Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & 4 Papal Basilicas Full Day Tour
Recommended by 92% of travelers
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Rome, Italy
- 8 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore Rome’s sacred treasures on a full-day tour. Get priority access at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpieces, and discover the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit all four Papal Basilicas— St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls. Learn about each attraction's architecture and spiritual significance from your guide.
- Enjoy priority access to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Visit four historic Papal Basilicas
- Explore St. Peter's Square and its iconic obelisk
- Choose from multiple tour times to fit your schedule
What's Included
- All transfers in luxury, air-conditioned minivan
- Audio headsets, so you can always hear your guide
- Expert, English-speaking tour guides
- Priority Access to the Vatican Museums
- Group of 20 people or less
- Guided tour of St Peter's Basilica & 3 other Papal Basilicas
- Gratuities
- Transfer between tours
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
The meeting point is at the bottom of the steps which are located right next to Caffè Vaticano on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi. The closest Metro stop is Line A (Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani). The meeting points are the same for the morning and afternoon tours.
End point
- Papal Basilica of Saint Mary MajorP.za di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00100 Roma RM, Italy
Itinerary
1
Vatican Museums
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Sistine Chapel
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
St. Peter's Basilica
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
6
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- All four basilicas are subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies during the Papal Jubilee. Furthermore, access through the holy doors is not possible, as the site is expected to be busy
- Extra measures may be implemented at some venues due to heightened global security. As a result, there may be delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues. Extra measures may also restrict the size of bags that can be brought inside. To avoid disruptions or possible denied entry, avoid bringing large purses, bags or backpacks on your tour. The Vatican only permits very small bags, and specifically prohibits large bags, tripods, umbrellas and backpacks. Any such items must be checked into the free luggage storage area, and this may result in you having to leave the tour early to retrieve them at the entrance
- Guests must check in with the local supplier's representative both in the morning and in the afternoon.
- The Vatican Museums are among the most highly trafficked sites in the world. With over 6 million visitors in 2014 and numbers rising year-on-year, the museums give rise to a whole new meaning of the word “crowded.” The route taken on this tour is designed to minimize exposure to crowds as much as possible, but be aware that the museums are very busy by nature
- This tour involves a fair amount of walking and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
- Please provide the full names of all participants at the time of booking. Failure to submit this information will result in customers being unable to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, and no refunds will be issued.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,070 reviews
James_S, Oct 2025
A superb experience. Well worth the cost. I highly recommend this tour. Christian our morning guide and Flavia were wonderful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Thank you.
Robert_L, Oct 2025
Extremely crowded due to Jubilee visitors. Could not see T Peter’s Basilica due to the Pope and Jubilee activities. Neither were the fault of the tour guides. Mary did the best possible under the circumstances, but it always seemed like we were hurrying by all the things worth seeing just to get through the crowds. There were so many people there to see things that nobody got to see much of anything.
Jeremy_H, Aug 2025
Beware!!! This tour was operated by City Wonders. We had booked the (All Day Vatican and 4 Basilica Tour (8 hour tour)) We showed up at our scheduled time of 8am went through the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica (3.5 hours) the tour guide dismissed the group and we asked about the continuation of our tour we booked. She was confused and not sure what to do to help us. She acted like we were placed on the wrong tour. She tried to help us out and she reached someone and she said to go back to the meeting point and someone would be there at 1:30pm so we went there and waited for 2 hours. During that time we were emailing Viator trying to get some type of customer service support from City Wonders and had no luck. At 1:40pm we went back to our hotel and requested refund. At 2pm received call saying the tour guide is waiting (call came after we requested refund from Viator) the 2pm time was something new to us since that was never emailed/called to us with the separate check in time. We had went with what the tour guide had said.. The communication was horrible. City Wonders won’t show us any proof of where they told us about the 2pm check in time. They failed and won’t refund us our money. They will leave you stranded searching for answers trying to figure it out and refuse to be honest that they messed up. Horrible customer service. Viator needs to investigate City Wonders and maybe not associate with them. So beware booking with City Wonders they will rip you off.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Jeremy_H,
Thank you for booking with us.
For the Combo tour, the voucher always shows the departure time and meeting point for both parts of the tour, generally one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The guide is not the same for both parts so they do not know if you booked a Combo or not.
We would be happy to review the voucher you received at the time of booking if you contact us directly with the booking reference.
