(800) 814 COOL Questions? Call Us Now!

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

3,179 Reviews 4.70 out of 5 stars Based on 3,179 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 94% of reviewers | Rome, Italy

Loading Options

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Embark on an enchanting journey through the Vatican with our expert guide, immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. Let the rich history and stunning artwork come alive as your guide leads you through the labyrinthine halls, providing fascinating insights. Skip the lines to explore captivating spaces like the Gallery of the Maps. Stand in the iconic Sistine Chapel, captivated by the masterpiece 'The Creation of Adam' by Michelangelo. Conclude your unforgettable tour with a visit to the majestic St. Peter's Basilica.

What's Included

  • Reserved Access to the Vatican Museums
  • Group of 20 people or less
  • Skip-the-Line Access to St. Peter’s Basilica [Except for Evening Tour Option]
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
See 3 moreSee 3 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Via Tunisi
00192 Roma RM, Italy

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Piazza San Pietro
00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

What To Expect

Vatican City

Gain exclusive access to the UNESCO-listed Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with this small-group tour of 20 people or less, experience the renowned sites in the best conditions with your expert guide.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vatican Museums

Stroll through rooms like the Gallery of Maps, with its golden, vaulted ceiling and the stunning Sistine Chapel, considered to be the Pope’s home chapel, with Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement. On your early-access tour, you’ll find the galleries to be considerably quieter than they would be later in the day.
Read more

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cortile della Pigna

Nestled within the Vatican Museums, the Pineyard Courtyard is a tranquil oasis exuding timeless elegance. Adorned with lush greenery and surrounded by classic architecture, this courtyard features a striking bronze statue, the Pigna, designed by Donato Bramante. The atmosphere is serene, providing a peaceful respite for visitors. As you stroll through, the sound of rustling leaves accompanies the captivating sight of the Pinecone Courtyard, offering a moment of reflection amid the cultural richness of the Vatican Museums.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sphere within a Sphere

In the heart of the Vatican's Cortile della Pigna stands a notable bronze sculpture: Sfera con sfera (Sphere Within a Sphere) by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. This captivating artwork depicts two fractured orbs resembling intricate machine gears, symbolizing the intricate and fragile nature of the modern world. Pomodoro began creating similar sculptures in the early 1960s, exploring the theme of complexity.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche

Discover the Vatican Museums' Gallery of Maps on your tour: an enchanting showcase of detailed cartography spanning centuries. Immerse yourself in history with vibrant maps, capturing the beauty of geography and artistry.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most renowned cultural and artistic landmarks in the world. Built in the late 15th century during the papacy of Pope Sixtus IV, it serves as the official chapel of the Apostolic Palace and the site of papal conclaves, where new popes are elected.Its greatest significance lies in its breathtaking frescoes, particularly the ceiling and The Last Judgment, both painted by Michelangelo in the 16th century. The ceiling, completed between 1508 and 1512, depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the iconic Creation of Adam. The Last Judgment, painted on the altar wall between 1536 and 1541, illustrates the Second Coming of Christ.Beyond its artistic and religious importance, the Sistine Chapel remains a symbol of Renaissance humanism, divine inspiration, and the Catholic Church’s enduring influence in art and culture.
Read more

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica

At last, your guide will escort you into St. Peter’s Basilica, bypassing long lines of spectators, to provide an overview of this spectacular church. At the end of the tour, you can remain in St. Peter’s Basilica at your leisure, or you may return outside to St. Peter’s Square to admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion and the basilica’s heavenly façade.
Read more

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Square, an iconic masterpiece in Rome, embraces visitors with its grandeur. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the vast elliptical space is encircled by a majestic colonnade, symbolizing the Church's embrace. The central obelisk and fountains add splendor, while the stunning façade of St. Peter's Basilica stands as a beacon of architectural brilliance, inviting pilgrims and tourists alike to marvel at the heart of Vatican City. The most fantastic way to finish your Vatican tour experience!
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 6 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Saint Peter’s Basilica is subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we're happy to offer customers an extended tour of the Vatican Museums. While we endeavour to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica's opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
  • On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audiences, access to St Peter's Basilica is not possible until 1pm
  • Please note all participant names and date of birth are required at the time of booking in order to join this tour. If we do not receive this information, we will cancel the booking. Every customer is required to carry a valid ID that matches the name on the ticket, or an entry will be refused. Name changes are not permitted once the booking is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-3731VATICAN_SMALL

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.70
3,179 reviews

Average 4.70 out of 5 stars based on 3,179 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
2,534
4 stars
455
3 stars
106
2 stars
49
1 star
35

Loading Options

Similar Tours & Activities

Exclusive Private Tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Basilica

Exclusive Private Tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Basilica

New To The Site!
 3 hours  Instant Confirmation
from
$260.93

Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour
Likely to Sell Out

Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour

1
 3 hours  Instant Confirmation
from
$46.68

Assisi from Rome - Private Tour

Assisi from Rome - Private Tour

New To The Site!
 10 hours  Hotel pickup offered  Free Cancellation
from
$546.95

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of the Sistine Chapel
Likely to Sell Out

Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of the Sistine Chapel

 3 to 4 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$106.52

Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica
Likely to Sell Out

Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica

 2 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$66.19

Pasta Cooking Class in Rome - Fettuccine Class in Piazza Navona
Likely to Sell Out

Pasta Cooking Class in Rome - Fettuccine Class in Piazza Navona

 2 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$62.24

Best of Rome Walking Tour including Trevi Fountain
Likely to Sell Out

Best of Rome Walking Tour including Trevi Fountain

 90 to 120 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$4.06

What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Reserved Access to the Vatican Museums
  • Group of 20 people or less
  • Skip-the-Line Access to St. Peter’s Basilica [Except for Evening Tour Option]
  • Access to the Sistine Chapel
  • All entrance & reservation fees
  • Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women to enter to the venues
  • Only small bags are allowed in the venue
  • Saint Peter’s Basilica is subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we're happy to offer customers an extended tour of the Vatican Museums. While we endeavour to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica's opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
  • On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audiences, access to St Peter's Basilica is not possible until 1pm
  • Please note all participant names and date of birth are required at the time of booking in order to join this tour. If we do not receive this information, we will cancel the booking. Every customer is required to carry a valid ID that matches the name on the ticket, or an entry will be refused. Name changes are not permitted once the booking is confirmed.
  • Please be advised that this tour option is non-refundable, with no cancellations or date changes allowed due to pre-purchased tickets. It is mandatory to bring a valid ID or Passport for security checks, and entry will not be granted without proper documentation.
  • The Evening Tour option does not include the access to St Peter's Basilica and consists of a 2-hour guided tour of the Vatican Museums.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Language & Country

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Non-refundable

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Sorting, ranking, and search results

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

City Boat Tours wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through City Boat Tours over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.