Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour
From€61
2 hours
Province of Rome, Italy
About this activity
Discover Vatican's treasures with skip-the-line access and expert guidance in a 2-hour tour.
Highlights
- Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
- Explore the Sistine Chapel's masterpieces
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica
- Learn from an expert guide
- Experience Vatican's rich history
Full description
Dive into the heart of Vatican City's art and history with this exclusive 2-hour tour. Skip the lines and explore the Vatican Museums' vast collections, including the Sistine Chapel's renowned frescoes. Marvel at Michelangelo's masterpieces and delve into the rich history of St. Peter's Basilica. Led by an expert English-speaking guide, this tour offers an intimate and informative experience, ensuring you don't miss any of the Vatican's iconic highlights. Perfect for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this tour provides a comprehensive overview of the Vatican's most celebrated sites.
Included / Excluded
- Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
- Guided tour of Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
1
Visit the Vatican Museums and Upper Galleries, including the one of the Maps, Tapestries and Candelabra. Explore the Stanze of Raffaello, part of the apartment of Pope Julius II, where the young Raphael spent many hours decorating the walls of the rooms with beautiful frescoes.
Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
2
Visit the Borgia rooms, part of the papal apartments painted by Pinturicchio and his scholars. The Modern art and contemporary galleries were put together as an homage to Pope Paul VI who, during a homely in the Sistine Chapel underlined the importance of the link between the Church and Art.
Duration: 40 minAdmission: YES
3
Get lost admiring the unique frescoes that decorate the interiors of the Sistine Chapel. Painted by some of the greatest masters of the Renaissance period, the decorative frescoes depict Biblical episodes, such as the Creation of Adam and Eve, and many more.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: YES
4
Pass by: The Vatican City State, also known simply as the Vatican, became independent from Italy with the Lateran Treaty (1929), and it is a distinct territory under "full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign authority and jurisdiction" of the Holy See, itself a sovereign entity of international law, which maintains the city state's temporal, diplomatic, and spiritual independence. With an area of 49 hectares and a population of about 825,it is the smallest state in the world by both area and population.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for weather conditions.
- Photography is allowed in most areas; however, flash photography is prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
- Large bags and backpacks are not permitted; consider bringing a small bag or backpack.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves walking and standing.
- Dress modestly; shoulders and knees should be covered when entering religious sites.
- Bring a valid ID for entry; passport or driver's license is acceptable.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Please note that St. Peter’s Basilica remains closed on Wednesdays and during religious holidays.
- A valid photo ID is required for the mandatory security screening
- Be aware that the Vatican Museums adhere strictly to scheduled entry times. Late arrivals may be denied entry, and no refunds will be issued for missed tours.
- A strict dress code is in place at the Vatican Museums: both shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be limited at short notice due to religious events held during the Jubilee Year.
- Visitors with disabilities are entitled to complimentary entry to the Vatican Museums. To ensure proper arrangements, please inform us at the time of booking.
- Tour times are subject to change. Please provide an accurate phone number with the correct country code so we can reach you if necessary.
- Please note: tours beginning after 2:00 PM do not include entrance to the Basilica.
- Please note that by purchasing this tour, you accept our Terms and Conditions and are aware that no refund will be given in case you do not attend the tour or arrive late for the tour. Please note that in the afternoon and on Wednesday, the door connecting the Basilica and the Vatican Museum is closed, and you are aware that by purchasing this tour, you will not have the skip-the-line passage for St. Peter’s Basilica. You can go to the Basilica on your own, entering from the main square
- In peak season, due to the high number of visitors, it might take extra time to go through the security check and to collect the Vatican headsets which are compulsory.
- Access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be limited or suspended without prior notice due to religious ceremonies, particularly throughout the Jubilee Year.
- Please note that the Sistine Chapel may close without prior notice on rare occasions. Should this occur, your guide will provide a tour of other sections of the Vatican Museums.
Traveler reviews
4.2180 reviews
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Wasn't that easy to...
Was not easy to find the meeting place, so be out well in advance. Otherwise a very good tour.
David_AMay 18, 2026VIATOR
Our guide was very...
Our guide was very personable and enthusiastic. Since we had been through Vatican Museum tours several times, we wanted a shorter tour at less cost given our group. Tour does not go extensively through the artwork of the museums but hits only the highlights, plus gaining access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. This tour is more of a sampler version of the full vatican tour.
John_GMay 12, 2026VIATOR
Nice and knowledgeable guide...
Nice and knowledgeable guide who took good care of his group. Super to get past the queues for both the Sistine Chapel and the Petri Church!
Sara_SMar 27, 2026VIATOR
Vatican museum
Experienced, knowledgeable tour guide. Orderly, easy to find. Good experiences with visitor. Very good!
Shawn_SMar 17, 2026VIATOR
Beatiful
An incredible experience! The Vatican Museums are breathtaking, and the tour was very well organized. Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging, making the visit even more enjoyable. A must-see in Rome!
anitasY1187DLJan 26, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Additional information
Please note that St. Peter’s Basilica remains closed on Wednesdays and during religious holidays.
A valid photo ID is required for the mandatory security screening
Be aware that the Vatican Museums adhere strictly to scheduled entry times. Late arrivals may be denied entry, and no refunds will be issued for missed tours.
A strict dress code is in place at the Vatican Museums: both shoulders and knees must be covered.
Access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be limited at short notice due to religious events held during the Jubilee Year.
Visitors with disabilities are entitled to complimentary entry to the Vatican Museums. To ensure proper arrangements, please inform us at the time of booking.
Tour times are subject to change. Please provide an accurate phone number with the correct country code so we can reach you if necessary.
Please note: tours beginning after 2:00 PM do not include entrance to the Basilica.
•Please note that by purchasing this tour, you accept our Terms and Conditions and are aware that no refund will be given in case you do not attend the tour or arrive late for the tour. Please note that in the afternoon and on Wednesday, the door connecting the Basilica and the Vatican Museum is closed, and you are aware that by purchasing this tour, you will not have the skip-the-line passage for St. Peter’s Basilica. You can go to the Basilica on your own, entering from the main square
•In peak season, due to the high number of visitors, it might take extra time to go through the security check and to collect the Vatican headsets which are compulsory.