Kind regards,
The City Wonders team
Joseph_N, Aug 2025
This was a wonderful tour of the Vatican Museums. Our guide was very knowledgeable on the significant pieces in this vast museum. This is important since it’s easy to get involved in a piece which isn’t as significant as another. The crowds were huge since it was the day before the museum would be closed for a holiday and she managed to keep all of us organized.
The after portion to visit the holy doors and visit the three other major basilica’s in Rome was also well done. The tour was truncated since a service was beginning at the last church. However, our guide provided us with the important information on the church. This was a great way to visit the four major churches during the Jubilee Year
hernan_l, Jul 2025
We paid way too much, for such a poor expierence, not only we were alone in the san peters basilic, we didnt find the tour when we got outside.
We werent able to go to the other cathedrals, some places of the vatican were closed. The line for the basilic was long, on the sun, without information and everybody was lost.
The comunnication was bad, people was lost, confused. Its even dangerous to go with little children if you expect help from the tour guides.
I expect a refund for such a price.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear hernan_l,
Thank you for share this review.
In the Combo Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & 4 Papal Basilicas Full Day Tour, you visit Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica in the morning.
Then you have a break and the meeting point and start time for the 2nd part of the tour with the bus to visit the other Basilicas in Rome.
In case of some confusion on the voucher about the inclusions and the 2 starting times, we invite you to reach out with the booking reference, if you didn't do so already.
Kindest regards,
Sales & Customer Care | City Wonders Ltd.
RonQuixote, Aug 2018
The 3-hour morning tour was great! We went during peak season and the crowds were huge, but our group was tiny (8 people) and our guide Giuseppe breezed us right through. He certainly hit all of the highlights. There's so much to see, I can imagine getting figuratively lost in the grandeur of any single Vatican Museum or even a single work of art for many hours, but he managed to keep us moving while showing us all of the most fascinating details and putting everything into historical context. After lunch we reported back to the starting point at the foot of the stairs next to the Cafe Vaticano and to our delight we found that we (my wife and I) were the only ones who booked the full day and we were introduced to our personal guide Laura and our very own driver! No crowded buses, no standing in lines, just one major, beautiful work of art after another and Laura's explanations of the evolution of the basilicas was more intimate and complete than I imagined such a tour could be. She was far beyond delightful. If you really want to learn about the places you're visiting and understand the historical context and the people who influenced them (Peter, Paul, Contstantine, etc.), I cannot recommend this highly enough. If you just want to walk in and out and take pictures, you can probably do that on your own without the expense. These guides are so knowledgeable, I think it would be a shame to hire them unless you are seriously interested in learning and immersing yourself in the experience. St. Peter's Basilica is included in the morning Vatican tour, but the three churches we toured in the afternoon were every bit as remarkable each in its own unique way. St. Paul Outside the Wall is exquisite as is the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.
DENNIS_D, Jul 2018
This was an outstanding experience, The groups were small and the local guides very knowledgeable, with excellent English. There was plenty of free time between the morning and afternoon tour for lunch and some shopping. The operator, CityWonders, really had their act together.
Brooke_B, Jul 2018
Great tour. Our guide was terrific and provided the right amount of history and entertainment. Amazing to see this world treasure!
Laura_Z, Jul 2018
Vatican tour was amazing our tour guide Maria Theresa was excellent. In the afternoon tour it was just my family on the tour so we taken by a private car and toured to the 3 major basilica by Laura. She was excellent very knowledgeable
MICHAEL_T, Jul 2018
I forget our tour guide name, but she was wonderful. This tour is in two parts with a two hour break between the morning and afternoon. The Skip the line was awesome. Everything was well planned. Only comment...we have read when booking this tour that no shorts or sleeveless shirts were allowed. Well this isn't entirely true. YES, sleeveless shirts are a NO NO, but shorts Even for men are allowed IF they touch the top of the knee. They suppose to cover the knee, but everyone had NO problem getting in with them just above. The museums and Basilicas are not air conditioned or if they were, they are very weak. Shorts are needed.
Buddy H, Jan 2018
Everything we wanted to do and see. The tours were very well planed out and the guides were great.
Steven P, Nov 2017
Actually two separate tours, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. For both tours, my wife and I were the only attendees, so both were private tours! Our guides, Nicholas and Rebecca, were extremely knowledgeable and attentive, and really made the day. A great way to see these sights!
