Enter the Vatican Museums 30 minutes before the general public to see the Sistine Chapel with only a handful of other visitors. Then use a special entrance to St. Peter's Basilica, skipping more lines for a gudied tour of Christianity's most impressive church. Perfect for visitors who want to hit the highlights without the lines.
KILLED - Early Entry Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica Express Service
Summary Description
Highlights
Description
From August 6th, all Italy sites we visit will require clients and guides alike to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test completed within 48 hours prior to entry. They will also require a legal form of ID matching the vaccination or test results. This does not apply to children under 12. You can read more about it here.
Note that due to changed opening times of the Vatican Museums and site restrictions, the order of sites visited may be reversed.
Introducing a wonderful and affordable way to see the Vatican's greatest treasure without the crowds.
30 minutes before the Vatican Museums open to the public, you'll slip in with your expert guide and small group of 20 people or fewer, and quickly make your way to the Sistine Chapel. As you tread through the galleries on our specially-planned route, you'll view some highlights with few (if any) other people around to disturb you. You won't pause for long but during your walk (about 15 - 20 minutes in duration), you will get a sense of what the Papal Palaces look like and the kinds of treasures they hold.
From the time you meet your guide, a lot of what they say will be building up to the moment you enter the Sistine Chapel. While you wait in line or stroll through the galleries, they'll teach you about the life and times of Michelangelo. Using a special hand-out, they'll explain to you the meaning behind his Sistine Chapel frescoes, and tell you what details you should be looking out for once inside.
When you arrive you'll be ready (as ready as you can ever be, anyway) for one of the most awe-inspiring works of art in existence. Spend 20 serene minutes in the Chapel with only a handful of other people and then, just as the crowds begin to show up, you can either head back to the museums to experience them on your own, or follow your guide through a special access entrance into St. Peter's Basilica.
Inside the Basilica your guide will give you a full 45-minute tour that includes more world-famous art, like Bernini's monolithic baldachin and Michelangelo's famously heart-wrenching Pietá.
This express tour fits the Vatican's two most important sites into two fantastic, wait-free hours: Perfect for those who want to see these two incredible highlights without a full Vatican Museums Tour, and ideal for families with children.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
- Skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica
- Headset
What's Not Included
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums (except Sistine Chapel)
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Start / End Locations
Start Location: Piazza del Risorgimento, 60, (Bar l'Ottagono), Rome, IT
Start Location Notes: Piazza del Risorgimento. Please meet at the green bar in the middle of the square called Bar l'Ottagono. The closest Metro stop is Ottaviano.
Start Location Direction: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bar+L'Ottagona/@41.9060515,12.4577853,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xeac66510971e638f!8m2!3d41.9061753!4d12.4582788
Commentary
Guide : English
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- We cannot accept wheelchairs on this group tour. Our group route utilizes staircases where elevator access is not easily accessible. Those with wheelchairs and limited mobility can contact us ([email protected]) so we can arrange your visit.
- This tour ends in St. Peter's Basilica, accessed through a special entrance. If this entrance is closed on the day of your tour, your guide will tour the exterior of St. Peter's with you, and you are welcome to go inside on your own from the general entrance at the conclusion of your tour.
- From August 6th 2021, all Italy sites we visit will require clients and guides alike to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test completed within 48 hours prior to entry. They will also require a legal form of ID matching the vaccination or test results. More info on the Italian Government website
Know Before You Go
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- If you cannot join your tour at the last minute (running late, etc), please contact us. We may be able to reschedule your tour with a small amendment fee depending on availability.
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- All guests must pass through security. For useful information/restrictions about your tour in the Vatican Museum, visit https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en/visita-i-musei/consigli-utili.html
- Only small backpacks and handbags are allowed inside the Vatican Museums. Storage is available but please note you must return (about a 20-minute walk) to the entrance to pick up your items at the end of the tour.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- We cannot accept wheelchairs on this group tour. Our group route utilizes staircases where elevator access is not easily accessible. Those with wheelchairs and limited mobility can contact us ([email protected]) so we can arrange your visit.
- This tour ends in St. Peter's Basilica, accessed through a special entrance. If this entrance is closed on the day of your tour, your guide will tour the exterior of St. Peter's with you, and you are welcome to go inside on your own from the general entrance at the conclusion of your tour.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- From August 6th 2021, all Italy sites we visit will require clients and guides alike to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test completed within 48 hours prior to entry. They will also require a legal form of ID matching the vaccination or test results. More info on the Italian Government website
Cancellation
Cancellation Policy: standard
Cancellation Cutoff: 72 hours
Cancellation Notes: Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.
Options
Early Entry Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica Express Service
2021 Pricing
| RETAIL PRICE | |
|---|---|
| Adult (13-64 years) | €65.00 |
| Child (0-3 years) | €55.00 |
Points of interest
Terms and Conditions
Before you travel, please read the "Know Before You Go" section for essential information, requirements, and possible disruptions regarding your tour.
FAQ
Do our Vatican tours include Skip the Line Access?
Yes. All of our Vatican tours include skip the line access as standard. This means that we use the special group entrance with pre-reserved timed-entry tickets, so you’ll never have to wait in long general access lines. For extra special entry, check out our Pristine Sistine Tour.
Any of our group tours that visit St. Peter’s Basilica also include skip the line access there.
Can I remain in Saint Peter's after the tour?
Once the tour completes, you may remain in St. Peter’s Basilica for as long as you like, however, you will be unable to go back into the Vatican Museums.
Can I go back to the Vatican museum after the tour?
Once the tour completes, you may remain in St. Peter’s Basilica for as long as you like, however, you will be unable to go back into the Vatican Museums.
Can I visit the Dome of Saint Peter's after my tour?
Your guide will show you where and how to get the tickets to climb the dome. Once the tour is over, you can remain in St Peters for as long as you want and then exit to climb the dome. Please note, the desk will only accept cash for tickets.
Can I bring my bags in the Vatican?
According to Vatican Museum rules, only small bags can be brought inside the Museums. Handbags and small backpacks (no larger than 40cm x 35cm x 25cm) may be carried inside but anything larger than that, plus large umbrellas, must be checked at the cloakroom. Items may be left at the cloakroom without charge, but please note that you must return to this spot to collect your belongings before 5:00 pm or return the following day. As our tours mostly end at St. Peter’s Basilica this is quite inconvenient, as you will be required to walk about 20 minutes from there back to the entrance of the Museums. In the case of our Vatican Highlights Tour, guests may have to leave the tour early in order to reach the cloakroom before it closes, and thus will not be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.
Can I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?
No, non, ne, nee, absolutely not. And the Sistine Chapel guards are scary, so we don’t recommend trying it.
About operator:
Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.
In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Prices
- Adult: €65.00
- Child: €55.00
Basic Information
- Duration: 2 hours
- Category: Attractions / Museums
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