Guided Tours

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

Laocoön and His Sons sculpture in Vatican Museums, Rome.

Visitors exploring the ornate Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museums.

Tourists with guide near Statue of Apollo Belvedere, Vatican Museum.

Visitors exploring sculptures on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums.

Duration

2 hr - 3 hr

Open today

Book now, pay later

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

Guided tour

Get fast-track access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on a guided tour. Opt for a small group tour for added exclusivity.

4.3/5

(17,154)

Mariella

Oct 2025

Verified booking

4/5

At the last minute my tour was changed. I made the resevation 2 months in advance. It was supposed to be a 2 hour tour starting at 10AM. I arrived at 9:30 to ensure I was there on time. I waited and waited for the skip-the line-guide who did not show up until 10:40 and told me my tour was changed to 11AM. I was told they notified me thru Whatsapp. However, I could not access it at the time because I had no internet service. It caused an inconveniece since I had made plans to meet friends for other tours starting a 12:30. Needless to say I was unable to meet for that second tour which was very disappointing. Once in the chapel, the tour guide was phenomenal. He was very informative and knowledgeble. However, I was disappointed with the late notification of the skip-the-line service.

Ketevan

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

On November 18th, my daughter and I had the pleasure of visiting the Vatican accompanied by our guide, Francesca (name to be confirmed). From the outset, she conducted the tour with a high level of professionalism and courtesy, immediately putting me at ease despite my initial nervousness about the meeting. Her knowledge of the Vatican Museums was truly impressive. The way she presented the history, context, and significance of the artworks was both eloquent and engaging. Her explanations transformed the visit into a captivating and memorable experience. The entire tour proceeded flawlessly, and we felt well cared for throughout. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone seeking a well-organised and enriching Vatican visit.

Fernanda

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The staff at headout was extremely helpful and made us feel very comfortable. Andrea was an infusion of energy and italian hospitality! Our tour guide Fred was very knowledgeable and facilitated the entrance to the Vatican Museum. The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. As an Architect he was exemplary and he went above and beyond to make sure that the group received as mich information as possible (he educated us the ENTIRE tour). I am happy we decided to utilize headout for our Vatican visit. I am sure my mother and I would have missed valuable information and our experience would not have been as rich if we chose a different direction.

Skip the long lines and walk straight into the Vatican Museums with your guide—save up to 2 hours of waiting time.

Explore world-famous galleries like the Gallery of Maps, Tapestries, and Raphael Rooms with expert commentary.

In a group of up to 20 guests, enter the Sistine Chapel with powerful context that brings Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes to life.

Upgrade to a small-group tour of less than 15 guests for a more personal, engaging experience or add access to the Vatican Gardens.

A smart, time-saving way to experience the highlights of a 48-day-long collection in just a few hours.

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

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

Explore with a group of up to 20 people

Guided tour of Vatican Gardens (as per option selected)

Small group tour (as per option selected)

Nighttime tour (as per option selected)

Gratuities

Entry to St. Peter's Basilica and/or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.3
17,154 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.
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What our guests say
Teodoro
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Courtesy and efficiency of the reception staff. Knowledgeable guide with more than good engagement skills. Attentive to the needs of individuals and willing to the insights that were requested. Strongly exciting sites, despite overcrowding. I did not take photos. Thank you. Theodore
Tadhg
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Myself and a friend attended and thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Jessica. She was very knowledgeable and avoided the big large flag carrying which made everything more personable. Jessica taken us through three museums, finishing at the Sistine Chapel before carrying on to St Peter's Bassilica.
Tawanna
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our tour guide was amazing. Our group really enjoyed listening to the history and the flare that he put on the story telling. Would recommend to everyone.
Antonio
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The tour was very nice. Interesting because of the works seen. Very crowded visit. Very good guide. Competent good and very patient.
Jessica
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Amazing Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel—especially the stunning Creation of Adam on the ceiling! Truly unforgettable.

Discover the Vatican’s treasures with expert-led insights that reveal the stories behind the art and architecture.

Getting started

Meet your guide at the designated meeting point near the museum entrance. Skip the ticketing line and breeze through security with your group. Present a valid ID and booking confirmation before entry.

What to expect

Vatican Museums

One of the most visited museum complexes in the world, home to centuries of priceless art collected by the Catholic Church.

Gallery of Maps & Tapestries

Walk through vibrant, frescoed corridors filled with Renaissance-era cartography and masterful woven narratives.

Raphael Rooms

Admire frescoes like The School of Athens and learn how Raphael helped define Vatican art during the High Renaissance.

Sistine Chapel

Step inside the sacred chapel and gaze up at Michelangelo’s ceiling masterpiece and The Last Judgment with full context from your guide.

Wrapping up

After your tour, feel free to explore St. Peter’s Basilica on your own—entry is free and it's just a short walk from the Sistine Chapel exit.

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

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

What to bring

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as the tour involves a fair amount of walking

What's not allowed

Strict dress code: knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.

Big bags and suitcases aren't allowed inside the attraction, but guests can make use of the lockers on site.

When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.

Photography and the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.

Power banks are strictly prohibited inside the venue.

Pets and other small animals are not allowed in the venue, with the exception of guide dogs.

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.

While the tour is not accessible, the Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion.

Additional information

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 minutes.

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.

Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures.

The Vatican Museums reserve the right to close any section, including the Sistine Chapel, due to unforeseen circumstances. The closure of any museum section does not entitle visitors to any refund.

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.