WILLIAM S, Nov 2017
Could not be happier. We were the only ones on these tours but City Wonders ran them anyway. Both guides were outstanding
linda a, Sep 2017
With the full day tour we were the only one's on the tour. Both the morning guide and the one in the afternoon were excellent in there knowledge of the history. Since we were the only one's they could have cancel the tour. But instead of a van we had a privite car take us to the churches.
salvador_d, Nov 2016
As a Catholic, there is no more powerful experience that to be at the Vatican. Then to take the Jubilee tour, and walk through the 4 Holy doors and have your sins forgiven, well that was worth the entire trip all by itself. We had a wonderful guide who was knowledgeable, respectful, and professional.
JLC, Nov 2016
You definitely want to skip the line. It's a mad house. Well worth the money.
kodriscoll, Nov 2016
Excellent...but we were worn out! So much to see and learn about. I think there were extra tourists/pilgrims as we are at the end of a Catholic Jubilee year. Much more crowded than I expected we went mid/late October. I would recommend a little reading/research ahead of time - wish we'd done so. Viator partnered with City Wonders formerly Dark Rome - every single tour guide we had was amazing and knowledgeable.
Caitlin, Nov 2016
We really enjoyed this tour! Both the tour guides morning and afternoon were very knowledgeable.
Lynda Gail W, Nov 2016
It was nice to see the Vatican Museum, cistine chapel and the 3 other Basillicas in Rome
Isabel D, Nov 2016
Such an amazing tour. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to see the Vatican in one day!
Edward O, Oct 2016
Doriana was fantastic on the Vatican Museum / Sistine Chapel / St. Peter's in the morning. She was very knowledgeable, friendly and humorous. Time flew.
However, the 3 basilicas tour in the afternoon was a bust. You are better off going to those on your own. The guides different crew fro, the morning were minimally informed and the bus slowly crept through Roman traffic. The metro is much quicker.
Michele B, Oct 2016
Was good to be ahead of the crowds that were waiting to enter. Good knowledge from both the morning and afternoon guides. Just a note for anyone doing the full day you finish a taxi ride away from the star at the Vatican
Richard G, Oct 2016
This tour is highly recommended for anyone visiting Rome and the Vatican for their first time. There are so many people visiting the Vatican that it would be crazy to try to see it on your own. You will save so much time by skipping the line and once you understand the layout of the Vatican you can easily explore it on your own.
towflorida1117, Oct 2016
The tour guide Doriana was AWESOME!! She had so much knowledge, was easy to understand and exceptionally informative. My 73 year old mother understood every word, and loved her as well. The Vatican is huge and there is so much to see, she made it informative and didn't loose anyone in our group. The afternoon guide was just as good and was entertaining and very easy to understand. He highlighted all of the sights from the Vatican to each stop. He was very informative and knowledgable of all of the Basillicas after the Vatican. I would highly suggest seeing the sights with a guide, as there is so much to learn, and without them it old have been way less interesting.
Liz, Oct 2016
The tour was rushed and way too much time spent on the art work and not enough on the true meaning of what the Vatican represents.
Thomas F, Oct 2016
Of all the excursions we took in Rome, this is the one not to miss! Our guide Sabrina did an excellent job in the morning guiding us through the highlights of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, and the Sistine Chapel. So glad we were able to skip the lines as the crowds were large. In the afternoon,our guide Pia gave us an outstanding tour of the 3 major Basilicas - the highlight of our 7 days in Rome!
Nikkiday, Oct 2016
I really enjoyed this tour. The Vatican is so crowded with tourists and other tour groups that it's difficult to navigate through the galleries. Our guide, Martina, was excellent. She guided us through the hordes and provided background to what we saw in the galleries, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
Marie W, Oct 2016
Absolutely amazing day, everything was just wonderful. Our tour guides, Maria Vatican portion and Georgia 3 Papal Basilicas portion were both fantastic very knowledgeable, friendly, experienced, and patient ... everything you would want in tour guides. I'm so glad we did this tour, it really made our trip. Also, this was a real skip the line tour, and thank Goodness, because the line we saw went down the long block and around the corner! Would recommend this to anyone visiting for the first time. Also, most of it is indoors which is good for rainy days.
Nataline A, Oct 2016
This was one of my favorit toursFinding the group in the morning was difficult because the streets in Italy are kind of confusing.our tour guid Emma was extremely educated we saw so much the first half.second part was with dimirty excellent guid showed us other churches. It's worth every penny 8hrs
Nicholas B, Oct 2016
The guides for both the morning and afternoon tours were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We would recommend this tour, and gained a great deal of useful information.
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