Take a small group walking tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica, and jump the queue by booking ahead. Numbers are limited to a maximum of 20 people on this small group walking tour, ensuring you'll receive personalized attention from your guide. And by booking ahead, you won't waste any time waiting in line!

Highlights

  • Skip the line with a guided walking tour inside the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
  • Includes Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel with magnificent Last Judgment and Creation of Adam frescoes
  • Personalized small group and commentary (maximum 20 people)
  • Expert English-speaking guide, plus audio headsets so you're guaranteed to hear the guide clearly
  • The tour ends close to the Vatican Post Office - don't forget to send postcard or two from the smallest country in the world!

Recent Photos of this Tour

Browse the gallery of recent Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael's Rooms and St Peter's photos submitted by actual, honest-to-goodness travelers on Viator.

Your knowledgeable guide will escort you into the Vatican Museums to explore the world's most extensive collection of art. Brilliantly decorated and lined with masterpieces, the museums are brimming with treasures and history. Your guide will lead you through the 2000 rooms that stretch over almost nine miles, and share the stories and secrets contained within the Vatican's walls.

Highlights of the museums are Michelangelo's famous Creation of Adam fresco in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Rooms. After taking in the Vatican Museums, you will encounter another of Michelangelo's masterpieces, La Pieta, in St Peter's Basilica. For a fascinating finish to your small group guided walking tour, stop to admire magnificent St Peter's Square, as your guide points out Bernini's ingenious use of optical illusion.

Do you want to skip the line AND the crowds too?
Upgrade to the 8:10am tour and not only will you skip the long lines (which can last up to two hours!) to enter the Vatican Museums but gain access as soon as the doors open - before the general public step foot inside! Tours are arranged exclusively for our guests and groups never exceed 10 people in total. No upgrades available on Wednesday.

Do you want to see the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel at Night?
Upgrade to the 7:30pm tour and gain access to the museums after the official closing times – an opportunity available for a strictly limited season. The general public are not permitted into the Museums in the evening – you must pre-book a guided tour to gain access. Hurry! The season will run from May 06 every Friday until July 15. Then it will stop to start again from September 02 until October 28.

Schedule Details

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

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

Departs:

Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.

Departure Point:

Tour departs near the Vatican Museums entrance.

Departure Time:


Duration:

3 hours (approx.)

Return details:

Concludes at St. Peter's Basilica.

Tour and Pricing Options

Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible - we 100% guarantee it. Your currency is set to USD. Click here to change your currency.

Tour options:
Morning Standard Tour: EnglishCode: ENMORNING
Guaranteed group tour - never exceeds 20 people. Tour departs 9am (arrive at 8:45am strict).
From USD $72.73 Pricing details
2:30pm Standard Tour: EnglishCode: EN1430
Guaranteed group tour that never exceeds 20 people. Tour departs at 2:30pm (arrive strictly at 2:15pm) to skip the long lines.
From USD $72.73 Pricing details
8:10am Upgrade in EnglishCode: EN0810
Upgrade to the 8:10am tour (arrive strictly at 7:55am) to skip the long lines and gain access before the general public. Guaranteed small group tour that never exceeds 10 people.
From USD $111.60 Pricing details
10:00am Standard Tour: EnglishCode: EN1000
Guaranteed group tour that never exceeds 20 people. Tour departs at 10am (arrive strictly at 9:45am) to skip the long lines.
From USD $72.73 Pricing details
7:30pm Vatican Evening TourCode: EN1915
Depart at 7:30pm (arrive strictly 7:15pm). Fridays only. You must pre-book a guided tour to gain access. 2.5 hours. Tour does not include St. Peter's Basilica visit. STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON. Hurry!
From USD $86.52 Pricing details

Additional Information

Inclusions:

    • Small group walking tour
    • Entrance fees
    • Professional guide
    • Guaranteed to skip the long lines
    • Headsets to hear the guide clearly

Exclusions:

  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional Info:

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 24 hours, subject to availability.
  • By pre-booking this ticket it enables you to skip the long lines (which can take up to two hours!) to enter the Vatican Museums. Please note, all visitors must pass through metal detectors at the security check point. Please expect to wait 20-30 minutes to clear security.
  • Tours departing Wednesday. There is the possibility that you will be unable to include St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square. This is due to the weekly Papal Audience during which access to St. Peter's Basilica could be closed. As an alternative you will be offered an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums, which still includes the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Rooms. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you would prefer a ticket with St. Peter's Basilica and Square guaranteed to be included, please DO NOT select Wednesday as your travel date.
  • We are unable to accommodate other entrance times. Entrance is strictly limited so you must arrive early. Anyone who arrives late cannot be accommodated
  • This tour involves a fair amount of walking, comfortable shoes are recommended
  • On rare occasions St. Peter’s Basilica closes without notice. If this happens, we spend a full 3-hours touring the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. We will list any affected dates as they become available. The tour guides aim to notify guests if St. Peter’s Basilica is unexpectedly closed upon commencement of the tour. It is beyond our control so no refunds or discounts will be issued.
Do you cater to wheelchair users? Do you or the Vatican provide wheelchairs? This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible. For your information, Vatican Museums provide wheelchairs free of charge in the main lobby. You can easily pick one up after entrance, before starting your own independent visit. If you are looking for a guided tour with wheelchair access, we recommend booking our private tours so a guide can lead you through the alternate routes.

When our tour is over will we be able visit St. Peter's Basilica or the grottos or dome?
Absolutely. Our tours end at the front of St. Peter's Basilica which is a very convenient location to leave for lunch, visit the Vatican bookstore, visit the Vatican post office, enter St. Peter's Basilica, continue to the grottos below St. Peter's, or climb to the dome. Your tour guide will be happy to point you in the right direction!

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Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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Viator Video: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour
Viator Video: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour

See the best of the Vatican, from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's Basilica, in a group of no more than 20 people, ensuring that you get the personalized attention you deserve!

Reviews from other travelers
5 star rating: Highly Recommended

The only way to see the Vatican museum and St Peter's Basilica! Our guide was excellent, helpful ...  Read more ›

 

Charles S, May 2012

5 star rating: Highly Recommended

Punctuality, excellent guide! Given very good information!

 Read more ›

 

MONICA K, May 2012

Read All Reviews

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