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Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, Basilica Option Guided Tour

Rome, Italy
Great choice
5+ bookings last month.
  • 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Offered in: English

Overview

The Vatican Museums are one of the world's most popular attractions, which can attract crowds. Beat the usual wait times with skip-the-line entry on this guided tour, which includes a visit to the magnificent Sistine Chapel. Learn the stories behind iconic masterpieces by artists like Raphael and Michelangelo, and hear insight you might otherwise miss. Audio headsets are available so you don't miss a single word.
  • Don't miss the highlights of the vast galleries thanks to your tour guide
  • Enrich your visit with live commentary that provides context and insight
  • Save time with guaranteed fast-track entry, and avoid the lengthy lines
  • Ask your guide questions as you explore

What's Included

  • Blue Badge Certified Guide
  • Headsets
  • Skip The Line Access
  • Private transportation
  • Food and Drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Via Sebastiano Veniero, 74, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

    Please check in at our office located at Via Sebastiano Veniero 74. Look for the sign outside that reads "Inside Out Italy."

End point

  • Saint Peter’s Basilica
    Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

Ticket Redemption Point

Via Sebastiano Veniero, 74, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

Itinerary

1

Vatican Museums

2 hours Admission Ticket Included

2

Sistine Chapel

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Please be aware that access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to Vatican regulations and ceremonies. The Vatican Museums or the Basilica may decide to close these sites on short notice due to official events or religious proceedings. In the event of any unexpected developments, we are unable to foresee or control these closures in advance. However, your ticket will still grant you access to the Vatican Museums.
  • 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.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.1
based on 24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Worst Tour EVER

steve01030, May 2024
Guide was 45 minutes late, and was very rude to everyone in the group, including a mother with an infant in a stroller. Absolute terrible experience!!! Never saw Basilica, as we were running so late. This was like a cattle drive and completely unacceptable. Worst tour I have ever taken in my life. And especially disappointing, since it was the Vatican.

Scam provider - AVOID & find a proper operator

Gavin_M, Feb 2024
Turned up on time. Nobody else there for the tour and we were told that the guide was sick but would be OK for an hour later - obviously untrue! Turned up an hour later - lots of people waiting for a tour but were were the only English-speakers, so were taken around the corner and dropped onto someone else's tour. Guide was excellent but we were rushed through as St Peter's closed at 12:30, so we had way less than 2 hours 'on site' and probably only 1 hour with the guide, as he sent us into St. Peter's at 12:00.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Dear Gavin, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We sincerely appreciate hearing from our customers, even when the feedback is less than positive. I'm sorry to hear that your recent experience with us did not meet your expectations. Your satisfaction is incredibly important to us, and we take your concerns seriously. Please know that we are committed to resolving any issues you encountered and to improving our services based on your feedback. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss your concerns further and find a resolution that leaves you feeling satisfied. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at +39 342 855 6768 (Zineb), and I will do everything in my power to address your concerns and make things right. Thank you once again for bringing this matter to our attention. We value your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to restore your faith in our company. Best regards, City Rome Tours

Beautiful but Crowded!

Chris_S, Oct 2023
This was a stunningly beautiful tour but it was so crowded it was hard to see everything and stay with your group. Our guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend even for the non religious just for all the art and visual stimulation. Thank you!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hi Chris! Thanks for leaving us a recommend about your experience with us. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our guide. Even in this season, the museum is crowded as it is one of the most famous museums in the world. We will be happy to welcome you again. Kindest Regards City Rome Tour

☹️

Elizabeth_S, Sep 2023
The tour was good, but our guide left the Sistine Chapel without us, so we were unable to get to St. Peter’s with the skip the line access. That was the whole reason I bought these specific tickets. It was upsetting to miss a portion of the tour we paid for.

Far, far too busy to enjoy.

Steven_H, Nov 2022
The 3 stars are purely for the guide Fred, he was great, the overall experience however, was just not for me though. I'm not a Catholic, so can't understand how all that opulence could be for just one man. I love art and architecture, but couldn't enjoy it for what it is, this is quite simply a Gravy Train. If you like being herded along a trail with hundreds of people, this one is for you.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Dear Steven, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with others here on TA. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your Vatican Tour with Fred, he is great Tour Guide and I'm sure you learned a lot about the art inside the Vatican. Unfortunately, as for the crowds, that is not under our control. Although the Vatican does have limits for each entrance, there still are thousands of people that visit each day. I would definitely recommend joining our early morning tours next time to better enjoy the Vatican with less crowds. Wishing you all the best and hoping to see you next time in Rome! Vatican & Rome Tours Staff

Very organised... the...

elias_r, Oct 2022
Very organised... the guide was very good... he did explain all things as its huge specially in Vatican museum but he explain the main things

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Dear Elias, Thank you for your feedback. It's great to hear that you enjoyed your Vatican experience with us. Looking forward to seeing you again next time in Rome! Vatican & Rome Tours Staff

Well worth it!

Catherine_K, Oct 2022
Federico our guide was fascinating throughout the tour. We learnt so much more than we would have done visiting the attractions ourselves. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Hello Catherine, Thank you for your kind words about the tour, Federico, and for recommending us, we are very much appreciated. All the best, Vatican and Rome Tours

Not worth the time

Palmiero_A, Jul 2022
The tour guide was long winded and boring. She was to slow, and dragged the tour on to long. Most of the guests where complaining about how boring she was and how much time she was spending on telling you about the same item. She should have sped the tour up considering how hot it was. Once we did get to the chapel, it was unsatisfying, because you had lost interest in being there, not to mention the fact that it was over crowded in the room.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Dear Palmier, We are grateful for your time and feedback left. The summer season in Rome is usually a very hot period, the only thing we could recommend to you for the next time, is to try to choose morning tours. Vatican city, the Museum, is one of the most popular places in the world and Sistine Chapel, unfortunately, is the place that is almost always crowded. All the best, Vatican & Rome Tours

Exceptional Tour Guide

Heather_M, Jun 2022
Our guide was so very knowledgeable and great at explaining everything we saw. Thank you Veronique 😊

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Dear Heather, We really happy that you loved Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with our guide, Veronique, she is glad to hear from you as well. All the best, Vatican & Rome Tours

Perfecto

Melisa_R, Sep 2023
Silvia la mejor guía, amena, simpática, aprendimos muchísimo con sus conocimientos, hizo el recorrido muy grato.

From $64.54

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 16 days in advance.

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