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THE 10 BEST Vatican City Private Tours

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19. Family-Friendly Vatican Tour for Kids with Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica

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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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Private Vatican Tours VIP Early Entry Tour

Tour overview.

Top-ranked on TripAdvisor since 2011 with thousands of 5-star reviews, you’re guaranteed to have the experience of a lifetime on your Private Vatican Tour with early entrance. See the Vatican Museums as soon as its doors open to the general public and get skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica, exploring all the timeless treasures including the Sistine Chapel with a top-rated personal guide.

Tour Highlights

• Intro Outside Vatican
• Sistine Chapel
• Pinecone Courtyard
• Belvedere Apollo
• Laocoön and His Sons
• Belvedere Torso
• Greek Cross Hall
• Gallery of Candelabra
• Gallery of Tapestries
• Gallery of Maps
• Raphael Rooms
• St. Peter’s Square
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Michelangelo’s Pietà
• Bernini’s Baldachin
• Private Guide

What's included

• Skip-the-line access
• Expert English-speaking tour guide
• Private customizable tour
• All tickets and reservations

What you’ll See Along the Way

Our early morning tour is especially unique! As the Vatican doors open, we whisk you straight to the Sistine Chapel – so it can be enjoyed with a bit of tranquility and solitude. But, what’s the use if you perhaps don’t know all of the interesting stories and information that go along with it? We’ve arranged a special introduction for you so that, before you enter the museums, your expert cicerone will provide you with tons of insightful information about the chapel in only 30 minutes! Afterwards, you’ll be able to examine Michelangelo’s masterpiece from a fully knowledgeable and enlightened perspective.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling is divided into nine main panels which each depict an important scene from the Bible, beginning with the Creation of Light and finishing with the Drunkenness of Noah over the main altar. Michelangelo painted the vault contra-chronologically and the stylistic evolution that occurred during the four-year project is clearly recognizable as your gaze wanders from one part of the ceiling to the next. The most famous image is undoubtedly the Creation of Adam, in which Michelangelo portrays God as a surprisingly muscular figure who descends to the earth to breathe life into man.

The very centerpiece of this Renaissance courtyard is a futuristic-looking work of art called "Sphere within Sphere", which harmonizes perfectly with the dome of St. Peter’s on the horizon. While most of the other works of art displayed in this patio date back to antiquity, this is a contemporary piece made as late as 1990. It consists of two layered spheres, the smaller of which is hidden inside the other; visible through gaping holes resembling natural cracks and corrosion. The 13-foot wide structure was a gift to Pope John Paul II from the artist himself, the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Pomodoro.

This marble sculpture from Classical Antiquity was unearthed somewhere in the Roman countryside in the late 14th century (though the exact details of its time and place of uncovering are still held in mystery). It was the art-loving Pope Julius II who brought the statue to the Vatican in 1511, placing it in the Octagonal Courtyard of the Belvedere Palace, where it still stands today. Upon it’s installation in the Vatican, the statue immediately became immensely popular and its representation spread like wildfire across Europe in the form of castings, bronze prints, marble copies and engravings.

When the Laocoön was dug up in a vineyard just outside Rome in 1506, Michelangelo was one of the first people to catch a glimpse of it – and it was love at first sight! The Renaissance master became so besotted with the sculpture that he publically praised it as a “miracle of art”. The anguish on the faces of the marble figures sparked a desire within Michelangelo to create more emotions in his own pieces. Prior to this, most Renaissance art had a lack of sentiment, but the Laocoön prompted the entry of the mannerism – a game changer unlike few others in the history of art.

This limbless torso is the centerpiece of the Muses Room – and, of all the halls of the Vatican, this is the most fitting room in which it could be perched. After all, this Hellenistic work from the 1st century AD has been used as a model for sculptors and painters ever since the Renaissance – making it one of the most coveted muses in all of art history. Even Michelangelo himself is known to have knelt in front of its marble trunk and exclaimed: “Truly, this was created by a man who was wiser than nature!” While the creator of the masterpiece remains unknown, his legacy lives on as the torso continues to spellbind its viewers.

In this room, the dome’s oculus allows an entrance for the sun to perfectly highlight the rare antiquities on display. The entire hall is encircled by ancient sculptures, which tower above awestruck onlookers from their niches. Some of the must-sees include a marble depiction of Emperor Hadrian’s young lover Antonius and a 2nd century Hercules rendering in gilded bronze. There’s also an unusual sculpture of Emperor Claudio, portrayed as Jupiter. These types of god-like representations of emperors were placed in public places in Ancient Rome, presenting a glorified image of the ruler to the people.

