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5 best vatican tours of 2024 (with skip-the-line access).

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

The Best Vatican Tours

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

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

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

Best after hours: the roman guy – vatican after hours tour with sistine chapel.

• Best Small Group: Liv Tours – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour

Best Private: Private Tours of Rome – Vatican and Sistine Chapel Private Tour

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

To determine the best Vatican City tour in each category, we used our own experiences along with recent traveler reviews. All of the featured tours have at least 100 reviews and a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars across multiple websites.

Price: Adults from 99 euros (about $108); kids from 94 euros (around $102) Duration: 3 hours

Laura Itzkowitz

U.S. News independently paid to send Laura Itzkowitz , a freelance journalist based in Rome, on this tour to provide readers with an unbiased, first-hand perspective of what to expect. What a Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour was selected by our team as an Editor’s Pick thanks to its popularity and favorable user reviews.

While the Vatican Museums are one of the must-see attractions in Vatican City (the city-state surrounded by Rome), they can can be overwhelming to navigate. After all, the site contains 26 museums, various chapels and numerous galleries. The engaging guide leading this skip-the-line tour wasted no time bringing us to the highlights, starting with the Pinecone Courtyard and ending at St. Peter’s Basilica . At the basilica, we saw Michelangelo’s Pietà and the guide explained why it’s the only work the artist actually signed.

Along the tour, you’ll see masterpieces from the Vatican Museums’ collection. Highlights include the ancient statue of Laocoön and his sons; the Belvedere Torso, which inspired Michelangelo; Greek Cross Hall; and the Round Hall, which contains a monumental bronze statue of Hercules. The Gallery of Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps – where the guide shared interesting facts about Italy in the 1600s – are other focal points, as is the Sistine Chapel. Since talking isn’t allowed in the Sistine Chapel, the guide explained Michelangelo’s frescoes at the beginning of the tour. Our guide had a great sense of humor and a deep knowledge of the artworks, which was impressive. However, she didn’t bring us to the Raphael Rooms; you may want to book a different tour if this is a priority for you.

Tours depart from the What a Life Tours office ( Via Santamaura 14B ) Monday through Saturday; the first tour starts at 9:30 a.m. What a Life Tours also offers skip-the-line access that omits the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, as well as local food tours and tours of the Colosseum .

Good to know:

• No more than 12 people can join the tour at a time.
• To capture perfectly framed photos of St. Peter’s Basilica, stroll down Via della Conciliazione after the tour.
• If you’re hungry after the tour, head to Ristorante Arlù, a family-run eatery nearby that’s been open since 1959. Be sure to ask for a table outside on the charming cobblestone street if the weather is nice.
• Prati, the neighborhood surrounding the Vatican, is a great place to shop, especially along Via Cola di Rienzo. Stop by Castroni for espresso and other gourmet foods or il Sellaio di Serafini for a handmade leather bag.

– Laura Itzkowitz

Check prices & availability on:

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz Aug. 19, 2024

The Tour Guy

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

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

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

Best Small Group: Liv Tours – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price: From $1,345 Duration: 7 hours

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

The Vatican is easily accessible from different sections of Rome.

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

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

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

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

The Vatican museums are open Monday through Saturday.

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

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

Be sure to check the Vatican Museums website to see if there are any museum closures ahead of your visit.

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

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Rome
• The Best Places to Visit in Italy
• The Best Small Group Tours of Italy (+ Day Trips)

Tags: Tours , Travel , Vacations , Vatican , Europe Vacations

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

This article may contain compensated links. See our full disclosure here

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.

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)
• LivTours – 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 LivTours. 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)
• LivTours – 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
• LivTours – 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 LivTours 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.

LivTours 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 LivTours.   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  LivTours 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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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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15 Best Vatican Tours – Discover the Vatican Art and History

With so much to see and do, exploring the landmarks of the Holy See can take quite a lot of time. This is why we sourced the top private Vatican tours and gathered them in this article. This will make it easier for you to decide how much you can visit as well as how much time you will have for the rest of Rome’s attractions.

Some of the most exclusive private tours of the Vatican Museums are the Key Master’s tour run by Take Walks and Alone in the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums by LivTours. But other VIP tours also allow you to enter the famous Vatican galleries before the big crowds and enjoy the masterpieces with fewer people and more silence.

Find the best Vatican and Sistine Chapel tours for your needs so that you don’t miss anything, enjoy knowledgeable, expert explanations and save time with fast-track VIP access. In this guide, you will find Vatican tours for every preference and budget!

Table of Contents

Top Vatican Private Tours For Every Budget and Traveler

Whether you are looking for a group tour or a more private experience, we are sure we have found the perfect Vatican guided tour for you. These Vatican tours are great whether you are an independent traveler or you like organized holidays and whatever your budget is.

Vatican Museums After-Hours VIP Tour Experience with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

Do you want to tour the Vatican Museums alone with only your expert guide? Then you need to enter before anyone else. Even before the standard VIP tours. If you are ready to do that, expect to have to show up at 6.30 am and see the museums’ doors open. Or at 5.30 pm and enter after closing time.

This is one of the gem tours by Context Travel and is led by an art historian and you will have the chance to enjoy and stare at the wonderful collection of masterpieces just like the Pope does: alone and in silence.

This is a very exclusive tour and you will be asked to show up on time to be able to enjoy the Vatican Museums truly crowd-free.

Click here to check the price and book

VIP Key Master’s Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel, top Vatican private tour

This is one of the best Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel private tours because you will enter before anyone else. You will actually enter before they are even open and walk together with the Key Master as he performs his daily ritual of opening the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

The tour takes two hours and has a limited number of 20 participants. You will be visiting all the most famous landmarks of the galleries including Raphael’s Rooms, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Maps and of the Tapestries, and the Octagonal Courtyard all in complete silence with your guide and an official Vatican guide.

Once at the Sistine Chapel, the Key Master will allow guests to turn the key to open the famous monument.

Click here to check the price and to book

Alone in the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums, one of the best private Vatican tours

Hands down, the best private Vatican tour I took was the one offered by LivTours. Alone in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums delivers exactly what it promises: it will be only you and your guide.

This is a great experience because you can visit the galleries at your own pace, you can actually hear your guide and you can ask all the questions you want.

Read everything about my private Vatican tour experience

The Complete Vatican Tour with St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

This fantastic tour by Context Travel has a duration of 4 hours and is possibly the most comprehensive among the Vatican tours available. Thanks to an expert local guide, you will gain a great deal of knowledge on the history, art, politics, and religion of the Vatican.

Context Travel is known for employing very knowledgeable guides as their tours are always led by academics, historians, art historians, or archaeologists. This is why taking this tour you will have no doubt you are going to have a deeper understanding of all the aspects regarding the life and history behind the Vatican Walls and three of its most famous landmarks, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

You have the option to book it privately or join it as a group tour of no more than 6 participants. If you manage, I suggest booking the slot of 8 am for an experience with fewer crowds!

Vatican Tour for Kids with the Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

Are you traveling with your kids and not sure how to convince them to visit the Vatican Museums that you really don’t want to skip? Context Travel runs a 3-hour tour led by a Vatican expert who will entertain the family’s youngest members with stories and anecdotes.

Your children will be touring the Vatican Museums like explorers with your guide ready to unlock the secrets of cool artists, brave knights, and wicked popes. This will be an unforgettable adventure where your young family will learn everything about the Vatican Museums while having fun.

Complete Vatican Tour, one of the most popular Vatican tours

Among the Vatican City tours, this lasting 3 and a half hours is also one of the most complete.

The experience starts with an in-depth Vatican Museums private tour where an expert will give you the chance to observe the most famous sculptures, tell you the stories behind the place and obviously take you on a fascinating tour of the Sistine Chapel.

