Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel – Skip-the-line tickets

Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel – Skip-the-line tickets

4.67
1623 reviews
Availability & rates
Cancellation Free cancellation with conditions

You would like

Reserved access to the Vatican museums and the Sistine chapel
Explanations from your art historian guide
Small groups of 20 people or less
Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide

Essential information *

Skip the line

Duration
3 hours

Languages

English

Starting time
8:00 AM , 9:00 AM , 9:15 AM , 9:30 AM , 9:45 AM , 10:00 AM , 2:30 PM

* All details will be sent to you upon reservation.

Description

Discover the Vatican on a guided tour and avoid all the queues with your skip-the-line tickets!

Once inside, you'll first head to the balcony of the Vatican Gardens, from where you can see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, before following your guide among the ancient statues and modern sculptures of the Courtyard of the Pinecone (named after the pinecone-shaped sculpture).

On your way to the Sistine Chapel, your guide will lead you through the Hall of Maps, the Tapestry Gallery and the Candelabra Gallery. These works of art will come to life as you follow your guide's commentary through your audio headset.

As it's forbidden to speak in the Sistine Chapel, your guide will give you all the information you need beforehand about this mythical hall of the papal palaces, where the cardinals meet in conclave to elect the new pope, so you don't miss a single detail. Once inside, you'll take time to observe the rich details of the walls and famous vault, from the Last Judgment above the altar to shields depicting biblical scenes.

Over the course of two and a half hours, you'll admire the Vatican's artistic treasures and discover how popes have used art and culture to spread their message. You'll leave having not only appreciated the Vatican, but understood it too.

IMPORTANT: From April 28, 2025 until further notice, for the purposes of the Conclave, visits to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica will be adapted as follows:

  • About 2 hours and 40 minutes of guided tour inside the Vatican Museums
  • .You'll exit via the usual exit and walk with your guide (approx. 20 minutes) around the walls of Vatican City to enter St. Peter's Basilica via the Porta Angelica
  • During the walk, the guide will introduce you to the basilica, then you can enter the Basilica on your own, for a self-guided tour with a brochure and reserved access

Good to know

  • Availability: Monday to Saturday, depending on language chosen (see options)
  • Departure: Vatican Museums (detailed information on your voucher)
     
  • In order to respect the places of worship you will visit, you are asked not to wear flip-flops, shorts, skirts above the knees or sleeveless clothing or unsuitable for the place
  • This tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility
  • This tour is conducted in groups of 20 people maximum
  • Strollers are not accepted during this tour
  • St. Peter's Basilica may be inaccessible to the public due to religious ceremonies or papal audiences. It may also be closed for religious ceremonies. In this case, the guide will show you other rooms in the Vatican Museums
  • On Wednesdays, due to papal audiences, St. Peter's Basilica is inaccessible until 1pm
  • For security reasons, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel reserve the right to check the contents of bags. It is therefore possible that there will be a waiting time due to the number of visitors. Please note that bulky bags, tripods, umbrellas and backpacks are not permitted in the Vatican. Please do not bring such items with you, as you may be refused entry. Your guide will try to minimize your waiting time
  • It is compulsory to indicate the first and last name of each participant at the time of booking. Otherwise, you may be refused access at the Basilica entrance.

  • IMPORTANT: The Sistine Chapel will be closed to the public from Monday April 28, 2025 until further notice for the purposes of the Conclave.
    According to tradition, a Conclave is usually convened 15 to 20 days after the death of the Holy Father. If this were the case, the Conclave would probably begin between May 5 and 10. In that case, the Sistine Chapel would be closed to the public for the duration of the conclave.

    The duration of the conclave can vary: it can last a few hours, several days or even weeks, depending on how long it takes the cardinals to reach the majority needed to elect the new pope.
    In the event of the Sistine Chapel being unavailable, the Vatican Museums usually organize an alternative tour itinerary to ensure visitors have a meaningful and enriching experience, though not including the chapel and surrounding areas for security reasons.
    The time that would have been spent in the chapel will be devoted to discovering other remarkable sections of the Museums, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the artistic and historical treasures.

Price includes

  • Guided tour of the Vatican
  • VIP entry tickets to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel
  • Headphones for listening to the guide's commentary

Price doesn’t include

  • Hotel pick-up/drop-off
  • Tips (optional)
  • Any other extras

Reviews

4.67

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