Magpie
4.0(10 reviews)

Vatican Papal Audience & Sistine Chapel Tour

From€35
3 hours
Province of Rome, Italy

About this activity

Experience the Vatican's art treasures and attend the Papal Audience with skip-the-line access and expert guidance.

Highlights

  • Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
  • Guided tour of Sistine Chapel
  • Participation in Papal Audience
  • Explore Vatican's art treasures
  • Learn Vatican's rich history

Full description

Dive into the heart of Vatican City's rich history and art with this exclusive tour. Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums, home to masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel. An expert guide will lead you through the Vatican's art treasures, sharing insights into its rich history. Depending on the schedule, you may also have the unique opportunity to participate in the Papal Audience, adding a spiritual dimension to your visit. This tour offers a comprehensive and enriching Vatican experience, blending art, history, and faith in one unforgettable journey.

Included / Excluded

  • Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
  • Guided tour of Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums
  • Participation in Papal Audience (subject to schedule)
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

Enjoy an audience with Pope Leo XIV, and pray with him to receive the Apostolic Blessing on a full-day tour of the Vatican City. The weekly Papal Audience is a special event for Catholics and non-Catholics alike and lasts approximately 2 hours, during which there are speeches in Italian and other languages.

Duration: 3 hoursAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

After the blessing and a break for lunch (not included), get back to our office by 1:30 pm to get prepared for your Vatican Museum guided tour. Let's get into the history and secrets of the Catholic Church and hear about the rivalry between the Renaissance artists.  Discover the treasures hosted by one of the largest and most-visited museums of the world enriched by a huge number of masterpieces collected through time. Admire the best of the ancient world visiting the Greek and Roman sculpture section. A collection of classical art masterpieces where admire the beauty of several sculpture groups, as for example the statue of Laocoön and His Sons that is one of the most famous ancient sculptures.

Duration: 1h 30mAdmission: YES
3

Pass along the Chandelier Gallery, named by the several marble chandelier decorating this section.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: YES
4

Be astonished by the elegant Tapestry gallery, wallpapered by the finest tapestry worldwide, realized by Raphael's disciples.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
5

Visit the Maps Gallery, a complete exhibition of maps representing Italy as it was seen by cartographer in 1581.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: YES
6

Admire the major representatives of Italian art such as Leonardo, Perugino, Beato Angelico, and many more Towards the end of this tour you will visit the beautiful Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s masterpiece: The Last Judgement.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES

Meeting point

Start Location

Bar L'Ottagona, centro piazza, Piazza del Risorgimento, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tour availability may vary; check the schedule.
  • Papal Audience participation is subject to Vatican's schedule.
  • Confirm tour timing and meeting point in advance.

Know before you go

  • Dress modestly; shoulders and knees should be covered.
  • Carry a valid ID for entry.
  • Be prepared for security checks; avoid large bags.

Cancellation policy

0

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Accessibility

  • Service Animals Allowed
  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • Customers have a mandatory meeting time stated 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time due to managing and organizational reasons.If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and Vatican Museum. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. 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
  • The Vatican Museum entrance management does not distribute individual tickets to groups. In case of late arrivals, or persons who only want a tickets, we are not able to give you only admission tickets.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Seats during the audience cannot be guaranteed as it is a public event
  • We inform you that the papal audience ticket is totally free, so, in the event that the Papal audience does not take place for reasons not dependent on our will, a partial refund for the on-site assistance service we will be guaranteed.
  • All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check.Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events.
  • Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events.
  • Cancellations, changes or issues due to weather, security and events held by the monument are beyond our control and are directly decided by their administration team. These issues will be reviewed by us and dealt with on an individual basis but are the responsibility of the monument.
  • You must have a valid photo ID to enter the monuments (student's ID, Driver License, Passport or State ID all work.) You will be asked to also provide your name, last name and date of birth (at the beginning of the tour, if not provided beforehand.) Security may prevent you from entering the site if the information provided is not accurate and/or don't match the one on your ID.
  • Child discount is applied only with a valid ID card
  • Note: tour will not operate on religious holidays
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
  • Please be aware that large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the monument.
  • For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened. To facilitate the security checks please insert any object (including mobile phone) in the bag/backpack or in the tray to be included in the X-ray
  • No change on a booking can be accepted after 24hrs to the starting time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued.
  • For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
  • Pets are not allowed

Traveler reviews

4.0
10 reviews
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1

No better way to experience The Vatican

This was our 1st time to Rome and to experience Mass with the Pope. Viator made the entire process so easy. We stood in no lines other than waiting to get into St. Peter’s Square. For the other tours inside The Vatican, we were escorted past the hundreds of people in line to right where we met our tour guide. The Viator employee let us know exactly what they were doing at all times and where we were to wait, they took care of everything. Will definitely use Viator again for our travels.

Brian_SJun 13, 2024VIATOR

Worth the money

It was definitely worth paying for the guide and skipping the line. Everyone at aviator was helpful and friendly.

Jessica_MJun 8, 2023VIATOR

The papa is far away but it worth

The papa was a bit far away but I enjoyed the day, I could see the papa, after we went to museum and our guide Dina was amazing and full of knowledge

Viviane_MMar 24, 2023VIATOR

Great!

Grate tour, unforgetable experience. It’s a must to visit the Vatican while visiting the city of Rome.

tobeyc2023Feb 7, 2023TRIPADVISOR

Excellent!

A once in a lifetime experience! We saw Pope Francis! After the audience we did tour of the Vatican, the guide Paola was very knowledgeable. This museum is so huge, i don't know what we would have done without a guide..

AnnaMast88Feb 6, 2023TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Customers have a mandatory meeting time stated 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time due to managing and organizational reasons.If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund. A dress code is required to enter places of worship and Vatican Museum. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. 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 The Vatican Museum entrance management does not distribute individual tickets to groups. In case of late arrivals, or persons who only want a tickets, we are not able to give you only admission tickets. Children must be accompanied by an adult Seats during the audience cannot be guaranteed as it is a public event We inform you that the papal audience ticket is totally free, so, in the event that the Papal audience does not take place for reasons not dependent on our will, a partial refund for the on-site assistance service we will be guaranteed. All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check.Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events. Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events. Cancellations, changes or issues due to weather, security and events held by the monument are beyond our control and are directly decided by their administration team. These issues will be reviewed by us and dealt with on an individual basis but are the responsibility of the monument. You must have a valid photo ID to enter the monuments (student's ID, Driver License, Passport or State ID all work.) You will be asked to also provide your name, last name and date of birth (at the beginning of the tour, if not provided beforehand.) Security may prevent you from entering the site if the information provided is not accurate and/or don't match the one on your ID. Child discount is applied only with a valid ID card Note: tour will not operate on religious holidays Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Please be aware that large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the monument. For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened. To facilitate the security checks please insert any object (including mobile phone) in the bag/backpack or in the tray to be included in the X-ray No change on a booking can be accepted after 24hrs to the starting time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued. For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund. Pets are not allowed
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