With an average of some 20,000 visitors per day, the Museums are no doubt among the most popular not-to-miss experiences for whoever travels to Rome.

But as well as a must, they can also be overwhelming and it’s easy to miss important masterpieces. This is why the Vatican Museums’ guided tours are so important.

This is a fully skip-the-line Vatican tour as you will enjoy a fast-track entrance to both the museums and St. Peter’s Basilica , one of Rome’s most famous churches , saving you a huge deal of time.

Click here to check the price and to book.

Vatican Highlights: Guided Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

This Vatican Museum private tour lasts five hours and leads a maximum of 20 people.

One of the most complete Vatican tours, it kicks off in St. Peter’s Square visiting the Basilica and climbing its majestic dome. Once you take in all the art and history behind these immortal places, you are next to the Vatican Museums.

This skip-the-line Vatican tour allows you fast-track access to one of Rome’s top museums and busiest landmarks. It starts in the afternoon when the crowd is not as big as in the morning so you will also be able to enjoy the Sistine Chapel more relaxed.

You will go past sculptures of the likes of the Laocoon, found in 1506 in Esquilino Hill and now kept in the Statues Courtyard (Cortile delle Statue) after Pope Julius II bought it. Identified as one of the masterpieces of the sculptors of Rhodes as described by Pliny the Elder, this beautiful statue represents the death of Apollo’s priest, Laocoon. He tried to warn the Trojans from taking in the wooden horse left by the Greeks, before being killed by the gods Athena and Poseidon. They, instead, were favoring the Greeks. Which caused the fall of Troy, the fleeing of Aeneas and the following founding of Rome.

You will explore famous areas such as the Gallery of the Tapestries, of the Maps, of the Candelabra, and Raphael Rooms for his beautiful frescoes. You will also stop at famed sculptures and learn stories and anecdotes behind the creation of the masterpieces and the life of the artists.

The journey will end at the most famous attraction of the whole museum, the Sistine Chapel.

St. Peter’s Basilica Tour With Dome Climb and Crypt

All you wanted to know about St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome’s largest church and one of the main landmarks of the Holy See, is included in this excursion entitled to be considered one of the best Vatican tours.

This comprehensive St. Peter’s Basilica tour by Walks lasts 2 and a half hours and reveals all the secrets behind the art and history of one of the world’s most famous Catholic churches.

This Vatican guided tour starts in Saint Peter’s Square early morning. After learning about the Swiss Guards and some tips on what is to see from the dome, you will take the elevator and climb some 320 steps to reach the top.

Once back down, your St. Peter’s Basilica tour carries on inside the basilica itself. You will learn about the history, the symbols, and the incredible artwork, including Bernini ‘s canopy altarpiece and Michelangelo’s La Pietà sculpture.

That’s not all. Your early-morning Vatican tour will take you also to the Crypt where the Popes are buried.

Since you will be accompanied by an expert Vatican tour guide, this will save you plenty of time to discover other parts of the Holy See as well as the other attractions in Rome’s city center.

VIP Early-Access Vatican Tour With Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

In this early-morning Vatican tour, you will enjoy the Sistine Chapel an hour before everyone else so you will skip the line at the beginning and also within the service as you will use a restricted door between sites.

I’ve been to the Vatican Museums three times, and the first two I got swept by a crowd of thousands of tourists. Of course, I liked it and stared in awe at the immortal masterpieces all the way, but one of my strongest memories was that no minute would go by without me stepping over someone or the other way around. This is why a tour when the museums are still closed to the public.

Before opening times you will also go through other important monuments of the Vatican Museums , such as the Gallery of Maps, of Tapestries and Raphael Rooms. When the general public starts entering, you will finish off the tour of the Vatican Museums and get to St. Peter’s Basilica through special access.

This Vatican small group tour is for a maximum of 14 people to give you a better opportunity to view the artwork in silence and tranquility.

Early-morning Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica Express Tour

If you still want to enter earlier but prefer a shorter tour, this is for you. It lasts two hours and you access the Museums with a fast-track entrance 30 minutes before opening hours.

With your group of a maximum of 20 people, you will enjoy a silent visit to the Vatican Museums and then access St. Peter’s Basilica through a restricted-access door.

This is much faster than the tour mentioned above. Yet, it still allows you to visit the two main landmarks of the Vatican and learn the art and history behind them. Perfect if you are short in time or for families with small children.

Click here to check the price and to book .

Vatican Night Tour of the Vatican Museums With Sistine Chapel

One of the favorite Vatican evening tours, your experience will start after closing time and will include only 15 people.

This Vatican VIP tour includes the Papal Palaces, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. You won’t be heading to St. Peter’s Basilica because by this time it will be already closed for the night.

This is a Vatican Museum tour only, so you will visit and learn everything about its history and art with the perk of not being disturbed by the crowds.

Fast Entrance Vatican Tour With Sistine Chapel

The Roman Guy tour company, too, runs a late tour of the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel. You will enter after closing time when the crowd is gone so that you can admire peacefully and in silence the huge collection of treasures on the path leading to the Sistine Chapel.

Among the other rooms, on the way, you will stop at the Gallery of the Maps, Raphael Rooms, just to appreciate his talent along with the rivalry with Michelangelo, and the Gallery of the Candelabra, a feast of marble artwork. In the end, the room everyone looks forward to, where the tour ends, the Sistine Chapel.

Vatican Gardens Minibus Tour with Vatican Museums Entry

Alongside the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, this tour will give you entrance to the Vatican Gardens. By booking this experience, you will have skip-the-line entrances included as well as audioguides, but not a live tour guide showing you around, so you will be quite independent.

You will tour the Vatican Gardens by minibus and the audioguide available in all languages will explain all the marvels you will be seeing, from the Renaissance and Baroque artwork to the English gardens.

After that, you can end your tour at the Vatican Museums which you will also tour on your own.

St. Peter’s Basilica Dome to Underground Grottoes Tour

First, in this Vatican tour, you will be climbing St. Peter’s Dome and the Basilica where your guide will help you spot all the artwork and ornaments, from the marble decorations to the bas-reliefs, sculptures, mosaics and gilded stucco work.

This is a truly fascinating Vatican tour as you will see the walls of the original 4th-century basilica. Right next to it, there is a fantastic archaeological site , the ancient Roman necropolis that hosts the real tomb of Saint Peter, which I doubt is included in this tour.

Included in the tour is the entrance ticket to the top of the Dome and a professional guide.

READ MORE: Do you want to know more about the Vatican’s main church and its fascinating history? Check out our post on the interesting facts behind St. Peter’s Basilica .

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Fast-Track Ticket Options

While I always suggest a guided Vatican tour to fully comprehend the huge wealth of artwork as well as the history behind those buildings, some might just prefer a more independent experience.

If you prefer, from the Get Your Guide website you can purchase only Vatican skip-the-line tickets to enter without having to queue for hours.

Once inside, you won’t have a guide but it will be a self-guided tour. When booking, you can choose the option of including an audio guide.

FAQ about the Best Vatican Tours

Is the vatican skip-the-line worth it.

If you ask me, definitely. A Vatican skip-the-line ticket can save you plenty of time that you can use to visit some other Rome landmarks . If you are staying for only one day or two days in Rome , this time will be particularly precious since especially in the high season (summer and around Christmas) queues can last for several hours.

What is the best day of the week to visit the Vatican?

The Vatican is quite busy every day, but if you have the chance to pick a day of the week, I would probably skip Saturday and Sunday. Also, on the last Sunday of each month, the entrance to the Vatican Museums is free, so it’s a great time to visit if you are sure to arrive early in the morning and if you have enough time to queue because the line can get very long.

