Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel, Fast-Access Tickets
This is a private 3-hour tour with the services of your own local, expert guide. With skip-the-line access you visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s square amongst other famous sites. Your guide will recount the history of these amazing places and tell you stories about some of the many treasures to be found in the Vatican.
Options
Vatican City Tour
3-hours Private Walking Tour
What's included in Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel, Fast-Access Tickets
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Vatican Museums
Meet with your guide at the entrance to the Vatican museums and with skip-the-line access head straight inside to begin the tour with a visit to the Belvedere Courtyard, the Pio-Clementino Museum and the magnificent collection of Ancient Roman and Greek Statues. You continue your tour with a visit to the Gallery of Tapestries followed by the Gallery of Maps, which houses one of the most significant displays of Renaissance Maps in the world. In the Sobiesky Room you will see on of the largest painting in the Vatican and in the room of the Immaculate Conception gaze upon its wonderful frescoes. It is certainly worth spending time in Raphael’s Rooms. Painted for Pope Julius II here are displayed some of the painters greatest works, the Parnassus and School of Athens.
Sistine Chapel
Before entering the Sistine Chapel (no talking allowed inside) your guide will tell you about the wonderful frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli and other famous artists that you will see once inside. You will also hear interesting facts and anecdotes about this unique chapel that is still in use today as the setting for the conclave to elect new Popes.
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
- Private tour
- Professional art historian guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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. 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.