapel almost entirely to yourselves.

Click here to book your VIP tour of the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel Private Viewing.

And for an even more exclusive, private, truly after-hours tour, you can book this one.

Tour the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum on the same day

While I normally don't recommend this, sometimes a day is all you have, and you really want to fit in these two Rome must-sees.

You can try to do this on your own, but if you want to make the most of this day, especially if you are doing this as a shore excursion, I really recommend doing it as a guided tour.

Click here to book visit my page about this, for more details .

Click here to book a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum in one day .

You can also book a night tour of the Colosseum at certain times of the year, so you could see the Vatican Museums during the day and then do this night tour.

Do it yourself - build the tour YOU want!

If you are still not sure which tour to book, you can  visit this tour booking page where you can choose the length of the tour, the time of day, and the maximum group size you want  (the smaller the group, the more it costs per person.)

Click the "filters" button and go through and check the boxes you want, and you'll see all the tour options available according to your criteria.

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Vatican Guided Tour, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Vatican Museum Customized Private Tours, Official Travel Agency

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Sistine Chapel Ceiling – Vatican Museums Immersive Tour – Michelangelo’s frescos

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Guided Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica

All the best sights were seen

Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Vatican Museum Ticket

Vatican Small Group Tour : visit Vatican one of the unique awe-inspiring beautiful locations on Earth. Book this skip the Line Vatican Small Group Tour, this tour will get you in to more special areas of the Vatican Museum , Sistine Chapel , and  Basilica at St. Peter's .

Guided visit of St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel highlights: 

• Exclusive skip-the-line access to many areas of the Vatican, including the Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica
• Visit the main points of interest in the Vatican accompanied by a professional guide
• Admire some of the greatest works of art in the world in a small group
• Explore the lesser-known but fascinating areas of the Vatican City State
• Excursion includes the use of personal headphones to ensure everyone hear the guide’s explanations

Guided visit of St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Tour one of the most sacred sites to all of Christianity in this unforgettable, Skip the Line Vatican small group tour to three of the most important areas of the Vatican City State .

Skip the line Vatican Small Group Tour to discover the masterpieces of the Vatican

Not only will you visit the Vatican Museum , the Sistine Chapel itself, and the rest of Saint Peter's Basilica , but you will also see the Gallery of Maps and the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Chambers and Museum of Pio Clementino, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Belvedere and Pigna courtyards, and dozens of other incredible sights. Best of all, you will be accompanied by an extremely experienced guide , who is completely authorized to share the secret history and knowledge hidden within the walls of the Vatican with you.

Vatican Small Group Tour: the best experience to explore Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Church

This small group tour  ensures everyone has an optimal eXPerience, and you will receive your own pair of personal headphones to ensure you can hear everything the guide has to share with you. Learn about the history and politics of the Vatican , as well as the Church that built it. Study the incredible architectural features of its buildings, and the majesty and grandeur of the art that suffuses nearly every square inch of space within these hallowed halls, and admire the masterpieces of Vatican Museum , Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Church .

Book now a Vatican Small Group Tour to learn more about Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica!

Vatican Museums are one of the most famous and important museums in the world: they collect masterpieces from some of the most well-known artists of the Renaissance Art, such as Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael . The Saint Peter's Basilica is the mother church of the Catholic Church. During your visit, you will admire one of the most famous masterpiece of the Italian sculpture, the Pietà by Michelangelo , housed in the north aisle of the church. With this small group tour of the Vatican you will also explore the Sistine Chapel : be ready for this experience by taking this virtual tour , and enjoy your tour at its fullest!

More Vatican Guided Tours to visit the Vatican City: Vatican Private Tour

Further, if you are looking for a more exclusive eXPerience , you should take a look to the  private tour of the Vatican , to make your holidays in Rome absolutely unforgettable.

• Vatican Museum
• Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter's Basilica
• Skip-the-Line tickets to access the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel
• 3 hour guided group tour
• Pick-up and drop-off at hotel
• Tips (optional)

The meeting point is close to the Vaticano.   Meeting point information and local telephone numbers at your destination are included on your Confirmation Voucher.

This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs, or with impaired mobility.  Please note that the itinerary inside the Vatican Museums may vary, depending on restrictions decided by the museum board. Due to exceptional religious events, St. Peter's Basilica might be closed without any notice.  Entry to the Vatican Museums is based on strictly timed tickets. For this reason, late arrivals cannot be guaranteed access.  All visitors must have a photo ID for the security check.  The Vatican Museums imposes a mandatory dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered, otherwise you will not be able to enter.  St. Peter's Basilica won't be available for visits on Wednesday, the tour will include Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel only.

Reviews of Guided Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica

It was very informative and interesting tour., good guide and tour, experiencing new insights from an expert.

Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour | Semi-Private

What to expect.

LivTours Vatican & Sistine Chapel Highlights Tour is an ideal way to experience the Vatican Museums, including Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. With your expert guide and groups no larger than 6 travelers, you will have a complete overview of access to one of the world’s largest art collections.

This semi-private tour allows you to fully enjoy your Vatican experience in a more intimate environment with your guide. Learn little know stories and facts of the popes and artists comissioned to create these world famous pieces. Your tour takes you through the Vatican highlights, showing art from over 2000 years ago from antiquity to Renaissance.