Do I need to buy Vatican tickets in advance?

Buying your Vatican tickets online in advance is always a good idea as often these include also a fast-track entrance.

How long does a Vatican tour take?

Two hours is enough for a basic tour of the Vatican Museums to see the main landmarks, while if you want to visit more, you might need an extra hour. For a more complete Vatican tour, some 4 to 5 hours might be necessary even if you are with a professional guide, also depending on how many places you will visit. For St. Peter’s Basilica, you should carve out at least an hour and another hour to climb the Dome.

Is there a dress code for the Vatican?

Yes, to enter the Vatican you need to follow a modest dress code . Women can’t enter wearing shorts or mini-skirts and both men and women can’t wear sleeveless t-shirts.

Can you bring a backpack to the Vatican?

Yes, but to enter the Vatican Museums you will need to leave your backpack in their cloakroom.

Don’t miss our guide to eating near the Vatican!

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Vatican Tours

Despite being a religious state, Vatican City isn’t exclusively for followers of the Catholic faith. In fact, this small country offers a treasure trove of historic buildings and a rich cultural heritage that will captivate tourists and art enthusiasts alike.

Situated right in the heart of Rome, the Vatican is a foreign state with some strict entry rules, and due to its popularity, it remains bustling with visitors all year round.

The Vatican City: the Smallest Country in The World

The Vatican isn’t just the smallest country in the world. This tiny State, with a population of less than 500 inhabitants, is renowned as the famous headquarters of the Catholic religion and the home of the Pope.

You have two options to explore the Vatican: you can visit it during a self-guided tour or join a guided tour of the Vatican. Personally, I’d recommend the latter, even if you happen to be a permanent resident of Rome. And now, let me explain why.

Are Guided Tours of the Vatican Worth it?

In a nutshell… yes. While it’s possible to explore the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica on your own, a guided tour can truly make a difference.

Why Opt for a Vatican Guided Tour

• A guided tour typically covers all the main attractions of the Vatican in a well-organised single tour of a few hours.
• The Vatican Museums are truly vast and filled with exquisite artworks. In fact, they’re so extensive that attempting to visit them independently can be overwhelming. With a guided tour, you can focus on the essential highlights without running the risk of getting tired before you’re even halfway through the visit.
• Even with a skip-the-line tour, queues for the Vatican Museums can be incredibly long. Choosing a guided tour with authorised tour operators can be a smart solution, as it grants you access through partner-exclusive entrances.
• Exploring the Vatican with professional guides allows you to discover fascinating anecdotes and insights that you wouldn’t come across during a self-guided visit.

Types of Vatican Tours

There are several options for visiting the Vatican. Let’s explore them.

Guided Tours of the Vatican

As I mentioned earlier, a guided tour is definitely the best way to make the most of your visit to the Vatican. I’ve tried visiting the Vatican on my own multiple times, and having an expert guide by your side can truly make a difference. These tours usually start at a meeting point in the area.

Group Tours of the Vatican

This is the most common type of tour. Many tour operators offer tours in small groups, so following your guide and moving around the Vatican Museums is not complicated at all. Besides, if you ever feel like breaking away from the group, you can always rejoin them and continue at your own pace.

Private Tours of the Vatican

This is a decidedly luxury option. The price of a private Vatican tour is higher than a group tour. The advantages? You’ll have the guide entirely at your disposal. Moreover, many private Vatican tours include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or apartment.

Vatican Early Opening Tours

Among the various guided tours, both private and group, there are some that grant access to the Vatican Museums at their early opening. As I’ve mentioned before, the Vatican is one of the major tourist attractions in Rome, and there’s often a very long queue to get in.

So, if you want to see them without the typical crowd that fills them, I recommend booking one of the Vatican’s early opening tours. You’ll literally be the first to step inside the Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and your visit will have a whole different feel.

Self-guided Tours of the Vatican

If you’re on a budget, you can still visit the Vatican by purchasing an entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums without a guide. However, this option may entail waiting in line at the entrance for as long as 3 or 4 hours. The same goes if you decide to visit only St. Peter’s Basilica, which doesn’t require an entrance ticket.

Skip-The-Line Tours of the Vatican

Let me tell you: skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican are worth every penny of their price.

In the past, I worked for a tour operator, and for work-related reasons, I visited the Vatican several times with a skip-the-line service. I can assure you that if you choose the right tour operator, you won’t even wait for 5 minutes at the entrance. You’ll bypass the long queue that starts from Via Leone IV and goes all the way to the Vatican ticket office. And you’ll thank me for recommending this type of tour.

After-Hours Tours of the Vatican

From April to October, the Vatican stays open on Friday evenings. So, if you wish, you can opt for one of the enchanting evening tours of the Vatican offered by tour operators. Not only will you see the Vatican in a completely different light, but you’ll also avoid sightseeing during the hottest hours of the day.

Tours of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo

Castel Gandolfo is a delightful town on the shores of its namesake lake, located about 24 kilometres southeast of Rome. It’s been the summer retreat for the Pope for centuries.

And now, you have the fantastic opportunity to join a tour of the Pontifical Villas, where you can travel to Castel Gandolfo and explore the beautiful gardens and historic residences that belong to the Vatican, just outside the confines of Vatican City itself.

These tours are typically available during the summer months, and you can easily reach Castel Gandolfo by train from the Vatican Museums. Once there, you’ll be guided through the extensive gardens and the Apostolic Palace, which serves as the official residence for the Pope during his stay at Castel Gandolfo.

Major Attractions in Vatican City

There’s so much to see within Vatican City, and it’s an incredible place to explore.

What to See Inside St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica , you’ll have the chance to visit:

• Bernini ‘s stunning colonnade in St. Peter’s Square
• The magnificent Baldacchino, a work of art by both Bernini and Borromini
• Michelangelo’s breathtaking Pietà , located in the right nave of the Basilica
• The lid of Emperor Hadrian’s sarcophagus
• The tomb of Pope Alexander VII, crafted by Bernini
• Michelangelo ‘s iconic Dome
• The Vatican Grottoes: the final resting place of the Popes and St. Peter himself.

What to See Inside the Vatican Museums

Now, when you venture into the Vatican Museums, make sure you don’t miss out on these incredible sights:

• The Tapestry Room, filled with intricate and awe-inspiring tapestries
• The Pinacoteca, which houses masterpieces by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, the Perugino, and Caravaggio
• The Pio-Clementino Museum, dedicated to statuary, where you’ll find the impressive Laocoön sculpture group
• The Gallery of Maps
• Raffaello’s Rooms, including the famous ‘School of Athens’ fresco
• The magnificent Spiral Staircase
• The Sistine Chapel
• the Vatican Museum Gardens

Time Needed to Tour the Vatican

Most guided tours at the Vatican run for a standard 2 to 3 hours, giving you an overview of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica. These tours usually start early in the morning or early in the afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the place.

Of course, nothing is stopping you from entering the Museums when they first open and spending the entire day delving into the wonderful art collections they hold.

Dress Code for the Vatican 

The Vatican is a religious site, and although it attracts many tourists, it does have a conservative dress code. It’s really important to respect this dress code if you want to be allowed entry. Many foreign visitors are disappointed each year when they’re turned away due to inappropriate attire, and I don’t want you to be one of these.

To enter the Vatican, it’s important to:

• Avoid short skirts and shorts
• Cover your shoulders and arms
• Steer clear of plunging necklines and cropped tops
• Remove hats before entering
• Wear anything that might offend Catholic morals or decency
• Cover any tattoos you might have

I know it gets scorching hot in Rome during the summer, but it’s crucial to adhere to these rules. My advice for the hot months is to wear a long dress or lightweight suit, or perhaps bring a light jacket to cover your arms and shoulders before entering. You can show off your sexiest outfit after you’ve completed the visit.

