Small Group Vatican Museums Tour & Sistine Chapel

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

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

June 09100% refund

June 10No 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.

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

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

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.

Compare Similar Experiences

Current

Small Group Vatican Museums Tour & Sisti ...

3 hours

Free Cancellation

836

From
$90 / Person

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Skip the ...

2 hours

Non Refundable

2,633

From
$48 / Person

2 hours 30 minutes

Non Refundable

3,155

From
$59 / Person

Early Morning Vatican, Sistine, St. Pete ...

Special Offer

3 hours 30 minutes

Free Cancellation

3,109

From
$158 / Person

Rome Trastevere Food Tour at Twilight

4 hours

Free Cancellation

3,020

From
$147 / Person

Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Cha ...

Special Offer

3 hours

Free Cancellation

2,973

From
$138 / Person

Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel with St. ...

Likely To Sell Out

3 hours

Free Cancellation

2,887

From
$48 / Person

What type of experiences do you seek while traveling?

Air & Water-Powered Thrill Rides

Airboat Tours Flyboarding Jet Boat Rentals Jetpacks

Climbing & Vertical Challenges

Caving Climbing Ice Climbing Rock Climbing Sea Caving

High-Adrenaline Aerial Adventures

Air Tours Hang Gliding Heli-Hiking Helicopter Tours Helicopter Transfers Paragliding Parasailing Skydiving Ziplining

Land-Based Extreme Driving

4WD Tours ATV Tours Buggy Rentals Dune Bashing Go Kart Hummer Tours Motor Sports Motorcycle Tours Off-Road Tours Performance Car Driving Road Trip Vespa Rentals

Sand & Desert Adventures

Camel Rides Sandboarding

Snow & Ice Adventures

Dog Sledding/Mushing Husky Dog Tours Ice Fishing Ice Skating Snowboarding Snowmobiling Snowshoeing

Unique & Unconventional Challenges

Bungee Jumping Escape Rooms Flight Simulator Fun & Games Scavenger Hunts Shooting Shooting Ranges Tubing Zorbing

Water & Surf Sports

Freediving Kitesurfing Rafting Scuba Diving Surfing Lessons Wakeboarding Waterskiing White Water Rafting

Classic & Scenic Cruises

Canal Cruises Catamaran Cruises Dhow Cruises Gondola Cruises Sightseeing Cruises Water Tours

Multi-Day & Extended Water Journeys

Multi-day Cruises Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Worry-Free Shore Excursion

Private & Adventure Boating

Boat Rentals Power Boats Sailing

Themed & Specialized Cruises

Dinner Cruises Night Cruises Submarine Tours

Unique & Alternative Water Travel

Duck Boat Tours Ferry Services Pack Animal Tours Water Equipment Rentals Water Parks Water Transfers

Cycling & Eco-Friendly Transport

Bike Rentals Bike Tours Cycling Cycling Classes E-Bike Tours

Land-Based Exploration

Hiking Tours Nature Walks Self-guided Tours Walking Tours

Nature & Wildlife Conservation

Eco Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching

Protected Natural Areas

Involves Animals Involves Poverty Stricken Communities National Parks Nature Parks

Sustainable & Responsible Travel

Sustainable Tours Volunteer Tours

Culinary Classes and Workshops

Candy Making Classes Chocolate Tours Cocktail Tastings Mixology Classes Olive Oil Tasting Paella Making Classes Pasta Making Classes Pizza Making Classes Wine Making Workshops

Dining Experiences and Meals

Breakfast Brunch Dinner Dinner and Show Tickets Lunch Restaurants

Food & Beverage Tours

Beer & Brewery Tours Chocolate Tours Coffee & Tea Tours Culinary Tours Pastry Tours Sake Brewery Tour Sake Tasting Street Food Tours Taco Tours Wine Tours

Food Tastings and Sampling

Cocktail Tastings High Tea Olive Oil Tasting Sake Tasting Wine Tastings

Food-Related Cruises

Brunch Cruises Coffee Cruises Dinner Cruises Lunch Cruises

Specialized Food Events

Dining Experiences Dinner and Show Tickets

Thematic Food Events & Experiences

Donut Walking Tour Markets

Classic & General History Tours

Archaeology Tours Architecture Tours City Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours

Historical Landmarks & Sites

Ancient Ruins Castles Tours Monuments and Memorials Religious Sites

Industrial & Commercial History

Factory Tours Plantation Tours

Literature, TV & Film-Based Tours

Game of Thrones Tours Harry Potter Tours Literary Tours TV Tours

Museum & Cultural Institutions

Attractions & Museums Museum Tickets & Passes Museums Planetariums

Mystery & Dark History Tours

Crime Tours Ghost Tours Underground Tours

Observation & Structural History

Classic Car Tours Observation Decks Skyscrapers & Towers

Art & Creative Workshops

Art Classes Craft Classes Painting Classes Photography Tours Pottery Classes

City Exploration

Hop on Hop Off Buses Trolley Tours Tuk Tuk Tours

Cultural & Heritage Experiences

Costume Dress Up Experiences Cultural Tours Culture Fashion Shows Fashion Tours Lantern Festival

Dance & Music Participation

Dance Lessons Dance Shows

Historical & Traditional Skills

Archery Classes Swordsmanship Classes

Language & Cultural Learning

Language Classes Spanish Lessons

Performing Arts & Live Shows

Acoustic Concerts Ballet Tickets Ballroom Dance Shows Belly Dance Shows Broadway Shows Cirque du Soleil Shows Classical Concerts Classical Music Flamenco Performance Live Concerts Musicals Opera Performances Sufi Whirling Shows Tango Dance Shows Theater Shows Traditional Dance Performances

