Save time when you visit the Vatican Museums by prebooking this Vatican Museums Half-Day Skip-the-Line Tour. This tour lets you bypass the ticket lines and head inside to see its most impressive exhibits such as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s a great choice for travelers who are short on time but still want to see the collection of the Catholic Church.

Guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica
See art by Renaissance masters like Botticelli, Perugino, and Raphael
Marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel
Learn more about the legendary works from an expert guide

What's Included

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour
St. Peter's Basilica or Rafael Rooms Tour
If St. Peter's Basilica is closed, Rafael Rooms will be visited instead
Skip the Line VIP Tickets

Transportation to/from attractions
Tours starting from 14:30 will not visit St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica is subject to last minute closure

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Viale Vaticano 100, Rome, at the top of the stairs nearby Caffè Vaticano across the road from Vatican Museums’ Main Entrance. Our guide will be waiting for You holding a sign that says '' Tours of Rome ''

End point

Saint Peter's Square
Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

What To Expect

Meet at the Caffé Vaticano coffee bar just opposite the Vatican Museums to avoid the throngs near the museums' entrance, then follow your guide to navigate through the crowds and directly inside the complex, avoiding a long wait with skip-the-line tickets.

Explore the highlights of the vast galleries for about two hours with an art historian, listening to commentary about the top artworks as you stroll through the museum. Stop to admire the Raphael Rooms (if the Basilica is closed) and end with about 30 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel.

Cap off your tour in St. Peter’s Basilica (if it is open at the time of your visit), with a 30-minute introductory overview from your guide to get your bearings and then free time to linger as long as you like inside.

Sistine Chapel

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Vatican Museums

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
A copy of your Passport, ID or Driving license is required to visit the Vatican State
Please cover between your shoulders and knees to be allowed inside the Vatican
Please note that St. Peter's Basilica can be closed last minute for private services
Our guide will Explain all the information about St. Peter's Basilica outside.
After the Guided tour you can stay more time inside St. Peter's Basilica
All Tours run on time, Please arrive to the meeting point early.
Wheelchairs and strollers are not allowed

VIP Group Tours are small group of Max 20 visitors
Tours starting from 14:30 will not visit St. Peter's Basilica but Raphael Rooms instead
This tour does not include climbing the Dome
For information or assistance to reach the meeting point please contact us directly on our phone number
We Highly recommend to avoid street vendors around the Vatican Area as they may give you incorrect information
Please don't go directly to The Vatican Museums Entrance without our Guide
St. Peter's Basilica tour is not Guaranteed
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before Tour Start Time
Security Controls and Tickets scanning can require up to 30 minutes before getting inside
Pets and service dogs are not allowed
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.0

2,319 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 2,319 reviews

Amazing experience very happy that I booked

Beatriz_V, Apr 2024

The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. She was patient with everyone in the group. Before going into the Sistine Chapel she explained all the paintings to give us a better idea of what to watch. Well organized and on time.

Vatican visit

Stephanie_V, Apr 2024

Very good experience, we had Elizabetha as a guide! The visit was beautiful and well explained. Thank you.

Great experience

Natasha_W, Apr 2024

Guide was great! Sadly the plce were super crowded that we could not have enough time to see everything.

It was great

Lisa_M, Apr 2024

We had an amazing experience with our tour guide Filamina. The Vatican is huge and contains an incredible amount of art. Filamina was excellent. She is friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable which made this tour something we will always remember as a great experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your tour guide, Filamina, made your visit to the Vatican truly memorable. It's wonderful to know that her friendliness, professionalism, and extensive knowledge enriched your exploration of the vast array of art within the Vatican. We strive to provide exceptional experiences, and we're delighted that Filamina exceeded your expectations. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her and our team. We look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future! Best regards,

Great sites and tour guide

Daniel_F, Apr 2024

The grouped was small and the guide was very knowledgeable. The Sistine Chapel was fantastic and the history surrounding it. We skipped the Basilica because a tour group of Italy toured the site the day before.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you found our tour guide knowledgeable and enjoyed the experience at the Sistine Chapel. We apologize for missing out on the Basilica due to the recent tour group visit, but we're glad you still had a memorable time overall. We appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another enriching experience soon!

