KILLED - Early Entry Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica Express Service

See all (5)

Highlights

  • - Enter the Sistine Chapel before the general public so you can see Michelangelo’s world-famous frescoes in relative peace.

  • - Skip the long lines in front of St. Peter’s Basilica and walk directly into the cathedral.

  • - Don’t spend all day in the Vatican, see its two biggest draws – the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in just two hours.

  • - Enjoy comprehensive introductions to both the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica from one of our expert, English-speaking guides.

  • - Enjoy an intimate experience in a small group of 20 people or fewer.

Summary

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.

Tour info

Duration
2 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult: (15-99 years)
€65.00
Child: (2-14 years)
€55.00
Infant: (0-1 years)
€0.00
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

Piazza del Risorgimento, 60, (Bar l'Ottagono), Rome, 00192, IT

Dropoff location

Piazza San Pietro, Rome, 00120, IT

Why take this tour?

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.

Sites Visited: 
  • Vatican Museums (brief walk through)
    Sistine Chapel
    Pinecone Courtyard
    St. Peter’s Basilica
    Michaelangelo's Pietà
    Bernini's Baldachin
    St. Peter's Square

Show more

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

  • Guided tour of the Vatican Museums (except Sistine Chapel)

  • Gratuities

  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Things to 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

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 Policy

    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.

Redemption information

    Mobile tickets will be accepted
    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption
Operator Website

Operated by:

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.

Show more

Other products from this operator: