Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Basilica Guided Tour
Description
Skip the line, avoid the long queues and explore the Vatican's exceptional collections and the magnificent Sistine Chapel with an expert guide in an intimate group. This extensive and exclusive tour is designed for those eager to experience everything the Vatican has to offer. The Vatican Museums are home to an expansive array of art, featuring stunning sculptures, frescoes, and architectural masterpieces that together form an unparalleled collection found nowhere else in the world. Admire the incredible sculptures, tapestries, paintings, and architectural works of Renaissance masters such as Bramante, Bernini, Perugino, Botticelli, D’Antonio, Rosselli, Signorelli, Della Gatta, Ghirlandaio, Raphael, and of course Michelangelo. Please note that St Peters Basilica is subject to last minute closures and for the papal audience on some Wednesday mornings, entrance can not always be included. In this case there will be an extended tour of the Vatican museums.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore the Vatican Museums with an Expert Guide, visit the highlights of the incredible collections comprised of a colossal 20,000 works on display, over 4 miles of Art, Sculptures, Tapestries, Paintings and Architecture. Belvedere Courtyard Pinecone Courtyard Pio Clementino Museum Octagonal Courtyard Sala Degli Animali Sala Delle Muse Sala Rotonda Sala A Croce Greca Gallery of the Candelabra Gallery of Tapestries Gallery of Maps
Marvel at the incredible Sistine Chapel, an impressive sanctuary that boasts works of art by master painters like Perugino, Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, Botticelli, Signorelli, della Gatta and, of course, Michelangelo. See the world famous frescoes stretch magnificently across the ceiling with the renowned Creation of Adam as the central focus and the majestic Last Judgement upon the rear wall, offering a visual spectacle that encapsulates the divine. Sistine Chapel Frescoes Cosmati Floor Mosaic Forseen conception of Jesus Christ Pagan Sibyls / Icons Prophet depictions Creation of Adam The Last Judgement Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Greek Mythology Styx
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican City, or simply Saint Peter's Basilica, is a church of the Italian High Renaissance and the heart of the catholic faith located in Vatican City, an independent microstate enclaved within the city of Rome, Italy.
St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), located in Vatican City in front of St. Peter's Basilica, is a massive, iconic Baroque plaza designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1656 and 1667. Featuring an elliptical design with massive colonnades representing the "embrace" of the Church, it holds over 300,000 people and features a central Egyptian obelisk.
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
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
- If you purchase a reduced ticket and you are not under 16 years old or a student under 26 years old with a valid STUDENT PHOTO ID, the Vatican will deny your entry and you will not be able to visit the Vatican or join the tour.
- All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check please allow at least 20 minutes to clear security.
- Knees & Shoulders MUST be covered for both men & women.
- Some monuments or areas may be under restoration and subject to last minute closures. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- It is not possible to contact guides when they are inside the Vatican museums, it is the clients responsibility to stay with the guided tour group, if you lose your guide inside the Vatican, there is nothing we can do in this case.
- Please be aware that large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the monument.
- St. Peter's Basilica is subject to last minute closures for religous events, and the Papal audience on some Wednesday and Saturday mornings. In the event that it is closed if you have selected the option to visit St. Peter's Basilica you will have an extended tour of the Vatican museums. The Basilica is free to enter and we do not have any control in the event of these closures it is not possible to provide a refund under these circumstances.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for those with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.
Reviews(4,307)
Overall, this was a great tour. There was a little confusion in finding the correct location to check in, as there were two similar offices on this street and no Viator signage. Once we found the correct location, it was great. It was super hot when we visited (Aug. 3), but the crowds were a little less than normal. Our director was originally from the U. S. and easy to understand. She provided several "insider" points of interest to our group, before entering, so we could be sure to look for them. The "skip the line" benefit worked great!
Dany was amazing! We couldn't have asked for a better guide. She was a knowledgeable, fun and caring guide.
It was a great tour experience. Guide was very organized and extremely knowledgeable. Our only suggestion would be a different headset. They were over the ear style which don't really work well when wearing glasses. They kept slipping off. It was a minor issue and did take away from the excellent experience
Our tour was absolutely amazing! Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the experience both fun and informative. We learned so much throughout the tour while enjoying the incredible beauty of the area. It was a memorable experience, and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore and appreciate everything it has to offer.
Cruise ship docked in at 7 AM. We hired a car to drive us in to Rome, which gave us a few hours in the city and a few hours at Vatican City. Because of the tightness of our time schedule we booked this tour. It was excellent value for money and it enriched our experience immensely. Maggie, our tour guide, was an absolute delight: Engaging, knowledgable and personable. She hit all the highlights and added commentary as we went through. Highly recommend.
I had a wonderful tour of the Vatican, the Sistine chapel and Saint Peter‘s Basilica and it all went very smoothly very fast and I enjoyed the experience. I had compared the pricing to other tour companies and while this ticket was a little bit more expensive I felt more assured there would be less hiccups, and that was true. Tour guide was great spoke great English and was friendly. Bring a water bottle with you when you come.
Exceptional experience. Our tour guide Deborah was delightful woth such great insite and charisma. She made sure kids had upfront views of all the statues, paintings, etc. She had a great rapport with the Vatican Staff which made for a stress free visit. Would highly recommend due to her attention to detail, information, care for attendees and demeanor.
Your guide was excellent, gave historical info prior to each stop. Viatour’s add and price for tour was not legitimate. Roads not staggered, indoor locations not air conditioned except for Sistine chapel, a miracle no one needed an ambulance. Overpriced and over charged.
An absolutely wonderful experience. Our guide was informed, passionate, earnest, and ensured our group wasn't pushed around! I am looking forward to having my parents take the same tour in the future.
Our guide had special knowledge and expertise. She was BEYOND extraordinary!!!!!!! Our family agrees she deserves the highest of all reviews! Thanks!
