Rome: Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour
3 hours
Max 15 people
Rome, Italy
About this activity
Have the essential experience in the Vatican City, exploring the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.
Highlights
- Marvel at the impeccable architecture of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
- Get the most out of your visit to the Vatican with skip-the-lines access
- Immerse yourself in years of history and admire sculptures at the Vatican Museum
- Discover the genius of Raphael in the Raphael Rooms and admire his finest works
- Journey through centuries of history and art at St. Peter's Basilica
Full description
Discover the best of the Vatican in a single visit. Skip the ticket line to the key attractions and see outstanding examples of art and architecture in the company of your expert guide.
Enjoy an optimized itinerary designed to allow you to get the best out of your visit to the Vatican Museums in a limited time frame, taking in the remarkable Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and St. Peter’s basilica among other highlights in the company of one of our expert guides. Visit the Sistine Chapel, where you’ll get the chance to gaze up at Michelangelo’s ceiling as your guide explains the secrets behind Michelangelo’s masterful paintings.
Close to the Sistine Chapel is the suite of private papal apartments known as the Raphael Rooms. These exquisitely decorated rooms contain some of the finest examples of Raphael’s work, including the “School of Athens," a group portrait of antiquity's most famous philosophers, many of them in the guises of Raphael’s contemporaries.
Often overlooked by visitors who are in a hurry to get to the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms deserve more than a brief pitstop — your guide will ensure that you have plenty of time to admire Raphael’s works at your leisure. Your visit to the Vatican Museums is a great opportunity to discover its remarkable collections of ancient sculptures, including the legendary Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere.
These classical artworks had a profound impact on the artists of the Renaissance, and their muscular anatomies and psychological intensity strongly influenced the work of Michelangelo and Raphael.
Accompanied by an expert art historian, you’ll learn all about these ancient masterpieces and gain a greater appreciation of Greek and Roman art. Walk through the famous Gallery of Maps, admire the Pinecone Courtyard and visit the Belvedere Courtyard. Although it’s impossible to see the entire extent of the Vatican’s enormous collection in a few hours, on this tour, you'll see a series of unmissable highlights. After exiting the Sistine Chapel, enter St Peter’s Basilica directly, without having to wait in line. The basilica has been enriched over the centuries by the hands of countless artists and architects.
During your St Peter’s Basilica tour, your guide will tell you the fascinating history of the basilica and put it in the context of Christian history, from its origins as a burial ground to its current state of splendor and international importance.
Included / Excluded
- Small group size
- Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Skip-The-Line Tickets
- Visit to St. Peter's Basilica
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Headsets (for groups of 6 or more)
- All fees and taxes
- Food and beverages
- Transportation to and from the meeting and end points
- Tips (optional)
Meeting point
Start Location
Vatican Museums, Vatican City
Important information
Know before you book
- The Vatican Museums provide free entry for visitors who are (according to the requirements stated by the Vatican City) at least 74% disabled with the appropriate certification and provides free entry to caretakers: please inform the local partner when booking if you fit into these requirements
- To obtain a student discount, valid student ID must be shown on the day of your tour. If you do not have a valid student ID, you may be charged a new full ticket price to be paid by you on the day of the tour
- St. Peter's Basilica may be subject to last-minute unscheduled closings and late openings for religious ceremonies. In that event, you will be provided a complete experience by exploring the Vatican Museums in more detail
- It is possible that access to the Raphael Rooms can be denied due to overcrowding; if you want guaranteed entry to the Raphael Rooms, it is recommended to book the Early Vatican Tour or the VIP Vatican Tour which guarantee entry to the Raphael Rooms
Know before you go
- The activity provider cannot wait for late arrivals. If you are unable to find your guide 10 minutes before the starting time, please call the number on your voucher
- Large bags, backpacks, tripods, and large umbrellas cannot be brought into the museums. These items will have to be left at the museum coat check and retrieved after your visit
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- As this is a walking tour with steps and uneven surfaces, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended
- Please advise if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you
- At the end of your tour, please return the headset provided to you to your guide. In the event that you do not return the headset, you will be subject to a fine of €100 for lost property
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 15 days before the activity starts
15 or more days before the tour day: 90% of the cost will be refunded, minus ticket costs; Between 8 and 14 days before the tour day: 50% of the cost will be refunded, minus ticket costs, 7 days or less: no refund.
Reviews
Antony
May 20265.0
Brilliant day and a great guide
GetYourGuide traveler
May 20264.0
Overall the tour was good. Lots of good information about the history of Florence. The description is a little confusing, you don’t actually go in the duomo you just stay outside and learn about it.
Amanda Price
May 20265.0
Loved my Vatican tour with Through Eternity Tours. Our guide, Daniela, was very knowledgeable. They were also so kind to wait for us when we had a transportation mishap getting to the meeting point on time. I called, they redirected us where to go to still join the tour, and made sure they found us. I was so happy they didn’t leave us behind! I feel like other companies would not have gone that extra mile! Their communication was top notch!