vatican museum and sistine chapel tours

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Best Vatican tours: Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica

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Touring the Vatican is one of the top things to do in Rome. But deciding which tour to choose can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you find the best Vatican tour for your trip.

Article contents

Summary of recommended tours

We’ve provided a complete analysis of the best Vatican tours available in this article. This includes dates and times available, duration and other useful information. Here is a summary if you’re the kind of person who wants quick answers.

Best standard tours

• Walks of Italy – Complete Vatican Tour  (small groups up to 20 people)
• Liv Tours – Skip the line Highlights of the Vatican tour (small groups up to 6 people – 5% off with code – UntoldItaly)
• CityWonders – Skip the line tour of the Vatican (larger groups)
• Vatican official – Standard Vatican tour (provided by the museums – historic focus)

5% discount on small group tours with Liv Tours. Discount applied at checkout when you click this link  or use code ‘UntoldItaly’

Best early access tours (beat the crowds).

• Walks of Italy – VIP Key Masters Tour (open the Sistine Chapel at 6.00am – small group tour) – this is the earliest and most exclusive tour
• Walks of Italy – Alone in the Vatican (small group and early access from 6.30am)
• Liv Tours – Alone in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums (small group with early access from 6.30am, includes breakfast in the Pine Cone Courtyard)
• Walks of Italy – Pristine Sistine – best first access with the general public tour

*Note, in 2024 the Vatican Museums changed it’s early entry policy to allow only a handful of visitors access prior to 8am when doors are open to the general public. Places on these exclusive tours are extremely limited

What to see on a Vatican tour

First, let’s clear up exactly what ‘the Vatican’ is so you can decide which parts you wish to tour. The Vatican is in fact an independent city state within Rome ruled by the Pope – the head of the Catholic church. It is the smallest country on Earth with an area of 0.44 square kilometers and population of just 1,000.

The main areas to visit inside the Vatican City are:

• St Peter’s Basilica including cupola (dome), tombs and square – more info
• Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel – the world’s greatest art collection with works by Raphael, Giotto, Caravaggio and of course Michelangelo
• Vatican Gardens – arguably the most beautiful gardens in Rome with stunning views of St Peters, grottoes and lawns

Most Vatican tours will include visiting both St Peters and the Vatican Museums as part of their package. The gardens can only be accessed by a separate tour usually combined with a tour of the Vatican Museums (but not St Peters).

Why take a tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peters

There are two main reasons to join a tour of the Vatican – experience and convenience.

With over 6 million visitors a year, the Vatican Museums and St Peters are among the most popular attractions in Rome and the world. And rightly so. Their collection of art is mind boggling in scale and value. And the historical importance of the buildings is almost unparalleled.

Unless you are a highly educated art historian, there is no way you will know what to look for among all the glitz and walls dripping with priceless paintings. And unfortunately, the information provided by the museums is disappointing.

Visit with a guide and they will be able to point out the most important pieces and their symbolism and significance. Not to mention the major events that have taken place between those walls.

You will spend at least 2 – 3 hours visiting the Vatican no matter how you approach your visit. This is because it takes that amount of time to move through the buildings. That being the case, it makes sense to have an expert guide you through the highlights.

Tours start in the Vatican Museums skipping the long lines for tickets and use a special entrance to St Peter’s from the Sistine Chapel to avoid the separate lines for the Basilica. So if you are not on a tour or have not pre-purchased tickets you will need to line up twice to see both main areas of the Vatican.

Prefer to visit without a guide?

Make sure you buy skip the line tickets prior to your visit to avoid waiting in lines – around 2-3 hours during peak periods.

You can buy tickets for the Vatican Museums on the official site here or if you are having trouble using the site or they are sold out you can buy Vatican  Museums skip the line tickets with authorized ticket seller GetYourGuide here .

St Peter’s is a separate entrance. Buy tickets to skip the line at St Peter’s here .

What to look for in a tour of the Vatican

By law, all guides operating in the Vatican must hold a license that can only be obtained by a very strict examination process. So you know that any guide you tour with will have a thorough knowledge of the details, dates, and facts of the art and buildings you visit.