As you enter this stunning hall, you’re transported to a new time and space with a freshly unique Egyptian theme. A pair of pink granite telamones, or supporting figures, flank the imposing entrance and stand guard over sphinxes and two elaborate sarcophagi on display. Incredibly, the meticulous ancient caskets were carved out of single blocks of Egyptian porphyry and once held the bodily remains of Emperor Constantine’s mother and daughter respectively. The Greek Cross Rooms also boast a unique sculpture of Cleopatra, believed to be the only preserved portrait of the legendary Queen of Egypt to this day.

This is one of three main gallerias of the Papal Palace – and quite possibly the most breathtaking! The ceiling is dazzling with painted frescos, the flooring is a superb puzzle of colored stonework, and everywhere you look your gaze falls on yet another marble masterpiece from Roman and Greek antiquity. One of the highlights here is the rather bizarre sculpture of the goddess Artemis, portrayed with numerous pendulous breasts, which are said to symbolize fertility. The true stars of the hall, however, are the 12 sumptuous candelabras after which the gallery was named.

Commissioned by Pope Clement VII in the 16th century, the tapestries in this gallery previously adorned the walls of the Sistine Chapel. They weren’t relocated to their current home until just over 100 years ago. Each tapestry is woven with incredible attention to detail but the most esteemed pieces on display are the nine unique carpets based on sketches by the pupils of Raphael. To protect the valuable but delicate tapestries, the entire corridor is equipped with a special air conditioning system, making it one of our very favorite galleries to dwell in on warm summer days.

While the 16th century maps painted on the walls of this spectacular gallery are certainly beautiful (and surprisingly accurate!), the exceptionally luxurious vaulted ceiling usually steals the attention of every visitor straightaway – in fact it’s the second most photographed vault in the Vatican, trumped only by the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The vault is lavishly embellished with impressive gold reliefs while the walls features maps of all regions of Italy, cleverly organized so that you find the provinces which look to the Mediterranean Sea on one side and those that face the Adriatic Sea on the other.

While Michelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, a young Florentine artist studied the master's brushstrokes intensively. Raphael, who had been commissioned to decorate a suite of rooms for Pope Julius II, was keen to gain inspiration from his older colleague. Surprisingly, Raphael’s frescoes would become almost as celebrated as his mentor’s and one room in particular, the Stanza Della Segnatura, has made art history many times over. This room served as the Pope's library and Raphael appropriately decorated its walls with philosophers from ancient Greece in his renowned School of Athens fresco.

In 1656, exactly 30 years after the induration of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Alexander VIII decided that the cathedral needed a plaza in front of it. The pontifex wanted the square to accentuate the grand magnificence of the basilica and commissioned the important task to Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Bernini was known as a master of illusion and his sketches bear witness to a careful study of proportions and angles; all to make the church appear bigger than it actually was. To enhance the monumentality of the façade and draw the visitor’s attention to it, he cleverly made the area closest to the church slope as a stage floor.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the beating heart of the Catholic world; every year millions of pilgrims come here from all over the world to visit St. Peter’s tomb, pray and receive the blessing of the Pope. The construction of the basilica was commenced in 1506, under Pope Julius II but wasn’t completed until 120 years later, during the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII. Nearly all well-known architects of the second half of the 16th century participated in the construction of the cathedral, including Bramante, Raphael, Maderno, Bernini and Michelangelo, of which the latter is considered to have contributed the most.

Michelangelo’s Pietá remains one of his most famous pieces. It wasn’t only the mastery of craftsmanship that established the sculpture’s fame, but also the fact that it broke previous conventions about how Christ and the grieving Virgin Mary should be portrayed. While the exact same scene had been rendered by many artists before him, Michelangelo deliberately dissociated himself from the usual dynamic expressionism of the mediaeval tradition and, instead, implemented a sense of realism. Unlike his contemporaries, Michelangelo renounced the exaggerated sorrow of Mary for a more understated grief.

There is a surprisingly touching story behind this towering, bronze masterpiece. In the early 17th century, Pope Urban VIII was deeply concerned about his favorite niece, who was going through a difficult pregnancy. The mother and her unborn child were both at risk and the hope of salvation faded with each passing day. In a cry of desperation, the pope vowed that he would build a giant altar in the center of the cathedral if the birth was successful - and he stayed true to his promise. A healthy baby boy was born and the pope commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to implement the 95-foot tall canopy in 1623.

Breakfast is, in fact, the most important meal of the day. How can one expect to get all of their adventuring done without it? Well, we certainly don’t expect you to! That’s why we go above and beyond other tour companies by offering a scrumptious Italian breakfast to our valued guests – on us! Perch up in our office while getting to know your cicerone over a tasty “cornetto” (Italian croissant) and fresh caffeinated brew. We’ve even got special treats for the kids – including fresh fruit, juice and warm hot chocolate.

