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Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter's Basilica

Courtyard of the Vatican Museums in Rome with the Pinecone Sculpture.
Visitors exploring the ornate halls of the Vatican Museums on a small group tour.
Vatican Museums sculpture hall with ancient statues and marble columns.
St. Peter's Basilica with obelisk in Vatican City, Rome, surrounded by tourists.

Duration

2 hr - 4 hr 30 min

Open today

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Access Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica on this skip-the-line guided tour, showcasing the Holy See's iconic landmarks.

4.4/5

(19,417)

Robert Michael Keith

Robert

Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We had an incredible experience on our VIP tour of the Vatican. From start to finish everything was well organized and seamless, and the smaller group size really made the visit feel special. Our guide was absolutely fantastic ,knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about the history and art. They brought the Vatican’s treasures to life with fascinating stories and insights we never would have picked up on our own. The pace was perfect, giving us time to take everything in without ever feeling rushed. Having priority access was a real bonus, as we could spend more time enjoying the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the museums without the stress of long lines. Truly unforgettable, highly recommended to anyone visiting Rome!
Christopher Jon Dobbert

Christopher

Aug 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The tour group office was not particularly appealing. Vending machines for water bottles and snacks out of order. The women's restroom was not clean or sanitary and there was NO toilet tissues. If there was any AC is was not adequate for the amount of guests inside and only ceiling fan provided cooking for maybe two individuals standing directly under it. The tour guide was pleasant but spoke to softly prior to having the headset inside and those were not of much help. When one considers the crowds, I understand voices will be lost with all the background noise , but it was almost impossible to understand the history of the place the guide was so proud to talk about. Recommending early tour to beat the heat if traveling in summer.
Anne Buchholz

Anne

Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Very well organized, everything worked perfectly. Fabricio, our guide, explained everything really well and was very friendly. The whole tour took a good 6 hours. However, the description of the tour was not correct. The tour started with the ascent of the dome and only went into the Vatican Museums at 12 noon. We had hoped to see the Sistine Chapel without mass tourism...just as it was described. Also the time indication of 2-3 hours is not correct. It takes about 6 hours which is good if you know in advance and can take enough drinks with you. However, we would always book and recommend the tour again. Only the booking description should be revised
    • Explore three top Vatican landmarks in one go — the Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

    • Skip long entry lines at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with priority access.

    • Walk the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms as your expert guide shares stories behind every masterpiece.

    • Enter St. Peter’s Basilica via a special passageway from the Chapel—no need to queue again outside.

    • Opt for a small-group tour (max 10) for a deeper Vatican experience, or beat the crowds with early access and reach the Dome’s summit for stunning views.

    • Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry

    • St. Peter's Basilica Access

    • Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide

    • Semi private tour with a max group of 10 (as per option selected)

    • Early morning tour with St. Peter's Basilica and Dome climb (as per option selected)

    • Headphones

    • Gratuities

    • Entry to St. Peter's Basilica Dome

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • How do we collect reviews?

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    Guests from United States, United Kingdom, France and over 94 countries have loved this experience

    Andrea Salsa

    Andrea

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The visit is excellently organized, both in terms of time and the support of the guide, special mention to the very kind and knowledgeable Ms. Antonella. i would extend the stop in the Sistine Chapel by a few minutes, but i understand that managing thousands of tourists is complicated. I would say very recommended if you want to have a proper level of knowledge of the wonders you admire.
    Lucy Elizabeth Ramirez

    Lucy

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Being in the same place where many Popes have been and where the new Pope is elected and the paintings and sculptures of famous artists. Our guide Lucy was fantastic
    ANDREA MORO

    Andrea

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Excellent experience. The guide was excellent..... He did a perfect explanation of what he saw. Highly recommend.
    Matthew Aidan Miller

    Matthew

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Being inside the Sistine Chapel & attending mass at St Peter's Basilica, as a Roman Catholic from Scotland, was incredible. Myself & my partner both loved the full experience and stayed as long as possible to take it all in. Guiseppe our guide was very helpful and informative throughout the day. Would & will highly recommend to anyone visiting Rome / Vatican City.
    Emma Strawbridge

    Emma

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    nicoli i think was our guide's name and he was super helpful and had lots of interesting information i never would have known about otherwise! definitely worth the price to have a knowledgeable guide for such a big space especially on a jubilee year. he of course knew lots about the history but had great answers to group questions and was excellent at connecting works in the museum to the sistine chapel and the basilica!! so cool
  • Discover the best of Vatican City in one seamless tour—with skip-the-line access and exclusive entry to St. Peter’s Basilica.