Your choice really comes down to timing, group size, inclusions, length and style and price of tour. Generally, the size and length of tour will determine the price, however, you also pay extra for exclusive experiences.

• Timing – early morning and evening tours are available and are strictly limited so you will have fewer crowds to contend with
• Group size – if budget allows, try to book a tour with a group size less than 20. Any more than this and you’ll be struggling to hear (despite headsets) or engage with your guide
• Inclusions and itinerary  – basic and express tours of the Vatican focus on the highlights of the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel, Gallery of Maps, Michelangelo’s masterpieces, Pinacoteca Courtyard) plus St Peter’s interior. Longer tours will take you to the Underground Crypts, the Carriage Pavilion and Nero’s bath
• Length – the shortest tours available are around 2 hours and you can also join full day tours of the Vatican.
• Budget – basic tours start at around €40 for large group tours while you can pay between €300 – €500 per person for a private tour of the Vatican

Worth Noting

• We have not found a tour that includes visiting St Peter’s dome. If you want to ascend the dome you will need to buy a ticket at the basilica office at the conclusion of your tour
• If you find yourself waiting in line for tickets and wishing you had booked a tour, please do not join one of those offered by the scammers that work the crowd. They are not recommended – expensive and basically just entry tickets (if that!)

The best Vatican tour companies

Here are some of the most popular operators and our assessment of how they differ. There are literally hundreds of tour operators working in the Vatican so we have chosen the best for different types of travelers.

• Walks of Italy – working closely in partnership with the Vatican Museums to create unique and engaging experiences for English speaking visitors, the Walks of Italy offerings Pristine Sistine and VIP Key Masters tours are outstanding 
• Vatican official tours – The Vatican Museums tours are generally the least expensive option but note that group sizes start at 16 people. Expect a focus on religious history and the church. Their Art and Faith tours are focused on the relationship between art and religion in the context of the history of the Catholic Church in Rome – view all official Vatican tours
• Liv Tours – this Rome based company is known for their very small group and private tours and knowledgeable guides who are expert at adjusting tours for their guests’ interest and knowledge level – view all Liv Tours Vatican tours PLUS 5% off with code ‘UntoldItaly’ 

Best Vatican tours

We chose the best small and larger group tours of the Vatican offered by the tour companies mentioned above. We used our own experience and cross checked this with ratings on tours on TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and other media. This is updated on an ongoing basis so we can bring you the best tours available.

Please note – If you are visiting on a Wednesday, your tour group will not be able to enter St Peter’s basilica due to the weekly Papal Address. In this case, the tour will include additional galleries of the museums.

If you are looking for a private Vatican tour please skip forward to the section below.

Standard tours of the Vatican

Most tour operators offer a standard 2 – 3 hour Vatican tour that includes highlights of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s. These tours start at the same time the museums are open to the general public.

Your tour includes skip the line for tickets and have a dedicated guide escorting you and explaining the art and history.  But, there is no escaping the crowds, unfortunately. You will however be able to use the group entrance into St Peter’s avoiding a half hour walk back to the main entrance and line for the basilica.

Early morning Vatican tours

We think that early access tours are the best way to experience the Vatican. You can see the priceless artwork in relative solitude as you pay a premium to enter without the crowds. If these tours are within budget then we strongly suggest choosing the earliest tour available.

The Vatican Museums allow a very limited number of people each day in to the galleries at 6:00am with the “ clavigero ” or key keeper of the Museums. You can join this unforgettable tour led by the wonderful team at Walks of Italy – more info and booking instructions here . Note – this applies to the museums only and does not include access to St Peter’s. If you would like to read our complete review of this experience – visit this page

LISTEN: to our Vatican Museums Tips and   Highlights podcast episode with Walks of Italy co-founder Stephen Oddo

Complete Vatican tours

If you’re an art and history lover it is fair to say that 2-3 hours will barely scratch the surface of the 54 galleries and 20,000 works on display. These early start tours ensure you see the highlights as well as some of the lesser known treasures in the museums such as Nero’s bath, the Borgia apartments, Pinacoteca Vaticana and 16th century double helix Bramante staircase which inspired the modern version of the same name. Visit the Vatican Museums ticket office to learn about openings of special galleries and sections of the Museums.

