Small Group Vatican Museums Tour & Sistine Chapel - Max 10 people | 3 hours

836 Reviews | Rome
From $89.95 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (18-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Youth (7-17) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Child (0-6) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Schedule
2 Adults x $92.95
$185.90
Approx Total
$185.90
Duration: 3 hours

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Admire Raphael Rooms and its Famous School of Athens
  • Access to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
  • Semi-Private Small Group of Maximum 10 People!
  • A Professional, English-speaking Guide
  • Skip-the-line Entry & Visit to the St. Peter's Church
  • Skip the Line Direct Access to the Vatican Museums, Pio-Clementino Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra
  • Hotel Pick Up / Drop Off
  • Food & Beverages
  • Gratuities

Overview

Get ready for an exclusive and unforgettable experience at the Vatican! Our direct-access tour allows you to beat the crowds and discover the wonders of the Holy See in peace. With both early morning and afternoon start times, you'll be sure to be able to squeeze in a visit tot he Vatican state! With the help of our expert local guide and an extra small group of maximum 10 travellers, you’ll enjoy priority access to the Vatican Museums jumping right past the ticketing line. This means you'll get an up-close and personal view of the stunning art and architecture of the Vatican Galleries, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica without having to push through the masses. Trust us, you won't regret starting your day off with this tranquil and awe-inspiring adventure!

Meeting points

Please arrive 10 minutes early. Your guide will meet you between Tmark Hotel Vaticano and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign reading “The Tour Guy.” 

End point

Open in Google Maps

The tour will end at St. Peter's Basilica (except on Wednesdays when we finish inside the Vatican Museums).

Itinerary

  • Vatican City

    Meet your guide and semi private group of maximum 10 participants, at a selected location in Vatican City (see voucher) from where your tour will start.

    5 minutes

  • Sphere within a Sphere

    Before entering the extensive halls of the Vatican Museums, join your guide on a walk through the stunning Pinecone Courtyard. Here you'll have a chance to marvel at Arnaldo Pomodoro's famous ''Sphere within a Sphere''

    5 minutes

  • Vatican Museums

    Highlights of the Vatican Museums Experience the best galleries at the Vatican with your expert guide, visiting the Candelabra, Tapestries, and Maps galleries. Admire ancient Roman and Greek statues, Flemish tapestries, and spectacular topographical maps commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. Your guide will reveal the stories behind these treasures as Vatican secrets are unveiled to you. See Raphael's famous fresco, The School of Athens, and other masterpieces in multiple rooms inside the Vatican Museums. Raphael Rooms Experience the grandeur of the Renaissance with a visit to the Raphael Rooms inside the Vatican Museums. As one of the most iconic artists of the era, Raphael's frescoes are a must-see for any art enthusiast. Explore multiple rooms adorned with stunning artworks. And don't miss the chance to marvel at The School of Athens, one of Raphael's most renowned masterpieces that depicts some of history's greatest thinkers in a grand architectural setting.

    1 hour 30 minutes

  • Sistine Chapel

    Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's Last Judgement Prepare to be wowed as you visit the Sistine Chapel - a top attraction in Vatican City. Arriving early gives you the chance to admire Michelangelo's incredible artwork without the crowds. As a sacred space, silence is required, but your guide will provide you with a guide and a pre-visit explanation of what you're about to see. Inside, you'll be mesmerized by the sheer number of figures painted by Michelangelo - over 600! This masterpiece is not only a testament to his talent but also serves as a gathering place for cardinals of the Catholic Church. Please note: The Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, so visitors are required to have their knees and shoulders covered when inside. Failure to do so will result in refused entry to a portion of the Vatican tour. During Rome’s hot summer months, consider bringing a shawl or sweater for covering yourself when necessary.

    15 minutes

  • St. Peter's Basilica

    St. Peter's Basilica - (Except on Wednesdays!) The last stop of your tour brings you to St. Peter's Basilica. Accompanied by your guide, you'll enter through a dedicated corridor for groups, granting swift access to the basilica skipping the long queues that often appear on the square. Inside, you'll have the opportunity to witness the Vatican's most esteemed church, believed to house the remains of St. Peter himself. Your guide will introduce you to the cathedral before you enter to explore on your own, allowing you all the time you need to take in the beauty of this religious site. Admire the architecture and art, including Michelangelo's La Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino, and bask in the peaceful atmosphere of this spiritual sanctuary. Please note that St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays for the Papal Audience and can occasionally experience other unexpected closures. If this happens, your guide will make up the time at other areas within the Vatican.