Tip: By dressing respectfully, you’ll ensure a smooth visit to the Vatican and demonstrate your appreciation for the sacredness of the place. 

Tips For a Great Vatican Experience

And here we are at the end of this guide to Vatican tours. I’ll share a few extra tips that might come in handy in addition to what’s already been mentioned.

• Make sure to visit the Vatican early in the day – you can’t imagine how crowded it can get.
• Only book guided tours from professional authorised tour operators.
• Always double-check the opening times, especially around religious dates and events throughout the year.
• Purchase your ticket several weeks in advance, as they often sell out quickly.
• Upon entering the Vatican, you’ll go through a security check with a metal detector, similar to airport security. Be sure to read the rules on the official Vatican website . Among other things, you can’t bring knives, scissors, umbrellas, or cameras with you, and even things like tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.
• Once inside the Sistine Chapel, remember not to take any photos or videos – it’s strictly prohibited, and the security personnel may ask you to delete any shots you’ve taken in front of them.
• Accessing the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel requires payment, but on the last Sunday of each month, you can enjoy free admission to both the museums and the Vatican Gardens from opening until 12:30 PM. Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica alone is, instead, always free, so you can still marvel at its grandeur without any cost. Happy exploring.

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Skip the line and gain direct access to the raphael rooms, creation of man, and st. peter's basilica.

Want to explore the Vatican without waiting in the long lines or dealing with the large crowds? Thanks to our close partnership with the Vatican this tour allows you to skip the line with a small group and a knowledgeable and charismatic tour guide! This is one of our most popular tours and offers an incredible experience at a great price!. This small group tour covers all the must-see attractions such as the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and St. Peter's Basilica.

• Meet your guide outside Caffé Vaticano
• Vatican Museums
• Pinecone Courtyard
• Pio-Clementino Museum
• Laocoön and His Sons
• Hall of Maps
• Gallery of Tapestries
• Raphael's Rooms
• Sistine Chapel
• The Last Judgement
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Michelangelo's Pietá
• Bernini's Baldacchino
• End inside the St. Peter's Church

You'll begin your tour by meeting your local guide at the top of the stairs outside of Caffé Vaticano, which is across from the Vatican Museums. With your skip-the-line access, you'll walk past the long line of tourists and enjoy faster entry through security, even if you've booked an afternoon tour. With a small group and an expert local guide to keep you informed and entertained, you'll see all the top highlights of the Vatican from the Gallery of Maps to Nero's Bath and the glorious Sistine Chapel.

Skip-the-Line Vatican Tour Description

Your 3-hour tour includes:

Skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums

Pio Clementino and the best of the Vatican's galleries

Raphael Rooms and Borgia Apartments

Silent tour of the Sistine Chapel

Entry to St. Peter's Basilica

A passionate, English-speaking guide

A maximum group size of 20

Available entry times in the morning and afternoon

Pio-Clementino Museum and Nero's Bath

At the start of your tour, you'll follow your guide to the Bramante Courtyard, designed by Donato Bramante. This part of the Vatican Museums is home to the Apollo Belvedere , Laocoön and His Sons , and the Belvedere Torso . Learn about the myths and legends associated with these iconic sculptures before visiting the oldest and largest bathtub in existence. Nero's bathtub is an incredible 25 feet long and is made from a rare red marble that isn't even available nowadays!

Popular Vatican Galleries

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 giant 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.

Raphael Rooms and The School of Athens

Raphael, one of the traditional trinity of great masters, reigned during the Renaissance. After the turbulent Middle Ages, European civilization rebounded and experienced a prolific period in which the arts, literature, and thought flourished. As a true Renaissance man, Raphael embraced the ideals of the period and painted the walls of the Vatican Museums with his masterpieces. Among these, you can view his most famous work, The School of Athens, which is a testament to his vision and creativity.

Borgia Apartments

Downstairs from the Raphael Rooms and once occupied by Borgia Pope Alexander VI, these private chambers were frescoed by early Renaissance artist Pinturicchio. As a co-pupil of Raphael’s under master Perugino, Pinturicchio had a penchant for embedding fake jewels and other three-dimensional objects like metal saddle studs in his frescoes. The Borgia Apartments also contain another hidden gem: the first European depiction of Native Americans.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel

One of the top things to do in Vatican City is visiting the Sistine Chapel. Only when you are inside, is it clear why the Sistine Chapel is one of the most celebrated works of art in Western civilization. Michelangelo painted more than 600 figures in all, and the sheer magnitude of his endeavor is mind-blowing. Since the Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, speaking inside is not allowed. Your guide cannot explain the frescoes while you are inside, so they'll provide you with a map/handout for reference before you enter.

To enter the Sistine Chapel, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders, otherwise, the Vatican might refuse entry to religious sites and you’ll 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.

St. Peter's Basilica

After your time in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, you'll walk through a passageway that allows you to bypass the ticket lines to St. Peter's Basilica. Before you enter, your guide will share about the history and construction of this incredible church. They will give tips for what to look for when you enter to explore on your own. You're sure to be awestruck as you walk around by the impressive architecture, statues, and artwork made by famous artists like Michelangelo and Bernini. Gaze upon the beautiful Pietà , the incredible mosaics, the Tomb of Innocent XI, and Bernini's canopy under the dome.

You tour ends here, but feel free to spend extra time enjoying the Basilica on your own afterwards.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

In addition to wearing or bringing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes. You're also welcome to bring a water bottle as it can get hot inside the Vatican during the summer months.

Is there a way to see the Vatican without a guided tour?

Yes, it's possible, though the information and guidance you get with a tour is certainly worth considering. If you'd rather explore independently then you can click here for skip the line Vatican tickets .

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

If you have any concerns about your mobility, we suggest taking a Vatican Private Tour so your needs can be better accommodated.

Does the Vatican ever experience unexpected closures?

During state visits or special religious events, parts of the Vatican may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice. If an area normally visited during a tour is suddenly closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas from outside. They will even show you another gallery to compensate for the lost time in the usual location.

Will the Vatican Museums be crowded during this tour?

The Vatican is often slow in the late afternoon, but there is a chance the museums may be crowded while we are inside.

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 the Vatican might refuse entry to religious sites and you’ll 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.

In addition to wearing or bringing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes. You're also welcome to bring a water bottle as it can get hot inside the Vatican during the summer months.

Where does this tour end?

This Vatican tour will end in or just outside of St. Peter's Basilica. You're free to stay in the church and explore some more if you like.

If I am coming from a cruise ship can I book this tour?

This tour does not include transportation from port. If you are coming from a cruise ship, please ensure to arrange your transportation to allow for traffic and train delays.

How long is this tour?

This tour is 3 hours long.

Can I go back to the Vatican Museums after the tour ends?

St. Peter's Basilica would be the last part of the tour and once you leave the Vatican Museums to enter the Basilica you are unable to reenter. However, you can stay in the Basilica after the tour is over.

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

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Climb St. Peter's Dome then tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

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

See Michelangelo's La Pietà up close and climb the dome for stunning views of Rome and the Vatican

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Vatican Uncovered: A Private, Detailed Tour

Get an in-depth experience tailored to your interests of art, sculptures, and the Sistine Chapel

( 35 ) From: $719.15

Vatican at Closing Time Private Evening Tour with Sistine Chapel

Appreciate the Vatican masterpieces without less crowds on our tour with a private guide

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Rome Golf Cart Food Tour: Explore the City's Iconic Sites and Cuisine

Journey Through Time and Taste on a Small-Group Adventure

( 14 ) From: $251.72

Private Family-Friendly Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tour

Enjoy a boredom-free Vatican private tour that's perfect for kids, with treasure hunt and fun guide

( 23 ) From: $518.52

Alone at the Vatican: Private After Hours Tour

Experience the quiet of the Sistine Chapel without the crowds after your tailored tour

( 9 ) From: $5,846.40

The Quickest Direct Access Private Vatican Tour

Explore the Vatican on a shorter, tailored tour that includes the Sistine Chapel

( 29 ) From: $461.68

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Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia

Book a private Rome tour and see the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and more in just one day!