The Treasures of the Vatican: Vatican VIP Tours

If there’s one thing to wake up early for on your trip to Rome then our Private Vatican Early Entry Tour is precisely it. Private Vatican tours in the early morning are the best way to see this incredible location. On this VIP-style journey inside the walls of the Holy See, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your tour based on your points of interest and itinerary of choice: -The Sistine Chapel -Michelangelo’s Masterpiece -St. Peter’s Basilica You’ll skip the line to discover the treasures of the world’s largest and most influential church. Your private guide will be there every step of the way to make sure your experience is a mesmerizing one. After meeting your guide at our comfortable offices just steps from the entrance to the Vatican Museums, you’ll take advantage of the earliest possible entry time. Not only will you be able to navigate corridors and galleries with ease and time to focus on details, but you’ll also see the Sistine Chapel with fewer crowds, compared to the number of people who will literally “occupy” it later in the day.

Michelangelo & The Sistine Chapel: Private Tours Of Pure Mastery

Sorry, Raphael, but any visit to the Vatican is all about Michelangelo. From the omnipresent dome of St. Peter’s to the multi-masterpiece Sistine Chapel, and the spectacular Pietà to the cameo in Raphael’s iconic School of Athens, his mind, brushstrokes, and chisel-work are everywhere. Your guide is a bonafide expert in the affair and will walk you through the extraordinary accomplishments of this Italian master and true-to-the-word Renaissance man. The most amazing of the Sistine Chapel ceiling panels is the Creation of Adam, depicting God and the first of all men nearly touching fingers, an image that has become an integral part of our understanding of art and the divine. Nonetheless powerful in imagery is Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment, a representation of the second coming at the end of days as good souls are separated from those with less sinless natures, many with symbols of their martyrdom. The vibrant colors of all of this are no less breathtaking than the backstories provided by your guide. Feast your eyes on all of these incredible sights in The Sistine Chapel: -The Creation of Adam -The Last Judgment

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica: Private Guided Tours of a Vast Treasure Trove

The magic of St. Peter’s Basilica is just through a set of skip-the-line doors, also closed to standard attendees who’ll have to take the long way around the world’s smallest country to get inside. Welcome to majesty personified as architecture. This massive work of human endeavor took 120 years to complete involving the greatest engineering and artistic minds of the age, from Michelangelo to Bernini. There were in fact no less than seven architects put to the task by some 20 popes. Inside you’ll stand agape by the sublime proportions. Your guide will take you to see Michelangelo’s Pietà, a masterpiece the famed Florentine sculptor completed at just 24 years of age, followed by a series of dazzling side chapels including that dedicated to Pope John Paul II. Then it’s on to Bernini’s enormous bronze baldachin, the canopy to the Pope’s private altar above the ancient tomb of St. Peter himself. You’ll also have the chance to discover the secrets of St. Peter’s Square with the optical illusions that Bernini so carefully planned for its visitors. Still, have questions? Your private guide will satisfy your every curiosity before parting ways.

The Vatican: Private Tours Of An Architectural Wonder

Private Vatican VIP Early Entry Tour

What our Customers say...

Fantastic history, art and architecture tour

Fantastic tour of the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Church - spent 3 hours looking up with my jaw on the floor! Tour guide Manuela was top notch - super knowledgeable and lots of historic fun facts kept our small group 100% engaged for 3.5 hours. A must do when in … Vatican City ;)”

Worth Every Penny!

Go ahead and book this tour right now! Elaine was our tour guide and absolutely knew her stuff, was passionate about what she was teaching us, and funny. I couldn't imagine doing this tour with all the crowds, so the early morning start was perfect. Getting a guide makes the experience so much more valuable. We had an amazing time!”

Awesome Tour!

I highly recommend booking this tour. You do not want to go and visit Vatican without a tour. The agency is very well organized and the staff are very communicative. We had a very knowledgeable and at the same time funny your guide. Mario is an excellent storyteller, answered all of our questions and managed the time perfectly. Book your tour today”

Lucia is fabulous! Great tour with Skip the Line/ what a life tour

Lucia as a fantastic tour guide ! We are both teachers, and we are an appreciative couple when it comes to a really good tour guide who keeps everyone in line so no one gets lost, and meets the needs of all the people in the tour. Highly recommend this tour, and Lucia!”

Fantastic tour

The score was wonderful! Our tour guide, Tonia, was very knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. She kept all of us, including our young teenage son, engaged throughout the tour. My wifey even remarked after the tour that she felt like giving Tonia a hug because she was so warm and made us feel like part of the family. Highly recommend!”

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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.

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About: Vatican Tours

Vatican Tours give you the chance to explore some of the greatest historical and artistic attractions in the world, located within the Vatican territory.