Crowded

Jacqueline_W, Apr 2024

The museum area was very busy so unable to see much. The Sistine Chapel was ridiculously busy and we were herded like cattle! The Basilisca was a welcome relief from the over crowding. Our guide was helpful and informative.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the overcrowding during your visit to the museum area, especially at the Sistine Chapel. Your experience is important to us, and we're glad to hear that you found solace in the Basilica. We're pleased to know that our guide was able to assist you and provide valuable information during your visit. Your comments will be taken into consideration as we strive to improve the visitor experience. We hope to welcome you back in the future and provide you with a more enjoyable and memorable visit. Best regards,

Vatican experience was awesome

Martha_G, Apr 2024

The incredible overwhelming beauty of the architecture and frescoes in the Sistine chapel were breathtaking. Our guide knowledgeable and an excellent communicator

Response from Host, Apr 2024

"Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you found the architecture and frescoes of the Sistine Chapel breathtaking. It's truly a masterpiece of art and history. We're also thrilled that you enjoyed the expertise and communication skills of our guide. We strive to provide an enriching and memorable experience for all our visitors. We hope to welcome you back soon for more exploration and discovery!"

More than expexted

Randall_B, Apr 2024

When I first walked into the Basilica I was in shock at the size and beauty of the place. My favorite part of the trip were the Etruscan artifacts. I first learned about them in the 7th grade and 35 years later got to see their creations for myself. The Vaticans collection of artifacts was more extensive than I imagined.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you were impressed by the size and beauty of the Basilica. It's always a pleasure to hear when visitors appreciate the rich history and cultural significance of the artifacts on display. We're glad you had the opportunity to finally see the Etruscan creations in person after learning about them so many years ago. We hope you left with cherished memories and look forward to welcoming you back in the future!

Easter Vatican tour

Virginia_S, Apr 2024

Our guide did an excellent job guiding us through the highlights of the Vatican on Easter weekend. It was very crowded, but she kept our group together and we were able to see the highlights and learn pertinent information.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

"We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our tour guide! Providing insightful knowledge and ample time for photos are top priorities for us. We look forward to welcoming you back on another tour during your next visit. Thank you for choosing us!"

Low value for the money

Matej_L, Apr 2024

Our tour guide felt like the content was memorized, and there was not much more to add to it. The questions we had were misunderstood or not really answered. The level of English knowledge for such a tour could use a bit of an improvement. We couldn’t get in to the basilica as it was closed, but this wasn’t announced before. We took an earlier tour for the reason to be able to check the basilica as well. However it was an Easter weekend so I understand that might not be under the tour operator control. At the end, based on the observations, my expectations were that we’ll be able to enter the basilica without waiting in line but going there myself later I haven’t seen the ability for tours to skip the like. Everyone was waiting in the same security check line. So skip-the-line ticket is works only for the museums. For the basilica there is no line skipping. At the end, the price for such an experience was a bit high even when I take into consideration it was the most popular weekend in the year.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We sincerely apologize for the less-than-ideal experience you had during your tour. We understand your disappointment regarding the tour guide's delivery and the perceived lack of depth in the content provided. Your feedback regarding the level of English proficiency required for such tours is duly noted, and we will take steps to ensure our guides are adequately prepared in the future. Regarding the unexpected closure of the basilica and the lack of prior announcement, we apologize for any inconvenience this caused. While we strive to provide accurate information, circumstances beyond our control, such as public holidays, can sometimes affect tour itineraries. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. Regarding the skip-the-line feature, we apologize for any misunderstanding. While this feature typically applies to museum entrances, we understand your expectation to also bypass lines at the basilica. We will review our communication to ensure clarity on this matter in the future. Lastly, we appreciate your feedback on pricing. We continuously evaluate our pricing structure to ensure it reflects the value of the experience provided. Your comments will be taken into consideration as we make adjustments where necessary. Once again, we apologize for the shortcomings of your tour experience and appreciate your valuable feedback, which helps us improve our services. Should you decide to give us another chance in the future, we will ensure a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Warm regards,

Vatican Tour

Adam_B, Apr 2024

Alberto was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and knew how to navigate the large crowds. Imparted a great deal of knowledge to us. I highly recommend this trip.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Alberto provided you with an excellent experience during your trip. It's fantastic to know that his knowledge and expertise enhanced your visit, even amidst the large crowds. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure soon!

