Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Private Tour

• - Skip the line Vatican tickets

• - A private English-speaking guide with expertise in art history

• - A guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica

* As of June 23rd, 2021, the Vatican has closed the "licensed guide entrance" to St Peter’s Basilica for all tour companies and tour guides. Therefore a guided visit to the Basilica won’t be possible due to the distance between sites. Not to worry! Your awesome guide give you a detailed introduction of the church and will explain how to visit on your own at the conclusion of the tour.. Hopefully, this changes very soon!

The Main Galleries of the Vatican Museums

After meeting your private guide, your Vatican Museums tour begins. As an accredited tour operator, we do not have to wait in the ticket line, but we still have to wait in a security line. Usually, this queue is short, but sometimes during high season, there may be delays. While you wait, your guide starts the Vatican tour with an explanation of some key facts about the museum’s treasures. Once inside, visit the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries and our personal favorite, the Gallery of the Maps.

Inside the Gallery of the Maps, the frescoes upon the walls provide valuable insight into how Renaissance Italians viewed their surroundings. Predating unified Italy by almost 300 years, the frescoes show the geography of the Italian peninsula circa 1580. Based on drawings by famous geographer Ignazio Danti, the maps were painted between 1580 and 1585. One of the most opulent and impressive corridors in the Vatican Museums, this collection extends for 120 meters.

Raphael Rooms - The School of Athens

In constant competition with Michelangelo, Renaissance painter Raphael designed and frescoed multiple rooms connected to the Vatican Museums. On this private Vatican tour, Among other masterpieces, visit The School of Athens. The celebrated painting represents all the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and scientists gathered together and sharing ideas. In an early version of a selfie, Raphael included himself in the painting!

Borgia Apartments

The Borgia Apartments are comprised of a suite of rooms in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. They were created for personal use by Pope Alexander VI (Rodrígo de Borgia, 1492-1503) and frescoed by early Renaissance artist Bernardino di Betto, nicknamed “Pinturicchio".This apartment suite was closed off by Julius II, who refused to live in rooms once occupied by his despised predecessor. Until the room’s reopening at the end of the 19th century, the dynamic frescoes were covered in black crepe.

Witness the Sistine Chapel in Person

Since the chapel is inside the Vatican Museums, entrance is included in your Vatican tour. Now that Michelangelo’s masterpiece is restored, every detail and color in the treasured work of art is visible and splendid to behold. Since the Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, speaking inside is not allowed. Since our guide cannot explain the frescoes while you are inside, we provide you with a map/handout for reference before you enter. 

Please Note: the Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to a portion of your Vatican tour. We understand the summers in Rome are hot - a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary. 

Private St. Peter’s Basilica Tour

St. Peter's Basilica is a massive church filled with artwork from some of the most celebrated artists in history. On this private Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica tour, skip the long lines snaking their way through St. Peter’s Square and enter through a special door by way of the Sistine Chapel into the most palatial church in the world. Once inside, admire masterpieces that include the Baldacchino, La Pieta, the statue of St. Peter and more. Even if you aren’t an art fanatic, just the size of the basilica will floor you.

Important: Remember, it isn’t possible to return to the Vatican Museums from St. Peter’s Basilica. If you want more time inside the museums, you will have to forgo the basilica. Also, if you’d like to stay in St. Peter's Basilica longer, don't leave with the guide to take photos in the piazza. Because the security line is long and re-entry on your own is not recommended, we suggest you stay inside St. Peter’s and explore on your own after the tour concludes.