Here are some of the main attractions you can visit during a Vatican tour :

• Saint Peter’s Basilica : It is the largest church in the world and one of the most sacred places of Christianity. The basilica houses the tomb of Saint Peter and some of the greatest works of art of the Renaissance, including Michelangelo’s Pietà.
• The Sistine Chapel : It is one of the most famous chapels in the world and houses some of Michelangelo’s most famous works, including the vault painted with the creation of Adam and the fall of man.
• The Vatican Museum : It is one of the largest and most important museums in the world, with an extensive collection of art, sculpture, manuscripts and historical treasures. The museum houses some of the most famous works of art in the world, including the Sistine Madonna by Raphael and the sculpture by Laocoön.
• The Cabinet of the Masks: a Vatican's Secret Chamber in which appear several female sculptures including a reproduction of the group of the Three Graces, a statue of Nympha and some statues of Aphrodite.
• The Vatican City : The Vatican City Tour will give you the opportunity to see some of the city’s most iconic sights, including St Peter’s Square, the Apostolic Palace, St Peter’s Dome and the Fountain of Neptune.
• Cortile della Pigna : It is a courtyard of the Vatican Museum with a large pine cone sculpture, one of the largest in the world.

These are just a few of the main attractions you can visit on a Vatican tour. Tours can be done with a guide or independently and often include priority access to avoid long queues at the entrance.

What are skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican?

Skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican  are tickets that give you the chance to skip the line at the entrance of the Vatican Museums . With these tickets, you can access attractions without having to wait in long lines, thus saving valuable time during your visit.

Skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican can be purchased online in advance or directly at the official sales points at the entrance of the Museums. In some cases, skip-the-line tickets may also include a guided tour or priority access to some areas of the Vatican Museums.

It is important to note that even with skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican, access to certain areas of the Museums may be restricted based on the number of visitors allowed inside at any given time, so you may have to wait to access some sections of the Museums.

In general, it is a good idea to buy skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican if you want to avoid long queues and to have the opportunity to visit the attractions more efficiently, especially during the periods of greater tourist turnout.

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Vatican Tour - Private

Explore the wonders of the Vatican on a Private Tour tour with a Top-rated Guide. Skip-the-line Entry Tickets to the Vatican Museums are Sistine Chapel are included!

All the wonders of the Vatican. At your own pace.

Our Private Vatican Tour lets you explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in a fully personal way, with an expert local guide .

Be ready to wander through one of the world’s largest art collections on a pleasant 3-hour journey , while discovering the secrets of the best Italian artists.

​ Raphael, Perugino, Botticelli and Pinturicchio are only some of the masters you’ll meet through the halls of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel , where you’ll finally admire the breathtaking Giudizio Universale by Michelangelo.

​ Next, you'll explore the magnificent Basilica of Saint Peter and hear the stories behind the Burial of Saint Peter, Bernini’s Baldachin, Michelangelo’s Pietà, and much more.

​ Leaving the Church, gripped by all this beauty, you’ll be welcomed in Saint Peter’s Square by stunning statues of the Apostles, Saints and Martires dominating the façade of the Basilica and Bernini’s Colonnato.

​ Are you ready? Reserve your Private Vatican Tour now!

Entrance to the Vatican Museums Pinecone Courtyard Pio-Clementino Museum Octagonal Courtyard Gallery of the Candelabra Gallery of the Tapestries Gallery of the Maps Sistine Chapel St. Peter’s Basilica

Base price:

€ 380 up to 2 people

Additional participants:

Adult (18+): € 80

Youth (13-17): € 70

Child (4-12): € 60

Infant (0-3): free

• Private Guide
• Skip-the-line Entry Tickets
• Transport (available upon request)
• Headsets (available upon request)

• Itinerary, duration and start time can be modified according to your wishes. Let us know in advance and we’ll create a 100% personalized experience for your group;

St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies or unforeseen circumstances. If closed, the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended;

Entry to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica is permitted only to appropriately dressed visitors (low cut or sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts and hats are not allowed). Large bags, umbrellas and other items are not allowed. For further info have a look at the  Vatican Museums’ Official Website ;

• Vatican Museums' halls and galleries can be closed unexpectedly for restoration or unforeseen circumstances. In case of closures, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly;

Our pre-booked tickets let you skip the entry line. Security checks can not be avoided though, and they can lead to some queues in busy dates;

Things to know

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Customer-friendly cancellation policy. Full details in your quote

All taxes and booking fees included. Full details in your quote

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Private vatican tours, welcome to joy of rome tours, michelangelo's lovers.

The Vatican Museums: second most visited in the world, one of the largest collection of art ever created, famous all over the globe. 54 sections, 20,000 artworks on display, more than 500 rooms: impressive numbers that require different visit’s approaches.

We designed many ways to explore the Museums and the Sistine Chapel, a selection of private experiences for any need and taste. From a speedy tour to one in-depth, our highly qualified guides will guarantee the perfect experience for you and your family.