    Getting started

    Meet your guide at the designated meeting point near the Vatican Museums. Skip the general lines and breeze through a security check with group access. Your guide will help validate your tickets and get you started right away.

    What to expect

    Vatican Museums

    One of the world’s most visited museums, home to centuries of art and papal treasures.

    • Wander through iconic galleries like the Gallery of Maps and Tapestries.

    • Step into the Raphael Rooms and admire Renaissance frescoes up close.

    • Your guide shares the stories and symbols hidden behind the art.

    Sistine Chapel

    Michelangelo’s ceiling and Last Judgment fresco are the highlight of this sacred space.

    • Experience the Chapel in reflective silence as your guide preps you beforehand.

    • Marvel at the grandeur and detail of one of the world’s most famous ceilings.

    St. Peter’s Basilica

    Enter directly from the Chapel through a priority passage used only on guided tours.

    • Avoid the 2-hour queue and walk straight into the heart of Catholicism.

    • See masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin.

    Wrapping up

    Choose to upgrade your experience with a guided tour inside the Basilica for deeper insights and stories you’d likely miss on your own.

  • 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

    St Peter's Basilica

    Monday07:00am - 07:10pm
    Tuesday07:00am - 07:10pm
    Wednesday07:00am - 07:10pm
    Thursday07:00am - 07:10pm
    Friday07:00am - 07:10pm
    Saturday07:00am - 07:10pm
    Sunday07:00am - 07:10pm

    Sistine Chapel

    Monday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Tuesday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Wednesday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Thursday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Friday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    Saturday08:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 05:00pm
    SundayClosed

    Public Museums of Vatican City

    Monday07:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 07:00pm
    Tuesday07:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 07:00pm
    Wednesday07:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 07:00pm
    Thursday07:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 07:00pm
    Friday07:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 07:00pm
    Saturday07:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 07:00pm
    Sunday07:00am - 07:00pmlast entry 07:00pm
  • What to bring

    • Compulsory Vatican dress code: Visitors must wear clothing that covers their knees, arms, and back.

    • Please wear comfortable shoes as this experience involves a lot of walking.

    Accessibility

    • The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, or baby carriages.

    • The Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (with certified invalidity exceeding 74%). In the case of visitors lacking in self-sufficiency, free entry is extended to their companions.

    Additional information

    • Purchasing this tour implies an agreement to stick with the assigned guide, without whom you cannot access the Vatican Museums. Opting out or missing the tour means losing ticket rights, without refunds.

    • St. Peter’s Basilica may be closed on Wednesday mornings and afternoons as the Papal Audience takes place in St. Peter’s Square. If you’re considering visiting St. Peter's Basilica, please make plans for another day.

    • Please note: All guests must pass through airport-style security. During high season and peak hours, the wait time at the security check may be up to 30-45 minutes.

    • Your ticket has a designated entry time—please arrive at least 30 minutes in advance.

    • Sometimes guides are not allowed to give tours inside the St. Peter's Basilica. On such rare occasions, they will share a brief introduction outside and you'll be free to explore the basilica by yourself.

    • Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica are active places of worship, some areas may be subject to sudden closures without prior notice.

    • Expect a long wait at security, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!

    • Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies or unforeseen circumstances. St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures. The closure of any museum section does not entitle visitors to any refund.

    • St. Peter’s Basilica may be closed on Wednesday mornings and afternoons due to the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square. If you’d like to attend, book an exclusive invitation with guaranteed seating.

    • Since the Jubilee is underway, access to St. Peter's Basilica is now restricted at all entrances. To ensure entry, reservations must be completed at least 5 days in advance.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

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

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Meeting point

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

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