( 32 ) From: $2,087.95

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Pristine Sistine™ Early Entrance Small Group Vatican Tour

• Get ahead of the crowds—and save hours waiting in line—by visiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning.
• Get a full appreciation for the highlights of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica on this comprehensive early morning Vatican tour.
• Our guides are passionate art experts, full of stories and familiar with even the smallest details. You'll find them easy to engage with thanks to your small group size.

Preview the experience

Tour description, start your day at the vatican museums on our original early morning tour..

Our Pristine Sistine™ Chapel tour is the product of 13 years of constant development and refinement. We've found that the trick for this tour is to enter the Vatican right as it opens for the day so you can experience the most beautiful (and busiest) rooms—the Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel—before the majority of the daytime crowds arrive.

Be among the first guests of the day to stroll through the halls of the Vatican Museums.

Passing through the iconic galleries with your expert guide, you'll take in some of the world’s most incredible works of art, stopping at the Belvedere Courtyard, the Gallery of the Maps, the four Raphael Rooms, and more on your way to the Sistine Chapel. It can be difficult to navigate these spaces later in the day due to the crowds, but on this Vatican early morning tour, your guide will have more time and space to give you a proper explanation. There are so many incredible details in these frescoes, including likenesses of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo hidden in plain sight in the School of Athens.

Now that your eye is trained to great Renaissance masterpieces, it's time for the main event. You'll enter the Sistine Chapel just as the doors open to groups and ahead of the daytime crowds. By this time, your guide will have given you the full history of this space and pointers on what to look out for. Take your time and enjoy some of the most iconic images on earth. After 15 to 20 minutes of quiet contemplation, you'll embark on a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Finish your early morning Vatican tour by skipping the line into St. Peter's Basilica.

From the Vatican Museums, we'll lead you through a special-access corridor to enter St. Peter's Basilica*, skipping the enormous general-access lines. Inside, you'll enjoy a full St. Peter's Basilica tour and learn to fully appreciate the artistry that went into works like Bernini’s monumental altar canopy, Michelangelo’s moving Pietà, and the titanic dome.

Explore the treasures of the Vatican with an art historian guide and a small, intimate group.

The Vatican Museums are home to some of the world's most precious artifacts and impressive artworks, but it can be hard to understand the significance of the works without some expert help. That's where our guides come in. They're all experienced art historians with perfect English. Throughout your early morning Vatican tour, they'll show you the highlights of the collection and enrich your visit with witty anecdotes and entertaining details. And as your group size is limited to a maximum of 15 guests (with top-quality headsets), you’ll always be able to hear your guide and engage with their stories, asking all the questions you can think of.

Most people only visit the Vatican once in a lifetime (if ever!). Our Pristine Sistine™ Chapel Tour guarantees that you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience while you're there. As it's one of our popular tours, we recommend that you book it early. If you find that it is sold out on your available dates, we have several other very similar tours which we recommend you check out. These include: Pristine Sistine at Closing Time: Late Entry Vatican Tour The Complete Vatican Tour with Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica VIP Vatican Key Master’s Tour: Unlock the Sistine Chapel .

The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and subject to other unexpected closures. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery.

Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at [email protected] or call +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.

Please note that this description is an example and your experience may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have an excellent experience.

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Verified guest reviews, sep 08, 2024.

Giovanni was the best of all guides after having 4 guided tours in Italy. His attitude was very pleasant and informative. The early pass for the Sistine Chapel involved many many people!! I never expected so many! Giovanni made it feel like he knew how to navigate us to less populated spots so that we could enjoy and take in-depth lessons with various masterpieces. The number of people in our tour was not overwhelming. Maybe eight? And Giovanni was so knowledgeable and interested and proud of so many of the intricate artworks on this Vatican tour. The whole tour was three hours and we enjoyed every last minute.

Sep 06, 2024

We had the privilege of being on the Vatican Early Skip the Line Tour with Gigi as our tour guide - he was outstanding and made an incredible experience even better. His knowledge, passion and humour was brilliant. We would recommend this tour and ask for Gigi ! 6 stars ?

Sep 05, 2024

We enjoyed every moment of the 2 tours we took in Rome for the Vatican/Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum/Roman Forum. Our tour guides Stefano and Claudia were both very knowledgeable, friendly, and helped make the tours a great experience! Highly recommend!

GG was so entertaining, insightful and funny. He made our week. We learned more about the Vatican than I ever thought I would. Thank you GG! We will ask for you when we come back.

Sep 04, 2024

Our Vatican tour exceeded our expectations! Having an experienced tour guide made the process of getting through the museum so much easier than if we had done it on our own. Fabio, our guide was knowledgeable, helpful and so incredibly entertaining. We are so happy we booked this tour during our trip to Italy!

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Make it a perfect day.

Those who wake up early not only get to experience the Vatican Museums without the typical crowds, but they’ll also have the entire day to explore Rome after. Here’s our one-day itinerary for visiting the Eternal City.

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The complete vatican tour with vatican museums, sistine chapel & st. peter’s basilica, pristine sistine at closing time: late entry vatican tour, alone in the vatican: exclusive vip access vatican museums & sistine chapel tour.

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The 7 Best Vatican Tours ⛪ [2024 Reviews]

Taking a guided tour of the vatican museums is the best way to appreciate the magnificent artwork and galleries.

The Vatican, formally the Vatican Museums, is a sprawling network of museums, secret rooms, galleries, and more.

These top rated guided Vatican tours will show you some of the most significant artifacts and works of art the Vatican museum has to offer.

A guided tour will help you learn more about the artwork and give you opportunities to see and experience more than you could on your own. So mark the Vatican off your bucket list with one of these tours!

Be sure to see our reviews of Amalfi Coast Day Trips , Colosseum Tours and Tuscany Day Trips .

Best Vatican Guided Tours

Quick answer: the 7 best rated vatican tours from rome.

• Vatican City: Private Vatican Tour, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Basilica
• Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica: Early Morning Tour
• Vatican and Colosseum Combo Tour: Don’t Wait in Line to See the Best of Rome
• Entire Vatican Tour: Treasures of the Sistine Chapel
• Private Vatican Tour Museum and Sistine Chapel
• Vatican: Early Entry to Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s
• Rome: Entire Vatican Museums Tour and St. Peter’s Dome Climb

Vatican Tour Reviews

1. vatican city: private vatican tour, vatican museums, sistine chapel and vatican basilica.

• Departure Location : Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Roma RM
• Return Location : Saint Peter’s Square
• Departure Time : Various
• Estimated Duration : 3 hours
• Includes : Vatican Museums, Rooms of Rafael and Sistine Chapel Private Tour, skip-the-line tickets

The crowds at the Vatican, as well as the Sistine Chapel, can be a bit overwhelming. This private Vatican tour will take you on a guided and informational walk through many of the most popular attraction stops at the Vatican.

Not only will you be able to see the Sistine Chapel, but also Rafael’s Rooms and the Chiaramonti Gallery, as well as several other famous sites.

Because your tour guide is taking you and your group on a private skip-the-line tour of the Museums and the Sistine Chapel, there may be some flexibility in what you see and when.

You’ll also be able to ask questions of your guide. Your ticket to this private tour also includes the ability to skip the long lines commonly seen at the Vatican.

