5.0(11 reviews)
Private Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
3.5 hours
Max 6 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Rome, Italy
About this activity
Skip the lines for a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica for an in-depth experience with your own private guide.
Highlights
- Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line access to Sistine Chapel
- In-depth tour of the Vatican Museums
- Access to St. Peter's Basilica
- Your own personal expert art historian guide
Full description
Experience the Vatican with just you and your guide on a private tour that ensures skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. With your own dedicated guide, enjoy engaging storytelling tailored to your group as you discover masterpieces like the Raphael Rooms, the Laocoön, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes. Move at a comfortable pace and explore with ease, whether you’re traveling as a family, celebrating a special occasion, or simply wanting a more personalized Vatican visit. This private tour shows you both the highlights and the hidden gems, making for an unforgettable way to unlock the treasures of the Vatican.
Step inside the Vatican Museums without waiting in line, and begin a private journey through one of the world’s most extraordinary art collections. With your personal guide, explore galleries filled with ancient sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces, gaining stories and insights not found in guidebooks.
In the Raphael Rooms, discover vibrant frescoes that capture the spirit of the Renaissance, while in the Belvedere Courtyard you’ll see celebrated works like the Laocoön Group and Apollo Belvedere. Continue through the Pinecone Courtyard and a series of stunning galleries, including the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Maps, and the Gallery of Tapestries, where your guide reveals the details that make these spaces so captivating.
The tour’s highlight is the Sistine Chapel. Before entering, your guide will share the dramatic history behind Michelangelo’s frescoes, preparing you to appreciate their artistry and symbolism. Finally, use a special access door to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. Here, admire Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s soaring altar canopy as your guide recounts the story of the basilica’s construction.
Perfect for families, small groups, and special occasions, a private tour ensures a more relaxed pace, more time for questions, and the opportunity to fully absorb the history and beauty of Vatican City.
Note: The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings. It is subject to other closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore more of the Vatican Museums' galleries.
In the Raphael Rooms, discover vibrant frescoes that capture the spirit of the Renaissance, while in the Belvedere Courtyard you’ll see celebrated works like the Laocoön Group and Apollo Belvedere. Continue through the Pinecone Courtyard and a series of stunning galleries, including the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Maps, and the Gallery of Tapestries, where your guide reveals the details that make these spaces so captivating.
The tour’s highlight is the Sistine Chapel. Before entering, your guide will share the dramatic history behind Michelangelo’s frescoes, preparing you to appreciate their artistry and symbolism. Finally, use a special access door to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. Here, admire Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s soaring altar canopy as your guide recounts the story of the basilica’s construction.
Perfect for families, small groups, and special occasions, a private tour ensures a more relaxed pace, more time for questions, and the opportunity to fully absorb the history and beauty of Vatican City.
Note: The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings. It is subject to other closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore more of the Vatican Museums' galleries.
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
- Local English-speaking guide
- Skip-the-line ticket for Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line ticket for St. Peter's Basilica
- Headset
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Lunch
Meeting point
Start Location
Touristation Cappella Sistina, Viale Vaticano, 95, 00192 Roma, RM, Italy
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.This tour meets at Touristation Cappella Sistina, Viale Vaticano 95, 00192 Roma RM.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and is subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Know before you go
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- All guests must pass through security. For useful information/restrictions about your tour in the Vatican Museum, visit https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en/visita-i-musei/consigli-utili.html
- Only small backpacks and handbags are allowed inside the Vatican Museums. Storage is available but please note you must return (about a 20-minute walk) to the entrance to pick up your items at the end of the tour.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- No photography or filming is permitted in the Sistine Chapel.
- The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and is subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 7 hours before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 7 days prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 7 days of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.
Reviews
5.0(11 reviews)
Lisa
Jun 20265.0
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
Matthew
Jun 20265.0
If you’re reading this, book it now! You’ll be one of the first on the boat and get the best spot before anyone else. Daniela (aka “Daniel”) treated us exceptionally well from start to finish. Her knowledge of the falls and the stories behind them was the perfect balance of informative and entertaining. She keeps you laughing throughout the tour and enjoys the experience right alongside you as if it were her first time seeing it. 10/10 — I would recommend this tour to anyone. As an added bonus, our group had only four people, which made the experience absolutely incredible and much more personal. Thanks again, Daniel! 😉
Lisa
Jun 20265.0
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
Additional information
Ticket age ranges:
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)
- Adult (15+)
- Child (2-14)
- Infant (0-1)