Best of the Vatican: Fast Track Highlights

See the best of the Vatican Museums, then have the rest of the day free to enjoy Rome after booking this, the ORIGINAL Vatican highlights tour! Get into the Vatican fast and catch all the must-see sculptures, frescoes, and the amazing Sistine Chapel!

What We Love About This Tour: 

• Quick access and a shorter tour leaves room for more sightseeing around Rome (not to mention gelato)

• Get up close and personal with Michelangelo’s remarkable frescoes in the Sistine Chapel

• Top rated guides make this tour a clear winner for best value

Itinerary 

Meet your expert guide by the Vatican Museum entrance and enjoy skip-the-line entry to what is arguably the most important collection of art in the world. Your guide knows every nook and cranny of the museums and will navigate seamlessly through the more than 1,200 galleries while emphasizing the Rooms of Raphael, the Ancient Roman and Greek pieces in the Belvedere Courtyard and the Gallery of Maps while ensuring that you stay on track with an eye on the ultimate prize: the Sistine Chapel. 

As you stroll through the former Papal residences your guide will point out major works of art dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome and explain the role these ancient pieces played in inspiring the future artistic genius of Renaissance Italy. 

Much of this tour will be dedicated to the majestic Sistine Chapel, from its commissioning to the finishing touches applied by none other than Michaelangelo Buonarroti. You will hear the true life story of this fascinating yet tormented artist who considered himself a sculptor and not a painter yet dedicated countless years of his life painting frescoes on a ceiling 44 feet high. Learn of the physical and psychological damage inflicted on the artist as your guide helps you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this epic work of art. 

After ample time gazing up at the world’s most famous ceiling, choose whether to exit the museums or remain inside to explore some of the remaining 1400 galleries of art at your own pace.

Duration: Approximately 2 hours with guide

What’s Included: 

• Expert local guide

• Priority entrance tickets to the Vatican Museums

• Galleries of the Candelabra, Maps, and Tapestries

• Sistine Chapel

Not Included: 

• Gratuities

• Transport to and from meeting point

Important to Know:

• Tour departs rain or shine

• Unfortunately, wheelchairs and strollers cannot be accommodated on this tour. Contact us to arrange for a private visit to the Vatican. 

 Important to Bring: 

Comfortable shoes for walking 

Covid-19 compliance: For the most accurate and up-to-date information click here. 

• In accordance with Italian Covid-19 safety regulations, all guests ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of Vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca) or a negative Covid-test taken within 48 hours of the tour.

• Please note that due to current local Covid-19 measures, all customers will be required to bring and wear a mask during the entire visit. 

• Temperature checks may also take place at tour venues; if your temperature is above 37.5°C you will unfortunately not be able to attend the tour.

Special Requirements for Vatican Tours: 

• A strict dress code is in place at the Vatican. While short pants are permitted, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women. Shorts must come to knee length.  

• Large bags, knives or other weapons will not be permitted inside the Museums.

Terms and conditions:

●  Changes and cancellation are possible free of charge up to 96 hours before the start time. If the desired change involves a tour of greater value, the balance will be due upon rebooking.

●  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.

• See https://www.italiadeals.com/terms for complete terms and conditions