Top 5 Vatican Tours

Written by Viator, December 2010

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:

Must-Do Experience, Tip - What to See & Do, UNESCO Heritage Site

Of the global cultural wonders which have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, only one represents an entire country: Vatican City. The world’s smallest sovereign state is – as well as being the spiritual home of the world’s billion or so Catholics – an incomparable storehouse of artistic treasures.

It’s also one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, so a pre-booked ticket which takes you to the head of the line is a must. Once you’ve mounted the remarkable double helix stairs at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, a unique overview of the origins and development of Western art awaits you. It’s a journey which takes you from fine Greek and Roman statuary to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, the undisputed masterpiece of the Renaissance, and on to contemporary ecclesiastical works.

And that’s before you’ve even stepped inside the colossal house of worship that is St Peter’s Basilica, with Michelangelo’s Pietà and countless other sacred works all guarding the tomb of the Apostle Peter. You can explore this all on your own, but to get the most out of your Vatican venture you can take a tour for anything from two hours to a comprehensive eight-and-a-half hour tour which extends to the other great Roman basilicas: Santa Maria Maggiore, St Paul and St John Lateran.

Or what about a special two-hour private evening tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel? With an expert guide you’ll discover centuries of magnificent art, crowned by the brilliantly restored Sistine frescoes – without the crowds.

After your tour you can buy Vatican postage stamps or use an ATM in Latin (although on second thoughts you should be pretty confident of your Latin if you’re going to do that). If time (and energy) allows, climb to the top of the basilica’s cupola, the tallest dome in the world. From there you can see the stunning Vatican gardens and the great landmarks of the Eternal City beyond.

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Reply by Deborah B, May 2012

Doing what: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael's Rooms and St Peter's

We were very happy with our guide and tour in Rome. The whole tour was well organized with clear instructions where and when to meet. Being led past the lines of people waiting to get into the Vatican was a bonus. The guide provided historical and factual information but held our interest with amusing stories as well. The small group of ten was perfect. I can't imagine trying to take this tour on your own with only a guide book or an audio description. This was a fantastic tour!

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Reply by suda, May 2012

Doing what: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael's Rooms and St Peter's

Both my wife and I enjoyed this tour our guide Tiffany certainly knew the Vatican history and what lies within even to the point of informing us that all our belongings were now owned by the Pope although there yours again once you leave the Vatican. The only downside were the idiots taking pictures inside the sistine chapel which not allowed of all nationalities, come on Vatican officials please enforce this so that the frescos will last for generations to come

David