VIP Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
- Explore the Sistine Chapel's masterpieces
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica with a guide
- Learn about Vatican art and history
- Enjoy a small group experience
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums
- Guided tour of Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates rain or shine; please dress appropriately for the weather.
- Photography is allowed in most areas, but flash and tripods are prohibited.
- Large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside the Vatican; consider bringing a small bag or backpack.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves walking and standing for extended periods.
- Bring a valid ID for entry into the Vatican Museums.
- Dress modestly; shoulders and knees should be covered when entering religious sites.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- 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.
- If you purchase a reduced ticket and you are not under 16 years old or a student under 26 years old with a valid STUDENT PHOTO ID, the Vatican will deny your entry and you will not be able to visit the Vatican or join the tour.
- All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check please allow at least 20 minutes to clear security.
- Knees & Shoulders MUST be covered for both men & women.
- Some monuments or areas may be under restoration and subject to last minute closures. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- It is not possible to contact guides when they are inside the Vatican museums, it is the clients responsibility to stay with the guided tour group, if you lose your guide inside the Vatican, there is nothing we can do in this case.
- 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.
- St. Peter's Basilica is subject to last minute closures for religous events, and the Papal audience on some Wednesday and Saturday mornings. In the event that it is closed if you have selected the option to visit St. Peter's Basilica you will have an extended tour of the Vatican museums. The Basilica is free to enter and we do not have any control in the event of these closures it is not possible to provide a refund under these circumstances.
Traveler reviews
Great guide!
Great and knowledgeable guide. Would recommend.
Overall, this was a good...
Overall, this was a good tour and a convenient way to see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Our guide was knowledgeable and provided helpful context and history throughout the tour. The Vatican can be incredibly crowded and overwhelming, so having a guide definitely made it easier to navigate and helped us understand what we were seeing. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a true “VIP” experience, as it still felt busy and somewhat rushed at times, but we enjoyed the tour and were glad we booked it. A solid option if you want a guided experience that covers the major Vatican highlights without having to figure everything out on your own.
Awesome Experience!!
We loved the tour! So much information and history - can’t imagine going without a guide! Our guide Deborah was absolutely amazing - so much energy a d knowledge! Highly recommend!!
Highly recommend Maya Tours
Maya tours is an excellent company. Our tour guide was amazing and extremely knowledgeable, funny and took great care of us.
Amazing Vatican Tour with Christina!
Christina was amazing! As a fellow American, she kept it real, funny, and engaging while still being incredibly informative. Having done a private tour of the Vatican before, I can honestly say this tour gave us the same amount of information, if not more. We especially appreciated how conscious she was of the heat - she could have easily dragged things out or had us standing in the beating sun, but she kept everything moving without sacrificing any of the experience. She was informative, engaging for all ages, and truly made the Vatican enjoyable. We’ve already recommended this tour (and Christina!) to so many people we know!