• Vatican Museums - Art and history enthusiasts will find the Vatican Museums an essential destination, showcasing one of the world’s most remarkable collections, from ancient Roman artifacts to Renaissance masterpieces and more. Highlights include Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel ceiling and the exquisite frescoes of Raphael’s Rooms. Stroll through lavish galleries adorned with sculptures, tapestries, and maps, and delve into the rich cultural heritage of Vatican City. This extraordinary experience offers a journey through centuries of artistic and religious significance.
• Sistine Chapel - The Sistine Chapel stands as a pinnacle of art and spirituality, famed for Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling frescoes, such as The Creation of Adam, and his powerful Last Judgment on the altar wall. Situated within Vatican City, the chapel serves as a sacred venue for papal ceremonies and the election of new popes. Visitors are captivated by the intricate details, vibrant colors, and profound symbolism that make it one of the greatest achievements in Western art. A visit to the Sistine Chapel is a journey into the heart of Renaissance brilliance and religious devotion.
• St. Peter’s Basilica - St. Peter’s Basilica is a marvel of Renaissance architecture and one of the most sacred sites in Christianity. Designed by luminaries like Michelangelo and Bernini, its magnificence includes the iconic dome, Michelangelo’s Pietà, and Bernini’s stunning Baldachin. As the heart of the Catholic Church, it draws pilgrims and visitors from around the globe. Explore its sacred interiors filled with history, art, and devotion with your guide. A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica is an unforgettable experience of faith and architectural splendor.
• Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore - St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome is one of the city’s most significant and beautiful churches. As a major papal basilica, it is celebrated for its stunning mosaics dating back to the 5th century, depicting biblical scenes in vibrant detail. The basilica blends architectural styles from early Christianity to the Baroque, featuring treasures like the gold-encrusted ceiling and Bernini’s tomb. A symbol of devotion to the Virgin Mary, it is a spiritual and artistic gem that offers visitors a glimpse into Rome’s rich religious and cultural heritage.
• Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano - St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the oldest and highest-ranking of Rome’s four major basilicas, serving as the cathedral of the Pope in his role as Bishop of Rome. Renowned for its stunning Baroque facade and grand interior, it features impressive sculptures of the Apostles, intricate mosaics, and the Holy Stairs, believed to have been climbed by Jesus during his trial. As the “Mother of all Churches,” St. John Lateran is both a spiritual and historical landmark, offering visitors a profound connection to Rome’s religious and architectural legacy.
• Abbazia di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura - St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas and a significant pilgrimage site. Built over the burial site of St. Paul, it features stunning early Christian mosaics, a magnificent cloister, and an awe-inspiring nave supported by towering columns. Its golden apse mosaic and portraits of every pope highlight its rich history and spiritual importance. Located just outside the ancient Aurelian Walls, this basilica is a serene and breathtaking testament to Rome’s religious and artistic heritage.
• St. Peter’s Square - The tour concludes in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, at St. Peter’s Square. Piazza San Pietro, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, features an elliptical colonnade symbolizing the Church’s embrace. At its center stands a towering Egyptian obelisk, surrounded by two ornate fountains. The square is a focal point for papal audiences and significant religious events, often filled with pilgrims and visitors. Its grandeur and symmetry create an awe-inspiring entrance to one of the world’s most sacred sites. Visitors are free to explore St. Peter’s Basilica again or continue their discovery of Rome after experiencing the main Basilicas of the Eternal City.

• Expert, English-speaking tour guides
• All transfers in an air-conditioned coach
• Audio headsets, so you can always hear your guide
• Priority Access to the Vatican Museums
• Guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica & Papal Basilicas
• Group of 25 people or less

• Gratuities
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transfer between tours
• Lunch

Explore Rome’s Sacred Treasures in Just One Day!

Start your journey with priority access to the Vatican Museums, where an expert guide will bring the renowned art collection to life. Wander through galleries filled with classical sculptures, Renaissance masterpieces, and intricate tapestries, leading to the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes, including The Last Judgment.

Then, proceed to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, where your guide will unveil its architectural wonders, artistic treasures, and spiritual importance.

After a midday break, continue to Rome’s Papal Basilicas. Marvel at the golden ceilings of Saint Mary Major, visit Saint John Lateran, the Pope’s official seat, and the Holy Stairs. Conclude your tour at Saint Paul Outside the Walls, constructed over St. Paul’s tomb and steeped in history.

End your day at St. Peter’s Square, reflecting on the highlights of your journey. This comprehensive full-day tour seamlessly combines the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and all four Papal Basilicas into an unforgettable experience.

• All four basilicas are subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies during the Papal Jubilee. Furthermore, access through the holy doors is not possible, as the site is expected to be busy
• Entrance into the Vatican Museums and the basilicas requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. The local supplier cannot be held responsible for refused entry due to improper dress
• Extra measures may be implemented at some venues due to heightened global security. As a result, there may be delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues. Extra measures may also restrict the size of bags that can be brought inside. To avoid disruptions or possible denied entry, avoid bringing large purses, bags or backpacks on your tour. The Vatican only permits very small bags, and specifically prohibits large bags, tripods, umbrellas and backpacks. Any such items must be checked into the free luggage storage area, and this may result in you having to leave the tour early to retrieve them at the entrance
• Guests must check in with the local supplier’s representative both in the morning and in the afternoon.
• It is the responsibility of all visitors to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, and missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded
• Non-flash photography is permitted throughout the tour, except in the Sistine Chapel where talking and photography are prohibited
• The Vatican Museums are among the most highly trafficked sites in the world. With over 6 million visitors in 2014 and numbers rising year-on-year, the museums give rise to a whole new meaning of the word “crowded.” The route taken on this tour is designed to minimize exposure to crowds as much as possible, but be aware that the museums are very busy by nature
• This tour involves a fair amount of walking and stairs, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.