Vatican Express Tour: Highlights of the Museums & Sistine Chapel
2.5 hours
Max 20 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Rome, Italy
About this activity
See the best of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on our late afternoon Vatican tour, perfectly timed to avoid the earlier daytime crowds.
Highlights
- Experience a peaceful visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel after the daytime crowds have left. (4:15pm only)
- Hear fascinating stories of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel to prepare you for your visit.
- Bypass the long lines at the Vatican Museums to spend more time exploring.
- Marvel at legendary masterpieces such as the "Laocoön and His Son" and Gallery of the Maps.
Full description
See the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in three hours.
For travelers short on time, we have the perfect solution. Experience the Sistine Chapel and the highlights of the Vatican Museums following a specially curated route. You'll see some of the most beautiful and fascinating works of art and architecture in the world. Not only does this tour cover the must-sees at the Vatican Museums, it also gives you an insider's perspective on the bigger picture: power and politics in Vatican City.
Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums.
In order to make the most of every moment on your afternoon Vatican tour, you'll have privileged entrance at the Vatican Museums. This means you'll skip the notoriously long general access line—which, during high season, often stretches for hours. Throughout your tour, your expert guide will bring the Vatican’s dramatic past to life. From the Pinecone Courtyard to the statue galleries and the unmissable Sistine Chapel, you'll see the best the Museums have to offer without jostling for space and while hearing the stories and context behind the art from your expert guide.
Small groups of 18 or fewer keep your Vatican tour casual and engaging.
Smaller and more intimate than many similar tours on the market, you'll have fantastic access to your expert guide to ask them all your burning questions with ease. All of our guides are knowledgeable, passionate storytellers who are specially trained to give you a real sense of the drama and power that has played out in these very halls.
This small group afternoon Vatican tour ensures that you avoid the crowds with strategically timed afternoon entry and eliminates waiting in line to see all the highlights of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel.
Note: On select days, we also offer this Vatican express tour at 10am. You should expect more people in the Museums, but you'll still enjoy an expert-led tour of its highlights and the Sistine Chapel.
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 +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
Sites Visited: • Pinecone Courtyard • Gallery of the Candelabra • Gallery of the Maps • Gallery of the Tapestries • Sistine Chapel
For travelers short on time, we have the perfect solution. Experience the Sistine Chapel and the highlights of the Vatican Museums following a specially curated route. You'll see some of the most beautiful and fascinating works of art and architecture in the world. Not only does this tour cover the must-sees at the Vatican Museums, it also gives you an insider's perspective on the bigger picture: power and politics in Vatican City.
Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums.
In order to make the most of every moment on your afternoon Vatican tour, you'll have privileged entrance at the Vatican Museums. This means you'll skip the notoriously long general access line—which, during high season, often stretches for hours. Throughout your tour, your expert guide will bring the Vatican’s dramatic past to life. From the Pinecone Courtyard to the statue galleries and the unmissable Sistine Chapel, you'll see the best the Museums have to offer without jostling for space and while hearing the stories and context behind the art from your expert guide.
Small groups of 18 or fewer keep your Vatican tour casual and engaging.
Smaller and more intimate than many similar tours on the market, you'll have fantastic access to your expert guide to ask them all your burning questions with ease. All of our guides are knowledgeable, passionate storytellers who are specially trained to give you a real sense of the drama and power that has played out in these very halls.
This small group afternoon Vatican tour ensures that you avoid the crowds with strategically timed afternoon entry and eliminates waiting in line to see all the highlights of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel.
Note: On select days, we also offer this Vatican express tour at 10am. You should expect more people in the Museums, but you'll still enjoy an expert-led tour of its highlights and the Sistine Chapel.
