Tour of Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with Private Guide
- Duration: 3 Hours (approx.)
- Location: Rome
- Product code: GRVATCOLSG_2
What: Private guide tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel
Who: Small groups of 8 people or fewer with an English-speaking expert guide
How: On foot, with no waiting and no-lines access
How long: Approximately 3 hours
How much: From $162.50
When: Daily, except Sundays
Get the perks of a private tour—access to the Vatican Museum before opening hours, entrance to St. Peter’s through a side door to bypass the lines, the attention and insights of an expert guide—for an affordable price.
The Vatican Museums include gotta-see highlights like the Raphael Rooms, the Borgia Apartment, the Sistine Chapel, and of course, magnificent artwork by Michelangelo, da Vinci, Giotto, Caravaggio, Titian—pretty much the greatest hits of the high Renaissance.
Sistine Chapel When you enter this room, you step inside a Renaissance masterpiece. In recognition of this strange and magical experience, the Vatican does not permit talking or photography, so before you enter, our guide will prepare you with an overview and some insights into what you’ll be seeing. And what you’ll be seeing has been blowing minds since 1483, frescoes not only by Michelangelo, but also Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Perugino, and others.
St. Peter’s Basilica You’ve seen the Pope pictured on the balcony out front, now it’s time to waltz past the line, slip in the side door, and see the glorious basilica for yourself. No red shoes required. Oh, is that the Pietà? Bernini’s bronze canopy with its twisting columns over the altar? The spectacular dome above, the ornate doors, the tombs of saints, popes, and even that of the apostle Peter himself? This is the center of the Catholic universe. Your guide will fill you in on the construction, the scandals, the artwork, and the story behind this massive, glorious church.
Important Notes:
People with Mobility Issues We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
Arrival Time It is the responsibility of all visitors to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure.
Ending Time The service ends at St.Peter’s Basilica in St. Peter’s Square at around 12:00 PM for the 9:00 AM tour, 1:00 PM for the 10:00 AM tour, and 5:30 PM for the 2:30 PM tour. On most Wednesdays, when the Basilica is closed, the service ends at the Vatican Museums entrance.
Dress Code Entrance into the Vatican requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. This tour involves a fair amount of walking and stairs; comfortable shoes are recommended.
Security Extra measures may be implemented at some venues due to heightened global security. As a result, we may experience delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues. Extra measures may also restrict the size of bags that can be brought inside. To avoid disruptions or possible denied entry, we strongly suggest that you avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour.
Bags, Tripods, Backpacks, Umbrellas The Vatican only permits very small bags, and specifically prohibits large bags, tripods, umbrellas, and backpacks. Any such items must be checked into the free luggage storage area which may result in your having to leave the tour early to retrieve them at the entrance.
Photography Non-flash photography is permitted throughout the tour, except in the Sistine Chapel where talking and photography are prohibited.
Gratuities Tips for guides providing excellent service are appreciated but never obligatory.
Vatican Logistics
On Wednesdays, access to St. Peter’s Basilica & Square may be closed at the time of the morning tour due to the Papal Audience.
The Vatican Museums are among the most highly trafficked sites in the world. With over 5 million visitors in 2011 and numbers rising year-on-year, the museums give rise to a whole new meaning of the word "crowded." Our tour routes are designed to minimize exposure to crowds as much as possible, but be aware that the museums are very busy by nature.