Maximize time spent in Rome with this Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica tour, complete with skip-the-line access. Choose between several start times and learn about the Vatican Museum’s history and art from an English-speaking guide. Wander through the Gallery of Maps and the Sistine Chapel before continuing on to see the opulent St. Peter’s Basilica.

Skip the line at the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica
Convenient choice between multiple start times
Learn about the history and art of the Vatican from a local guide
Admire Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel

What's Included

Skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums
Guided Tour of the Highlights of the Vatican Museums
Including Visit to the Raphael Rooms and Borgia Apartments
Entry into Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
Change to Marvel at The Last Judgement
Skip-the-line Entry & Visit to the St. Peter's Church
Passionate English-Speaking Guide
Maximum Group Size of 20!

Hotel Pick Up / Drop Off
Food & Beverages
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Viale Vaticano, 100
Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Please arrive 10 minute early. Your friendly guide will meet you at the top of the big staircase between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano, (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with "The Tour Guy" written on it.

End point

St. Peter's Basilica
Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Tour normally ends at St. Peter's Basilica, with the exception of Wednesday morning tours that start before 11am. St. Peter's Basilica is unavailable on Wednesday morning, therefore the tour will in this case end inside the Vatican Museums.

What To Expect

Vatican Museums

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sistine Chapel

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
The Vatican generally quiets down again in the late afternoon, but there is a chance the museums may still be crowded while you are inside
You are advised to be ready at the meeting point up to 15 minutes ahead of the start time to ensure a prompt start. After leaving the meeting point, your guide will bring you inside the Vatican Museums. Since we have a strict entrance time, in case of delays and late arrivals, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to add you to the group. Depending on the size of your group, headphones may be used for some tours. In that case, headphones will be provided. However you may use your own earbuds if you wish

Service animals allowed
Please contact The Tour Guy to book a wheelchair accessible tour
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
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.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

385 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 385 reviews

This was a great tour but...

Meredith_H, Sep 2023

This was a great tour but was our second for the day and I would not recommend taking two one day. Our original tour was set for the day before but was canceled because the charge card it was booked with was compromised and canceled. w”We didn’t realize it when they sent the email letting me know the card was going to be charged under the “book now pay later” option. Pay close attention when you get those emails! Our only choice was to rebook on the same day we had a Colosseum tour. Both yours were great but it was an exhausting day!

Good tour, but lots of walking

Thomas_S, Sep 2023

This was a good tour of 20 people and lasted 2+ hours. The guide was knowledgeable. However, it was very crowded for a Tuesday...in my opinion. Due to construction, there was a lot of walking (and stairs) to get to the Vatican museum, Cistine chapel and St Peter's basilica. My only suggestion for management is to tell people that the meeting point is opposite the Vatican Museum entrance. Just giving an address makes it more difficult to find the meeting point

Outstanding Guided Tour

Penelope_L, Sep 2023

Elenora was a wonderful guide. Very knowledgeable, professional, and responsive to our group. We highly recommend her & this tour!

Amazing

Kara_M, Sep 2023

Raffa was amazing, knowledgable, friendly and very considerate for everyone on tour, i know i would not have seen half of what I did and know about it also without tour. Thank you Raffa you made our visit to Vatican City one to remember xx

Still in awe

Dolores_B, Sep 2023

Tour was amazing. Our guide was patient, very knowledgeable and answered our questions. Highlight was visiting the Sistine Chapel - which is absolutely beautiful and having the opportunity to attend Mass at St Peter’s.

Overall Terrific

Jared_D, Sep 2023

Felt like we had time to see everything and were not rushed. Tour guide very informative and adjusted for children

Wonderful tour guide such great information

Mary_M, Sep 2023

Our guide was wonderful so professional we loved her. She was so knowledgeable and always made sure no one got lost

Wonderful day at the Vatican

sandy_a, Sep 2023

This was a wonderful, informative and excellent way to see all the best spots at the Vatican ! Our guide was excellent, meeting point so easy! There is no way to navigate and understand this amazing place without a guide! BRAVO AND THANK YOI!

Long and crowded

Christina_M, Aug 2023

Tour guide was hard to follow because there were so many tours going on. I liked the ear pieces so we could hear him from a distance.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Hi Christina! Thank you for your feedback. Unfortunately, only the Vatican can limit the number of people inside. I understand your feeling about the crowds. We just hope that you had a good time and got to see the highlights of the Museum!

Guide was fantastic! Vatican was too crowded. Just a bad time to go.

Beth_I, Aug 2023

Guide was fantastic. Sistine chapel was very moving. Not a good time to be here. Aug is too hot and too crowded. That’s on us!

Amazing tour

David_W, Aug 2023

Ricardo (with the tattoos) was an amazing tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and clearly cared deeply about the art and history of the Vatican and making sure that all of us on the tour learned a lot.

Not that great too crowded.

Ariana_C, Aug 2023

Three stars was because of the condition of the crowds they allow in the Vatican Katerina our guide did the best she could considering. She navigated our group through heavy crowds with ease she was amazing in that. The ear piece made it very difficult to hear and understand her. There were many times I could not hear her at all. I would suggest two piece headset in the future. All in all I was impressed at how well she held our group together. I do not recommend this tour because of the crowds. If I ever go again I would have to research a time of day or year that might be better to go Thank you to our guide for doing the best job she could.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hi Ariana, and thank you for your feedback on this tour experience. This year has been unprecedented when it comes to the number of tourist in Rome. We have never seen the Vatican this full either! I am happy to hear that Katerina took you through the masses, she is a GREAT Guide. Hopefully next time in Rome, it will be a bit less crowded.

Great experience

Melinda_H, Aug 2023

Our guide was full of the history that we walked through,he is a credit to your company .Made it very enjoyable

Would recommend!

Rachel_N, Aug 2023

Great tour! The tour guide provided a lot of great information about what we looked at and it was nice to avoid lines.

An awesome experience

Hari_S, Aug 2023

Being in the inner sanctum and looking up to the ceiling. It was an awesome experience. You felt the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Vatican is beautiful...

John_D, Aug 2023

The Vatican is beautiful and inspiring. However the guide was not friendly and very short with people in the group. You could feel that she didn't want to be there.

guide did not show up

christine_g, Aug 2023

BUYER BEWARE - We bought tickets for a sunday tour, and the eprso never showed. we were a group of abt 25 ppl - all had been stood up. Nobody responded to our texts emails or calls. We did end up getting refunds (most of us anyways), but still.. do not book!!!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hi Christine! We are sorry that you were effected by the communication error caused by Viator. We are trying to understand how Viator was allowed to sell tickets on a day when the Vatican is closed.

Great time.

Linda_A, Aug 2023

Tour guide great. Very knowledgeable and took good care of the needs of the group. Would do it again.

Judgement..!

Steve_O, Aug 2023

Skip the Line - does what it says - but all the Tours do this at the same time.. but oh well.. Fast paced tour through the Vatican - but again, can understand why it needs to be as there is SO much to be looking at..! Having said that - Guide was informative & allowed us to stop at the main events. Ear pieces were good - & needed! Recommended!

Worth the price

Gina_B, Aug 2023

Skip the Line is truly that. When you approach the Vatican the line to get in was super long and hot in August. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and was always taking us the the best locations for viewing and picture taking. And he was very knowledgeable. Never looked at a card or anything. Just full of great information. The Vatican a crowded place, you will get moved along in a sea of people, it’s not perfect, but our guide did the best one could do in those circumstances. Also note, there’s so much to see and it’s a long tour, so make sure you get enough to eat before and bring a water bottle.

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