Check our list of Vatican Museums experiences and join the one that suits you better.  And if you can’t find the option for your super special need, ask for it. We will create it for you. 

Try these gorgeous Vatican Tours!

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour classic

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.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour short

Skip the line to the Vatican Museums and discover the Sistine Chapel. 2 hours private tour with an art historian. 

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour extended

Skip the line to the Vatican Museums and discover the highlights, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael rooms. 4 hours private tour with an art historian. 

The magnificent St. PETER’S BASILICA and its Square

Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and its magnificent square with a licensed and local Roman guide: we will reveal you the history and secrets of this magnificent church, built by Michelangelo, and its spectacular baroque colunnade, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Vatican Museums special Tour friday night

The Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Friday Night tour offers you the opportunity to experience the highlights of this world-famous collection during a limited period of time each year, for a unique experience outside of official opening hours.

The three Basilicas of the Pope Tour  

In the second half of the 16th century, Saint Phillip Neri decided to organise the famous Seven Churches in Rome pilgrimage: a total of 25 kilometres by foot in two days. Not just a tour of the basilicas but a journey into the past – following in the footsteps of these early pilgrims!

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour in depth

Skip the line to the Vatican Museums and discover the highlights, the Sistine Chapel, the Pictures Gallery, the Raphael rooms. 5 hours private tour with an art historian.

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early bird: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's

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.

Are you travelling with curious kids ?

VATICAN MUSEUMS FOR KIDS and families

Skip the line to the Vatican Museums and discover the Sistine Chapel! Michelangelo, the Popes and… interaction! 2 hours private tour with a guide specialised in fun education! 

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Joy of Rome take you and your kids to enjoy the best Rome’s Museums and archeological sites.

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ENTIRE VATICAN & VATACOMBS: FLAGSHIP VATICAN TOUR

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 3 Hours
• Tag Tour category: Vatican Tours

Our Flagship Tour of the Vatican and Vatacombs

Meet your expert guide by the Vatican Museum entrance and after brief introductions enjoy skip-the-line entry to what is arguably the most important and largest art collection in the world.

The Vatican Museums weren’t always as we know them today. For over five hundred years, celebrated Popes slowly gathered and commissioned works of art from the most talented painters, architects and sculptors in Italy and brought them to the Vatican to showcase them for their own personal enjoyment and that of a carefully chosen circle of clerics, artists, nobles, and scholars. Each new Pope sought to leave a legacy, commissioning chapels, frescoes, sculptures, libraries, paintings, courtyards – one masterpiece after another until the Papal Collection finally grew to more than 70,000 works of art spread over 1400 galleries.

In 1771 Pope Clement XIV finally opened the doors to the public, making it possible for us to enter the Holy See and walk in the footsteps of Popes and the most celebrated artists from Renaissance and Baroque Italy.

On this epic Vatican Tour you’ll walk in the footsteps of Popes and Renaissance Masters as you take in the Rooms of Raphael and of course the Sistine Chapel from its commissioning to the finishing touches by none other than Michelangelo Buonarroti. With an expert guide, learn to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this epic work of art.

Enjoy fast-track access to St. Peter’s Basilica to view masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini among others before descending to the Papal crypts below. We conclude on the portico with an overview of Bernini’s magnificent piazza (St. Peter’s Square), the central obelisk, and of course the Swiss Guard.

• Stand just feet away from Michelangelo’s remarkable frescoes in the Sistine Chapel
• Take in the beauty of the extraordinary rooms of Raphael
• Skip all lines with priority tour operator access
• Visit the “Vatacombs,” the eerie resting place of former Popes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica
• Expert local guide
• Skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums
• Room of the Muses and Belvedere Torso
• Pinecone Courtyard
• Octagonal Courtyard
• Rooms of Raphael
• Gallery of Maps
• Laocoonte Sculpture 1st Century AD
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Vatacombs (papal tombs beneath St. Peter’s)
• Visit to the Necropolis / Scavi
• Transport to and from meeting point

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Tour departs rain or shine
• Unfortunately, wheelchairs and strollers cannot be accommodated on this tour. Contact us for private tour options for your group.

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The original all-inclusive Vatican City experience featuring a climb to the top of St. Peter’s Dome for an incredible view of Rome followed by our award-winning tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.

The 5 Best Rome Colosseum Tours With Skip-the-Line Access

A s the most enduring symbol of the Roman Empire and one of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Colosseum receives more than 6 million visitors per year, so it's not easy to escape the crowds. A visit is worth it, though, if you want to see the world's largest amphitheater – once known as the Flavian Amphitheater – and try to imagine what it would have been like 2,000 years ago.

