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Complete Vatican: Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Basilica
4.5
400 Ratings
Roma
Unlock Vatican secrets with our skip-the-line tour. Explore iconic art, architecture, and history in just 3 hours. Book now for an unforgettable experience.
Unlock Vatican secrets with our skip-the-line tour. Explore iconic art, architecture, and history in just 3 hours. Book now for an unforgettable experience.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Vatican Museums - Experience a thoughtfully curated route showcasing renowned artworks alongside some of our favorite hidden gems.
- Sphere within a Sphere - As you enter the serene Pinecone Courtyard, you’ll encounter a large bronze sculpture representing the birth of a new world from the old, crafted for the Vatican by the esteemed Italian…
- Vatican Museums - Experience a thoughtfully curated route showcasing renowned artworks alongside some of our favorite hidden gems.
- Sphere within a Sphere - As you enter the serene Pinecone Courtyard, you’ll encounter a large bronze sculpture representing the birth of a new world from the old, crafted for the Vatican by the esteemed Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro.
- Cortile della Pigna - Your journey includes stops at the Belvedere Courtyard featuring Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön & His Sons, the Pinecone Courtyard, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of the Maps, and the Gallery of the Tapestries, offering breathtaking views of St Peter’s Basilica, all within a meticulously planned itinerary.
- Stanze di Raffaello - Explore the Raphael Rooms, celebrated as some of the most exquisitely frescoed interiors globally.
- Gallery of Maps - Guided tour & Photo Stop
- Sistine Chapel - Enter the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s frescoes. Although your guide cannot speak inside, they will brief you beforehand on what to observe and share the intriguing, contentious history of this iconic room. Notice the intricate details like Michelangelo’s self-portrait and subtle jabs in the Last Judgement.
Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel (and the door leading to St. Peter’s Basilica) will be closed from April 28 to mid-May for the Papal Conclave. The Vatican Museums will remain accessible, and you can still explore its numerous highlights with your knowledgeable guide, who will lead you on an alternative itinerary during this significant period at the Vatican.
- St. Peter’s Basilica - Enjoy priority access to St. Peter’s through a special, group-exclusive door. Hear your guide narrate the tale of the church’s 120-year construction and discover the valuable art and treasures within. Please Note: Access to the Basilica is not included in tours starting at 4 pm or 4:15 pm.
- St. Peter’s Square - Guided tour & Photo Stop
- Vatican City - This tour takes place in Vatican City, the heart of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope.
What's Included
- Skip the Line Access tickets to the Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line Access to St. Peter’s Basilica (not included on 4 & 4:15 pm tours)
- Skip-the-Line Access to the Sistine Chapel
- Groups never more than 20 people
- Expert Local Guide
- Skip the Line Access tickets to the Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line Access to St. Peter’s Basilica (not included on 4 & 4:15 pm tours)
- Skip-the-Line Access to the Sistine Chapel
- Groups never more than 20 people
- Expert Local Guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Additional Information
Our Complete Vatican Tour gives you the best of the museum’s collections and an in-depth understanding of the art, architecture, and history contained within the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. The specially curated itinerary ensures that you see the most famous attractions as well as lesser-known gems in just over 3 hours. With skip-the-line tickets to…
Our Complete Vatican Tour gives you the best of the museum’s collections and an in-depth understanding of the art, architecture, and history contained within the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. The specially curated itinerary ensures that you see the most famous attractions as well as lesser-known gems in just over 3 hours. With skip-the-line tickets to both the Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica there is no quicker or more accessible way to see the best of the Vatican.
Prefer a laid-back afternoon experience? Book the Vatican Museums Tour with Sistine Chapel at 4 pm or 4:15 pm for a relaxed visit after the crowds have left for the day (St. Peter’s Basilica not included).
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and is subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery.
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- Please note: starting December 2024, access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be limited due to the Vatican’s Jubilee Year 2025, which includes special events and ceremonies. These closures are determined by the Vatican and are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- Walks Tours is an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
Location
Antico Caffè Candia
Via Candia
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Antico Café Candia, Via Candia, 153, 00192 Roma RM.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(400 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
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1 star
Ralph_c
Jul 15, 2025
Awesome tour for the museum and Basilica - Tour guide was very informative and amazing. We were able to go through the holy door of the Vatican. She also helped take pictures of our group and recommended places to eat nearby.
