Sistine Chapel & Vatican Tour Premium - Skip the Line

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Recommended by 96% of reviewers

| Vatican City, Italy

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3 hours (approx.)

Mobile ticket

Overview

Explore the wonders of the Vatican on this skip-the-line private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, guided by a licensed expert. With priority access and your own dedicated guide, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed, personalized experience—without the limitations of a large group.

Admire the intricate beauty of the Gallery of Geographical Maps, a Renaissance marvel of science and art. Step into the famous Raphael Rooms—once the private apartments of Pope Julius II—and take in the brilliance of Raphael’s frescoes with detailed commentary from your guide.

In the Sistine Chapel, learn the fascinating stories behind Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including the ceiling and Last Judgment. Conclude your tour inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church, where you’ll encounter some of the most iconic works of religious art ever created.

What's Included

Private tour
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Professional guide

Gratuities
Transportation to/from tour meeting point
Hotel pickup
Hotel drop-off

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

00120
Vatican City

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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

The tour will end in St. Peter's Basilica

What To Expect

Vatican Museums

One of the largest museums in the world! Visit the Courtyard of the Pinecone, the Pio-Clementine Museums with Apollo of the Belvedere, Lacoon, Torso, Greek Cross Room, Gallery of Candlesticks, Gallery of Tapestries, Gallery of Geographical Maps, Raphael Rooms.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Sistine Chapel

One of the wonders of Art, the private chapel of the Papal Palace fresco pained by Michelangelo!

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica

The largest church in the world! See Michelangelo's "Pietà", and Bernini's "Baldacchino". Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Dome!

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Citta del Vaticano

The City State of the Vatican is the smallest independent sovereign country in the world, though in a certain sense it is also the biggest, for it is indeed everywhere. The smallest State in the world houses the biggest art collection in the world! And the biggest church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica, an amazing creation of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The Basilica soars up 140 meters (420 ft) with its dome into the heavenly skies, and goes deep down into the earth, to the tomb of St. Peter, over which it was built.What is one able to see in one day, given the fact that some have calculated that those who attempted to see everything in the Vatican, would need to stay at least half a year?Well, surely we will see a great number of world renowned masterpieces and historical landmarks. At St. Peter's we will view Bernini's Colonnade; the Altar of Glory; magnificent mosaics; the most ancient bronze statue of St. Peter; the Holy Door; the Canopy which Bernini made with the bronze from the Pantheon; the Confession of St. Peter where his relics are kept; the greatest of Michelangelo's sculptures, the famous Pietà, the only work he ever signed.In the Papal Palaces that house the Vatican Museums, the biggest in the world, we will see paintings by Giotto, Beato Angelico, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and then the collection of classic Greek and Roman art that includes such artifacts of world-wide fame as the Apollo of Belvedere and Laocoon, and the tapestries designed by Raphael, the maps drawn by a cartographer of the 16th century that are so precise, they could be used even today. We shall walk through the apartments of the Popes, and the great Stanze di Raphael (rooms in the Papal apartments painted by Raphael). The journey through time and art will culminate with one of the world's wonders - the Sistine Chapel - the "Holy of Holies" of the Popes, covered with frescoes painted by the greatest artists of the 15th century, and completed with frescoes by perhaps the greatest of all artists, Michelangelo. After visiting the Sistine Chapel, Goethe wrote that only those who see it, can understand what one man alone is capable of doing.We will see all of this and much more. Our experts will share with you not only their knowledge in History, Art, and Architecture, but will also recount you the story of how a small and poor tomb of a fisherman became the center of Christianity, and for a very long period, the center of the world. We will tell you stories of secrets and intrigues of Pope-Kings, tales of saints and miracles, unusual and rarely known historical facts. We will guide you through an amazing journey of human frailty and wonder, one you will never forget!

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

A current valid passport or ID is required on the day of the tour.
Dress code: Shorts, short skirts, and sleeveless shirts, are NOT allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered
Note: St Peter's Basilica may be closed on any given day at the discretion of the Vatican Administration
We recommend you bring a small bottle of water during the hot summer months.
Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers' full names prior to crossing the border will result in denied entry into the State of the Vatican City.
Due to the Jubilee, St. Peter's Basilica may be closed on certain days. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
Children must be accompanied by an adult

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Sistine Chapel & Vatican Tour Premium – Skip the Line?

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