Family friendly tour of the Vatican

Do you want to take the whole family to tour the Vatican Museums? We suggest giving this a lot of consideration especially if you have very young children. They will need to do a lot of walking, often in hot and stuffy rooms and remain silent in the Sistine Chapel.

If you do decide to go, booking a family friendly tour is a great idea. Your tour will be tailored to the interests of children and your guide will assist in keeping your kids entertained so you can enjoy the experience too.

Liv Tours offer a fun family friendly interactive tour in the Vatican designed especially for families. This is a great way to introduce your children to the history and stories behind this precious art collection.

Special Vatican tours

Evening vatican museum tours.

During the summer months the Vatican Museums open from 19:00pm to 23:00pm on Friday evenings. With limited numbers allowed into the galleries you can enjoy them without the crowds and in the cooler night air. This exclusive experience will no doubt be a highlight of your trip to Rome.

Note – this experience does not include visiting St Peter’s basilica so you would need to go there separately

Recommended night Vatican tours

• Vatican Museums official [group size up to 30]  – click for info
• Walks of Italy [group size max 15] at 19:30pm – click for details

Claim your 5% discount on small group tours with Liv Tours.   Click here and use code ‘UntoldItaly’

Vatican Garden Tours

The Papal gardens are among the finest in Europe that are centuries old. A stroll through the gardens reveals sculptures, fountains and stunning views of the basilica. They are an oasis away from the chaos of the city beyond.

A tour of the gardens will help you appreciate the history and stories behind the many works of art within the gardens and their significance to the Catholic church. There is a replica of the sacred Lourdes grotto in France as well as monuments and statues collected by and dedicated to former popes.

An advantage of doing a tour of the gardens is that it also includes admission to the Vatican Museums. And yes, you skip the lines. No tour is provided in the museums, however.

Vatican Scavi tours

If you have a particular interest in Christianity and history, there could be no bigger thrill to see what is said to be the tomb of St Peter the apostle, deep below the basilica that bears his name. Only 250 people per day are allowed into this sacred area as part of escorted 90 minute tours run by the Vatican. Tour groups are small with only 12 people visiting the excavation site and tomb.

You need to book this tour months in advance by following the instructions on the official Vatican excavations office page . Please note – children under 15 years may not go on this tour. You may not take photos on the tour.

Private Vatican tours

Would you prefer a fully private tour of the Vatican Museums? Private tours are a great way to enjoy the Vatican at your own pace and to see those things you really want to see. Starting at around €350, they can also be more cost effective if you are traveling in a larger group. We recommend  Liv Tours for private Vatican tours.

DISCOVER: The Best hotels near the Vatican City .

Useful information for visiting the Vatican

Both the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s basilica are religious sites. Men and women should cover knees and shoulders as a sign of respect. You may be refused entry if you are not suitably attired.

During the hot Roman summers you might like to bring a light shawl or scarf as an alternative to wearing clothing that covers your shoulders.

Tours are not offered on Sundays when the museums are either closed or open to the public for free admission.

Tour itineraries do not include St Peter’s basilica on Wednesday due to the usual Papal audience in the piazza.

The best day to do a standard Vatican tour is probably Tuesday when you avoid the extended long weekend European visitors.

If you want to do an early morning tour choose from Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.

Night tours of the Vatican are only available on Fridays from April to October.

Yes, it is a condition of entry that all people entering the Vatican Museums and St Peters pass security checks. Don’t worry, these lines move quickly

Yes, cloakroom facilities are found near the entrance to the Vatican Museums and there is a separate cloakroom for St Peters. Both are free of charge

Yes, you can take photos (without flash) in most areas except the Sistine Chapel where photography of any kind is not allowed. Flash photography is forbidden in all areas as it may damage the artwork

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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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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.
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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.

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• All of our guides are experts in their field
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• We focus on the little details and anecdotes that make City Wonders so special

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Guided tours of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

The Catholic Traveler’s Guide to Rome is offered completely free to be sure you have the best pilgrimage experience – and is only possible because of my generous supporters. Please consider supporting my work through Patreon or Substack , or a one time tip through Venmo . 🤍

I think most people can get by touring the Vatican Museums on their own without a guide. Simply using an audio guide or a guide book is all most need. Here’s why…

Nearly 30,000 people visit the Vatican Museums each day.

