Private Vatican Tour

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

Summary

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!

Tour info

Duration

2 hours -

Group Size

Why take this tour?

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.

What’s included?

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

Things to know

Before you book

Due to the route covered and/or the means of 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
Despite priority access, crowding can be significant at the Vatican during peak season and this is beyond our control.
Tour is provided in English.
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

Before you go

There is a strict dress code at the Vatican. Shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
This tour departs on time. It is not possible to join the tour if you arrive late.
Comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are highly recommended.
Saint Peter's Basilica may experience unexpected closures for religious ceremonies. In such instances, we are pleased to offer an extended tour of the Vatican Museums to our customers. While we make every effort to notify tour groups in advance of any planned disruptions to the Basilica's opening hours, this is not always possible. Consequently, we are unable to provide refunds or discounts in these cases
Powerbanks are not allowed inside the Vatican museums. Please leave them at the cloakroom or at our office before the visit

Cancellation Policy

Tours depart rain or shine unless otherwise specified. 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: 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. No refunds will be made for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice or failure to arrive at the meeting point on time (no-show).

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