This tour will bring you through the Pinecone Courtyard where you will see the bust of Augustus, dating back to the 1 st -century A.D. Other Roman sculptures and historical artifacts are also on display.

Both the Gallery of the Maps and the Gallery of the Tapestries offer beauty as well as the overwhelming sense of history located here.

Being able to take in the breathtaking details of both the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of St. Peter is truly once-in-a-lifetime.

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100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other rome experiences you may enjoy:, 2. sistine chapel and st. peter’s basilica: early morning tour.

• Departure Location : Piazza della Città Leonina
• Return Location : Piazza della Città Leonina
• Departure Time : 7:30am
• Includes : Guided tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica , head sets

Before the crowds start to form for the day, you’ll be able to enjoy a walking tour through the Vatican Museums. With the VIP option, you will be given exclusive access and a private guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Without the crowds elbowing you, you can take in the full majesty of the works of art and truly appreciate them. Your expert tour guide will tell you the background stories of the amazing sculptures and artwork of the Renaissance period.

Without the crowds, you’ll be guided through the various galleries, museums, and secret rooms of the Vatican. These are home to the vast collection of art and religious artifacts central to the culture of Italy and to the Catholic religion.

You will also see the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps. These areas are seldom seen by most people but you will be able to stroll through them at a leisurely pace while hearing the background of all these treasures.

Search For Other Top Rated Rome Experiences You May Enjoy:

3. vatican and colosseum combo tour: don’t wait in line to see the best of rome.

• Departure Location : Check with tour operator
• Return Location : Original departure point
• Departure Time : 9am
• Estimated Duration : 10 hours
• Includes : Professional guide, reserved Skip-the-Line Access to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms, Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Audio headset

Early in the morning, you’ll meet at across the street from the Vatican next to the Caffè Vaticano. You will then cross the street and skip the line into the museum.

However, this not just a typical skip the line tour, you get to enter through the “Private Partner Entrance” that saves even more time!

The small group you will be with will have a guide tour by a Vatican expert who will give you insights and information that will not be found anywhere else.

You will of course see the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes in addition to all the other treasures.

After the tour you will then have time to enjoy some of the delicious Italian food that Rome is known for. You will then meet your guide at the coliseum. Here you will again skip the lines, saving hours of waiting.

Once inside your guide will give you all the details of the Coliseum including it’s construction and use over the years.

After the coliseum you will then proceed to Palatine Hill and then finish up at The Forum. This full day tour takes you to some of the best that Rome has to offer!

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4. entire vatican tour: treasures of the sistine chapel.

• Departure Location : Via Sebastiano Veniero, 19, 00192 Roma
• Return Location : Vatican Museums, 00120, Vatican City
• Estimated Duration : 2.5 hours
• Includes : Tour guide, Skip-the-Line Access to Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and Rooms of Raphael

During this relatively short tour of the Vatican, your guide will take you through some of the most popular and historically significant rooms in the Museums.

You’ll also hear about the history and the many legends surrounding the Sistine Chapel as you explore its interior.

However, most of those visiting Vatican don’t have access to the Vatacombs located under the Sistine Chapel. These Catacombs are home to many former popes and other historically significant figures.

Just a few of the things you will see on your tour through the Vatican Museums are Rafael’s Rooms as well as many ancient Roman and Greek artifacts housed in the Belvedere Courtyard.

You’ll learn the history of these important buildings, from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica. Your guide will also give you a lesson on the Vatican State and the Swiss Guard.

This Vatican day tour from Rome is designed to focus on the art located here and the history of that art. You’ll also learn about how the art of ancient Rome influenced Western art as well as architecture.

Your tour guide is an expert art historian and will also be able to answer questions you may have along the way.

5. Private Vatican Tour Museum and Sistine Chapel

• Departure Location : Vatican Museums
• Return Location : Vatican Museums
• Departure Time : 3:15pm
• Estimated Duration : 2-3 hours
• Includes : Expert tour guide, private tour of the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and Gallery of Maps

For most, a vacation to Rome is something that only happens once in a lifetime. Because of this, you may want to experience the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and other popular locations like no one else can.

On this VIP tour, you’ll have access to rooms in the Vatican Museums that aren’t usually available to the public.

While you’ll be able to see things inside the Vatican usually off-limits, such as the Niccoline Chapel or the Bramante Staircase, you’ll also have skip-the-line access to publicly available galleries such as Rafael’s Rooms.

However, you’ll also be able to visit the Sistine Chapel after it closes to the general public. On this private tour, you’ll be able to hear commentary from your experienced tour guide about the history and construction of the Chapel.

Commentary usually isn’t allowed in the Chapel which makes this a unique experience.

This VIP private guided Vatican tour is limited to just 15 people. This means you’ll have a personalized experience as you take in the beauty and wonders of one of the most historically significant places in the world.

After all, not very many visitors to the Vatican are able to experience the secret rooms and learn of the often-forgot history that resides in them.

6. Vatican: Early Entry to Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Tour

• Duration : 3.5 hours
• Departure : Via Santamaura 14B (Office What a Life Tours)
• Departure Time :  8:00 AM
• Includes : Skip-the-ticket-line ticket to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, early entrance an hour before crowds, tour guide, admission and reservation fees

If I’d give any one tip to tourists going to the Vatican, it would be to book a tour that gives you skip-the-line access. The Vatican can get insanely busy, and the lines can take hours off of your day – oftentimes in the hot, humid Mediterranean heat.

The Vatican: Early Entry to Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Tour helps avoid all that, giving you premium access even before the crowds think of forming! This tour lasts 3.5 hours, but all of it is exploring and learning rather than waiting around in hopes of entering these amazing museums and structures.

Start out by meeting your guide at the tour offices, which are right next to the Vatican, itself. I immediately noticed that our guide was super friendly and more than happy to answer any questions we had, along with plenty of recommendations along the way.

Not to mention, this is a completely personalized experience rather than a boring, cookie-cutter tour that you could frankly get anywhere. The guide asked us about our specific interests and tailored our tour around them, so that everyone was happy and didn’t miss anything we wanted to see.

As the groups max out at just 12 participants, it’s easy to move through the hallways and see everything without fighting through a big crowd. This VIP experience took us through all the hidden gems and biggest tourist sites inside the Vatican, with the early morning tour. This consisted of the museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Sistine Chapel was even more breathtaking in person, and we learned everything from the history of the artwork to the structure, itself.

7. Rome: Entire Vatican Museums Tour and St. Peter’s Dome Climb

• Duration : 5 hours
• Departure : Either the Tiare Fountain and the Sebastiano Veniero 19
• Departure Time : 8:00 AM
• Includes : St. Peter’s Dome entry tickets, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel skip-the-line entry tickets, guided tour

If the last tour caught your attention but you’re looking for something even more comprehensive, I have the perfect excursion for you. Lasting 5 hours, the Entire Vatican Museums Tour and St. Peter’s Dome Climb is what I’d recommend if it’s your first time in Rome and want to see a good portion of the most popular sites in the capital.

It’s so much more than the average Vatican tour – this time, you’re getting the VIP treatment. Right across from St. Peter’s Square, we met up with your expert guide who was very friendly and seemed to know just about everything there was to know about the area.

After a quick intro, he lead us into Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica before it even opens to the public! This itself was worth the money, considering I saw the queues later in the day and they were there for hours!

Once inside, we got to choose to go up the elevator or walk up to the terrace level of St. Peter’s (I recommend the latter, if you can!). Here, there are countless little mosaics, which our guide also told us fascinating stories about to further enrich the experience. Next, it’s to the summit for simply the best, most beautiful views of Rome I’ve ever seen.

