from
$118
Semi Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
See the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and Scala Regia, an exclusive passageway into the basilica
What's included
Get exclusive time with a Vatican expert
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed entry Vatican Museums tickets
Vatican Museums guided tour
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Privileged access to the Scala Regia (except Wednesday mornings)
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica (except Wednesday mornings)
Semi private experience
Guide tips
Itinerary
Your tour begins near the Vatican Museums entrance
Meet your guide near the entrance to the Vatican Museums. Look for the exact location on your booking voucher. Get ready to use your timed entry tickets to enter security and head straight into the vast complex of the Vatican Museums.
Enter the Vatican Museums
Uncover the incredible breadth of the Vatican's extensive art collection, featuring pieces across distinct galleries and halls. Your expert guide will lead you through the highlights, providing historical context and captivating stories behind each masterpieces you encounter.
Step outside into the Pinecone Courtyard
In this open-air courtyard, you’ll enjoy a moment surrounded by greenery and iconic sculptures. Enjoy this refreshing pause before venturing into the museum's most celebrated halls.
Explore the Pio-Clementino Museum and Nero’s Bathtub
Enter the Pio-Clementino Museum, home to iconic ancient statues like the Apollo Belvedere and Laocoön and His Sons. You’ll also visit Emperor Nero’s massive bathtub, carved from a single block of rare red marble.
See the Gallery of Maps and the Gallery of the Tapestries
Follow your guide through the Vatican's spectacular corridors, including the Candelabra Gallery and the Gallery of the Tapestries. Next, stroll down the 400-foot-long Gallery of Maps, admiring the stunning 16th-century topographical depictions of Italy.
Stop in the Raphael Rooms for The School of Athens
Discover the suite of rooms frescoed by Raphael, the epitome of a Renaissance artist. Here you’ll see some of his most famous works, including the profound and beautiful School of Athens, which captures the spirit of wisdom and classical thought.
Bask in the silence of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Gaze up at the unparalleled majesty of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and the powerful Last Judgment on the altar wall. Your guide will explain the masterpieces beforehand, allowing you to absorb the spiritual and artistic significance in silence once inside.
Descend down the Scala Regia passageway
Follow your guide down the magnificent ceremonial staircase, the Scala Regia, designed by Bernini. This exclusive passageway was once reserved for popes and dignitaries and is only accessible to official guided groups.
Your tour finishes inside St. Peter’s Basilica
Step directly into St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the world's most breathtaking churches. Your guided tour concludes here, leaving you free to explore Michelangelo’s Pietà and the massive dome at your leisure.
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 24 hours in advance!
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
Important Details
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Lines: This tour grants you group access to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. While you'll bypass the long line for independent visitors, there may still be a wait to get through security.
Closures: St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings until 1:30pm, due to the Papal Audience. Tours during this time will not include basilica entry. Additionally, tours starting after 3:30pm (any day of the week) are not guaranteed entry into St. Peter’s Basilica. During state visits or special religious events, parts of the Vatican or St. Peter's Basilica may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice.
Dress Code: As the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are deeply religious sites, everyone must cover their knees and shoulders. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry by security officials. No hats or flip flops please.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. A foldable umbrella stroller can be utilized in the Vatican Museums, but cannot be utilized through the Scala Regia into St. Peter's Basilica. A soft baby carrier is recommended.
Please Note: The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so visitors are not allowed to speak inside the chapel. Your guide will explain what you'll see in advance.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Entry and guided tour of the Vatican Museums
Access to the Pio-Clementino Museum
Visit to the Raphael Rooms and Borgia Apartments
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Privileged access through the Scala Regia (except Wednesday mornings)
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica (except Wednesday mornings)
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Water bottle
Clothing that covers knees and shoulders
Camera
See what people are saying
4.96
2129 Ratings
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Jan K.
September 22, 2026
Barry L.
September 22, 2026
Paul M.
September 22, 2026
Vatican
Helen D.
September 21, 2026
Great tour, funny and engaging guide!
Stephanie J.
September 21, 2026
Eleanor was fantastic!
Gerri V.
September 21, 2026
Eleanor had such a great sense of humor! She was very knowledgeable and made learning fun. You must definitely take the Vaticano tour with her! It will be memorable! Bellisimo!
Semi Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica
Lisa V.
September 20, 2026
Everything about this tour was amazing. Our guide was excellent and we really appreciate her professionalism and knowledge. Highly recommend this tour.
Semi Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Bassilica
Lillian L.
September 20, 2026
Tour was amazing. A tour guide can make or break your experience. Our tour guide was great! She was passionate, knowledgeable and seems to really enjoy what she does. Tour was thorough and not rushed at all. Highly recommend.
Miriam M.
September 19, 2026
Ramneek G.
September 19, 2026
Raffa was an amazing guide!
Great Tour
Rob B.
September 19, 2026
A three hour guided tour that was very informative. Roberto did a great job!
Diane T.
September 19, 2026
Jennifer W.
September 18, 2026
Excellent tour with Carolina
Very informative and enjoyable
James K.
September 18, 2026
Thank you for the tour. Oscar was very good tour guide.
Barb G.
September 18, 2026
Pam Delaney
Pamela D.
September 18, 2026
Awesome!!!
Rodney J.
September 18, 2026
Edward G.
September 18, 2026
Daniel P.
September 18, 2026
Great tour
thomas K.
September 18, 2026
Our guide was knowledgeable and added great commentary to what we were seeing
Well worth the $
Theresa C.
September 17, 2026
There is so much to see and learn about The Vatican, the only way to do it properly is with a tour! Our guide Maria Laura was very knowledge and pleasant, we had a great experience.
Vatican Tour
Gregg C.
September 17, 2026
The Tour was excellent. The Tour Guide was very entertaining. He was very knowledgeable and presented it quite well. It was worth every penny.
Fantastic!
Marcelino R.
September 17, 2026
Great tour! Thoroughly enjoyed It! Our tour guide, Martina, was absolutely fantastic!
Vatican tour
Hilary T.
September 17, 2026
Monica gave us a good information and she was very knowledgeable, However, the radio sets that the Vatican make everyone use were not at all good and everywhere was so crowded that it spoiled our enjoyment. This, of course, is not the fault of the Tour Guy Tour - Monica did her best in difficult circumstances.
Awesome Experience!
Gregory P.
September 17, 2026
Very good snapshot of Vatican Museums, Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. Tour Guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out several key points along the fast-paced route. Not much stopping and reading time, but still very informative! Highly recommended!