    45 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • A specific dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. 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.
  • A fair amount of walking is involved, and there will be stairs between different levels. We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
  • Mandatory: Everyone is required to carry a copy of the identification page of their passports on all tours. A photo of the first page of your passport saved on your smartphone works as well.
  • Please contact The Tour Guy to book a wheelchair accessible tour

Free Cancellation

February 05100% refund
February 06No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.6

836 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    666
  • 4 stars
    100
  • 3 stars
    32
  • 2 stars
    18
  • 1 star
    20

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 666 reviews with 5 stars

Probably the best way to tour the vatican

Published on Oct, 2024

This tour was well worth the price. "Skip-the-line" really saves time and it was even better that that we were in the first group of the day. There were still a lot of people inside, especially in the Sistine Chapel, but if we had come in later it would have been wall-to-wall and hard to see anything, judging by the very long lines outside. Our tour guide was great (unfortunately I have forgotten her name) and hit the museum highlights well. This was in October, so I think this tour would be even more essential during the "high season" summer months.

Worth Every Penny

Published on Oct, 2024

Sara was an amazing guide and had a few good stories to share with us. Suggest doing Skip The Line as early as you can. The lines get longer, though out the day. We went at 8am and were glad we did. We loved it.

Loved Sara

Published on Oct, 2024

Sara was very knowledgeable and engaged with the group. The museum was very educational and she provided background as well. It was as taxing as advertised—lots of steps. Too many groups competing for space

Perfect tour of Vatican City!

Published on Sep, 2024

Our tour guide (Sarah) was fun, incredibly knowledgeable and an expert at avoiding long lines! Her historical knowledge and her knowledge of all the different things to see in the short time that we had was much appreciated.

Amazing tour

Published on Sep, 2024

Sara provided us with a wonderful tour. She showed us the highlights & told us much about the history of the paintings & sculptures. I especially liked having about 20 minutes to admire the Sistine Chapel. We would definitely book this tour again.

Personalize Your Destination Experience
Italy

Italy

9497 tours

View
Compare Similar Experiences

Current

Small Group Vatican Museums Tour & Sisti ...
24338P1
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
836
From
$90 /   Person
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Pet ...
3731VATICAN
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
35,389
From
$84 /   Person
Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, ...
Skip The Line
120123P3
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
9,471
From
$52 /   Person
Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & ...
Skip The Line
7559P6
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
5,019
From
$84 /   Person
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Skip the ...
21175P39
time

2 hours

time Non Refundable
2,633
From
$48 /   Person
Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Cl ...
55341P19
time

1 hour 45 minutes

time Free Cancellation
2,050
From
$57 /   Person
Rome: VIP Vatican Breakfast with Guided ...
3731VATICANBREAKFAST
time

3 hours

time Non Refundable
1,694
From
$116 /   Person
Rome: Guided Tour of St Peter’s Basili ...
Likely To Sell Out
5660STPETERS
time

2 hours to 3 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,650
From
$42 /   Person
Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation ...
3731POPE
time

3 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
1,593
From
$33 /   Person
Rome: Complete Early Morning Vatican Tou ...
Likely To Sell Out
7559P9
time

3 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
1,581
From
$116 /   Person
Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine C ...
Special Offer
6700P14
time

2 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
1,220
From
$52 /   Person
Rome by Night-Ebike tour with Food and W ...
70314P14
time

4 hours

time Free Cancellation
1,040
From
$68 /   Person
Sistine Chapel First Entry Experience wi ...
Skip The Line
3731SISTINE
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
1,033
From
$116 /   Person
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Pet ...
3731VATICAN
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
35,389
From
$84 /   Person
Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatin ...
3731COLOSSEUM
time

3 hours

time Partially Refundable
21,719
From
$25 /   Person
Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, ...
Skip The Line
120123P3
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
9,471
From
$52 /   Person
Vatican Tour with Museums, Sistine Chape ...
3058VATICAN
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
8,713
From
$80 /   Person
Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palati ...
15932P15
time

3 hours

time Partially Refundable
6,506
From
$41 /   Person
Pompeii Day Trip from Rome with Mount Ve ...
3731VESUVIUS
time

13 hours

time Free Cancellation
5,748
From
$116 /   Person
City Sightseeing Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus ...
6980ROME
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
5,328
From
$20 /   Person
Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & ...
Skip The Line
7559P6
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
5,019
From
$84 /   Person
Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR ...
55341P7
time

3 hours

time Partially Refundable
4,660
From
$41 /   Person
Rome: Colosseum with Arena and Ancient R ...
21175P67
time

2 hours 30 minutes

time Partially Refundable
4,607
From
$21 /   Person
From Rome: Best of Tuscany Day Trip with ...
3731TUSCANY
time

12 hours

time Free Cancellation
4,561
From
$100 /   Person
The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs ...
3731CRYPTS
time

3 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
4,289
From
$68 /   Person
Connect with TravelOne
travelone
Louise Berg
Destination Expert
Plan your Next Trip
TravelOne Subscribe
We organise unforgettable vacations.
Subscribe for trending deals.
© Copyright 2025 TravelOne Technologies Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
Visa Card Mastercard Maestro Amex Discover

TravelOne uses cookies to give you the best possible service. If you continue browsing, you agree to the use of cookies. More details can be found in our privacy policy.