Review provided by Viator
David_k
Jun 20, 2025
California Rome pilgrimage - We enjoyed the St Peter's experience. We were given time and good information. Susanna guided us through the crowd.
Review provided by Viator
D8676wfmarkc
Jun 19, 2025
Wonderful! - I cannot recommend this this enough. Our tour leader, Sev, was fantastic and increadibly informed about everything in the Vatican! The Vatican can be a zoo this time of year, but this tour was experienced and guided everyone through with no stress and problem.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Defranksiegel
Jun 17, 2025
Vatican City is a Winner ! ! ! - Memorable and beautiful art from so many many many years ago.
Every step of the Vatican Museum and St.Peter’s Basilica is another treasure.
It’s a bit hot as it’s June, but worth all the visual treats. Dress for comfort. Shorts are allowed as long as they touch your knees.
Comfort always.
Review provided by Viator
Carol_s
Jun 15, 2025
Your during the Conclave - The tour included the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum as well as St Peter’s Basilica. However due to the election activities of the Conclave for a new Pope, the tour was abbreviated . We did get to see the Vatican Museum and the tour guide was great
Review provided by Viator
Tracyd295
Jul 16, 2025
Worth the visit - We were met by our tour guide outside the area and given a. Great idea of what was to be expected. Despite the temperatures being extremely hot (not the tours fault) and a jubilee year, we were able to see and hear everything and spend time seeing all the sites. We accessed the skip the line which was worth it with all of the people there and heat wave. A great experience and very entertaining and knowledgeable guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindsayh442
Jun 21, 2025
Stroller/Baby Concern for Tour - My husband and I were very excited for this tour. When we arrived at the Cafe to check-in, the representatives for the company made us feel uncomfortable and complained about us having a stroller/baby. We brought our carrier with us in case the stroller was an issue. This created a negative undertone for the other people joining the tour. The representatives made it sound like the tour was going to be impossible with a baby and there were changes that would have to be made to accommodate the baby. Because of their negative approach, it made us feel unwelcome by both the company and our peers, who seemed displeased to have to make accommodations to include us. Ultimately, it involved going up less stairs to get to the Vatican Museum, which if you observed the group - two people had walking sticks and needed less stairs. We were able to check out stroller safely into a coat/stroller check area for no additional cost. This was great!! It was not a big deal at all, the company made is a big deal. Ultimately, I would say this tour does not want babies participating. Our daughter slept in the carrier the entire time and was not disruptive at all the entire tour. Strollers are hard to manage given the amount of stairs and crowds inside. Definitely use a carrier with a baby. Other than that, we enjoyed the tour - wish we had more time to explore.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gcm2046ok
Jul 5, 2025
Mediocre tour and guide, unfortunately - We were very excited to go on this tour, especially having experienced the same provider in Milan, Rome, and Florence. However, the guide Francesco started the tour by saying he wouldn’t be as “sparkly” as usual because of the hot summer weather. He presented the information with monotony and seemed to do the bare minimum. It was unfortunate because we saw so many other guides around us giving detailed information with so much gusto. I would have to do this tour again, but with a different company or at least a different guide. For the money spent with Walks, expect high quality… this wasn’t it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sorrento2010
Jun 22, 2025
BEWARE of this your company - I booked my tour in October 2024 for June 2025. I booked an 8:44 AM tour and at 8:35AM as I’m checking in for my tour I got an email saying they had moved my tour to 1:15 PM. Not cool! Could not do a 1:15 tour because we have something else booked that afternoon not to mention that they confirm via email 3 days before that I was book on the 8:45AM tour. Tour guide I was checking in with said all I could do was call the office but she couldn’t give me the office phone number. BEWARE of booking with this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dorcas_v
Jun 13, 2025
Shame on Viator - Very disappointed. Tour scheduled by Viator for 1:45pm meet time, even though Vatican closed at 2pm. Guest only able to see chapel for 2 minutes or less and very rushed. Tour Conductor very unresponsive to guest needs. Passive Aggressive with blunt answers to our guest. Told guest that had difficulty walking that they could not use the elevators, meanwhile obvious use of same noted. Would not wait for slower guest. 2 of our clients just left the tour. The others waited for it to improve to no avail. I've been to Vatican tour before and as per all my 19 guests, very disappointed.
Review provided by Viator