Next, we head down deep into the Vatacombs, where the former popes lie, and where you’ll learn some rather dramatic and interesting stories behind what’s happened here. Next, is an educational tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, covering some of the most unbelievable Renaissance masterpieces in the world.

After a short break for some food, you’ll then skip the line to enter the Vatican Museums through 1,200 or so galleries. We did spend a good portion of the Chapel, and seeing the magic touch applied by Michelangelo in person definitely warranted the extra time here.

FAQs About Vatican Tours

What can i expect on a vatican tour.

A Vatican tour usually starts with a meeting point near the entrance of the Vatican Museums or at your hotel if you have arranged a pickup service. You will meet your guide who will give you your skip-the-line ticket and your headset if needed.

Then, you will enter the Vatican Museums and follow your guide through the vast collection of artworks that span from ancient times to modern times. You will see famous sculptures, paintings, tapestries, maps, and more.

The best part of any tour is the Sistine Chapel. Here you can take in the stunning frescoes by Michelangelo that depict scenes from the Bible. You will also learn about the secrets and stories behind this masterpiece.

Finally, you will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will see the largest church in the world and its magnificent dome. You will also see the tomb of St. Peter, the Pietà by Michelangelo, and other artworks by Bernini and other artists.

How long do Vatican City tours last?

Vatican tours usually last two to four hours, depending on how much of the Vatican you want to see.

Why should I go on Vatican guided tour?

Going on a Vatican tour is one of the best ways to experience the vast museums of the Vatican. The Vatican is one the largest and most impressive collections of art in the world. A Vatican tour is more than just a sightseeing trip; it’s an enlightening journey!

Do I have to have a ticket to see the Vatican?

To visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel you do need a ticket. They are always crowded and must buy tickets in advance. We would recommend a guided tour with skip the line tickets. To see St. Peter’s Square or St. Peter’s Basilica you don’t need a ticket but you still have to go through a security check and follow a dress code.

How can I see the Pope?

The Pope holds a general mass on Wednesdays at 10 am in St. Peter’s Square or in the Paul VI Audience Hall. Where the mass is held depends on the weather and how many people are attending. You can request a free ticket from the Prefecture of the Papal Household or join a guided tour. The Pope also delivers an Angelus prayer on Sundays at noon from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. You don’t need a ticket for this.

What else can I do when visiting the Vatican?

Other than the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica there are some lesser-known but still interesting places in Vatican City. You can explore the Vatican Necropolis, this ancient cemetery lies below St. Peter’s Basilica and contains the tomb of St. Peter. You need to book this at least two months in advance. You can also climb up to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and see pretty amazing views of the city and the square. You can either take an elevator or stairs to reach the dome. There is a fee for both options.

Tips to enjoy your Vatican tour

Tip #1: dress appropriately for your visit to the vatican.

Because the Vatican Museums , as well as the Sistine Chapel, are religious places, you’ll need to dress appropriately.

Your shoulders, knees, and abdomen should be completely covered. Your clothes should not have inappropriate graphics or sayings. If security personnel believe you are dressed inappropriately, you won’t be allowed in. This is true even if you are on a private tour.

Tip #2: Plan Everything in Advance

There are millions of visitors to Rome and the Vatican every year. This means that some of the attractions you are looking forward to may be sold out or closed by the time you arrive.

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are a great example of this. If you are traveling to Rome around the time of religious holidays, these attractions may be closed to the public as well as to guided tours.

While many guided tours have backup plans in the event a scheduled location is closed unexpectedly, you should research your trip to make sure the places you wish to visit should be open.

Tip #3: Choose a Tour of the Vatican

If you plan on visiting the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and other popular places within Vatican City, purchasing a guided tour is a good idea.

The lines for general admission to many of these places can stretch for blocks and getting in may not be guaranteed. With a guided tour, like the ones we’ve reviewed above, you are guaranteed access so long as it isn’t closed for religious reasons. Plus, you will be able to skip the long lines.

Tip #4: Only Carry What You Need

While this is true wherever you are visiting within the city of Rome, it is especially true when visiting the Vatican. Large bags, umbrellas, camera tripods, and other cumbersome items aren’t allowed within the Vatican Museums and related locations.

You can store them in the cloakroom provided for free, but you may end up having to leave your tour early to retrieve them before closing time. It’s best to carry only what you need when touring the Vatican.

Tip #5: Visit on a Wednesday

If you’re looking forward to seeing the Pope and to the papal audience, you’ll want to plan your visit for a Wednesday. While there are occasional deviations from the Wednesday schedule, you’ll most likely be able to see the weekly message on that day. In fact, the Papal Audience and Vatican Museums tour we reviewed above guarantees you will see the Pope as part of the papal audience as long as he delivers his message on schedule.

What Can I See in One Day at the Vatican (A Sample Itinerary)

Of course you can’t see everything in the Vatican in a day but you can certainly hit the highlights. Lets take a look at what you can see in one day.

St. Peter’s Basilica: This stunning church is the largest in the world and is home to some amazing works of art. Check out Michelangelo’s “Pieta” and the altar before taking the elevator up to the top of the dome. Here you can get a bird’s eye view of the city. Trust me when I tell you, the view is absolutely it!

Vatican Museums : This gigantic collection of art galleries is the home to the most famous art in the world. Starting with the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms. You need to spend a few hours here as there is so much to see. Some of this time is going to be spent waiting, so factor that in.

Pro tip : Buy your tickets online well in advance so you can skip the long lines!

Lunch : By the time you are done with the Basilica and Sistine Chapel it will be time take a break from the crowds and have lunch at one of the local cafes or restaurant. Enjoy some Italian cuisine while admiring the architecture around you.

Papal Audience :  This weekly event is every Wednesday and gives you a chance to see the Pope and receive his blessing. This is something you won’t forget!

Pro tip : Be sure to arrive early to secure a spot, it’s one of the most popular things to do at the Vatican.

Further explore : After seeing the Pope, take time to explore some of the lesser known areas of the Vatican. Some of these areas are the Vatican Gardens or the Necropolis. These hidden gems will give you a glimpse of the history and culture of the city.

Tour Guides

The Private Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is our Editors Choice with its combination of sites seen, tours guides and value.

Krysha Thayer

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], 🍷 the 5 best florence wine tours [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews], the 7 best paris walking tours [2024 reviews].

Vatican: Alone in the Sistine Chapel – The Key Masters Tour

The Vatican’s ‘ Alone in the Sistine Chapel – The Key Masters Tour’ offers a truly exclusive opportunity to experience the wonders of the Sistine Chapel in solitude. Priced at $788.18 per person, this intimate tour grants guests early morning access to the iconic chapel, allowing them to marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpieces without the crowds. Led by expert guides, the small-group experience promises personalized attention and enriching insights, making it an enticing proposition for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike. With the chance to capture stunning photographs in a serene atmosphere, this unique tour promises to immerse visitors in the rich cultural heritage of the Vatican like never before.

• Exclusive early morning access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel before public entry, allowing for a serene and uncrowded experience.
• Personalized guidance from expert tour guides in small groups, providing an intimate and enriching exploration of the Vatican’s treasures.
• Opportunity to capture stunning photographs of the Sistine Chapel’s frescoes in the soft, early morning light without distractions.
• Flexible cancellation policy with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring a stress-free booking experience.
• Adherence to a dress code of covering knees and shoulders, maintaining the spiritual atmosphere of the Vatican.

More tours and experiences nearby.

• Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
• Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour With Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
• Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters Basilica
• Pompeii Day Trip From Rome With Mount Vesuvius or Positano Option

Tour Overview

This exclusive early morning Clavigero Tour offers visitors a remarkable 2-hour experience to explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel before the general public arrives.

