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Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

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Roma, Italy
Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
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Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo
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From $50.59

Price varies by group size

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icon2 hours 30 minutes  (Approx.)
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iconOffered in: English and 5 more

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Overview

Discover the Vatican on a tour of Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. Navigate the vast complex of rooms, artwork, and history with a guide, who brings the ancient collection to life. Skip all the entrance lines to explore halls such as the Gallery of the Maps and Raphael’s Rooms; step inside the Sistine Chapel to admire ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo. Choose from several departures, or upgrade to an evening experience or small-group tour with 10 people.
  • See captivating sites such as the Raphael’s Rooms, Gallery of the Maps, and Bramante’s Pinecone Courtyard
  • Choose from four different times, or upgrade to a small-group tour (maximum 10)
  • Audio headsets are provided to make sure you can hear your guide clearly at all times (when group size is 20 people)

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

“Skip the line” with this tour means using a special entrance to bypass even the fast-track line.
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From $50.59

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Reserved Priority Access to the Vatican Museums
Skip-the-Line Access to the Sistine Chapel
Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
Small groups of 20 people or less
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
St. Peter's Basilica is not included until further notice

Departure Point

Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

Meeting point: At the bottom of the steps across the street from the Entrance of the Vatican Museums. The steps are located right next to Caffè Vaticano on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi. The closest Metro stop is Line A (Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani).

Return Details

00120, Vatican City
Vatican tours with skip-the-line access are sought-after, so even the fast-track lines are long. This experience includes admission through a special entrance, so there are no lines whatsoever. Follow your guide directly inside the vast collection of private artwork that is the Vatican Museums.

Walk through the Gallery of the Maps and Gallery of Tapestries as you listen to tales of Vatican intrigue. Gaze at artifacts such as timeworn yet fascinating Italian maps, and admire the sculptures and candelabras of the Gallery of Candelabras. Stop for photos in front of the Pigna statue in the Pinecone Courtyard, designed by Donato Bramante.

Raphael’s Rooms are a series of galleries that highlight the talent of the lauded Renaissance artist himself. Pass through the rooms, and then step inside the Sistine Chapel—the pope’s personal place of worship and a highlight of any Vatican trip. Stand beneath Michelangelo’s 'The Creation of Adam,' which cloaks the ceiling, and admire 'The Last Judgement,' his colorful mural that adorns a wall.

After your Sistine Chapel visit, continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the symbolic heart of the Catholic church. Learn about its history and see more Vatican art including Michelangelo’s 'La Pietà,' which was sculpted when the maestro was only 24 years old. Gaze at the baldachino by Bernini, and then say goodbye to your guide in St. Peter’s Square.

Keep in mind that St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square might be unavailable on Wednesdays due to the weekly Papal Audience. As an alternative, enjoy an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums, which still includes the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Rooms. If you want to make sure that St. Peter's Basilica and Square are included in your tour, don't select Wednesday as your travel date.

If you want to enhance your Vatican experience, select one of the following experiences:

Small-Group Tour in the morning: Enter the Vatican Museums as soon as it opens, before the other lines enter. Your tour is limited to 10 people for personal attention and information about the Vatican’s must-see sights.