Wandering in Ancient Rome

Martin_K, Apr 2024

Paulo is a very interesting enthusiastic and funny guide who imparted a lot of good information about not only the Colusseum but emperors, gladiators and popes as well.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic experience with Paulo! It sounds like he made your visit to the Colosseum truly memorable by not only sharing insightful information but also infusing it with enthusiasm and humor. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another unforgettable tour!

Loved it

CHRIS_D, Apr 2024

Loved this tour, and manuel who was our guide was fab. Would defo recommened doing the guided trip with skip the queues. Only thing i would say is you dont have to go looking for somewhere to redeem ur tickets. You get them from the guide at top of steps at meeting point. A couple on our tour nearly missed it because they did not understand it. Luckly for us we went early and asked anouther tour guide

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience on our tour and that Manuel made it even more enjoyable for you. Your feedback about the ticket redemption process is greatly appreciated, and we'll make sure to clarify it for future guests to avoid any confusion. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!

Terrific Rome Experience

Stephen_W, Apr 2024

Fantastic Tour...our tour guide was excellent - both knowledgeable and funny. Highly recommend it. Very spiritual too.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic tour experience and that our guide left such a positive impression. We strive to provide both informative and enjoyable tours, and it's wonderful to know that our efforts resonated with you. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for another spiritual journey soon!

Great Vatican tour!

MaryLu_C, Apr 2024

Elizabeth was a wonderful guide. Full of interesting information, with some humor thrown in! Really put the whole Vatican into prospective. Especially with children with us, she engaged them too

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience with Elizabeth! It sounds like she went above and beyond to make your Vatican tour enjoyable and educational for both adults and children. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in the future!

Worth booking

Linda_R, Apr 2024

Really good tour despite the expected crowds. Our guide was engaging and informative. I would highly recommend

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're thrilled to hear you had a fantastic time on our tour despite the crowds! Our team takes pride in providing engaging and informative experiences for our valued customers. Thank you for recommending us, and we look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon!

Enjoyable Experience!

Bette_L, Apr 2024

We loved our guide, she had a Great sense of humor! She was very informative, and knew the History well!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your experience with our guide! A great sense of humor and in-depth knowledge truly make for a memorable tour. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another fantastic adventure!

A great tour experience

Joseph_S, Apr 2024

Fantastic tour. The guide Rosella was 10/10 very knowledgeable and friendly and made the tour interesting. It was worth paying the premium for a tour as the queues were huge and we would no doubt have missed 90% if we'd walked around without a guide.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

"We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience on our tour! Rosella is indeed a gem, and we're delighted to hear that her knowledge and friendliness enhanced your journey. We understand the value of making the most out of your time, especially when faced with long queues. Thank you for choosing us and taking the time to share your feedback!"

Maria Teresa was a...

Faith_M, Apr 2024

Maria Teresa was a fantastic tour guide, full of knowledge and passion! Her art history background allowed her to provide in-depth explanations and a unique sense of wonder to everything we saw. More importantly, Maria Teresa was an engaging guide whose love for her City and its history made for a memorable experience!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with Maria Teresa! We're thrilled to hear that she provided such an enriching and memorable tour. Her passion for art history and love for her city truly shine through in her guiding. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her. We look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future!

Would have liked to have longer to look at things

Wendy_c, Apr 2024

Lots of time spent queuing which meant then felt rushed to see everything. Missed quite a bit of the museum due to time constraints unfortunately.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you experienced during your visit. Your feedback is invaluable to us in improving our services. We understand that waiting in queues can be frustrating and can impact your overall experience. We will certainly review our queuing system to ensure a smoother flow for our guests in the future. Additionally, we'll explore ways to extend visiting times to allow for a more leisurely exploration of the museum's exhibits. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a more fulfilling visit soon.

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