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Vatican Group Tour: Exclusive Sistine Chapel Visit and St Peter's Basilica Exploration
4.7
211 Ratings
Roma
Experience an exclusive 3.5-hour Vatican group tour, visiting the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the public. Explore the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica with a top-rated local guide.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Vatican Museums - Early access into the museums, 1 hour before the general public, Rooms of Raphael, Hall of Maps, Ancient Sculpture Gallery, Belvedere Courtyard, Cortile della Pigna
- Sistine Chapel - The Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica - St Peter Basilica
- La Pieta - inside St Peter’s Basilica
- Cortile della Pigna - Inside Vatican Museums
- Baldacchino di San Pietro, di Bernini - view inside the Basilica of Sant Pietro
What's Included
- Headsets provided for larger groups (6+) for clear guidance
- Get exclusive early entry to the Vatican Museums
- All fees and taxes are included - no hidden costs
- Enjoy an intimate tour experience with small group sizes
- Be guided by an expert, fluent in English
What's Not Included
- Transportation to and from the meeting and end point
- Food and beverages
- Gratuities (optional)
Additional Information
Embark on an exclusive 3.5-hour tour of the Vatican in a small group, led by a highly-rated local guide and gain early access to the Sistine Chapel before it’s open to the public. Experience the serene atmosphere of the chapel and marvel at the magnum opus of Michelangelo, then proceed to visit the Vatican Museums - believed to be the finest repository of art in the world, showcasing spectacular pieces like the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere along with other hidden gems. Your tour of the Vatican will also encompass St Peter’s Basilica, where you will witness Michelangelo’s Pietà and enrich your knowledge about art, history and faith.
- As this is a walking tour with steps and staircases, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
- Please advise if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.
- Please note that the Vatican Museums provide free entrance for visitors who are (according to the requirements stated by the Vatican City) at least 74% disabled by presenting the appropriate certification and, if one needs assistance by another person, that person also receives a free entrance. Please inform us when you are booking if you fit into these requirements and we will remove the pricing of the entry tickets from the price of the tour.
- Please ensure you arrive 10 minutes early and at the right meeting point as we cannot wait for late arrivals
- At the end of your tour, you are required to return the headset provided to you to your guide. In the event that you do not return the headset, you will be subject to a fine of €100 for lost property.
Location
Viale Giulio Cesare, 237
Viale Giulio Cesare
You will meet your guide cy the flower stand on the corner of Viale Giulio Cesare and Via Leone IV. They will have a Through Eternity sign or flag.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(211 Ratings)
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Heidi_s
Jun 20, 2024
Great way to skip the lines - This was a great way to beat the larger crowds that form later in the day. We were able to see many art collections from popes throughout the years, their apartments, & spend time in the Basilica without feeling rushed. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly and always offered to take photos for each family within our group. Was definitely a great way to experience the Vatican!
Review provided by Viator
Kerrie_c
May 19, 2024
One of those must-do trips. - St Peter's basilica is stunning. Sistene chapel ceiling is stunning, and more so now knowing the story it tells. We did the early tour, 7.30am. Guide was passionate about Vatican City. Brilliant and informative. Kept group together. Still pretty busy, but we had space in the chapel. And on leaving, saw the queue. It would have been crammed later.
Review provided by Viator
U5042jelisao
May 17, 2024
Top notch tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and Basilca - Our tour guide had been doing this for 17 years and was absolutely amazing! She was a wealth of knowledge and navigated us through the Vatican Museum, Basilica and Sistine Chapel with ease and expertise. A must do to fully experience this and appreciate all it represents.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ivonah419
May 15, 2024
Wonderful Vatican Tour with Knowledgeable Guide - It was truly an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Francesco, was exceptional in every way, effortlessly blending historical insights with art appreciation.
He led our small group with enthusiasm and expertise, ensuring that each member felt engaged and included throughout the tour. His wealth of knowledge about the Vatican's rich history and artistic treasures enriched our visit immeasurably.
The itinerary was well-paced, allowing us ample time to explore key highlights.
Overall, I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. Grazie mille, Francesco, for a truly memorable experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathan
May 11, 2024
Amazing guided tour of the Vatican - We did an early morning Vatican tour with Cinzia (Cynthia) and had an amazing time. Cinzia had a wealth of knowledge of the Vatican and the various sculptures and paintings, and Michelangelo’s life work. She also masterfully weaved us through the crowds, positioned us at the right spots to view the artworks and architecture and even got us a few photos when there were less crowds. Overall I highly rate this tour and would recommend it if it’s your first time at the Vatican. Waking up early is well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrea_l
Jun 13, 2024
Beautiful tour - Beautiful tour. Our tour guide was friendly and very informative. Very crowded by the time we got to the Sistine Chapel. I suggest taking the early morning tour as the crowds tend to be overwhelming for some.
Review provided by Viator
I5697kevaleriep
May 21, 2024
Without our guide I would not have gone - Without this tour we would still be standing in line forever. Without our knowledgeable well informed guide the Vatican staff would have herded us past important artifacts. Without losing her patience due to crowd control redirections our guide brought history to life.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camper21269492581
May 18, 2024
不錯 - Our guide your guide Valentina Brasiello, Claudia Collacchi is very friendly and professional. However, she passed Stanze di Raffaello, which I desired to visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_c
Jun 26, 2024
Couldn’t understand most of what the guide said - Knowledgeable guide but she talked so fast with a thick accent you could barely understand her. A huge distraction to that amazing place.
Review provided by Viator
Stephanie
May 17, 2024
Beautiful but not the best tour guide - Could easily have been 4 or 5 stars if we had a better tour guide. There was soo much to see but our tour guide was not good at communicating the information.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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