With direct access and a private guide focused solely on you, this Vatican highlights tour offers an efficient and enriching way to experience its wonders. Skip the line to the Vatican Museums, where your lively guide will unveil the stories behind its famous masterpieces. Experience tranquility with a visit to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the majestic St. Peter’s Basilica. See the Vatican’s treasures up close, all on a timeline designed to fit your schedule.
What's included
Early access skip-the-line entry to the Vatican
Tailored private guided tour of the Vatican Museums, rooms, and galleries
Early entry to the Sistine Chapel
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
Itinerary
Early access private Vatican tour
Follow your private Vatican guide past the long general public line and go directly to the special "early entrance" area to enter the Vatican Museums.
Gallery of the Maps
On display here are maps that were painted over 400 years ago and remain extremely accurate even to this day.
Gallery of the Candelabra
This gallery was originally an open "loggia" but was walled off and closed some 200 years ago. The statues and candelabras on display here date as far back as far as the third century.
Gallery of the Tapestries
Some of the masterpieces in this gallery were designed after the cartoons drawn by Raphael. Look out for a tapestry that includes a spectacular optical illusion.
Sistine Chapel tour
Be among the first people to walk into the spectacular Sistine chapel and admire the masterpiece of Michelangelo, leaving the crowds waiting in line outside.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 60 days in advance!
Sun, 10 May 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
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Important Details
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Bryan H.
Verified Review
April 18, 2026
Haesung K.
Verified Review
April 05, 2026
Fabulous experience!
Jennifer W.
Verified Review
February 23, 2026
Marina is so knowledgeable and tailored the tour perfectly to our jet-lagged family of five—it was a great combination of efficient and entertaining. The tour hit all the highlights without feeling rushed. Thank you for a beautiful experience!
Excellent guide
Debby H.
Verified Review
November 30, 2025
Daniele is an excellent guide. His knowledge and his enthusiasm help to make the experience even more memorable. I highly recommend him to anyone.
John S.
Verified Review
October 23, 2025
great guide, great tour!
Annette M.
Verified Review
October 13, 2025
Thanks to Michaela we had a wonderful experience and were able to see many Vatican highlights in the brief time we had to spend there.
Incredible, perfect tour guide and tour
Bridget T.
Verified Review
September 20, 2025
Eleanora was a wonderful guide: detailed without going overboard, knowledgeable and lovely. I’ve done the Vatican before and this tour was the best!
Our guide made historic facts fun through her storytelling
Helena V.
Verified Review
August 26, 2025
We had an amazing Vatican tour with our guide—she made history come alive with fascinating facts, humor, and storytelling that kept us fully engaged the entire time. The VIP access was worth every penny—no lines, no waiting. Definitely book the earliest tour available to enjoy the experience before the crowds arrive!
JACQUELINE H.
Verified Review
August 18, 2025
Absolutely amazing tour guide!!! She was so patient and helpful. Very enthusiastic and entertaining tour!!!
Lisa P.
Verified Review
August 14, 2025
Syliva H.
Verified Review
August 13, 2025
Joanne M.
Verified Review
August 01, 2025
Wonderfully knowledgeable and personable tour guide
Andrea C.
Verified Review
July 29, 2025
This was a wonderful tour. We waited only in a short line and then went right in to the museum. Our guide was very knowledgeable and kept things interesting for our 11 year old as well. She was fun and taught us a lot about the Vatican. Highly recommend.
Kathleen N.
Verified Review
July 21, 2025
Great tour
Jennifer B.
Verified Review
July 02, 2025
Only way to tour the Vatican is a private tour!!! Enjoyed the experience so much!! Thank you Ruggero!!
Patricia P.
Verified Review
June 23, 2025
Patricia B.
Verified Review
June 11, 2025
Excellent tour! Grazie Mille!
Maria was a great guide
Hurbert C.
Verified Review
June 03, 2025
We could tell from the beginning that Maria was not only a great guide but that she loved talking about her church. So much great information.
All guides should be like her.
Incredible Tour!
Claudia S.
Verified Review
May 29, 2025
Absolutely perfect way to tour the Vatican, St.Peters, and the museums. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and has been doing this for years. We were able to skip lines, go through special entrances and enter earlier than most. This is the only way to see and experience the Vatican and St.Peter’s Basilica! It was just our group of four and the guide. Can’t say enough good things about our morning here!!
Private tour
Patti W.
Verified Review
April 10, 2025
Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered all questions we had. She knew a lot of things that was know just normal tourist information. We had some mobility problems walking slowly. She never rushed us and was so very patient and sweet. She told us every step of the way what we were seeing and what we would do next. It felt like our own VIP personal tour. Very special thanks to our guide!
Amazing tour!!!
Mitchell W.
Verified Review
April 03, 2025
We booked a quick tour because we didn’t know how much time we needed in the museum. If you are on a time crunch this was such an amazing tour. Marina (I’m pretty sure that’s her name) was amazing and very knowledgeable. It was very personalized being a private tour. She also spent extra time with us to show us another area that wasn’t even part of the original tour. Great experience.
Vatican tour amazing!
Scott S.
Verified Review
March 25, 2025
Our tour guide went above and beyond! She was passionate about the subject matter and delivered a ton of information in just a perfect way!
Sandeep H.
Verified Review
March 20, 2025
Excellent experience!
Valerie B.
Verified Review
October 13, 2024
This 8:00AM tour was such a wonderful experience, from beginning to end. Our tour guide, Raffaella, not only made us feel like VIPs but also graciously toured us through the Vatican museums, educating us on important history and art, making certain we got the best vantage points for our photos, all the while with a beautiful smile and a friendly attitude. She even provided photos to further describe other important but relevant pieces of art not housed at the Vatican museums. We learned so much about, how “everything is connected!”This tour was for 4 people and it was worth every penny. We felt fortunate not to have to wait in the long lines, and also not to be in a large tour group. Lastly, navigating the the huge Vatican museums without a guide would have been overwhelming. With Raffaella as our tour guide we were taken through to the top spots by an expert. She was excellent. Thank you!
rushed
teresa B.
Verified Review
October 04, 2024
we felt rushed throughout our tour. our tour guide looked at her phone numerous times and it felt like she was watching the time. we enjoyed the content of the tour but felt we could of learned more if we were not rushed.
