Fast Access Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Basilica Guided Tour
Description
Join this visit to see the highlights of the Vatican: Raphael’s Rooms; the Gallery of Maps; the Gallery of Tapestries; collections of Ancient Roman and Greek statues and of course the famous Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo frescos. This is a wonderful, comprehensive half-day tour with a top-rated and very knowledgeable guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour starts at the entrance to the Vatican Museums where you meet your guide and with skip-the-line entry bypass the waiting crowds, leave your belongings in the Vatican cloakrooms, make use of the free and very clean toilet facilities and follow your guide on a journey of discovery! The first ports of call on the tour are the rooms where you can see Ancient Greek and Roman art. When the Popes ruled Central Italy these artworks were collected from various excavation sites in the city of Rome and brought to the Vatican. Your guide will point out the most notable of these masterpieces including the Belvedere Apollo, the Torso, busts of Claudius and Hadrian and the sarcophagi of Helen and Constance, the mother and daughter of the Emperor Constantine. The tour continues with visits to the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra.A short walk takes you to the Gallery of Tapestries, the Sobieski Rooms and the Rooms of Raphael.
We then reach the famous Sistine Chapel, the most visited site in the whole of Italy and known throughout the world as the place where new Popes are elected. Talking is prohibited in the Chapel so your guide will explain about the wonders you will see once inside and also tell you some interesting facts and anecdotes about this magical place. See Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling depicting the Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis and the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted on the Chapel walls by Botticelli, Perugino and other famous Renaissance artists.
It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome. There is still more to see though below ground level. You guide will lead you below ground to the papal crypt where, over the centuries, many of the Popes have been interred. This special place is a site of pilgrimage for many Catholics. Although talking is allowed, before you enter the crypt you guide will tell you where the most important popes are laid to rest.
You will also learn something of the architecture of this magnificent edifice and the symbols and rituals that make this church so special. Your guide will bid you a farewell in Saint Peter’s Square but not before telling you some of the secrets and curious facts about Bernini’s famous square. You will also see the balcony where the crowds await the white smoke signifying the election of a new Pope. What a marvelous end to this wonderful Vatican tour!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during you Vatican tour. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
- PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Jubilee the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queuing.
Reviews(34)
Expensive and not informative. It was rushed with little to no info. True disappointments. Forget it!
This is the second time I have scheduled a tour with this company and was impressed yet again! Tomasso, our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and so accommodating. Thank you for such a wonderful experience!
This was a trip highlight. Our tour guide, Thomas, was exceptional. There were hoards of people outside the Vatican, but Thomas held up a sign with our name on it and we found him easily. This was a private tour with the 3 of us. Thomas was able to weave us in and out of the crowds and give us an enormous amount of information. His English was excellent. One of our companions wears hearing aids. She had no trouble hearing Thomas throughout the tour. Thomas showed us a book with pictures from the Sistine so when we got inside we'd know what to look for. After visiting the Sistine, we walked through the long porticos where Thomas explained the popes collected many Roman statues. We also saw the rooms of animals, muses and maps. There was so very much to see, but Thomas took us through it in an unhurried way. Later, we saw two of the Raphael Rooms. And the Borge Room below. Then, we went inside St. Peter's where Thomas helped us see the amazing Bernini alters and Michelangelo's Pieta. We cannot recommend this tour high enough. I chose it because of the raving reviews on Trip Advisor and I am glad I did.
This is another tour worth paying to do in a private group. Our guide was prepared, knowledgeable, and had an obvious enthusiasm for presenting the various exhibits. You could spend weeks just studying single rooms here. We had a great time!
Best Guide ever ! She is knowledgeable and cheerful. She knows history and Art. Enjoyable experience .
Explanation of Sistine chapel was clear and easy to follow. Right on point. Vatican was very crowded but tour guide gave advice on getting to front.
Francesco is the best guide we've ever had! My kids loved the tour and would do it again! Thank you very much!
Our guide was amazing! Thank you so much, I always dreamed about the Sistine chapel and we realized my dream this year! Book this tour and ask for Francesco! He is the best!
This tour was cancelled just hours before it was scheduled to begin. We had already left our hotel to travel to Vatican City. After waiting at the meeting spot for 30 minutes, a very kind tour guide from another company called this company to ask where they were. It was then that we were told it was cancelled. They did not offer any alternatives.
Our tour guide Thomas was amazing. His background in archaeology brought a fascinating perspective to the tour and his friendly and humorous demeanor made the entire experience informative, comfortable, and fun. He was excellent!!
