About this experience
This fascinating half-day tour incorporates the Vatican City’s most famous attractions, including the collection of Ancient Roman and Greek statues, Raphael’s Rooms, the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, the Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica and Square and much more! Led by an expert guide, this tour includes pre-booked tickets ensuring you’ll avoid the queues before exploring the treasures of the Vatican.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 3 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- skip the line ticket
- kids friendly guide
Not included
- Private transportation
Itinerary and highlights
On this Vatican tour you’ll see some of the most famous and loved works of art and architecture which make this such a special place. You’ll be met by your guide at the entrance to the Museums and skip the queues with your pre-booked tickets, ready to begin exploring. If required, you can leave your belongings in the cloakroom and take a comfort break before the tour begins.
With the first stop will be at the vast collection of ancient Roman and Greek sculptures uncovered through the years during excavations across Rome. Your guide will show you the most important of these , including the Belvedere Apollo, the Torso, the busts of Claudius and Hadrian and the sarcophagi of Helen and Constance, the mother and daughter of Emperor Constantine.
Next up will be the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra where you’ll view (and walk on) rare Roman mosaics and view the magnificent statues of Diana of Ephesus, the Muses and a multitude of Greek philosophers.
The tour will then head through the Gallery of Tapestries, the Sobieski Hall and Raphael’s Rooms. Once the private apartments of Pope Julius II, Raphael’s Rooms were decorated by Raphael, and it’s here you’ll see two of his most famous works, the Parnassus and The School of Athens.
The highlight of any tour of the Vatican is, of course, the Sistine Chapel, Italy’s most popular attraction. You’ll hear from your guide about Michelangelo’s frescoes - The Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis - as well as about the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino and other renowned Renaissance artists.
Meeting and pickup information
- At the Vatican Museums entrance. Below the white gate topped by the statues of Michelangelo and Raphael
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Italian — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Tivoli Tours - Villa D'Este - Hadrian's Villa - Tours
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during your Vatican tour: the Sistine chapel and/or the Basilica of Saint Peter might not be accessible. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
- The Basilica is accessible as part of the tour due to the Jubilee new access rules. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queueing.
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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