A standard ticket to the Colosseum also includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so many (but not all) tours also include those ancient sites. Inside the ancient complex, there is very little signage explaining what you're looking at. A good guide will not only get you skip-the-line access but also bring these incredible places to life. Keep in mind that most Colosseum tours only give you access to the arena floor and upper level. If you want to visit the underground hypogeum, you need to make sure it's included in the tour.

Crown Tours: Skip the line Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum tour

Price: Adults from $84; kids from $67

Duration: 3 hours

Standout perk: Engaging guides speak several languages.

Selected by GetYourGuide as a Certified Experience, this group tour starts at the Colosseum, then takes you to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Groups consist of up to 30 people, and tourgoers are given headsets so they can better hear and follow the guide. The tour meets at Largo Gaetana Agnesi on the hill overlooking the Colosseum about 30 minutes before the official entry time to get everyone checked in and set up with headsets. The guide then leads participants into the Colosseum and up to the second level, where there's a chance to stop and take photos. On the way back down, there's another photo-op at the arena level before the guide leads the group over to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.

Crown Tours also offers guided tours of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica, as well as the Borghese Gallery, Pantheon and other sites.

Local tip: This tour is offered over a variety of time slots every day. Pick one of the earlier time slots to make sure you'll finish up by lunchtime.

Check prices & availability on:

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Through Eternity Tours: Ultimate Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Price: Adults from $105; kids from $95

Standout perk: This tour includes the Palatine Hill, which some tours skip.

Recent visitors praise the knowledgeable guides for their passion about ancient history and keeping the tour moving while explaining everything in detail. This tour starts at 9:30 a.m. seven days a week and finishes up around lunchtime. In addition to the Colosseum, highlights include the Via Sacra and the House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum, as well as the Farnese Gardens on the Palatine Hill.

This tour starts at 9:15 a.m. daily. Groups are limited to 10 people; if six or more people are taking the tour, the guide gives out headsets so everyone can hear. Participants are asked to meet 10 minutes before the start time in front of Cafe/Restaurant Angelino ai Fori on Largo Corrado Ricci. The tour is stroller-accessible, but not wheelchair-accessible. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle, especially on hot days.

Through Eternity Tours offers a variety of group and private tours of Rome and other destinations, including Florence , Naples and Pompeii.

Local tip: Book a table at the nearby Taverna dei Fori Imperiali to enjoy a leisurely lunch after the tour.

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LivTours: The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access

Price: Adults from $163; kids from $145

Standout perk: Virtual reality headsets show what the ancient sites would have looked like.

Recent tourgoers praise the guides on this tour for bringing the facts and stories about ancient Rome to life. Along with the confirmation email, participants receive an invitation to download an app. During the tour, the guide gives everyone a cardboard virtual reality headset that works with the app and shows a reconstruction of the Colosseum and the surrounding valley. After visiting the Colosseum, the tour continues to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, where the virtual reality headsets show you a reconstruction of the Circus Maximus and the structures in the Roman Forum. At all the sites, you get skip-the-line access.

These semiprivate tours are guaranteed to have no more than six people, making them a more personalized experience than other group tours. However, because the tours are small, the guides don't use headsets, and some participants noted that it can be difficult to hear the guide over the noise in the Colosseum.

Local tip: You can get some great photos from the upper level, especially if you stand at the apex of the oval.

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Roma Experience: Private Colosseum Tour With Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Price: From $531

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Standout perk: See these ancient sites with an archaeologist who dug at the Roman Forum.

For a deeper understanding (no pun intended) of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, a tour with Elisa Valeria Bove, CEO of Roma Experience, is one of the best you can buy. She studied archaeology and has been involved in excavations at the Roman Forum and other sites, so she's just the person to guide you if you want to get beyond the surface level. Her private tours range from just under three hours for a skip-the-line Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour to the full-day "See Rome in One Day" tour, which also includes a guided visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Be sure to specify if you want to visit the hypogeum when you book.

Roma Experience organizes bespoke private tours throughout Italy, including multiday itineraries. Bove will work with you to customize your experience and bring you to places you wouldn't think to visit, like Quintili's Villa on the ancient Appian Way.

Local tip: If you want to see another incredible archaeological park, let Bove take you to Ostia Antica, less than an hour from Rome.

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Imago Artis Travel: Timeless Tales of Gods and Laymen of the Ancient Rome

Price: On request

Duration: 4 hours

Standout perk: This tour includes the Pantheon in addition to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Founded by three art historians with a passion for Roman art and history, Imago Artis Travel offers bespoke private tours of Rome and beyond. Imago Artis works closely with their clients to craft personalized itineraries that highlight the city's most incredible monuments and hidden gems. This tour lasts a half-day and includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Pantheon, with an optional stop for espresso, but you can customize the itinerary to do a full-day tour or multiday itinerary.

