The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica

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Full details

A fantastic small group tour of only 20 people or fewer!

Skip the line on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica for a unique understanding of the history and world-class art collection of the The Vatican.

Our guide to The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica

You will start by skipping the (always long) lines to get into the museum and diving right into the galleries holding some of the most famous works of art in the world. This specially-designed route encompasses all the can’t-miss pieces while also including some of the lesser known works that will really dazzle you.

A visit to the Vatican Museums is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With over four miles of galleries filled with works of art, masterpieces, and treasures coupled with entrance lines that stretch for hours.

On the Complete Vatican tour, you'll experience Vatican City in the company of an expert licensed Vatican guide. One of our most popular itineraries this tour hits the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and amazing views of St Peter's Basilica all in one incredibly planned itinerary. 

You'll start in the Vatican Museums where we have carefully traced out an itinerary taking you past the most famed artifacts, including the ancient sculpture that inspired Michelangelo's depiction of God in the Sistine Chapel, the Belvedere Torso, the mythical Greek sculpture Laocoön & His Sons,  the mind-boggling Gallery of the Maps, the Gallery of the Tapestries, and, of course, the Stanze di Raffaello - the rooms painted by Master artist Raphael - considered by many to be every inch as beautiful as the Sistine Chapel.

The highlight is, of course, the Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo's towering frescoes wow every visitor. You will have already learned the purpose, dedication, and history behind the Chapel from your expert guide and will be able to pick out details others will miss.

From the SIstine Chapel, you'll follow your guide through to St Peter's Basilica, once again skipping the lengthy lines outside. Once in St. Peter's your guide will point out the precious art and treasures found inside and share the story behind the 120 year construction of the church.

Sites Visited: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Raphael Rooms, Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön & His Sons, Pinecone Courtyard, Gallery of the Candelabra Gallery of the Maps, Gallery of the Tapestries.

The passageway from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's is closed on a Wednesday, if you are taking this tour on a Wednesday St Peter's Basilica is not included.

Departs

Varies, please see calendar.

Duration

Around 3 hours

Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions for The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica

  • You will receive a voucher for this experience. Please read it thoroughly.
  • Itinerary subject to change without notice.
  • Gratuities to guides are appreciated but never obligatory. 
  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Please note that the tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no shows after tour commencement or departure.
  • Hotel pick-up/drop-off is NOT included. Please meet your guide at Antico Café Candia, Via Candia, 153, 00192 Roma RM
  • This tour ends in St.Peter's Basilica.
  • Please remember that the Sistine Chapel is a holy place, and attire must be appropriate for the visit. Both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees.
  • We advise our clients that St.Peter's Basilica may be closed during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. If this occurs during your visit, we will spend more time inside the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. We are unable to provide refunds in this case.
  • While the Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair and stroller access, they are not conveniently located on the group tour route and only give access to specific sections of the Museums. Please contact us to make further arrangements.
  • Please note that guests may only carry small handbags inside the Vatican Museums. Larger backpacks and big pointy umbrellas etc must be left at the cloakroom. It is the responsibility of the guest to return to the Vatican Museums entrance to collect these after the tour.
  • Please ensure that all members of your party have a valid ID on them on the day of the visit. This is particularly important for guests who have qualified for child reduction.
  • Cancellation policy: Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are non-refundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes.
  • Tours depart precisely at the scheduled tour start time. If you show up late or cannot find the meeting point, for any reason, refund requests are not honoured per policy. For most tours, it is not logistically possible to join the group after it has started.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica

Ticket Information

  • How do I book a Vatican tour?

    We have a variety of tour options for the Vatican which you can book directly with us. Visit our Vatican tickets page for more information.

General Information

  • Which is the best tour for the Vatican?

    There are a variety of options of Vatican tour tickets to suit all all needs and schedules. But if you want to maximise your time in Rome we highly recommend the Skip the Line Imperial Rome & Vatican Museums Combo tour which includes the Vatican Museums, St Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Coliseum and Forum all skip-the-line plus a delicious Italian lunch

  • What is the best way to tour Vatican City?

    We highly recommend you pre-book a skip the ticket line as this can be very busy on certain times of the day and year. Another top tip would be to visit on a Wednesday morning or book a Night Tour which are quieter. For more information on tours please visit our Vatican Ticket options

  • Can I visit the Vatican Gardens without a tour?

    The Vatican Gardens can only be visited on a tour.

  • Can I visit the Vatican without a tour?

    The Vatican Museums and Basilica can be visited at your own leisure. The Vatican Gardens can only be visited on a tour.

Duration of Visit

  • How long does it take to visit the Vatican?

    The tour of the Vatican Gardens is around 2 hours whilst visiting the Museums is at your own leisure. Here you can spend as much time as you wish, though on average we encourage to factor in a further 2 hours for the Museums alone.

  • How long can I stay in the Vatican Museums?

    You can visit the Vatican Museums for as long as you wish within the opening times.

Opening Information

  • Is the Vatican open for tours on a Sunday?

    Usually the Museums are open from Monday to Saturday. They will also open on the last Sunday of the month. Opening times may vary depending on the season and certain national or religious holidays.

  • What are the opening times for the Vatican?

    Generally the opening times are between 9am to 6pm with the last entrance at 4pm. Opening times can vary especially during some national and religious holidays.

Accessibility

  • Are the Vatican tours at a fast pace?

    The Vatican Museums galleries are about 8km long, the tour guides will adjust the pace depending on the overall group's need as much as possible. Generally they maintain a medium pace throughout the visit.

  • Can I rent a wheelchair or mobility scooter at the Vatican?

    Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge. If you wish to bring your own powerchair or electric wheelchair you may do so by arranging this in advance directly with the Vatican.

  • Are there any tours for the vision and hearing impaired at the Vatican?

    Vision and hearing impaired visits are available upon request through the Vatican Museums

Food & Drink

  • Can I bring food in the Vatican?

    You may bring small snacks and soft drinks on your visit.

Clothing & Accessories

  • What do I wear to tour the Vatican?

    When it comes to visiting the Vatican it is important to note that a dress code applies or you will be refused entry even with a valid ticket. Skirts can be worn provided the length is below the knee and shoulders should be covered at all times. Small handbags are allowed.

Facilities & Amenities

  • Where can I leave my bags at the Vatican?

    The Vatican provides free storage for bags and other big items however they do not offer a cloakroom service.

Restrictions

  • Can I take photos at the Vatican?

    Yes, you can take as many photos as you wish without flash with exception of the Sistine Chapel where no photos are allowed.

Fun Facts

  • How many people are there on a Vatican tour?

    Tours are usually between 20 and 35 people though some tour operators can accommodate up to 50.

The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica Reviews

Average 3.7 out of 5

3 Reviews

  • 5 2
  • 4 0
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  • 1 1
  • 5 stars:

    Great tour at a great price with a very well informed guide who made the whole experience unforgettable. Highly recommended.

    Paul Kenny reviewed The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica 15 Aug, 2023

  • 5 stars:

    Vatican City Tour

    Caroline Munday reviewed The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica 11 Mar, 2020

View all 3 customer reviews

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