Why book this tour

• Enjoy a semi-private tour of no more than 6 people max with skip-the-line entrance
• Discover the masterpieces of the Vatican Museum with your expert guide by your side
• See works by Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini, Bramante & Raphael on one tour
• Visit the world's largest Christian basilica, known as the resting place of St Peter
• See the world's most prized artwork up close with anecdotes of millennial old history

Semi-Private tours and experiences are guaranteed six participants max.

Our prices always include tickets and reservations fees (no waiting in lines!)

Our tour guides and staff are selected experts and speak perfect English

Easy to book and prepay your tours with our secure payment system

Eco-sustainable tourism, designed to respect and support local culture, art and traditions

Tour gallery

Read more about your Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour

Your Vatican & Sistine Chapel tour begins with direct access to the Vatican Museums, meaning no waiting in line. Once inside, you will begin learning about its amazing art, seeing the wonders of the Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard, and the Belvedere Torso. You will stroll throughout the Round Room and admire the Constantine coffins of the Greek room.

Your expert guide will take you to see the Gallery of Tapestries where you will walk the halls of handcrafted tapestries by Pieter van Aelst’s School which were created from drawings by Raphael’s pupils. Next, it is on to the Gallery of Maps, just imagine, wall-to-wall hand-painted maps from the 16th-century giving you an idea of what the geography looked like back then. From there you will vist the recently restored Raphael Rooms which are sure to take your breath away. Admire The School of Athens, one of Raphael’s master works, and learn about the historic greats and some contemporaries he carefully placed within this painting.

After this, it’s time to head over to see one of the stars of the tour – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Admire the 8,000 square feet of this masterpiece standing in its center surrounded by paintings. After the Chapel and all its glory, your tour guide will take you towards your final stop, St. Peter’s Basilica* where you will enjoy exclusive access to the most immense and ornate Catholic church in the world. Visit one of the most stunning pieces of art in the basilica, Michelangelo’s statue of the Pietà, depicting the Virgin Mary holding her dying child in her arms. Another must-see work of art is Bernini’s alter canopy, which is made of an astounding 100,000 pounds of gilded bronze.

This comprehensive tour will give you an idea of the grandeur of Vatican City and the artwork it holds.

To end, your guide will leave you inside Saint Peter’s Basilica, allowing you ample time to continue your exploration of the Papal Tombs, and even climbing to the top of the Dome.

This Tour Includes

• Skip-the-line into the Vatican
• Fully guided experience
• Groups of maximum 6 people
• Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard
• Belvedere Torso
• The round room
• Constantine coffins
• Gallery of Tapestries
• Gallery of Maps
• Raphael Rooms*
• The School of Athens painting
• Sistine Chapel
• Michelangelos ceiling & Last Judgement
• St Peters Basilica*
• Berninis bronze alter canopy
• St Peters square

Know before you go

• *Access to the Raphael Rooms is contingent upon crowd conditions, timing constraints, and guard-regulated routes. Including them may not always be feasible. In these cases, your tour guide will exercise discretion to adjust the itinerary, ensuring a high-quality experience
• *St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, your guide will provide a revised itinerary including more of the Vatican Museums. No compensation is granted in these circumstances.
• *Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed on most Wednesdays mornings due to the weekly Papal Audience. If you book this tour for a Wednesday the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended.
• Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
• There is no photography allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.
• Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during your visit inside is strictly forbidden, therefore your guide will give you an explanation of the Sistine Chapel beforehand during your tour, in order to give you a comprehensive explanation before entering the chapel.
• Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
• Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. In order to ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour.
•  Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.

Our Sustainable Tourism Promise

LivTours’ group size of max 6 participants is and always has been based on sustainable travel, and we are proud to be at the forefront of change and innovation in the industry.   LivTours is committed to providing travelers with truly sustainable tours with the lowest possible environmental impact, all while supporting the local industries and people of each unique destination. To learn more about how you can actively support sustainable tourism  and how LivTours is contributing, click here .

About our Semi-Private tours

All LivTours Semi-Private Group Tours are limited to 6 guests per tour guide. Our commitment to maintaining our uniquely tiny group sizes can sometimes be a little tricky, mathematically speaking. For example, we want to ensure that traveling families and friends can tour together so on rare occasions we may add one or two guests in order to not split groups. On that same note, you may also find yourself on tour with less than six people! We thank you for your understanding and flexibility .

Wonderful memories

My wife and I greatly appreciated Sylvia's tour of the Vatican. She gave us wondeful insight and context into the works and entertained us with her storytelling abilities and sense of humor. She's very knowledgable and helpful. We also appreciated how well Sylvia manuevered us through the dense crowds and got us to the important places promptly but politely. Thank you very much for a wonderful memory!

Highlight of our trip

Alessandro was a phenomenal guide on our Vatican Highlights tour! He was so knowledgeable and such a great person on top of that. We learned so much. We could never have understood the significance of what we were seeing without him explaining not only what a painting was for instance but why it was at that location. So glad we took the tour!

Greatest tour

Our tour of the Vatican with Paola was amazing! She really brought the scene to life with her stories and animation and wit. Well done and organized. She also managed to make sure we got into the Basilica just before it closed.

Best Vatican tour

We booked the Vatican highlights tour with LivTours and our guide was Luisa. She was absolutely phenomenal! She's incredibly knowledgeable and hilarious ! We loved her and the entire tour! Would highly recommend!

Best tour ever

Luisa was the BEST tour guide we've ever had. She was so fun, knowledgeable, and polite. We had a great tour of the Vatican. Thank you Luisa!!!

Choose dates later / Buy as a gift

By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here .

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