Other itineraries that include the Colosseum bring visitors to the Basilica of San Clemente, known as the "lasagna church" because it was built in layers: The deeper you descend, the further back in time you go. Imago Artis also grants visitors exclusive access to off-limits places, such as a church overlooking the Roman Forum. The company also organizes multiday itineraries throughout Italy.

Local tip: There's an element of surprise and delight with Imago Artis that's hard to find elsewhere, especially if your guide is Fulvio De Bonis, one of the company's founders.

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Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Laura Itzkowitz is a Rome-based freelance journalist who thinks about the Roman Empire all the time. She has visited the Colosseum in the morning, in the evening after the crowds have left, on group tours and private tours. To curate this list of the best Colosseum tours, she used her own experience as well as her research expertise, culling tips from locals and visitors.

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Private Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Vatican Museums

See the best of rome your way with a private guide at the sistine chapel, trevi fountain, and more.

Can you really see the highlights of Rome and the Vatican in just one day? With our expert Roman guides, anything is possible! This fully private Rome in a day tour makes it easy, with skip-the-line tickets, transportation, and a dedicated local guide to keep you informed, entertained, and on track to see all the city’s most iconic sites. Marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica, be amazed by the Colosseum, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and so much more. It’s the ideal way to see Rome in a day!

• Full-day private tour of Rome
• Skip-the-line Vatican Museums
• Main Galleries
• Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter's Basilica
• Piazza Navona
• Trevi Fountain
• Skip-the-line Colosseum tour
• Roman Forum

If you only have a short time in Rome but want to make sure you don't miss any of the bucket-list sites, then this private Rome in a Day tour was made for you! Your tour begins near the entrance to Vatican Museums, where you'll skip the line to begin your jam-packed one day tour of Rome and Vatican City. With private transport when needed and a dedicated local guide for the day, you'll breeze through the Rome's highlights hearing fascinating facts and stories along the way.

After seeing the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica, you'll travel into the center of Rome to explore hidden gems, stroll through charming backstreets, and see iconic sites like the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon. You'll also have some free time to enjoy a hearty Roman lunch (not included). Finally, your guide will lead you into ancient Rome for an epic private Colosseum tour and a visit to the Roman Forum—once the heart of Roman society.

This private Rome tour is perfect for groups, families, or anyone with mobility issues, since it can be tailored to your wants and needs for the day.

Private Rome in a Day Tour Description

Your 7-hour, full-day tour includes:

Skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Entry to St. Peter's Basilica

Comfortable, air-conditioned transportation between the Vatican and city center

Guided walking tour to Piazza Navona, Pantheon (outside only), Trevi Fountain, and more

Lunch break near Trevi Fountain (lunch not included)

Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of the Colosseum

Guided tour of the Roman Forum

Engaging, English-speaking private guide for the entire tour

Please note that exact the order of the itinerary may change, depending on time of year, site openings, and ticket availability.  

Luxury Transportation Around Rome

To make this private tour in Rome even easier, you'll be driven around Rome in luxury, air-conditoned vehicle. While a hotel pickup is not included, we can arrange a private transfer in the morning for an additional fee. Otherwise, meet your guide at the designated Vatican meeting spot (Caffè Vaticano on Viale Vaticano, 100).

Guided Vatican Museums Tour

After meeting your friendly private guide nearby, you'll skip the long general admission line and start exploring the impressive art collection at the Vatican Museums. Your guide will lead you on through the Vatican Museums, visiting the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps. Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students, and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy.

At the height of the Roman Empire, pontiffs rarely left Rome. In order to understand the Italian peninsula without endangering his life, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned 40 huge and meticulous maps to be created for his use. Most of these maps measure more than 15 by 16 feet, and the end result is nothing short of spectacular.

You'll hear the stories behind these treasures from your expert guide as the Vatican secrets are slowly unveiled to you.

While you don't need to wait in the normal line, a shorter security line is still required for entrance. Short delays at the security check may occur during the busiest months of June and July.

Experience Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel likely rivals the Colosseum as the focal point of this Rome in a day private tour. Until you stand beneath the chapel's frescoes, there’s no way to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s astonishing accomplishment.

The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so speaking inside is prohibited. Your guide will explain the significance of Michelangelo’s artwork before entering.

Please note that to enter the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to this portion of your Vatican tour. We understand the summers in Rome are hot, so a great idea is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is a monumental, ornate church filled with works by some of the most celebrated artists in history. Your guide will take you past the re-entry lines so you can quickly enter this monumental church that attracts millions of visitors each year. Before heading inside to explore on your own, you'll listen to your guide share about the history and construction. They will give tips for what to look such as the Baldacchino , La Pieta , the statue of St. Peter and much more. St. Peter's holds the rank of Major Basilica. Only four exist in the world and all four are located in Rome!

Please note: St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays for the Papal Audience and can occasionally experience other unexpected closures. If this happens, your guide will make up the time at other areas within the Vatican.

