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Vatican Museums Tickets with Vatican Gardens Open Bus Tour

Vatican Museums gallery with classical statues and ornate ceiling.
Laocoön and His Sons sculpture in Vatican Museum.
Visitors exploring the Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museum, admiring detailed frescoes.
Vatican Gardens fountain surrounded by flowering arches on open bus tour.

Duration

3 hr

Open today

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Delight in the soothing ambiance of the Vatican Gardens on an open bus tour. Be captivated by the art in the Vatican Museums and embrace the glory of the Sistine Chapel.

4.1/5

(1,137)

Claire LEMOINE

Claire

Nov 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Visit the gardens, it's exceptional and in a small group, so very pleasant! I was worried before the appointment because it wasn't very clear, in fact the meeting point is in the museum after the security checks, where you had to show up with your e-ticket at least 25 minutes before the meeting time (you have to take into account how long you'll have to queue before arriving at the security checks). After that, you're completely taken care of, which is very reassuring. An unexpected bonus: we were given an audioguide in the language of our choice on board the mini-bus. The staff were very courteous, and everything was in place to make us feel at ease. We were then left at the entrance to the tour as advertised.
Steven Scher

Steven

Nov 2025
Verified booking
4/5
I loved skipping the lines to get into the museums and see everything, but it was more of an entry fee than a tour. There was no tour guide or audio; it was a self-guided walkthrough. The gardens were interesting and pretty, but it would have been nice if the bus had stopped occasionally so we could get out and enjoy the view better. A lot of the view was on one side of the bus or the other. Headout provided the ticket, but the museum provided the entrance and bus tour, so we can't blame Headout for what we received. I would recommend adding a stop or two to let people appreciate the gardens and fountains more, as well as audio for the museums included.
Kathrin Reininghaus

Kathrin

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The Vatican Museums are fantastic, you can't get through everything. The tour through the garden beforehand was interesting. There is no waiting time, you really should arrive 30 minutes in advance, but it's worth it for what you get to see afterwards. However, the instructions for being allowed into the museum were a little unclear, only the soldiers had a white tent. We had to speak to the ticket inspectors to find out which queue we should be in. Once inside, everything was very simple and well organized.
    • A unique Vatican City experience—start with a scenic open-top bus tour of the lush Vatican Gardens, then explore the historic museums on your own.

    • Ride through history as you glide past Italian, French, and English-style landscapes covering nearly half of Vatican City, all while tuning into a multilingual audio guide.

    • Skip the long lines and step straight into the Vatican Museums, home to world-famous treasures like the Raphael Rooms and classical sculptures.

    • Stand beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, where the breathtaking Last Judgment and Creation of Adam come to life.

    • Vatican Gardens tour by open bus with a multilingual audio guide

    • Entry tickets to the Vatican Museums

    • Access to Sistine Chapel

    • Audio guide for Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

    • Live guide

  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • 4.1
    1,137 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    616
    282
    114
    39
    86
    Guests from France, United States, Spain and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Carmen Olivas Lara

    Carmen

    Dec 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    It was excellent especially the girl from the office that validates the tours who ran with me to get on time to the bus that makes the tour of the Vatican gardens, because I arrived late because there was a lot of traffic in Rome and also the rain. I am happy and grateful.
    Zniber El mouhabbis Ayoub

    Zniber

    Dec 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    A very interesting visit, allowing you to see a private part of the Vatican gardens, as well as the active life inside. Worth a visit
    maighread Young

    Maighread

    Dec 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    This was fantastic , skipped the long line and the garden tour was great
    Roman Leshchyk

    Roman

    Dec 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Vatican Gardens where exciting
    Claire LEMOINE

    Claire

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    Visit the gardens, it's exceptional and in a small group, so very pleasant! I was worried before the appointment because it wasn't very clear, in fact the meeting point is in the museum after the security checks, where you had to show up with your e-ticket at least 25 minutes before the meeting time (you have to take into account how long you'll have to queue before arriving at the security checks). After that, you're completely taken care of, which is very reassuring. An unexpected bonus: we were given an audioguide in the language of our choice on board the mini-bus. The staff were very courteous, and everything was in place to make us feel at ease. We were then left at the entrance to the tour as advertised.
  • As one of the most sought-after attractions in Rome, the Vatican attracts hordes of visitors. With reserved entry tickets, you can be sure you won't be spending your vacation time in the waiting queues. The Vatican Gardens (also Giardini Vaticani) is a green oasis renowned as the pope’s personal garden where he returns to relax and unwind. They cover one-third of Vatican City's 44 hectares. Since 2014, visitors are invited to relish in the same exquisite scenery that was once exclusively available to popes of the past.

    At the meeting point, you will receive assistance to board the minibus, after which you can admire the amazing manicured lawns, fountains, sculptures, and buildings. The Fontana dell'Aquilone and Fontana della Galera are among the most striking fountains you will find in the whole garden. Moreover, the historic building of the Governor’s Palace stands out among tourists due to its imposing structure. You can spend some time visiting the Grotta di Lourdes, an artificial cave designed to replicate its famous namesake in France. Another monument to surely catch your attention is the Casino of Pius IV, a 16th-century summer house designed by Pirro Ligorio.

    With your ticket, you can also visit the lavish interiors of the Vatican Museum. It boasts one of the most impressive art collections in the world. Lastly, do not leave without seeing Michelangelo’s revered frescoes adorning the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel.

  • Vatican Museums

    Monday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Tuesday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Wednesday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Thursday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Friday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    Saturday08:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:00pm
    SundayClosed

    Gardens of Vatican City

    Monday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Thursday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Friday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Saturday09:00am - 06:00pm
    SundayClosed
  • What to bring

    • A valid ID or student card (for reduced-price tickets)

    • Comfortable shoes for exploring the museums

    • A printed or digital copy of your booking voucher

    What's not allowed

    • Large bags, backpacks, or luggage (cloakroom available)

    • Sleeveless tops, short shorts, or hats (strict dress code applies)

    • Tripods, selfie sticks, or professional camera gear

    • Food and drinks inside the Museums

    Accessibility

    • The open bus tour is not wheelchair accessible

    • The Vatican Museums have ramps and elevators for easy accessibility

    Additional info

    • Arrive at least 30 minutes early at the Vatican Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano

    • After security, head to the 'Open Bus Garden' desk (first on the left) — not the usual Guided Tours desk

    • The bus tour lasts approx. 45–60 minutes, with no stops along the route

    • Audio guide available in 7 languages: English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Russian

    • Entry to the Museums is timed — late arrivals cannot be accommodated

    • Children under 7 years are not permitted on the Open Bus Tour

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

    • Please arrive at the redemption point 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

    Ticket redemption point

    • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

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