30,000 people. Every day.

This looks miserable because it is miserable.

Some of the best works of art are housed in the Vatican Museums. There are some amazing private guides. Despite this, the biggest complaint I hear about visits to Rome is how miserable the Vatican Museums were.

Plus, admiring beautiful art is a very personal thing. If you go alone, you can go at your own pace. You can sit and enjoy a work of art. You can venture off the typical tourist itinerary – there’s a reason it’s Vatican Museum s and not Vatican Museum. There are lots of galleries in the Museums that most people never visit.

Go it alone

You can, and should, book a ticket to the Vatican Museums on their official website.

The Museums are nearly always packed, but later in the day the crowds start to thin out.

My favorite time to visit is during the Night Openings of the Vatican Museums . This is seasonal and a really cool and unique experience.

Another new(ish) option is to book breakfast at the Vatican Museums . You pay a little more, but get in before the crowds. If you go this route, go straight to the Sistine Chapel to enjoy it before the crowds. Then you can back track and visit the rest of the Museums.

Guided tours

If you feel you need a guided tour, you have tons and tons of options. I’ve listed some of the best here…

For a private guided tour, I recommend Agnes at Understanding Rome . She’s professional, fun, and engaging. You should let her know I sent you. You should also book early as she’s quite popular.

One of the best guides out there is Liz Lev . She’s often booked solid and also a bit more expensive than most other guides, but she’s worth the price. She’s a good friend, let her know I sent you.

If you have the means, I highly recommend becoming a Patron of the Arts for the Vatican Museums . The perks are amazing, the price probably isn’t as much as you’d expect, and the guides are excellent. In fact, the first time I took a Patron tour, my guide was the same woman who guided U.S. Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama – and it was just the two of us.

The official Vatican Museum tours are hit or miss. More often than not, it’s a miss. Once I had the Vatican assign an excellent guide to me. Once. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few great guides employed by the Museums, but you don’t get to pick.

What to avoid

Any of the big tour companies in Rome – especially if you are Catholic. I lived across the street from one of the biggest companies (even endorsed by the Vatican) for two years, I heard nonstop bashing of the Church. I currently live across from another one of the big ones, I don’t hear Church bashing every day, but the tours sound really lame.

Anyone who harasses you near the Vatican to “skip the line.” It’s a rip off. Just don’t.

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Pristine Sistine at Closing Time: Late Entry Vatican Tour

• Experience a peaceful visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel after the daytime crowds have left.
• Hear fascinating stories of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel to prepare you for your visit.
• Bypass the long lines at the Vatican Museums to spend more time exploring.
• Marvel at legendary masterpieces such as the Raphael Rooms and Gallery of the Maps.

Tour description

See the vatican museums and sistine chapel without crowds..

Experience the Sistine Chapel and the highlights of the Vatican Museums at one of its quieter moments of the day. With afternoon entry three hours before closing time, you’ll enjoy a relaxing visit and avoid the large crowds that typically fill the halls in peak daytime hours.

Following a specially curated route, you'll see some of the most beautiful and fascinating works of art and architecture in the world on this afternoon Vatican tour. Not only does this tour cover the must-sees at the Vatican Museums, it also gives you an insider's perspective on the bigger picture: power and politics in Vatican City.

Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums.

In order to make the most of every moment on your afternoon Vatican tour, you'll have privileged entrance at the Vatican Museums. This means you'll skip the notoriously long general access line—which, during high season, often stretches for hours. Throughout your tour, your expert guide will bring the Vatican’s dramatic past to life. From the Raphael Rooms to the statue galleries and the unmissable Sistine Chapel, you'll see the best the Museums have to offer without jostling for space and while hearing the stories and context behind the art from your expert guide.

Small groups of 15 or fewer keep your Vatican tour casual and engaging.

