Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica VIP Guided Tour

About this experience

Skip the line and immerse yourself in the Vatican's treasures with an expert guide and priority entrance in a small group. This exclusive tour includes the incredible collections and galleries of the Vatican museums and of course the awe inspiring Sistine Chapel. Designed for those who wish to explore and experience the full splendour of the Vatican City. Wander through the Vatican Museums, an incredible array of masterpieces. The vast collection includes exquisite sculptures, mesmerising frescoes, and architectural wonders that together create a collection unmatched anywhere in the world. Feast your eyes on breathtaking works by world renowned artists such as Bramante, Bernini, Perugino, Botticelli and of course Michelangelo. Please note that St Peters Basilica is subject to last minute closures and for the papal audience on some Wednesday mornings, entrance can not always be included. In this case there will be an extended tour of the Vatican museums.

What to expect

1. Stop 1 · 1h 45min

   Explore the Vatican Museums with an Expert Guide, visit the highlights of the incredible collections comprised of a colossal 20,000 works on display, over 4 miles of Art, Sculptures, Tapestries, Paintings and Architecture. Belvedere Courtyard Pinecone Courtyard Pio Clementino Museum Octagonal Courtyard Sala Degli Animali Sala Delle Muse Sala Rotonda Sala A Croce Greca Gallery of the Candelabra Gallery of Tapestries Gallery of Maps

2. Stop 2 · 15min

   Marvel at the incredible Sistine Chapel, an impressive sanctuary that boasts works of art by master painters like Perugino, Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, Botticelli, Signorelli, della Gatta and, of course, Michelangelo. See the world famous frescoes stretch magnificently across the ceiling with the renowned Creation of Adam as the central focus and the majestic Last Judgement upon the rear wall, offering a visual spectacle that encapsulates the divine. Sistine Chapel Frescoes Cosmati Floor Mosaic Forseen conception of Jesus Christ Pagan Sibyls / Icons Prophet depictions Creation of Adam The Last Judgement Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Greek Mythology Styx

3. Stop 3 · 30min

   The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican City, or simply Saint Peter's Basilica, is a church of the Italian High Renaissance and the heart of the catholic faith located in Vatican City, an independent microstate enclaved within the city of Rome, Italy.

4. Stop 4

   St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), located in Vatican City in front of St. Peter's Basilica, is a massive, iconic Baroque plaza designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1656 and 1667. Featuring an elliptical design with massive colonnades representing the "embrace" of the Church, it holds over 300,000 people and features a central Egyptian obelisk.

Tour & ticket options

Options may have different inclusions and meeting points. Choose your option when booking on Viator.

Meeting & pickup

• MEETING POINT: VIA GERMANICO 16 PLEASE ARRIVE TO CHECK-IN 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED ENTRY TIME! We organize everything and your guide will meet you with your ticket to skip the line and enter the Vatican.

End point

• You will end the tour inside St.Peter's Basilica if it is open. You will then exit into St.Peter's Square (If the Basilica is not open you will exit at the Vatican museums entrance)

Once you book, we organize everything. Just show up at the Maya Tours office (VIA GERMANICO, 16) at the correct time (Please arrive 15 minutes before your booked departure time) where your guide will meet you with your ticket to skip the line and enter the Vatican. If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund. This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible Please note that it is mandatory to provide the full name of each participant. Failure to do this could result in refused entry to the monument.

Before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
• If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
• If you purchase a reduced ticket and you are not under 16 years old or a student under 26 years old with a valid STUDENT PHOTO ID, the Vatican will deny your entry and you will not be able to visit the Vatican or join the tour.
• All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check please allow at least 20 minutes to clear security.
• Knees & Shoulders MUST be covered for both men & women.
• Some monuments or areas may be under restoration and subject to last minute closures. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• It is not possible to contact guides when they are inside the Vatican museums, it is the clients responsibility to stay with the guided tour group, if you lose your guide inside the Vatican, there is nothing we can do in this case.
• Please be aware that large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the monument.
• St. Peter's Basilica is subject to last minute closures for religous events, and the Papal audience on some Wednesday and Saturday mornings. In the event that it is closed if you have selected the option to visit St. Peter's Basilica you will have an extended tour of the Vatican museums. The Basilica is free to enter and we do not have any control in the event of these closures it is not possible to provide a refund under these circumstances.
• Please note that it is mandatory to provide the full name of each participant. Failure to do this could result in refused entry to the monument.
• Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for those with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.

Cancellation policy

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