Recently Viewed
Skip-the-Line Vatican Tour
4.6
11.6k Ratings
Roma
Experience the best of the Vatican with a skip-the-line group tour. See the highlights of the museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica while making new friends. Don’t miss out on this budget-friendly and time-saving opportunity!
Experience the best of the Vatican with a skip-the-line group tour. See the highlights of the museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica while making new friends. Don’t miss out on this budget-friendly and time-saving opportunity!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Borgo - Meet your tour guide at our office, located in the oldest neighbourhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following a self introduction by your guide, you will walk through the charming shops of the Borgo, as he/she shares some local tips for eating and site seeing in Rome, including off the beaten track sites that you must visit during your…
- Borgo - Meet your tour guide at our office, located in the oldest neighbourhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following a self introduction by your guide, you will walk through the charming shops of the Borgo, as he/she shares some local tips for eating and site seeing in Rome, including off the beaten track sites that you must visit during your holiday!
Some background will also be provided on the history of the Sistine Chapel (we do it here as the chapel forbids noise and travellers are expected to observe silence once entering).
What's Included
- Admission tickets to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and/or St. Peter’s Basilica
- Entry/Admission-Vatican Museums (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY ST.PETER’S BASILICA TOUR)
- An expert tour guide with over 10 years of experience. Excellent storyteller.
- Entry/Admission- Sistine Chapel (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY…
- Admission tickets to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and/or St. Peter’s Basilica
- Entry/Admission-Vatican Museums (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY ST.PETER’S BASILICA TOUR)
- An expert tour guide with over 10 years of experience. Excellent storyteller.
- Entry/Admission- Sistine Chapel (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY ST.PETER’S BASILICA TOUR)
- Guaranteed skip-the-line access
- Entry/Admission - St. Peter’s Basilica (check below to see which option does not include it)
What's Not Included
- If you book the “Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour” option it does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
- If you book “ONLY ST.PETER’S BASILICA TOUR” option it does NOT include the Museums & Sistine Chapel.
- Gratuities (Tips)
- If you book the “Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour” option it does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
- If you book “ONLY ST.PETER’S BASILICA TOUR” option it does NOT include the Museums & Sistine Chapel.
- Gratuities (Tips)
Additional Information
A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece.
This budget-friendly tour is the…
A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece.
This budget-friendly tour is the best value for money for travelers that are interested in 1) seeing the museum’s highlights 2) meeting a new friend or two through your group and 3) skipping the lines (trust us, with over 6 million tourist spilling into the museum every year, you’ll want it!)
Disclaimer: you will be entering the Vatican museum during one of the busiest times of the day. While the tour provides skip-the-line access, the crowds in the museum vary from day to day and some delay with security can be expected (it would be misleading for other tour operators to not tell you this!)
- Unforeseen events= The Vatican is its own country and therefore the Pope can decide also last minute to close St. Peter’s Basilica for ad hoc events. It is a very rare event during the year but it is possibile and we will do our best to inform you. If it is too late to inform you, our guide will extend the tour in the Vatican. Not to worry that the incredibile collection of Vatican Museums and the masterpiece of Michelagelo in the Sistine Chapel will still be included.
- Most of our tours include the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. However, there are two specific options with different inclusions. You will find below:
- Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour – Includes the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel but does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
- ST.PETER’S BASILICA TOUR – Includes St. Peter’s Basilica but does NOT include the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Location
Via Plauto, 17
Via Plauto
The meeting point is located in Borgo Pio, near St. Peter's square. The exact address is Via Plauto 17/A.
IMPORTANT: Please check your booking for the start time of the Vatican ENGLISH tour. Arrive 20 minutes
before at the meeting point ( Via Plauto 17A ) for check-in.
Thank you !