Tour in the evening: Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel after the doors close to the general public. A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica is not included.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Vatican Museums
Vatican tours with skip-the-line access are sought-after, so even the fast-track lines are long. This experience includes admission through a special entrance, so there are no lines whatsoever. Follow your guide directly inside the vast collection of private artwork that is the Vatican Museums. Walkthrough the Gallery of the Maps and Gallery of Tapestries as you listen to tales of Vatican intrigue. Gaze at artifacts such as timeworn yet fascinating Italian maps, and admire the sculptures and candelabras of the Gallery of Candelabras. Stop for photos in front of the Pigna statue in the Pinecone Courtyard, designed by Dontao Bramante.
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Duration: 1 hour 
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
Stanze di Raffaello
Raphael’s Rooms are a series of galleries that highlight the talent of the lauded Renaissance artist himself.
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Duration: 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
Sistine Chapel
Pass through the rooms, and then step inside the Sistine Chapel — the pope’s personal place of worship and a highlight of any Vatican trip. Stand beneath Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, which cloaks the ceiling, and admire The Last Judgement, his colorful mural that adorns a wall.
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Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
St. Peter's Basilica
Please note: Due to current restrictions, St Peter's Basilica is not included until further notice. After your Sistine Chapel visit, continue to St Peter’s Basilica, the symbolic heart of the Catholic church. Learn about its history and see more Vatican art including Michelangelo’s La Pietà, which was sculpted when the maestro was only 24 years old. Gaze at the baldachino by Bernini, and then say goodbye to your guide in St Peter’s Square. Keep in mind that St Peter's Basilica and St Peter's Square might be unavailable on Wednesdays due to the weekly Papal Audience. As an alternative, you'll be offered an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums, which still includes the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Rooms.
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Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Pass By:  
St. Peter's Square
Passing by
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Stop At:  
Vatican City
In just three hours, we’ll introduce you to the artistic treasures of the Vatican City and its main attraction Vatican Museums in an enjoyable and hassle-free manner. From the enormous basilica built over the tomb of St. Peter to Michelangelo's ground-breaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, you will see how the Popes used art and culture to spread their message. You’ll leave not just appreciating the Vatican but having understood it too.
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Duration: 3 hours 
Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Please bring your own mask on the tour. The wearing of mask is compulsory in order to comply with health & Safety regulations. Our guide will be wearing mask during the tour as well.
  • At the meeting point there will be social distancing taking place. Our guide will organize the group upon your arrival, but we kindly ask yourself to be conscience in taking social distance at all the time from others.
  • Following the new regulations regarding Coronavirus, at the entrance your body temperature will be checked. If a body temperature above 37.5 ° C is registered, you will not be able to enter the site.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
  • Avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour
  • We may experience delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues
  • Please be aware that St. Peter's Basilica is not included until further notice
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • OPERATED BY City Wonders Ltd
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
See all safety measures taken by Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "Arrive early since it is a bit difficult to locate the tour guide to check in." See review
  • "Bring water with you as you won’t find any inside." See review
  • "Don’t go on a Wednesday because the Pope will be doing mass and it supposedly gets really crowded." See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
25,049 Reviews
5 stars
18,044
4 stars
4,800
3 stars
1,170
2 stars
549
1 star
486

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 25,049 reviews
star-5
Excellent value for money.
James_F
, Nov 2021
It was excellently organised with clear instructions where to meet and what to bring and expect. Just to view it is fascinating but, Georgia, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, which really brought it to life.
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star-5
An enriching experience
Gabriela_B
, Nov 2021
Our tour guide Patrick was so knowledgeable and really helped us get the most that we could out of our visit to the Vatican. There is so much to see, I can’t imagine how we would have covered it without guidance from an experienced person. In addition to be a wealth of knowledge, Patrick is a lovely person. Thank you so much!
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star-5
The tour guide was...
DARLENEVITTORIO
, Nov 2021
The tour guide was extremely informative. The tour was incredible. We had 3 teenagers traveling and she kept them interested.
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star-5
Great tour! Powerful!
Cheryl_T
, Nov 2021
This tour was very informative! Our guide had a great knowledge of Rome history and specifically the background and stories. I learned quite a bit and the beauty of what we experienced was powerful. It's one thing to see the Vatican and Sistine Chapel on TV, Magazines and the Internet. Nothing compares to being there and seeing things up close and in real time. Our guide threaded information throughout our tour that culminated as soon as we walked into the chapel and it all made sense! The only suggestion is that in the first portion of the tour, we were standing on the terrace/patio area too long. It would have been nice to listen to the presentation on the other side directly across from us to allow those of us that can't stand for such a long period to sit on the benches there.
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star-4
Very good
Sarah_M
, Nov 2021
The tour didn't seem as long as it was written on the description as I feel it was a little rushed. Other than that our tour guide was friendly and very insightful. She knew what she was talking about.
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star-5
Book it!
FREYA_W
, Nov 2021
This tour was amazing! Alessandra was a terrific guide. I learned so much about the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel is worth the hype!
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star-5
A tour to remember!
Alison_B
, Nov 2021
A tour we will never forget! Massimo was a wonderful guide who brought the stories of the Vatican to life. He was an engaging and interesting tour leader. We saw a huge portion of the Vatican and learned a great deal.
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star-4
Introduction to Vatican City
Hannah_S
, Nov 2021
Our guide Georgia was very knowledgeable about the artworks and history of each area we visited. We could have spent the entire day walking around with her and learning! Great English, upbeat personality. Enjoyed the time on the tour.
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star-5
Great tour, even for teen boys!
Jessica_B
, Nov 2021
Yaya was our tour guide and she was so fun and provided interesting details about the Vatican and the art work. She even kept my teen boys interested!
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star-5
Great tour!
Doug_C
, Nov 2021
This was a very good tour, and our guide was great. There is so much to see that you really need a good tour guide to highlight what is most important and to put things into context. I would highly recommend this tour.
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