Guided Tours

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

(19,788)

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

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.

William

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Our tour guide Katerina was extremely knowledgeable and helped explain everything we were seeing throughout the tour. This skip the line tour was perfect which minimized waiting in the very long lines. We were able to walk right in with this tour without any lines. Having a guide is also better because you gain more insight of what you're looking at throughout the tour. The Vatican museum was crowded but I suppose that it being the year of the jubilee as the cause. The tour lasted about 2.5-3 hours but was well worth it. The Sistine chapel is amazing and I highly recommended this tour for everyone. You will not be disappointed. This is my second time doing this tour and I will definitely be doing it again in my next visit.

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 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, Portuguese, or Japanese-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.

4.4
19,788 reviews
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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.
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Bojic
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I booked this Tour because we were coming to Rome for the day. I wanted to visit all is three things: the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. I must say I made the right choice. We arrived ahead of the agency 15 minutes early, checked in and left on time with our guide Susanna. Our Tour was in Italian. We started walking from the agency and were minutes away from the entrance to the Vatican Museums. The Guided Tours only had access for them so we were in within minutes. The bag checks also we did early. I must say that it was a Thursday in October. But there were really a lot of people. Our guide Mrs. Susanna was very nice and above all well prepared. She gave us a really beautiful experience with her stories and details that we definitely did not find in written guides . We went from Museums to the Capella and you can to the Basilia without ever leaving the circuit. The Tour lasted about 3 hours. I recommend comfortable walking shoes and leave already eaten . For me it was a beautiful experience . I would still like to thank Mrs. Susanna who made it even more special .
Lorean
Oct 2025
Verified booking
3/5
The tour overall felt quite rushed from start to finish. If I could rate our guide Rafa separately, she’d easily get 5 stars. She did an amazing job managing a large group and shared an incredible amount of knowledge throughout the tour. That said, the 3-star rating is more reflective of the organizing tour company. It was clear that Rafa was under a lot of pressure trying to keep everyone together, especially given the size of our group—about 20 people, many of whom were elderly and had limited mobility. This made it especially challenging to navigate the Vatican, which was extremely crowded due to Jubilee. In my opinion, tour groups should be capped at around 10 people to make the experience more enjoyable and manageable, especially in such busy environments. For the price I paid, I expected a more thoughtfully organized experience. To be clear—my disappointment lies with the tour company, not Rafa. She handled everything with patience, professionalism, and grace. Honestly, she deserves a raise.
Jörg
Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The process at the meeting point was quick and uncomplicated. The tour itself was conducted very well by Angela. She spoke the local language on the way to coordinate special details with the security on site, which worked well. The description of the history and the organization of the places for explanation, where more detailed descriptions were possible, was highly professional. The explanations themselves came across very well because the technology also worked well and Angela herself was able to name all the dates and historical details in perfect German. Any questions were answered very well and she was happy to share her insider knowledge. Many thanks and greetings from Hamburg, Jörg.
Ma
Oct 2025
Verified booking
3/5
This was a great way to skip the lines and the long wait. You get to see and understand the history behind the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and Square. However, the tour guide we had (forgot her name) spent more time talking about in-depth details about things that people without an art degree or interest in Catholicism would not be interested in or even appreciate. There were a few people from the group who bailed halfway through the tour, as most of the time was spent talking. It's quite pricey for what it offered, but I still find the tour worth it!
Rosaria
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The guide Susanna was the true excellence of the tour! Her preparation and competent exposition throughout the tour made it possible to overcome the reality check.....we could even omit the visual check as she was able to make us imagine what we then, in reality, saw. Her love of art and enthusiasm in describing with competent exposition the papal history and the masterpieces we admired made this trip unique. I will cherish this experience, hoping to meet her on other tours.

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.

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

Monday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Tuesday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Wednesday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Thursday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Friday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Saturday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Sunday	Closed

St Peter's Basilica

Monday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Tuesday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Wednesday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Thursday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Friday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Saturday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Sunday	07:00am - 07:10pm

Sistine Chapel

Monday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Tuesday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Wednesday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Thursday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Friday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Saturday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Sunday	Closed

Public Museums of Vatican City

Monday	07:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm
Tuesday	07:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm
Wednesday	07:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm
Thursday	07:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm
Friday	07:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm
Saturday	07:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm
Sunday	07:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm

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 shortly.

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

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.