Skip-the-line Sistine Chapel & Vatican Highlights Guided Tour
With skip-the-line entry and the services of a very knowledgeable guide this is an excellent half-day tour of the Vatican to see not only the highlights but much more besides.
You visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica and see on the way the numerous ancient Greek and Roman statues, Raphael’s Rooms and the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps to name a few. This is a super tour of the Vatican, not to be missed!
Options
Private Option
private tour
What's included in Skip-the-line Sistine Chapel & Vatican Highlights Guided Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Vatican Museums
meet your guide at the entrance to the museums, pass the tourists in the long queues and head for the cloakrooms. Starting in the Pio-Clementino Museum you see the wonderful ancient Roman and Greek Statues. Your guide will tell you all about the wonderful artwork as you pass through the myriad of rooms and galleries; the visit continues to the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra; there is so much to see. Next are the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps and the Sobieski Room with its vast canvas, the largest in the Vatican. Finally to the most visited site in the whole of Italy the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will bring the frescoes to life. The chapel holds many secrets and your guide will tell you some interesting facts about the conclave that is held to elect a new Pope.
Sistine Chapel
Finally to the most visited site in the whole of Italy the Sistine Chapel. It is interesting to learn about the famous frescoes painted by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Perugino and other Renaissance artists. What to look for when you enter the chapel and see the Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam, the Genesis and the Stories of Moses and Jesus. Your guide will bring the frescoes to life. The chapel holds many secrets and your guide will tell you some interesting facts about the conclave that is held to elect a new Pope.
St. Peter's Basilica
It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome. There is still more to see though below ground level. You guide will lead you below ground to the papal crypt where, over the centuries, many of the Popes have been interred. This special place is a site of pilgrimage for many Catholics.
Inclusions
- Local guide
- Professional art historian guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- All activities
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during you Vatican tour: the Sistine chapel and/or the Basilica of Saint Peter might not be accessible. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
- PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Jubilee the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queuing.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- At the Vatican Museums entrance at the main monumental white door. Your guide will be holding a sign with your name on it.