Free Time for Lunch

After you leave the Vatican, your private driver will be waiting to take you into central Rome for your city tour. You'll have some free time here to grab a delicious Roman lunch, usually near the Trevi Fountain where there's a good selection of eateries. Lunch isn't included, but your guide can point out some of the best places to eat, depending on your tastes.

Private Rome City Tour 

A trip to Rome wouldn't be complete without seeing some of the most famous fountains and piazzas. After being driven into Rome's historic center, it's time to set off on a tour of the city's historic sites. While some central Rome sites can only be reached on foot, your driver will also be nearby if needed! You'll follow your guide to the beautiful Piazza Navona to see the Fountain of Four Rivers, before seeing the outside of the Pantheon (entry not included), Rome's iconic dome with an open oculus.

Finally, you'll head to the Trevi Fountain to see what is likely the world's most famous fountain. Remember to bring some coins to make a wish here! Your guide will make sure you know how to do it just right. Along the way, your super-knowledgeable local guide will show you some of Rome's hidden gems to help you get to know the city better. This is also a great chance to ask for restaurant recommendations and things to do with your evenings in Rome!

Skip-the-Line Private Colosseum Tour

There are few more awe-inspiring places than the mighty Roman Colosseum, and there's no better way to explore than on a private tour! Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, you'll have skip-the-line access to avoid the crowds of tourists waiting to enter. Your expert guide will set the scene for what it felt like to attend the thrilling events that took place inside the arena from epic gladiator fights to public executions held in front of eager crowds of more than 60,000 Romans.

This tour takes you to the first and second tiers of the Colosseum—areas reserved for seating Rome’s most elite classes during the Colosseum’s gladiator games. As you look around and picture what life must have been like here, your guide will enlighten you with intriguing stories of some of the Colosseum’s most gruesome events.

This product includes an entry ticket to the Colosseum + Arena, Forum and Palatine, for which our cost is 18 Euro per person.

The Roman Forum

If there is time after your visit to the Colosseum, your guide will escort you to the nearby Roman Forum. The ancient Roman Forum is full of sprawling ruins that once served as the political and commercial hub of the powerful Roman Empire. This is where Rome’s most important decisions were made. Trace the footsteps of Julius Caesar and visit popular sites such as the Arch of Titus and Senate House, as your guide tells you about the daily life and seismic events that one happened here.

Please note that depending on the assigned entry time for the Colosseum, your tour might enter the Roman Forum first and end in the Colosseum.

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What you get with this tour

See what people are saying

53 total reviews

Private day tour

Raf E was simply amazing! We had a great time.

Colosseum and Vatican Museum Private Tour

Manuella was the absolute BEST. We've done several of these private tours and never had such a great time with with a guide. She was AWESOME. Not only was she extremely knowledgeable on every place we went to but we laughed with her the entire day. I'm pretty sure we'll never have another guide quite like her. The entire process was seamless and we'd do it all over again. It's a lot to see in one day (a month would be better) but worth every penny.

Excellent Day in Rome with Raffa

We highly recommend The Tour Guy, and especially our guide. Raffa. She was very knowledgeable and highly skilled in providing an excellent rendering of the history and highlights of the places we visited. She had the special ability to focus in on a few key facts and insights that made the experience most memorable. She was personable and easy to spend the day with.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Government-issued ID to enter the Colosseum. Bring a water bottle, sunscreen in the summer months, and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since many sites on this tour can only be explored on foot and there will be some uneven terrain, please also wear comfortable shoes. Please be prepared to cover your knees and shoulders in places of worship such as the Sistine Chapel.

Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?

We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you might be refused entry to religious sites and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

This private tour is your best bet if you have concerns about navigating the areas on this tour. Our private tours offer more flexibility in terms of pace and special accommodations.

How comprehensive are the Colosseum and Vatican portions of this tour?

In the spirit of seeing as much of Rome in one day as possible, the Colosseum and Vatican sections of this tour are abbreviated more than our dedicated Colosseum and Vatican tours. You'll still get to witness all the most important elements of these impressive attractions though.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

This tour does not offer pickup at any hotels. You'll meet your guide at the meeting point listed on your confirmation voucher.

Is lunch included in the price of the tour?

Lunch isn't included, but you'll have a 1-hour break to find delicious food. We're happy to recommend one of our favorite spots, but your guide is sure to point you in the right direction too.

Is it possible to join a group tour instead?

Of course! If you're looking for something more affordable, our popular Small Group Rome in a Day Tour also covers Rome's highlights in just one day.

Will my tour time change?

Yes, the start time of your tour is likely to change. Please keep your day open. Your final start time will be sent 5 days before the date of your tour.

Can I cancel if my schedule changes?

No. Private Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Vatican Museums is a non-refundable tour.

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