Vatican Highlights Tour: Explore Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's & More in Small Group Experience
4.9
2,378 Ratings
Roma
Embark on a small group tour of the Vatican, exploring the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and more. Experience the history and beauty of the Roman Catholic Church with an expert guide.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
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Vatican Museums - Discover some of the most famous paintings and sculptures from western civilization and listen to amusing anecdotes about the former popes and artists represented in the museums. With a small-group tour of maximum of 6 people, or in your very own private tour, easily maneuver through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace.
After a view of the terrace over the Vatican gardens, make your way across the beautiful early Renaissance courtyard to admire Hadrian’s Pinecone, and then to the modern art piece of Arnaldo Pomodoro. You will then head to the magnificent Octagonal Courtyard which is one of the most remarkable collections of Roman and Greek artifacts. Admire the famous Belvedere Torso, learn about the mystery of the Laocoon Priest of Troy, and visit the Muses Room. Walk through the beautiful galleries to admire an abundance of candelabra, tapestries, and maps. Then head to the Julius II apartments and see the grandeur and the magnificent details of the Raphael Rooms. - Sistine Chapel - Next, learn of Michelangelo’s masterpiece from your guide before you enter through a tiny door to admire the majestic Sistine Chapel. Take in its grandeur in contemplative silence as you admire this 8,000 square foot wonder.
- St. Peter’s Basilica - Your comprehensive Vatican tour concludes with VIP entrance directly into St. Peter’s Basilica without standing in the long lines. Walking through the Basilica, you will learn all about the secrets of the magnificent and ornate decorations, sculptures, altars and chapels. Visit Michelangelo’s Pieta and walk down the main nave to admire the dome he designed that sits on top of the largest Catholic church in the world.
What's Included
- Professional, Local, Expert Guide
- Private Option available!
- Tour in a Safe and Semi Private group of 6 people
- Enjoy Skip the Line Access
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on an extraordinary semi-private tour for a maximum of 6 participants, traversing the prominent attractions of the Vatican. Accompanied by your local professional guide, gain instant entry with your skip-the-line tickets and explore one of the world’s most renowned museums. Experience magnificent sculptures, charming courtyards, and a wealth of other intriguing highlights while delving into the history of the Church, the Popes, and the stunning artworks beautifying the museum interiors. Marvel at the mesmerizing aesthetics of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, navigate the Gallery of Maps admiring the exquisite tapestries, be enchanted by the frescoes of the Raphael Rooms, and visit the awe-inspiring St Peter’s Basilica, the revered resting place of Saint Peter and one of the most sacred shrines of the Roman Catholic Church. This intimate small group tour offers a comprehensive glimpse of the Vatican with a maximum group size of 6. Additionally, a completely private tour can be arranged for a more bespoke experience.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Occasionally the Basilica may be closed due to last minute private events outside of the tour operators control and often without notice. In these uncommon circumstances the tour will operate as usual and the time spent inside the basilica will be made up elsewhere on the tour. No refunds will be granted in the event the Basilica is closed
- Please note that tours selected on Wednesday mornings at 10 am can be periodically effected by the closure of St Peter’s Basilica due to last minute decisions by the Vatican. Please be insured the lost time will be compensated with other areas of the museums.
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or photo ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
Location
Viale Vaticano, 100
Viale Vaticano
in front of Caffé Vaticano, on viale Vaticano 100, just across the street from the Museum entrance. Your guide will be holding a LIvTours sign.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(2378 Ratings)
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Rosalinda_a
Apr 25, 2024
Excellent - Ribal was an excellent guide…very informative. We truly enjoyed the tour with him and the group. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Janiem468
Apr 25, 2024
Great tour, great guide - Our tour guide, Barbara, was amazing. She brought so many insights to the paintings, tapestries, mosaics, etc. , were so interesting. I wish we had more time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Harley_d
Apr 25, 2024
Smooth as silk - I thought our experience was outstanding. The group was small and our guide was so knowledgible. This tour gave us so much of ourt time back because skiiping the line was so smooth.
Review provided by Viator
Fredericko658
Apr 24, 2024
A Brilliant Tour. - It was a wonderful experience thanks to our guide Paula who was not only very knowledgeable but great fun as well. This made the experience a fantastic and memorable one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tim_r
Apr 24, 2024
Fun day - Umberto was a super guide and used his local knowledge to save us time in the queues that were easy to get tangled up with.
The Basilica was incredible
Review provided by Viator
Niki_w
Apr 24, 2024
Great! - There were only 5 of us in our group, three of us and another couple. I was expecting a much bigger group so was thrilled with that. Annalisa, our tour guide was great! We enjoyed her personality and she was very knowledgeable and informative. We enjoyed exciting she told us and in many ways got so much more out of the experience than we would have in our own. Of course, the museums plus the Sistene Chapel and the Basilica are huge! So there's no way to see even a fraction of it in there hours but we were pleased with how much we were able to see end learn about. We're grateful we did the tour and would highly recommend it!
Review provided by Viator
Chris_w
Apr 24, 2024
Vatican small group tour - Our guide was very knowledgeable and gave great historical detail with some humour thrown in. The overview of the Cistine Chapel prior to entry (essential as no talking allowed) was really useful. Small group tour 6 people) thoroughly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Anastasia
Apr 24, 2024
Best tour guide ever - Alex was an awesome funny tour guide. Made the tour very interesting and kept us laughing all the time. Explained everything and gave us plenty of time to enjoy our excursion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marwa_y
Apr 24, 2024
Extremely impressive tour - Joseph was our guide in this tour, I don't think that I met a better tour guide in my whole life.
In short time about 3 hours, he nourished us with information that can compose a book in a very delightful and respectful manner.
I would love to extend my sincere appreciation to him for the care and accommodation he showed to all the members of the tour
Review provided by Viator
Julie_h
Apr 24, 2024
Best way to tour the Vatican city - Guide Lucy was great. We enjoyed having a smaller 6 person group that was able to move easier throughout the tour. There was so much to see and was informational all the way through.
Review provided by Viator
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