Vatican Museums and St. Peters Basilica small group tour

Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican’s greatest treasures and be mesmerized by Michelangelo’s world-famous Sistine Chapel and Last Judgement, visit the Raphael Rooms and hear the stories behind the renowned School of Athens fresco. Then wonder at the treasures inside Saint Peter’s Basilica, from Michelangelo’s Pietá to Bernini’s enormous bronze altar. 

DEPARTURE

10:00 am and 3:00 pm 

DURATION

Approx. 3 hours

PERIOD

Year-round

English 

People on this tour: min 1 - max 18

What's Included in this tour:

• Skip-the-Line Access to the Vatican Museums

• Entrance to The Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica

• Expert, English-speaking tour guide

• All entrance tickets & reservation fees

• Dedicated audio headsets so you don't miss a thing

Your tour itinerary

As the Vatican experts, you’ll use your skip the line allowing you to enter the Museums immediately, but you’ll also discover the stories about the characters that walked these corridors 

View Saint Peter’s from the Vatican Gardens

Inside, your guide will take you out to the Vatican Gardens balcony for your first glimpse of the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica before strolling through the ancient statues and modern sculptures of the Pinecone Courtyard. As there is no talking allowed in the Sistine Chapel, your guide will prepare you in advance for the many fascinating details you otherwise might miss on your own.

To reach the Chapel, your guide will lead you along the Hall of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Candelabra and through the Raphael Rooms. These works of art will come to life as you follow your guide’s commentary on your dedicated audio earpiece. At the Sistine Chapel, take some time to pick out the rich details on the walls and ceilings — from Michelangelo’s boneless self-portrait to the shields representing violent bible stories.

After soaking up the Sistine Chapel, we’ll use our Skip-the-Line Access again to enter Saint Peter’s Basilica. Here, you will see Michelangelo’s Pietá which portrayed Mary as being an eternal young mother. Spend some quiet time in this vast place of worship beneath the tallest dome in the world before walking out into the welcoming embrace of Saint Peter’s Square where the faithful gather for the Papal audience.

Important information:

Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. Knees, shoulders, and backs must be covered. Due to increased security measures at many attractions, some lines may form on tours with 'Skip-the-Line' or 'No Wait' access.

On Wednesday mornings Saint Peter's Basilica may be closed to the public due to the Papal Audience taking place in Saint Peter’s Square. Customers who wish to visit Saint Peter’s Basilica are advised to travel on another day. The Basilica is also subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we are happy to offer customers a longer tour of the Vatican Museums in keeping with the advertised total length of the tour. While we undertake to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to Basilica opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases, we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.

What's Included in this tour:

• Expert, English-speaking tour guide

• Small groups of 18 people or less

• Skip-the-Line access the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

• All entrance tickets & reservation fees

• Dedicated audio headsets so you don't miss a thing

Not Included:

• Gratuities

Important to Know:

• Please note that due to current Coronavirus, the Italian Government's directives and safety policies, all customers will be required to bring and wear their own mask during the entire visit. Temperature checks will also take place at tour venues; if your temperature is above 37.5°C you will unfortunately not be able to attend the tour.

• Please be sure to arrive at the tour departure point 20 minutes before the starting time. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, and missed tours or tickets will not be refunded.

• Unfortunately, wheelchairs and strollers cannot be accommodated on this tour.

• This tour runs rain or shine.

Important to Bring: 

• Good walking shoes. The tour includes both hillside paths and stairs.

• A hat, sunscreen, and bottled water. Many parts of the itinerary are not shaded.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND NOTES:

• Please let us know in advance any special need or impaired mobility of the clients and we will do our best to accommodate them.

• Please note that photography is prohibited inside The Sistine Chapel. Non-flash photography is permitted on all other parts of the tour.

• Entrance to the Vatican Museums and Churches require a strict dress code.  We cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to improper dress.

• Shorts, big bags and liquid bottles will not be allowed inside the museums.

• Even with the skip-the-line entrance, there is still a compulsory security check which may cause some delays in entering the museum. 

• Please note that St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and is also subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. If this occurs, your group will instead be treated to an extended tour of the Vatican Museums. Tour refunds or discounts will not be provided.  St.Peter's Basilica and other religious sites may be subject to unscheduled closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an extended tour of the Vatican Museums, or appropriate alternative. While we undertake to tell guests beforehand if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica's opening hours, this is not always possible. In these cases, we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.

Terms and conditions: 

• You can cancel or modify your tour date and time up to 96 hours before arrival/ departure free of charge. If your tour modification is of greater value, you are subject to the price increase. 

• Any cancellations made within 96 hours and no-shows are non-refundable.

• Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult to join a tour or an activity.