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Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica

184 Reviews 4.92 out of 5 stars Based on 184 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 99% of reviewers
99% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Rome, Italy
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from US$137.13 per person

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2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Overview

Start your day with first access to the Vatican Museums—no waiting in line, no crowds. Join a small group tour with a knowledgeable, English-speaking guide and explore the Vatican’s most iconic masterpieces before the rush begins. Choose between two group sizes—intimate (up to 10 guests) or group (up to 20 guests)—for the experience that suits you best.

Your expert guide will lead you through the galleries with engaging stories and insights, revealing the legends, symbolism, and history behind the treasures of the Museums.

At the tour’s grand finale, step into the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel and witness Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment.

Now ALWAYS included: skip-the-line access from the Vatican Museums directly into St. Peter’s Basilica. While this access does not include a guided tour, it allows you to bypass the long lines and enter the Basilica at your own pace.

What's Included

  • Headsets
  • Skip the Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica from the Vatican Museums
  • Skip the Line Entrance Tickets to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick up & Drop off
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What To Expect

Vatican Museums

Visit the Vatican Museums with fast entry, in the first available access of the day.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cortile della Pigna

This courtyard gets its name from the enormous bronze Pinecone sculpture that dominates it. Don't miss Alfredo Pomodoro's famous Sphere within Sphere while you are here. Ask your guide to give it a spin for you!
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sphere within a Sphere (Pass By)

Don't miss Arnaldo Pomodoro's Sphere within a Sphere. Variations of this sculpture can be found in many settings around the world. Ask your guide to give it a spin for you!
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Museo Pio Clementino

The most famous wing of the Vatican Museums, the Pio Clementino museum contains much of the Museum's most important highlights. Your guide will take you through the Room of the Animals, where you can spot the life-like statues of fauna from around the world. Head to the Octagonal Courtyard where a small fountain trickles in the background of famous statues like the Laocoonte and Apollo Belvedere. Don't forget to look at the Candelabra Gallery - master painters decorated these ceilings to create the illusion of a 3D effect centuries ago!
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Gallery Of The Maps

Head with your guide to the Gallery of the Maps and get a perspective of the world how it was five centuries ago. These exquisitely detailed, hand-painted giant maps are a favorite of the Vatican Museums. See if you can find the Italian cities you have visited, or spot the nod to Christopher Columbus' journey to the Americas.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Stanze di Raffaello

Raphael painted these rooms with incredible frescoes, originally meant for the private rooms of Pope Julius II.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sistine Chapel

No guides are able to speak inside the Sistine Chapel. However, your guide will prepare you in advance for your free time inside so you'll know what to look for.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Museos Vaticanos (Pass By)

Your visit ends close to where it began, after the spiral staircase at the entrance to the Vatican Museums.
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Vatican City (Pass By)

Visit to Vatican Museums - Vatican City
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St. Peter's Square

When option is selected, access is provided to St Peter's Basilica, skipping the lines. A tour is not provided inside the Basilica, only access. Your visit will end at the steps of St. Peter's Square with an introduction made by your guide after which you will be on your own to continue exploring.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St. Peter's Basilica

Only for options that explicitly include St. Peter's Basilica: Your tour will include access to St. Peter's Basilica through a special exit from the Sistine Chapel, allowing you to bypass the usual long entry lines. Please note that this access does not include a guided tour inside the Basilica.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A 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.
  • Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
  • Guests with a certified disability of over 75% are entitled to free entrance to the Vatican and do not require a ticket. For guests who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended to a companion.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

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

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Activity code: C-6700P25

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.92
184 reviews

Average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 184 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
174
4 stars
8
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
1

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Frequently Asked Questions (6)

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Headsets.
  • Skip the Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica from the Vatican Museums.
  • Skip the Line Entrance Tickets to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
  • English Speaking Vatican Guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
  • Hotel Pick up & Drop off.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Headsets
  • Skip the Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica from the Vatican Museums
  • Skip the Line Entrance Tickets to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
  • English Speaking Vatican Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick up & 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
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
  • Children 6 and under are entitled to free access to the Vatican Museums (with proof of age)
  • Children aged 7-18 are entitled to a reduced entry fee (see tour and ticket pricing) and must provide proof of age.
  • Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • A 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.
  • Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
  • Guests with a certified disability of over 75% are entitled to free entrance to the Vatican and do not require a ticket. For guests who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended to a companion.
  • Please include all names as they appear on your passports when booking. Tickets are non-transferable and if the names on your booking do not match your ID you may be denied access and will not be due a refund. Any name changes must be communicated at least 72 hours in advance.
  • Please bring an ID or a photo/copy of ID.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Lowest Price Guarantee

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

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Receive your refund

If everything checks out, we'll refund you the price difference.

Refund Terms & Conditions

The following conditions apply to all lowest price guarantee refund requests:

  • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
  • The lowest price guarantee covers retail and prepaid rates available to the general public. This does not include discounts or promotions you may receive (or be eligible for) from third-party sites or organizations such as AAA or AARP or special offers made as part of a membership program, corporate discount, daily deal, group, or rewards program.
  • City Boat Tours promotions cannot be combined with the lowest price guarantee.
  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on City Boat Tours and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
  • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
  • City Boat Tours reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
  • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of City Boat Tours.

Free Cancellation

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

100% refund
No refund

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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