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  • Address: Vialle Vaticano, Vatican City 00120, Italy
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Rome ATTRACTIONS See all

Vatican City Tours

Vatican City may be the smallest sovereign nation-state in the world, but it is a religious and cultural superpower, home to some of the world’s greatest artistic and architectural marvels—namely St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. It is located wholly within the confines of Rome, covers 110 acres (44 hectares), and has an official population of about 800. Having gained recognition of full independence in 1929 and today governed by the pope, Vatican City has its own post office that issues official stamps and a banking system that mints coins (though the euro is used for commerce).

The Basics
Some of Rome’s most visited attractions are set in Vatican City. The Vatican Museums often have long entry lines stretching for blocks along the city walls; to avoid the crowds, consider reserving a small-group Vatican tour with skip-the-line access or a private tour with VIP priority access in the morning or evening. Vatican City private and group tours generally include visits to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pinacoteca, other sights in the Vatican Museums complex, and the Vatican Gardens.

Things to Know Before You Go
  • The pope’s weekly address in St. Peter’s Square is wildly popular, so be sure to book official Papal Audience tickets in advance.
  • Vatican City houses some of Italy’s most important artistic masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s “Pietà” in St. Peter’s Basilica and ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, plus the museum complex’s Raphael Rooms.
  • To enter St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, appropriate attire and behavior are required. Wear modest clothing and keep your voice low.
  • Security for entering the museum complex and the basilica includes a metal detector, so don’t bring any banned items—pocketknives, corkscrews, umbrellas, etc.

How to Get There
The most scenic way to enter Vatican City is by foot from the center of Rome, across Ponte Sant'Angelo to Piazza San Pietro. Alternatively, the Ottaviano station, on metro Line A, is about a five-minute walk away.

When to Get There
Vatican City heaves with tourists year-round. Summer is the busiest time of year, when skip-the-line tickets or a private tour guide are essential; the museums are less crowded during the winter months. At any time of year, Vatican City’s sights are busiest at midday, so plan your Rome tour around a visit in the early morning or late afternoon.

The Swiss Guards
One of the most photographed sights in Vatican City are the brightly costumed Swiss Guards, who stand at attention around St. Peter’s Square. This small force of Swiss soldiers is maintained by the Holy See and provides security for the papal residence and the pope, as it has since 1506.

Tours & Tickets

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Self-Guided Priority Access to Vatican Museums Ticket in Rome, Rome, null
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 1

Self-Guided Priority Access to Vatican Museums Ticket in Rome

5 star rating: Highly Recommended 3 Reviews

Your all-day ticket includes priority no-waiting-in-line access to the famous Vatican Museums in Rome AND our free Self-Guided Vatican Quest, a very special ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 9 hours (approx.)

From 39,50
Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Tickets, Rome, Skip-the-Line Tours
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 2

Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Tickets

4.5 star rating: Recommended 2234 Reviews

Use your skip-the-line Vatican Museums ticket to explore one of the world’s greatest museum complexes at leisure! A veritable Aladdin’s Cave, the Vatican ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)

From 38,00
Early Access: Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums Ticket, Rome, Skip-the-Line Tours
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 2

Early Access: Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums Ticket

5 star rating: Highly Recommended 525 Reviews

Visit the Sistine Chapel before the doors are opened to the public, and see its Renaissance treasures without the crowds! After gazing in wonder at ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 60 minutes (approx.)

From 49,00
Skip-the-line Access to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Rome, Skip-the-Line Tours
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 2

Skip-the-line Access to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

4 star rating: Recommended 84 Reviews

As Tour Operator Partners of the Vatican Museum, we can offer you a privileged entrance with a real Skip the Line! The ticket provides full-day entry to the ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: Flexible

From 36,00
Exclusive First Entrance to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, Rome, Skip-the-Line Tours
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 2

Exclusive First Entrance to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel

3.5 star rating: Worth doing 18 Reviews

Get a full-day access ticket and be ready to live an exclusive experience at the Vatican Museums: see the marvelous Sistine Chapel early in the morning, before ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: Flexible

From 46,00
Private Tour: Vatican with Early Entrance, Rome, Skip-the-Line Tours
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 3

Private Tour: Vatican with Early Entrance

5 star rating: Highly Recommended 10 Reviews

This 3 hour private tour allows you the exclusive opportunity to visit the Vatican before entry to the general public accompanied by an expert private guide. ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)

From 120,00
In-depth Private Vatican Tour, Rome, Private Sightseeing Tours
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 3

In-depth Private Vatican Tour

5 star rating: Highly Recommended 2 Reviews

Explore the various galleries of the Vatican on this 3.5-hour, in depth tour. See stunning works of art, antique sculptures and more and learn all about their ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 3.5 to 4.5 hrs

From 110,00
Off the Crowd Vatican Tour for Kids and Families including Sistine Chapel Ticket, Rome, Private ... 
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 3

Off the Crowd Vatican Tour for Kids and Families including Sistine Chapel Ticket

5 star rating: Highly Recommended 1 Review

Join this two hour small group alternative and off the beaten path tour of the Vatican specialized for kids and families. Your guide will help you discover ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

From 39,00
Full-Day Castel Sant'Angelo and Vatican Museum Small-Group Walking Tour, Rome, Kid Friendly Tours & ... 
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 3

Full-Day Castel Sant'Angelo and Vatican Museum Small-Group Walking Tour

Discover the history of two Roman landmarks with a 7-hour small-group walking tour to Castel Sant'Angelo and the Vatican. See Michelangelo's miraculous Sistine ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 7 hours (approx.)

From 150,00
Unique Friday Night Inside the Vatican Museums with Dinner and Sistine Chapel, Rome, Skip-the-Line ... 
TVRM_SORTED : true ESSENTIAL : 1 ADMISSION : 3

Unique Friday Night Inside the Vatican Museums with Dinner and Sistine Chapel

4.5 star rating: Recommended 14 Reviews

End your day in Rome at the Vatican Museums with an amazing tour at night and a served dinner in a beguiling location, a charming terrace inside the Vatican ...  Read more

Location: Rome, Italy
Duration: 4 hours (approx.)

From 138,00

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