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(11555 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
N726xdscottt
Sep 28, 2025
Great tour of St Peter’s Basilica - The St Peter’s Basilica tour was very interesting and enjoyable. Our guide Saverio was very friendly, entertaining and knowledgeable. Thanks heaps!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rainnal2019
Sep 27, 2025
Germany did something right for once: It produced Carl the tour guide - I would say that Carl sets the standard by which all tour guides should be measured, but that wouldn't be fair because 1) nobody will ever come close and 2) that description doesn't do him enough justice. Without a hint of exaggeration: Carl was the perfect tour guide. His genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter was evident and infectious from the minute he started talking, so much so that I turned to my partner in the first 15 minutes and said, "We struck gold." Carl was never dull (especially noteworthy coming from someone who can occasionally be bored during historical tours); he expertly balanced the fascinating with the essential. He explicitly welcomed all of our questions from the beginning (a wonderful attribute) and why wouldn't he, because he had an impossibly in-depth answer for every single one of them. I have never learned so much about anything in such a short period of time. Even after the tour "concluded" and the museum closed, we stuck by him on the way out and were delighted by the additional details he pointed out along the exit. I was sad that we eventually had to part ways because my travel companions and I would have listened to him for many, many more hours. I wish all educators shared his passion, knowledge, and eloquence. If you are planning on going on this tour, I would HIGHLY recommend calling and seeing if you can book Carl specifically--YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.* I don't even know if that's possible but seriously, it'd be worth the modicum of extra effort on your part to experience the world's best tour in one of the world's most beautiful places. We consider ourselves super lucky to have been on this tour with him. Thanks for everything, Carl! I hope you read this so you know how much we all loved the time we spent together!
*Actually, you will have one regret because Carl will ruin all other tours you may take in the future. But it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mike50312
Sep 26, 2025
All in all, highly recommended - Rainy day and the lines were long at the Vatican even for skip the line tours. It was very crowded but the audio headsets worked well. Giovanni did a great tour— he has extensive knowledge of the Vatican and art history. He did a good talk about the Sistine Chapel before we went in. Only small complaints: I thought we spent too much time in the gallery of statutes and some members of the group grew tired while standing and walking. All in all, highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W3674omlesm
Sep 26, 2025
Fantastic tour, good value for the money, knowledgeable and friendly guide (Giovanni) - This tour is highly recommendable. While other people waited in line for three (!) hours just to get in, we were led past the lines by our fantastic guide Giovanni. Giovanni is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable local guide, native to Rome, he really made this visit a highlight of our vacation in Rome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
310lisep
Sep 23, 2025
Superbe - Roberto was a great guide, he knew how to explain the history of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel with passion. Thanks again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacob_k
Sep 23, 2025
Roberto was excellent.... - Roberto was excellent. Very well spoken, rich vocabulary, very passionate about his job. His ability to convey stories and history was simply incredible. Obviously was more knowledgable than other tour guides from other companies we overheard. Unfortunately St Peter’s Basilica was closed for the day without any prior notice, not his fault. Would highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Tblack118
Sep 23, 2025
Book it. Ask for Paula! - Amazing tour!! Our tour guide, Paula, was super knowledgeable about all things related to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basillica.
The meeting point was very easy to find and strategically chosen to allow us to easily navigate to the entrance and security check point.
Every step of the way, she was looking for ways to navigate our group through the massive crowds of people to ensure we never waited too long to do anything.
Paula was an expert at navigating and providing information the entire time.
Before heading into the Vatican Musuem and the Sistine Chapel, we were provided with a printed version of the chapel along with descriptions of each scene portrayed on the walls and ceiling.
I have done previous tours and this was the first time we had an entire lesson on the frescos and their history and significance. It made it incredibly enjoyable to know what I was looking at as I was standing in awe taking everything in.
We went during jubilee and the crowds were massive. They were no match for Paula who expertly guided us to the basillica from the chapel, avoiding the huge queue of people waiting to enter.
She even found a way for us to walk through the holy door which you are only able to do every 25 years during jubilee.
Book this tour. If you’re lucky enough to get Paula as your guide, you’re going to have the best time from start to finish.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachelfi5107sv
Sep 22, 2025
Worth it! - Giovanni was a wonderful guide! Absolutely do a guided tour to learn about the rich history. This tour hit all the highlights and our guide knew a few tricks to beat the crowds and make the process more enjoyable. Very great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jcfernandez24
Sep 22, 2025
Best Tour of the Vatican! - Paola is absolutely the best guide. I have been on a tour like this before a few years ago and I feel like it was day and night with her. She was able to tell us information I had never heard before and was not in any rush to finish like other guides are at times. 10/10 wish I could just have her guide me through the entire city!
Review provided by Viator
R3119usianr
Sep 21, 2025
Our Vatican tour was well organised and we had a great guide. - Great tour of the Vatican. Organisation was good and our guide Giovanni was fantastic. Great value for money, I would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
More activities from this operator
