Vatican
3.5 hours
Times vary
Max 20

Highlights

  • Enjoy a complete tour of the Vatican and go beyond the expected, gaining deeper insight into its countless artistic and architectural treasures.
  • See the best of the Vatican Museums—from the Sistine Chapel to the Raphael Rooms and the Belvedere Courtyard—and explore St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin.
  • Avoid often hours-long lines with skip-the-line access at both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
  • Relax in the company of a small group, making it easier for you to engage with our 5-star guides.

Preview the experience

Loading...

Tour description

More than the Sistine Chapel—this skip-the-line tour shows you the best of the Vatican Museums.

Our Complete Vatican Tour goes beyond the ordinary to give you unrivaled insight into one of the world's most sacred sites. From the Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms to incredible ancient sculptures you may never have heard of, our route through the Vatican Museums visits all the sights you wanted to see—plus some surprises you didn’t expect.

The pièce-de-resistance, of course, is the Sistine Chapel. By the time we arrive at the crown jewel of the Vatican, your guide will have explained the stories and secrets behind the paintings—what they mean and why they’re so renowned—so you can fully appreciate every detail.

Enjoy a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (and skip the line!).

Located outside of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica has its own entrance and its own rules, with limited hours for guided tours. Our Complete Vatican Tour ensures that you get inside the Basilica (and avoid the long line to get in!) with your expert guide to enjoy Michelangelo’s moving Pietà, Bernini’s ornate Baldachin, and the chair of St. Peter, among other treasures.

Explore with one of the best guides in the business on our Complete Vatican Tour.

We’ve spent years growing a team of passionate experts who want to share the Vatican with you. Combine them with a small group and you have a recipe for sightseeing perfection! We also use privileged entrances at the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, bypassing general access lines that can stretch for hours at each site during high season.

The Complete Vatican Tour offers an uncompromising, unhurried exploration of the world’s most fascinating independent state for those who want a truly in-depth Vatican experience.

Note: The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinoteca Gallery.

Sometimes guides may not be allowed to give tours inside St. Peter's Basilica, in which case they will share a brief explanation from outside and you will be free to visit the Basilica by yourself.

Sites visited

  • Vatican Museums
  • Sistine Chapel
  • St. Peter’s Basilica
  • St. Peter’s Square
  • Raphael Rooms
  • Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön & His Sons
  • Pinecone Courtyard
  • Gallery of the Candelabra
  • Gallery of the Maps
  • Gallery of the Tapestries

Included

Verified guest reviews

4.6 / 5
5836 Customer Reviews
  1. Excellent

    4348

  2. Great

    1024

  3. Good

    293

  4. Average

    105

  5. Poor

    66

David

Apr 17, 2024

We loved our tour with Roberto. We only had a short period of time in Naples and wanted to take advantage of the incredible food culture while also getting a sense of the city. We tried a wide variety of local specialties and got to learn from owners/chefs. We also got to talk to Roberto about his experiences which deepened the experience. Highly recommended as an early-trip activity for anyone coming to Naples.

Sybille

Apr 16, 2024

Mille grazie for an excellent extremely knowledgeable tour guide, Sabina! Her representation of Greek and Roman history was ?. The Sistine Chapel was overwhelming. It is hard to comprehend what one sees at the moment withen 10 minutes. Could one do a pre-recorded narration in order to preserve the silence in the church? St. Peter's Dome was an extra special treat. I went up to the cupola and was witnessing a service. The play of the organ was divine to listen to. Lucky me!

Štefan

Apr 15, 2024

Very nice tour with our guide Giovanni went us through Vatican safely, even if the place was very crowded :-)

Holl

Apr 15, 2024

Our tour guide was Sev and he was brilliant. The tour was just over three and a half hours but it didn't feel like that long because he kept us entertained, striking just the right balance between informative and personable, chatting with us, giving us interesting and relevant information while also giving us space to admire what we were seeing ourselves. I learnt a lot about art and the Vatican that I never knew before. It was really busy obviously, it will be busy whenever you visit a place like this, but we were all kept together and even when we had to wait Sev was still able to fill the time. I would urge anyone to book this tour and try and get Sev as your guide!

Natasa

Apr 14, 2024

Doriana was wonderful! She is super knowledgeable, we were highly impressed.

Know before you book

Make it a perfect day

image

Check off Rome’s major sights and hidden gems on this perfect one-day itinerary for your trip to the Eternal City.

From $111
Free Cancellation