For $788.18 per person, you’ll enjoy the rare opportunity to soak in the spiritual atmosphere of Vatican City with personalized attention from expert guides in small groups.

You’ll capture breathtaking photos in a tranquil environment and have the chance to see the Sistine Chapel without the usual crowds.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a pay later option, this tour provides an unparalleled Vatican experience that’s not to be missed.

Exclusive Early Morning Experience

The Clavigero Tour grants visitors exclusive access to the Vatican Museums before the general public, allowing them to explore these renowned cultural treasures in a tranquil, uncrowded atmosphere.

With personalized attention from expert guides in small groups, participants can soak in the spiritual ambiance of Vatican City without the usual crowds.

They’ll have the rare opportunity to witness the Sistine Chapel in solitude, capturing breathtaking photos of Michelangelo’s masterpieces free from distractions.

The early morning experience provides a unique perspective, enabling guests to fully enjoy the museum’s rich history and artistry.

This exclusive access is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the Vatican’s treasures in a peaceful, unhurried setting .

Highlights of the Tour

What sets this exclusive Clavigero Tour apart is the opportunity to witness the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel in solitude.

Visitors can marvel at Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes without the typical crowds, allowing them to fully enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of this iconic Vatican landmark.

Plus, the tour offers personalized attention from expert guides leading small groups, ensuring an intimate and enriching experience.

Guests can capture stunning photographs in the tranquil environment, taking advantage of the early morning light and lack of disturbance.

This unique tour provides an unparalleled chance to explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in a way that’s simply unavailable to the general public.

What’s Included

Visitors on the exclusive Clavigero Tour can expect a comprehensive experience that includes entry tickets to the Vatican Museums , the guidance of professional tour guides , and the use of headphones and radios for clear communication throughout the tour.

With these inclusions, guests will enjoy personalized attention in small groups as they explore the wonders of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel .

The tour’s highlights include the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel without the usual crowds, allowing visitors to soak in the spiritual atmosphere and capture breathtaking photos in a tranquil environment.

This unique early morning tour provides an exclusive and unforgettable experience that’s not to be missed.

Meeting Point and Directions

To reach the meeting point for the Sistine Chapel Tour , one must travel approximately 200 meters northwest of the Vatican Museums entrance .

From the entrance, guests should go down the steps, take the first left onto Via Sebastiano Veniero , walk straight, and then turn right onto Via Mocenigo, where the office will be situated in front of the ‘Cucaracha’ restaurant.

This convenient location ensures that participants can easily find the starting point for their exclusive early morning tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

With clear directions and a designated meeting spot, travelers can arrive at the tour in a timely manner and begin their unforgettable experience of exploring the wonders of the Vatican before the crowds arrive.

Dress Code and Prohibited Items

Proper attire is mandatory when visiting the Vatican, as guests are required to cover their knees and shoulders. On top of that, certain items are strictly prohibited during the Sistine Chapel tour, including shorts, weapons, sharp objects, short skirts, sleeveless shirts, alcohol, and drugs. Adhering to the dress code and prohibited items ensures a respectful and enjoyable experience for all.

Respecting these guidelines allows visitors to fully enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the Sistine Chapel, without distractions or disruptions.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Customers can cancel their Sistine Chapel tour up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund , providing flexibility and peace of mind .

This liberal cancellation policy allows travelers to book with confidence, knowing they won’t lose their money if plans change.

Whether it’s unexpected work commitments, illness, or simply a change of heart, the tour operator understands that situations can arise that may prevent customers from attending.

By offering a full refund, they demonstrate a commitment to customer satisfaction and ensure guests have a stress-free booking experience.

This policy reflects the tour provider’s dedication to creating an exceptional experience for all who embark on this exclusive Vatican Museums tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visitors commonly inquire about the dress code for the Sistine Chapel tour, as the Vatican has strict guidelines regarding appropriate attire .

All guests must cover their knees and shoulders – shorts, short skirts, and sleeveless tops aren’t permitted. This helps maintain the sacred atmosphere of the chapels.

Another common question is whether the tour can be cancelled or rescheduled. Fortunately, this early morning tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, allowing guests flexibility in their travel plans.

The small group size also ensures an intimate and personalized experience with the expert guide.

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.

• Skip the Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel With St. Peters Basilica Access
• The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour With Transfers
• Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum
• Tuscany Region Day Trip From Rome With Lunch & Wine Tasting
• Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Small Group – 6 People Max
• Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters | Small Group

Can We Take Photos and Videos During the Tour?

Yes, guests can take photos and videos during the tour. The tour includes exclusive access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, allowing visitors to capture breathtaking photos in a tranquil environment without the crowds.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Yes, the tour offers an option to extend the duration. Guests can upgrade to a longer tour that provides additional access and experiences within the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel for a higher price per person.

Do Guides Provide Additional Information About the Artworks?

The guides provide in-depth commentary and insights into the artworks during the tour, sharing their expert knowledge on the history, symbolism, and significance of the masterpieces in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Are There Any Special Requirements for Children on the Tour?

Children are welcome on the tour, but there are special requirements. They must be accompanied by an adult, and dress modestly in long pants and shirts that cover the shoulders. Any age-appropriate behavior is expected to ensure an enjoyable experience for all guests.

Are There Any Discounts or Promotions Available for the Tour?

The tour provider offers a few discounts and promotions. Children under 6 get free admission, and there are reduced rates for youth and students. The tour also allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• Rome: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour W/ Food Tasting
• Semiprivate Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
• Rome: Guided Tour of St. Peters Basilica With Dome Climb
• Rome: Castel Santangelo Private Tour With Hotel Pickup
• The Best Transfer From Praiano to Rome Area
• Rome: Amalfi Coast Boat Cruise & Guided Coastal Towns Tour
• Rome: Nighttime Private Walking Tour With Local Guide
• From Civitavecchia: Saturnia Hot Springs Ticket and Transfer
• From Florence: Rome Day Trip With High-Speed Train
• Rome: Colosseum Private Tour With Entry Experience
• Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Tour With Fast-Track Entrance
• Rome: E-Bike Tour of Top Landmarks
• From Rome: Assisi and Orvieto Small Group Full-Day Tour
• Fiumicino Airport – Civitavecchia Cruise Port Transfer
• From Rome: Pompeii Ruins Day Trip With Hotel Pickup

The Vatican’s ‘ Alone in the Sistine Chapel – The Key Masters Tour’ offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Guests can explore the breathtaking Sistine Chapel in complete solitude, capturing stunning photographs and gaining exclusive insights from expert guides.

This intimate tour promises a deep immersion in the Vatican’s rich history and artistry , making it an exceptional opportunity for any discerning traveler.

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Pope Francis arrives in Papua New Guinea, first papal visit in nearly 30 years

Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Pope Francis landed in Papua New Guinea on Friday, marking his farthest trip away from the Vatican during his 11 years as pontiff as he continues his Asian and South Pacific tour.

The pope, 87, arrived at the capital city of Port Moresby and is expected to meet with government and church officials and engage with children. He is expected to talk about such topics as global warming, violence against women, inequality and natural disasters.

The last papal visit to Papua New Guinea came nearly 30 years ago when St. John Paul II arrived at the island nation to beatify Peter To Rot, a Papuan lay catechist who was killed during World War II for teaching the Catholic faith.

Pope Francis's schedule also includes a visit to the Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, where he is expected to be greeted by the Bishop of New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Local priests, deacons, seminarians and catechists, along with consecrated men and women are expected there as well.

One of the pontiff's largest gatherings will be a mass held at Sir John Guise Stadium on Sunday. He will also take a plane trip to Vanimoin northwestern Papua New Guinea to visit missionaries and Catholics there before returning to the capital.

The trip is part of Pope Francis's 11-day tour to Asia and the South Pacific despite past health challenges.

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