Smaller and more intimate than many similar tours on the market, you'll have fantastic access to your expert guide to ask them all your burning questions with ease. All of our guides are knowledgeable, passionate storytellers who are specially trained to give you a real sense of the drama and power that has played out in these very halls.

This small group afternoon Vatican tour ensures that you avoid the crowds with strategically timed afternoon entry and eliminates waiting in line to see all the highlights of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel.

Sites visited

Verified guest reviews, may 01, 2024.

Completely recommend this tour. The late entry was not as crowded as morning time and our tour guide Laura was wonderful - loved the stories and her sense of humor!! Five stars!

We struggled understanding the tour guide.

Apr 06, 2024

Our guide was very well educated on many aspects of the artifacts, as well as the museums themselves. He was extremely affable and peppered our tour with interesting cultural notes.

Oct 31, 2023

Frank was very knowledgeable and engaging, great tour guide!

Oct 27, 2023

The Vatican tour was one we anticipated would be wonderful. Our tour guide, Sev, made it exceed our expectations. He was one of the best tour guides we have had. It was clear he loved the history and was a wealth of information. He also did a fantastic job of giving directions and keeping the group together. I highly recommend this tour, but be prepared for a taxing climb if you go up the dome. Definitely glad we did that part but it was a lot of steps up and many were tight and narrow. Sev was the perfect tour guide to guide us through the Vatican and all of its history.

Know before you book

Similar tours, alone in the vatican: exclusive vip access vatican museums & sistine chapel tour, the complete vatican tour with vatican museums, sistine chapel & st. peter’s basilica, st. peter’s basilica from top to bottom with dome climb & crypt.

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

Discover the masterpieces of the Vatican on this tour designed for visitors short on time

Price 119 €

(240 Reviews)

• tour overview
• tour description
• tour reviews

duration 3 hours

group size Max. 10

Tour Overview

Boasting some of the greatest artworks ever created, the Vatican Museums can be a daunting place to visit - and you can easily spend a day trying to see it all. But if you’re short on time in the Eternal City or just want to see the highlights, then our carefully crafted Essential Sistine Chapel and Vatican tour is for you. See why the frescoes that Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are often considered the greatest masterpieces of Western art, and admire the work of his most illustrious rival in Raphael’s iconic School of Athens. Discover how the two artists drew inspiration from recently unearthed masterpieces of ancient art like the Laocoon and Belvedere Torso Skip the lines at enormous St. Peter’s Basilica – the mother church of the Catholic faith and home to Michelangelo’s incredible moving Pietà sculpture, as well as Bernini’s jaw-dropping baldachin. The Raphael Rooms are part of this 3-hour itinerary but on days due to crowding, timing and direction flows of crowd traffic dictated by the Vatican Museum staff on the day, we may not be able to make this stop within the designated time frame. If the Raphael Rooms are an absolute must for you to see, we suggest you book one of our longer group tours: the Early Vatican Tour or the VIP Vatican Tour where the Raphael Rooms will be covered.

• Essential Vatican Museums experience
• Sistine Chapel tour
• Skip the lines access
• Expert, fluent English-speaking guide
• Headsets for groups of six or more

• Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel
• The Raphael Rooms and School of Athens
• Ancient Sculptures including Laocoon and Belvedere Torso
• St. Peter's Basilica with Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's sculptures

• The Hall of Maps
• The Tapestry Gallery
• The Pinecone Courtyard
• Candelabra Gallery

Tour Description

Get the most out of the vatican with skip-the-lines access.

This specially optimised itinerary is designed to allow you to get the best out of your visit to the Vatican Museums in a limited time-frame, taking in the remarkable Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms and St. Peter’s basilica amongst other highlights in the company of one of our expert guides. As with all our Vatican tours, you’ll enjoy skip the lines access to the all the sites, meaning you’ll spend your precious time in the company of Michelangelo and Raphael rather than kicking your heels in the queues outside!