Exclusive & VIP Experiences

Once in a Lifetime Experiences Private and Luxury Viator Exclusive Tours Viator Experience Award 2022 Viator Experience Award 2023 Viator Experience Award 2024 Viator VIP Tours

Private & Personalized Travel

Private Day Trips Private Drivers Private Sightseeing Tours

Romantic & Scenic Experiences

Helicopter Tours Limousine Tours Luxury Car Tours Photo Shoots Romantic Tours Sunset Cruises

Weddings & Special Celebrations

Photo Shoots Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Packages Weddings & Celebrations

Adventure & Sports in Nature

Horseback Riding Mountain Bike Rentals Mountain Bike Tours Sandboarding

Boating & Cruises

Glass Bottom Boat Tours Gondola Cruises Sailing

Camping & Outdoor Stays

Camping Honeymoon Packages

Fishing & Marine Experiences

Eco Tours Fishing Charters

Hiking & Exploration

Glacier Walks Hiking Tours National Parks Natural Attractions Nature Parks Nature Walks Outback Tours Parks

Paddle & Active Water Sports

Jet Ski Rentals Kayaking Tours Stand Up Paddleboarding

Sky & Aerial Nature Experiences

Hot Air Balloon Rides Northern Lights

Underwater Exploration

Scuba Diving Shark Diving Snorkeling Swim with Dolphins

Wildlife Observation & Encounters

Aquariums Bird Watching Dolphin Watching Safaris Shark Diving Swim with Dolphins Whale Watching Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching Zoos & Wildlife Parks

Dance & Cultural Party Experiences

Disco Dance Shows Luaus Samba Dance Shows

Festivals & Seasonal Celebrations

Carnival Christmas Festivals Halloween Mardi Gras Oktoberfest Packages & Special Events

Live Music & Performances

Concerts Jazz Shows Live Concerts Music Tours Musical Shows Opera Performances R&B/Soul Concerts Rap & Hip-Hop Concerts Samba Dance Shows Theater Shows

Nightlife & Entertainment

Adults-only Shows Bar Tours Burlesque Shows Cabaret Casino Tours Comedy Shows Night Cruises Night Tours Nightlife Pub Tours

Spectacle & Family-Friendly Entertainment

Children’s Shows & Concerts Circus Shows Family-friendly Shows Fireworks Shows Shows

Unique & Themed Experiences

LGBT Friendly Tours Street Art Tour Theme Parks Universal Theme Parks

Travel by Season

Autumn / Fall Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Winter Sports

Healing & Wellness Experiences

Spas Thermal Spas & Hot Springs Yoga Classes

Immersive Spiritual Experiences

Light & Sound Shows

Sacred & Religious Sites

Religious Sites Religious Tours

Spiritual & Cultural Rituals

Easter Lunar New Year Sufi Whirling Shows

Traditional & Cultural Bathing Practices

Arab Baths Hammams & Turkish Baths Onsens

Ball Sports

Golf Tours & Tee Times Lacrosse Classes Softball Classes Tennis

Combat & Tactical Sports

Martial Arts Classes Paintball

Extreme & Challenge-Based Sports

Obstacle Courses

Spectator Sports & Events

Baseball Tickets Horse Racing Rugby Soccer Sporting Event Tickets & Passes

Sports Training & Lessons

Cycling Cycling Classes Sports Lessons

Winter Sports

Skiing Skiing Classes

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

Inclusions / Exclusions

Overview

Meeting points

End point

Open in Google Maps

Itinerary

Vatican City

Sphere within a Sphere

Vatican Museums

Sistine Chapel

St. Peter's Basilica

Sample Menu

Additional Info

Free Cancellation

What type of experiences do you seek while traveling?

Next Submit Prev RESET

Italy

View Reset

Current

Small Group Vatican Museums Tour & Sisti ...

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Skip the ...

Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Cl ...

Rome: VIP Vatican Breakfast with Guided ...

Rome: Guided Tour of St Peter’s Basili ...

Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation ...

Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine C ...

Rome by Night-Ebike tour with Food and W ...

Sistine Chapel First Entry Experience wi ...

Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of ...

Skip-the-line Vatican Tour with Sistine ...

Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & ...

Private Vatican Museums Tour with Sistin ...

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatin ...

Vatican Tour with Museums, Sistine Chape ...

City Sightseeing Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus ...

Rome: Colosseum with Arena and Ancient R ...

From Rome: Best of Tuscany Day Trip with ...

The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs ...

Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, B ...

Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum ...

Early Morning Vatican, Sistine, St. Pete ...

Rome Trastevere Food Tour at Twilight

Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Cha ...

Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel with St. ...

Little Italy and North Beach Walking Tou ...

Do you have a destination in mind, or would you like TravelOne AI to suggest one?

What is your destination?

Are you visiting Japan for the first time?

Travel Date

What is your general interest for this trip?

City Breakup

Travelers Details

Accommodation Preferences

Preferred Star Rating?

Property Preference?

Property Location?

Preferred Hotel Chain?

Meal At The Hotel?

Dining Preferences

Which meal package would you like to choose?

What are your meal preferences?

Dining Style Preferences?

Cuisine Preferences?

Dining Atmosphere Preferences?

Preferred Meal Times?

Transportation

What are your preferences for Arrival/Departure Airport Transfers?

What are your preferences for internal transfers?

Guide Support

What kind of guide support do you prefer during your trip?

Preferred Language for Guide?

Preferred Type of Guide?

Group Size for Tours with Guides?

Desired Role of the Guide?

Specific Guide Personality/Style Preference?

Do you need dining recommendations/reservations support from the guide?

Flights Preferences

What are your preferences for onward and return flights?

Cabin Class

RESET