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 +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
Sites Visited: • Pinecone Courtyard • Gallery of the Candelabra • Gallery of the Maps • Gallery of the Tapestries • Sistine Chapel
Included / Excluded
- Skip the line tickets to the Vatican Museums
- Small group of 18 guests maximum
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Headsets
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Meeting point
Start Location
Bar l'Ottagono, Piazza del Risorgimento, Rome, IT
We meet just outside the green bar in the middle of Piazza del Risorgimento Square. This is the only bar/cafè located on the square. The bar is on the side of the square towards via Crescensio - close to Tram stop number 19. The closest Metro/Underground stop is Ottaviano.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- 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. We advise clients to contact Walks Customer Service Team to make further arrangements.
- From August 6th 2021, all Italy sites we visit will require clients and guides alike to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test completed within 48 hours prior to entry. They will also require a legal form of ID matching the vaccination or test results. More info on the Italian Government website
Know before you go
- 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.
- As with all museums, particular galleries of the Vatican museums can sometimes be closed without prior notice and pieces removed for restoration or loan. In the case of a gallery being closed, your guide will take you to another section of the museums instead.
- Also, 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. Walks cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to improper dress. Please note that, since the chapel is at the end of the Vatican visit, it is sufficient to bring extra coverings with you and put them on before our entrance to the holy areas.
- On rare occasions, when St. Peter's Basilica is being prepared for high masses or a special private event, including the Easter ceremonies, the tour group exit and/or the basilica itself can be closed without prior notification. Your guide will still give you an introduction to the church should you wish to visit this on your own at a later occasion. We are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
- 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.
- From August 6th 2021, all Italy sites we visit will require clients and guides alike to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test completed within 48 hours prior to entry. They will also require a legal form of ID matching the vaccination or test results. More info on the Italian Government website
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours 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.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
As with all museums, particular galleries of the Vatican museums can sometimes be closed without prior notice and pieces removed for restoration or loan. In the case of a gallery being closed, your guide will take you to another section of the museums instead.
Please remember that the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's are holy places, 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. Walks of Italy cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to improper dress. Please note that, since the chapel is at the end of the Vatican visit, it is sufficient to bring extra coverings with you and put them on before our entrance to the holy areas.
On rare occasions, when St. Peter's Basilica is being prepared for high masses or a special private event, including the Easter ceremonies, the tour group exit and/or the Basilica itself can be closed without prior notification. Your guide will still give you an introduction to the church should you wish to visit this on your own at a later occasion. We are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
While the Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair access, they are not conveniently located on the group tour route and only give access to specific sections of the Museums. Please contact us at info@walksofitaly.com if you have walking disabilities or if you are in a wheelchair. We can then work out a suitable alternative.
Please ensure that all members of your party have a valid ID with them on the day of the visit. This is particularly important for guests who have qualified for a senior, student, or child reduced rate.
For details of what you may and may not bring inside the Vatican Museums (you may not, for example, carry backpacks), click here. Guests who do bring these items will be required to leave them in the Vatican cloakroom and will be responsible for collecting them at the end of the tour.
Please remember that the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's are holy places, 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. Walks of Italy cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to improper dress. Please note that, since the chapel is at the end of the Vatican visit, it is sufficient to bring extra coverings with you and put them on before our entrance to the holy areas.
On rare occasions, when St. Peter's Basilica is being prepared for high masses or a special private event, including the Easter ceremonies, the tour group exit and/or the Basilica itself can be closed without prior notification. Your guide will still give you an introduction to the church should you wish to visit this on your own at a later occasion. We are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
While the Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair access, they are not conveniently located on the group tour route and only give access to specific sections of the Museums. Please contact us at info@walksofitaly.com if you have walking disabilities or if you are in a wheelchair. We can then work out a suitable alternative.
Please ensure that all members of your party have a valid ID with them on the day of the visit. This is particularly important for guests who have qualified for a senior, student, or child reduced rate.
For details of what you may and may not bring inside the Vatican Museums (you may not, for example, carry backpacks), click here. Guests who do bring these items will be required to leave them in the Vatican cloakroom and will be responsible for collecting them at the end of the tour.