Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group
3,263 Reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars Based on 3,263 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor
|
Recommended by 97% of reviewers
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Rome, Italy
3 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
Enjoy a semi-private Vatican tour with a maximum of six guests. With your expert guide and skip-the-line tickets, explore the Vatican Museums, experience the wonders of the Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard and the Belvedere Torso.
Admire Constantine’s coffins and unique sculptures while learning about Church history, the Popes, and the artworks.
After this, it’s time to head over to see one of the stars of the tour – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Admire the 8,000 square feet of this masterpiece standing in its center surrounded by paintings. After the Chapel and all its glory, your tour guide will take you towards your final stop, St. Peter’s Basilica* where you will enjoy exclusive access to the most immense and ornate Catholic church in the world. Visit one of the most stunning pieces of art in the basilica, Michelangelo’s statue of the Pietà, depicting the Virgin Mary holding her dying child in her arms.
What's Included
- Private Option available!
- Gallery of Tapestries
- Sistine Chapel
- Raphael Rooms*
- Tour in a Safe and Semi Private group of 6 people
- Berninis bronze alter canopy
- Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard
- Michelangelos ceiling & Last Judgement
- The School of Athens painting
- St Peters Basilica*
- Gallery of Maps
- Belvedere Torso
- St Peters square
- The round room
- Constantine coffins
- Reserved Vatican entrance tickets
- Professional, Local, Expert Guide
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting Location
Meeting point
Viale Vaticano
00192 Roma RM, Italy
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 Museums
Discover some of the most famous paintings and sculptures from western civilization and listen to amusing anecdotes about the former popes and artists represented in the museums. With a small-group tour of maximum of 6 people, or in your very own private tour, easily manoeuvre through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace.
After a view of the terrace over the Vatican gardens, make your way across the beautiful early Renaissance courtyard to admire Hadrian's Pinecone, and then to the modern art piece of Arnaldo Pomodoro. You will then head to the magnificent Octagonal Courtyard which is one of the most remarkable collections of Roman and Greek artefacts. Admire the famous Belvedere Torso, learn about the mystery of the Laocoön Priest of Troy, and visit the Muses Room. Walk through the beautiful galleries to admire an abundance of candelabra, tapestries, and maps. Then head to the Julius II apartments and see the grandeur and the magnificent details of the Raphael Rooms.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Sistine Chapel
Next, learn of Michelangelo's masterpiece from your guide before you enter through a tiny door to admire the majestic Sistine Chapel. Take in its grandeur in contemplative silence as you admire this 8,000 square foot wonder.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
St. Peter's Basilica
Your comprehensive Vatican tour concludes with VIP entrance directly into St. Peter’s Basilica without standing in the long lines. Walking through the Basilica, you will learn all about the secrets of the magnificent and ornate decorations, sculptures, altars and chapels. Visit Michelangelo’s Pieta and walk down the main nave to admire the dome he designed that sits on top of the largest Catholic church in the world.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- *St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, your guide will provide a revised itinerary including more of the Vatican Museums. No compensation is granted in these circumstances.
- *Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed on most Wednesdays mornings due to the weekly Papal Audience. If you book this tour for a Wednesday the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended.
- Important Notice Jubilee Year 2025: As part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, from December 24th, 2024 to January 6th, 2026, St. Peter’s Basilica may experience unexpected partial or complete closures. In the rare event that the Basilica cannot be visited, rest assured that your tour experience will remain exceptional. Your guide will seamlessly adapt the itinerary to include alternative highlights, ensuring the full duration and quality of your tour. Please note that, in accordance with our Terms & Conditions agreed upon at the time of booking, partial or full refunds cannot be issued due to Basilica closures.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- There is no photography allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.
- Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during your visit inside is strictly forbidden, therefore your guide will give you an explanation of the Sistine Chapel beforehand during your tour, in order to give you a comprehensive explanation before entering the chapel.
- Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
- Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. In order to ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour.
- Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
- IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
- *Access to the Raphael Rooms is contingent upon crowd conditions, timing constraints, and guard-regulated routes. Including them may not always be feasible. In these cases, your tour guide will exercise discretion to adjust the itinerary, ensuring a high-quality experience
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-6718P18
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.88
3,263 reviews
Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 3,261 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
5 stars
3,027
4 stars
144
3 stars
50
2 stars
13
1 star
27
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
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 Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group?
A:Apr 2025
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).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Private Option available!.
- Gallery of Tapestries.
- Sistine Chapel.
- Raphael Rooms*.
- Tour in a Safe and Semi Private group of 6 people.
- Berninis bronze alter canopy.
- Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard.
- Michelangelos ceiling & Last Judgement.
- The School of Athens painting.
- St Peters Basilica*.
- Gallery of Maps.
- Belvedere Torso.
- St Peters square.
- The round room.
- Constantine coffins.
- Reserved Vatican entrance tickets.
- Professional, Local, Expert Guide.
The following is NOT included:
- Food and drinks.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Gratuities.
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:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group 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 2024What's Included
- Private Option available!
- Gallery of Tapestries
- Sistine Chapel
- Raphael Rooms*
- Tour in a Safe and Semi Private group of 6 people
- Berninis bronze alter canopy
- Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard
- Michelangelos ceiling & Last Judgement
- The School of Athens painting
- St Peters Basilica*
- Gallery of Maps
- Belvedere Torso
- St Peters square
- The round room
- Constantine coffins
- Reserved Vatican entrance tickets
- Professional, Local, Expert Guide
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- *St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, your guide will provide a revised itinerary including more of the Vatican Museums. No compensation is granted in these circumstances.
- *Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed on most Wednesdays mornings due to the weekly Papal Audience. If you book this tour for a Wednesday the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended.
- Important Notice Jubilee Year 2025: As part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, from December 24th, 2024 to January 6th, 2026, St. Peter’s Basilica may experience unexpected partial or complete closures. In the rare event that the Basilica cannot be visited, rest assured that your tour experience will remain exceptional. Your guide will seamlessly adapt the itinerary to include alternative highlights, ensuring the full duration and quality of your tour. Please note that, in accordance with our Terms & Conditions agreed upon at the time of booking, partial or full refunds cannot be issued due to Basilica closures.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- There is no photography allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.
- Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during your visit inside is strictly forbidden, therefore your guide will give you an explanation of the Sistine Chapel beforehand during your tour, in order to give you a comprehensive explanation before entering the chapel.
- Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
- Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. In order to ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour.
- Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
- IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
- *Access to the Raphael Rooms is contingent upon crowd conditions, timing constraints, and guard-regulated routes. Including them may not always be feasible. In these cases, your tour guide will exercise discretion to adjust the itinerary, ensuring a high-quality experience
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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