Our flagship Private Vatican City experience, the original comprehensive Vatican journey including private fast-track entry to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and the papal crypts. Book well in advance to guarantee availability!
Private Vatican Tour
Summary Description
Highlights
- Skip the line access to both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
- Local private expert tour guide makes this tour a winner for best value
- Experience Michelangelo's remarkable frescos in the Sistine Chapel
- Priority entrance to the Vatican Museums
Description
Enjoy skip-the-line entry to what is arguably the most important and largest art collection in the world. For over five hundred years, popes commissioned works of art from the most talented painters and sculptors to enjoy at the Vatican amongst an elite circle of clerics, nobles, and scholars. Each new pope sought to leave a legacy greater than the last, commissioning chapels, frescoes, and sculptures until the collection grew to more than 70,000 works of art.
Walk in the footsteps of popes and Renaissance masters as you take in the Rooms of Raphael and the Sistine Chapel, from its commissioning to the finishing touches by none other than Michelangelo Buonarroti. With your own private expert guide, learn to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this epic work of art.
Conclude your Vatican visit here or choose the extended tour option and gain fast-track access to St. Peter's Basilica to view masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini, among others, before descending to the papal crypts below. We conclude on the portico with an overview of Bernini’s magnificent piazza (St. Peter’s Square), the central obelisk, and the renowned Swiss Guard.
Included / Excluded
- Priority entrance to the Vatican Museums
- Immersive experience inside Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
- The remarkable frescoed Rooms of Raphael
- Private expert licensed English-speaking tour guide
- Fast-track entry and guided visit of St. Peter's Basilica (optional)
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Gratuities
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid. Please contact us to inquire about customized tour options for guests with mobility challenges
- This tour has two bookable options. One covers the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel only, and the other includes a guided visit to St. Peter's. Select your preference upon checkout
- Access to St. Peter's Basilica is not possible on Wednesday morning during the weekly papal audience.
- Dress comfortably, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
- Due to events and ceremonies associated with the 2025 Jubilee, access to St. Peter's Basilica might be restricted. Such closures are beyond our control.
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours
Cancellation Notes: All cancellations must be received in writing. Tours and passes will be refunded if cancelled more than 24 hours before the tour start time, however the following penalties apply: <div>For tours entering the Vatican Museums and/or the Colosseum (venues where tickets are non-refundable) a penalty of $30 per person will be retained for each venue.</div>
Terms and Conditions
Tours depart promptly at the scheduled time, while public transport throughout Italy can be unreliable. Allow plenty of time to get from your accommodation to the meeting point, or contact us to arrange for a private transfer. No refunds will be granted for failure to arrive at the meeting point on time.
Tours depart rain or shine unless otherwise specified.
During peak season and on the days surrounding national and/or religious holidays, extreme crowding can be expected at tourist attractions across Italy, leading to increased wait times to pass through security checks despite Tour Operator priority access. While this is beyond our control, we do our best to minimize any inconvenience.
View complete terms and conditions at www.italiatours.com/terms.
Additional Information
This tour is not wheelchair-accessible. Contact us to arrange for a wheelchair-friendly private tour.
Redemption Information
Tickets will be held at the box office
Basic Information
- Duration: 2.5 hours -
- Trip difficulty: Easy
- Max Group Size: 20
- Category: Tours & Sightseeing
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