Appreciate the beauty of the Sistine Chapel

The highlight of our tour will of course be our visit to the Sistine Chapel , where you’ll get the chance to gaze up at Michelangelo’s ceiling as your guide explains the secrets behind Michelangelo’s masterful paintings.  The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel  contains hundreds of figures, including Adam and Eve, Noah, Jonah, saints, prophets, sibyls, and the decorative nude figures known as “ignudi”. The sheer size of the fresco can make it overwhelming to look at, and it’s difficult to know where to begin. That’s why the expertise of our guides is so indispensible – they’ll reveal the meaning of Michelangelo’s masterwork, and explain the full significance of the massive scenes taken from the Old Testament Book of Genesis.

Years later Michelangelo returned to the Sistine Chapel to decorate the altar wall with the fresco of the Last Judgement – a powerful apocalyptic vision of the End of Days. As you study the painting alongside your guide on our Sistine Chapel tour, you’ll discover why it was initially so controversial, and gain a deeper appreciation of Michelangelo’s unique genius.

Discover the genius of Raphael in the Raphael Rooms

Close to the Sistine Chapel is the suite of private papal apartments known as the Raphael Rooms. These exquisitely decorated rooms contain some of the finest examples of Raphael’s work, including the “School of Athens” - a group portrait of antiquity's most famous philosophers, many of them in the guises of Raphael’s contemporaries.

On your visit to the Raphael Rooms, your guide will explain why a young painter from Urbino was chosen for such a prestigious commission, earning the admiration and envy of his peers. 

Explore the Vatican's amazing sculpture collections

Your visit to the Vatican Museums is a great opportunity to discover its remarkable collections of ancient sculpture, including the legendary Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere. These classical artworks had a profound impact on the artists of the Renaissance, and their muscular anatomies and psychological intensity strongly influenced the work of Michelangelo and Raphael. Accompanied by an expert art historian, you’ll learn all about these ancient masterpieces and gain a greater appreciation of Greek and Roman art.

On our tour you’ll also get to walk through the famous Gallery of Maps, admire the Pinecone Courtyard and visit the Belvedere Courtyard. Although it’s impossible to see the entire extent of the Vatican’s enormous collection in a few hours, our Essential Vatican Museums group tour allows you to get the most out of your visit, taking you to see a series of unmissable highlights. 

Journey through 2,000 Years of history and art at St. Peter's

After exiting the Sistine Chapel, we'll enter St Peter’s Basilica directly, without having to wait in line. Built on the site of St Peter’s tomb, St Peter’s Basilica is the very heart of the Christian faith. The basilica has been enriched over the centuries by the hands of countless artists and architects - as you admire masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s spectacular baldachin , you’ll quickly realise that you don’t need to be a believer to find visiting the basilica an awe-inspiring experience.

During your St Peter’s Basilica tour, your guide will tell you the fascinating history of the basilica and put it in the context of Christian history, from its origins as a burial ground to its current state of splendour and international importance. To learn more about the rise of Christianity in Rome, delve into the Catacombs deep beneath the modern city and find out where this story began 2,000 years ago on our  Underground Rome tour .

The Basilica of St. Peter's may be subject to unscheduled closings and late openings for religious ceremonies.  We do not provide refunds for last-minute closures of St. Peter's Basilica while your guide will still give you a introduction to the Basilica, should you wish to return in your own time during your visit of Rome.

Please note that to obtain a student discount, valid student ID must be shown on the day of your tour. If a student does not have valid student ID, he/she may be charged a new full ticket price by the Museums, which must be paid by you on the day of the tour.

Tour Reviews

5.0 (240 reviews)

Our tour guide Simon was absolutely fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable about all elements of the tour and delivered the information with enthusiasm and passion. He was very engaging to listen to and we both felt like we learnt a lot from him. The time given to each part of the tour was spot on. This was by far our favourite tour of our Rome trip. Thank you.

Anon - Nov 03, 2023

Maria Letizia was an excellent guide. Try to request her if possible. She is an art historian and extremely knowledgeable. She’s been doing this for 25 years. We skipped all lines as we watched hundreds of people in line just to buy a ticket. Pay the money and skip the line!!! I have to say, I was really looking forward to seeing the Rafael rooms, as advertised, but there were too many people and there wasn’t enough time. I was a little disappointed, but not a huge deal as we were already overwhelmed with all we saw. Just a heads up if you think you are definitely going to see the Rafael rooms—you may not. Overall, A and worth every penny.

Anon - Oct 31, 2023

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LIVE TOURS › VATICAN TOURS › VATICAN Museums & SISTINE Chapel Tour classic

VATICAN Museums & SISTINE Chapel early bird

Visit the popes’ ancient roman collection, the wonderful gallery of the tapestries, the amazing gallery of the geographical maps, the breathtaking michelangelo’s sistine chapel..

NOT AVAILABLE at the moment

• Every day except Sunday and Wednesday​
• meeting time @7.30 AM, entrance @8AM​
• Only private​

IL TOUR COMPRENDE:

• Rome and Vatican Museums with a local, licensed guide.
• Raphael Rooms.
• Sistine Chapel frescoes by Michelangelo.
• Pinecone Courtyard.
• Galleries of the Candelabra, Tapestries and Maps.
• Pius-Clementine Museums.
• Skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica

“I would like to visit Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s, skipping the line…”: 70% of emails we receive has this request in it.  The Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel are one the most visited (and beautiful) attractions in the world.

From April to October thousands of people book a skip the line ticket/tour to access the galleries every day. If they don’t, they wait in line to get in. Assuming that there is no right time to find yourself alone in the galleries, waking up early  is a very good strategy!

The opening to the general public is at 9 AM with the early bird ticket you will be allowed in at 8AM and the galleries will be as empty as you can find them. Your tour will be away from the heat and the huge crowd of the standard entrance. We’ll meet at 7.30 AM to be ready to enter as soon as they open. In the meantime, your guide will introduce you to the collections of the Pope’s, to the Secret’s of Michelangelo ceiling and when the gates will finally open…we will be amongst the first hundreds of people walking through the galleries and reaching the Sistine Chapel.

A 3 hour long tour to discover the highlights of one of the most visited museums in the world. Our 5 star  Rome and Vatican Museums guide  will show you masterpieces by Raphael and Michelangelo, the marvelous statues in the  Gallery of the Candelabra  and more! Have you ever heard about the incredible  Gallery of the Maps  with its 36 frescoes of Italian regions, thanks to which we can walk all the way along the “boot”? Want to know more about the beauty and stories of the  Sistine Chapel’s ceiling , painted in just four years by  Michelangelo Buonarroti? 

Will you enter St. Peter’s Basilica in this Tour?

Not at the moment! There was a time when from the Sistine Chapel we could skip the line to get into St. Peter’s Basilica,  the largest church in the world.   This possibility is temporary off the table due to internal decision after Covid-19.

Will you be able to visit the Basilica when in Rome?

YES INDEED! It’s a Church, it’s free and you can go when you want, on your own pace, or you can  book out tour about it.  There you’ll see the  Baroque canopy by Bernini  and  Michelangelo’s Pieta , as well as the highest dome in Rome and the tombs of some of the most important Popes, including John Paul II.

Our 5 star Rome and Vatican Museums guide will also show you  St. Peter’s square , where thousands of pilgrims gather together every week for the papal blessing. Since afternoon services will be held in the Basilica, the tour of the Church will be enriched by the spiritual atmosphere as warm afternoon light glows through the windows, filling the naves.

Where does the Vatican Classic Tour end?

Inside the Sistine Chapel so that you can  spend more time inside,  exploring for as long as you like (up to closing time if you wish), at your own pace.

• Private tour, tailored upon request.
• Your guide is  LICENSED, LOCAL and specialized in ROME and VATICAN HISTORY .
• Dress code : no shorts – no uncovered knees and shoulders, no backpacks.
• IMPORTANT: Tickets and headphones (compulsory for 5 or more people, price 1.50 euro each) are not included in the guide fee.

Vatican Museums skip the line tickets price:

• ADULTS : 29 euros (27 € + 2 € for st. Peter’s entrance fee).
• CHILDREN under 18 y.o or students under 26 y.o.: 20 euros  (18€ + 2€ for St. Peter’s entrance fee).

We will buy tickets for you asking for a prepayment to secure your tour. From June to October and extra fee of 15% will be added on last minute requests (3 days before the tour date).

PRICES: The Guide Fee must be considered as a total, not per person

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• Preplanned tours
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• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case).