Travelling in groups of 20 people or less, we visit all the highlights of the Vatican Museums – from the Sistine Chapel to lesser-known gems of the collection, capping off our tour with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica.
With commentary from your expert, English-speaking guide you’ll see the Pinecone Courtyard, the Hall of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Candelabra and the incredible Raphael Rooms. Listen as your guide brings these works of art to life for you – pointing out things you never would have noticed on your own and teaching you about the characters behind these great works.[readmore]A definite highlight of our tour comes when we visit the Sistine Chapel. Guided tours are not permitted within the chapel, so your tour guide will have already filled you in on the details with the aid of photographs of the paintings. Take some time inside this world-famous room to pick out the details you heard about – Michelangelo’s boneless self-portrait for example, in which he expresses to the world that he would rather be skinned alive than paint the Sistine Chapel again. As incredible as his work is, it must have been back-breaking – a fact you’ll understand all the better after you learn what it takes to create a fresco.
After getting our fill of the Sistine Chapel, we’ll use our Skip the Line Access again, exiting by a special door which leads us straight into St. Peter’s Basilica and past another long line. See the incredible altar and marvel at Michelangelo’s beautiful sculpture, La Pietà, before heading outside to see St. Peter’s Square.
Every morning but Wednesday our groups will have a guided tour inside St. Peter’s Basilica – on Wednesdays it’s highly likely that the Basilica will be closed to the public for the Papal audience. On afternoon tours our guide will deliver a commentary about St. Peter’s Basilica from St. Peter’s Square before groups enter the basilica to admire it in their own time.
Our tour finishes out in St. Peter’s Square where you can admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion, spot the balcony from which the Pope delivers his public addresses and snap photos of the imposing exterior of the basilica.
With this Vatican Group Tour you’ll see all the best of the Vatican Museums in half a day, getting the very most from your time with our No Wait Access and an expert, English-speaking guide.
Lee masOn Wednesday mornings & afternoons St. Peter's Basilica may be closed to the public due to the Papal Audience taking place in Saint Peter’s Square
We strongly suggest that you avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour
Please note that in case of unexpected closures of some of the areas inside the Museums, the guide may have to modify the itinerary slightly
Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, and missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded
Comfortable shoes are recommended
Entrance into the Vatican requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women
We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance
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