About this experience
Discover the highlights of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with an official guide on this early access tour with a small group.
Enter the Vatican Museums right as they open for the day. Enjoy the masterpieces without the bustling crowds as you follow your guide through the Belvedere Courtyard, the Gallery of Maps, the four Raphael Rooms, and more. Learn from your guide where Raphael worked the faces of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo into his frescoes.
Next, head to the Sistine Chapel, visit at the most peaceful time of day. Get a full run-down of Michelangelo's frescoes, including a detailed handout, from your guide before heading in.
Note: Access to St. Peter's Basilica is not Included in this tour.
At a glance
- Duration: 2 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 2 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 access to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Professional Guide
- Admission to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Not included
- Access to St. Peter's Basilica
- Hotel Pickup and Drop-off
Itinerary and highlights
Marvel at the museums’ awe-inspiring art collection, world-renowned frescoes inside the Sistine Chapel, and the Renaissance era paintings in the Raphael Room with an advantage of avoiding the stressful long queue and get escorted inside the Vatican Museums through the priority access.
After a regular security check, we will head towards the most important galleries and breathtaking masterpieces collection of art. At 75 meters long, the Gallery of the Tapestries is named after the elaborate Flemish tapestries that drape its walls. The Gallery of the Maps, painted between 1580 and 1585, takes its name from the 40 maps frescoed on the walls, representing each of the Italian regions and papal properties at the time of Pope Gregory XIII.
Be mesmerized by the beauty contained in the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s undisputed masterpiece.
You will hear details about the election process called Conclave which ends up with white smoke from the chimney installed in the Chapel. See original "Last Judgement" and try to find Michaelangelo's face in between more than 300 painted characters.
Meeting and pickup information
- Meet your guide inside the Vatican Museums at the Guided Tour Kiosk.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Rome City Tour
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
Traveller experiences load when you reach this section.
