Vatican Museums Tour on a Budget With Sistine Chapel
A curated tour for the ultimate Vatican experience
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Local experts
Personal stories and insider travel tips -
Top-rated
Thousands of reviews averaging 4.9 stars -
Worry-free booking
Flexible scheduling and refunds
-
Local experts
Personal stories and insider travel tips -
Top-rated
Thousands of reviews averaging 4.9 stars -
Worry-free booking
Flexible scheduling and refunds
Highlights
- See the best of the Vatican Museums on a streamlined tour that makes the most of your time.
- Tune in on personal headsets when needed so you won't miss a thing.
- Find the can’t-miss highlights among the many galleries with an expert guide to make the most of your time.
- Learn about Raphael's School of Athens and the beautiful art it helped bring to life.
- Feel time slow as you stand in the Sistine Chapel beneath the world’s most celebrated fresco.
- Tour the Pio Clementino Museum where ancient wonders, like the Laocoön sculpture, will amaze you.
- Admire works of the masters, such as floor-to-ceiling paintings, tapestries, maps and more.
- Get practical tips for how to visit another landmark of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica.
What you'll do
Make the most of your time in Vatican City with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums. This tour also includes background and insight on the wonder of St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to visit. There’s a lot here to see in the Vatican, but our guide makes it easy and engaging. ...
Make the most of your time in Vatican City with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums. This tour also includes background and insight on the wonder of St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to visit. There’s a lot here to see in the Vatican, but our guide makes it easy and engaging. You’ll get the can’t-miss highlights and the little-known stories behind the art. Don’t just “see” the Vatican — experience it with a local guide!
Start off by meeting your host near the entrance of the Vatican Museums. Your host will lead you and your group to the entrance line. Rest assured your host will share interesting and fun info about all that you’ll see once you are inside. When you enter, you’ll have time to visit the nearby restrooms. If you’re in a group of 10 or more, here’s where you’ll receive your headsets. We want to make sure you don’t miss a word of what your guide shares.
Now you’re ready to enter with your guide! You’ll go inside where you’ll be wowed by collections of art amassed by popes over centuries.
Your guide will show you the most important and interesting pieces. Favorites often include sculptures and paintings by Renaissance masters like Raphael and Michelangelo — those guys sure knew what they were doing. Your tour may include marveling at tapestries, candelabra, maps and more as you walk the galleries.
Finally, you’re at the Sistine Chapel. You’ll get a thorough introduction from your guide before you enter (because talking isn’t allowed inside), and then the magic happens: you’re standing beneath the most celebrated fresco in the world, Michelangelo’s masterpiece, including “The Creation of Adam.” You’ll have plenty of time to take it in, so don’t worry about being rushed.
Before the end of your tour, your guide will also share details for the best way to visit Saint Peter’s Basilica, another Vatican City treasure. Knowing the background of this church before you go inside makes your visit that much better.
Have questions on what to see, do, and eat in Rome? Please ask! Our guides know the best local secrets (and love sharing them).
Itinerary
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The Pinecone Courtyard
Crowned by a massive bronze pinecone sculpture made by ancient Romans
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Pio Clementino Museum
Classical statues dating back to the 16th century
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Vatican galleries
Filled with tapestries, candelabra, historic maps, and more
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Sistine Chapel
With Michelangelo’s famous fresco, including the Creation of Adam and other scenes
Plan Your Trip
Dress code
Hats, sleeveless shirts, and shorts, skirts, or dresses cut above the knee aren’t allowed in the Vatican. This applies to men and women, though young children may have some leeway.
Headsets
Your headset will help you hear your guide in some cases where you might need it. For groups of 10 or less, headsets aren’t needed.
Tour ending point
The guided portion of your tour ends at the entrance to the Sistine Chapel.
Refund policy
We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the start time.
Meeting point
Please meet us at the bottom of the big stairs between Hotel Alimandi and Caffè Vaticano (at Viale Vaticano, 100).
Your guide will be holding an orange sign with ExperienceFirst written on it.
For easier navigation, you can paste these coordinates into Google Maps: 41.907179, 12.453026.
FAQs
Is admission to St. Peter’s Basilica included?
Admission to the basilica is free, but you won’t be able to enter the basilica during or after your tour. However, our guide will direct you to the entrance and give you recommendations on what to see if you visit at another time.
What can we bring in the Vatican Museums?
Large items like bags, backpacks, and tripods can’t be brought into the Vatican Museums. There’s a coat check, but guests are responsible for picking up their items after the tour. We recommend leaving bulky bags at your hotel.
Does the tour schedule ever change?
Unforeseen closures within the Vatican due to state visits or religious events may affect our tour, and while we try to keep guests informed, most closures aren’t announced in advance. In such cases, our guide will compensate with an extra site or gallery.
What should I bring?
Be sure to bring ID for yourself and any children accompanying you. The Vatican Museums may check ID before entry.
Can we take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?
Photos and talking aren’t allowed inside the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will give you an overview in advance of what you can expect when you enter. Once you’re there, simply enjoy the beauty above and around you.
What is the rescheduling policy?
We understand plans change. We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour start time. We also offer rescheduling to another date the tour is running at no extra cost if you’re unable to make this tour. Please keep in mind there are no refunds available if you have already rescheduled your tour.
Will we have to wait in line?
This tour doesn’t include skipping the line. Your guide will purchase tickets for you after you arrive. Please be aware that the wait time to purchase tickets can be up to one hour. However, rest assured that your host will keep you entertained and provide insightful information about the Vatican while you wait in line together.
What if it rains?
Our tours run rain or shine, so please check the local forecast to plan. In rare cases when we have to cancel for extreme weather, we’ll offer you the chance to reschedule or give a full refund.
What about gratuities?
Tips are always appreciated but never expected. They’re a great way to tell your guide they did an awesome job and show your appreciation.
