Semi-Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

Skip the LineLikely to Sell Out

See the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and Scala Regia, the exclusive passageway to the basilica

4.95

(1508)


3 h


Max 10 Guests

Vatican crowds and long ticket lines can eat up your day and drain the experience. Skip the wait and explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with just 10 guests per group. This semi-private tour offers a more personal experience with a dedicated guide, plus direct entry to St. Peter’s Basilica through the Scala Regia. You’ll end in the basilica, free to explore until you’re ready to take on the rest of Rome.

You’ll meet your local guide at the top of the stairs near

Select participants and date

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!

Charismatic, English-speaking guide

Pio-Clementino

Hall of Maps

Raphael Rooms & more

Sistine Chapel

Scala Regia passageway

St. Peter's Basilica

Max group size of 10

Wheelchair accessible

Meals

Guide gratuity

Meet your guide outside Caffé Vaticano

Begin your semi-private tour with a warm welcome from your guide outside the historic Caffé Vaticano, ready to unveil the Vatican's wonders.

Vatican Museums

Uncover the historical details and impressive beauty of the Vatican's extensive art collection, featured throughout distinct galleries and halls.

Pinecone Courtyard

Pause in the serene Pinecone Courtyard, a beloved open-air space where art and nature blend seamlessly amidst the bustle of the Vatican.

Gallery of Candelabra

Follow your guide’s lead through a corridor lined with intricately carved marble candelabra and statues, each a clue to Roman history.

Hall of Maps

Take a stroll down the 120-meter-long (400 ft) corridor, where meticulously detailed maps of Italy from the 16th century adorn the walls.

For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change

Meet your guide between TMark Hotel Vaticano and Caffé Vaticano at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). You'll find our friendly welcome staff there holding The Tour Guy signs.

In addition to wearing or bringing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes. You're also welcome to bring a water bottle as it can get hot inside the Vatican during the summer months.

4.95

1508 Ratings

5

1451

4

47

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Great tour with Sara

Elizabeth Palmer

Verified Review

May 23, 2025

Sara was a fantastic tour guide. She gave us a lot of interesting detail, kept us entertained throughout and made sure we were prepared for the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s after the tour.

Experienced and well informed Guide!

Marjorie Dwyer

Verified Review

May 22, 2025

We appreciated our tour guide making the most of a limited Vatican tour due to the date of our visit being between Pope Francis‘s funeral and the papal conclave. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic!

Lori Rousseau

Verified Review

May 22, 2025

Great tour phenomenal guide

Cindy Gentry

Verified Review

May 21, 2025

Hadriano from EcoArt was super knowledgeable.

Semi-Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Ilya Manoim

Verified Review

May 20, 2025

I recently participated in a Semi-Private Vatican Tour with The Tour Guy, and despite the unexpected closure of the Sistine Chapel due to the papal conclave, the experience was outstanding. Our guide, Martina, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, bringing the rich history and art of the Vatican Museums to life with her engaging storytelling. Martina’s ability to adapt the tour and maintain a captivating atmosphere, even without access to the Sistine Chapel, was truly impressive. Her insights and enthusiasm made the tour a highlight of my trip to Rome. I highly recommend this tour and Martina to anyone visiting the Vatican. Her expertise and dedication ensured an unforgettable experience, even amidst unforeseen circumstances

Darren Milne

Verified Review

May 20, 2025

Busy day at Vatican Museum and Chapel

Carlos Gutierrez

Verified Review

May 19, 2025

Tours are the best way to skip the line but you can’t skip the crowd. Very busy day with only 15 minutes in a jammed pack Sistine chapel allowed. Hard to get into the spirit when it’s like a football game causeway. Janette was a real trooper, getting us through the crowds and informing us of the details. Would love to go through in a quieter pace atmosphere. But when you only have 1 day to visit, this is the way. Although, religiously and historically significant, our tour of the Borghese museum was more pleasant and emotionally inspiring.

Our guide was FANTASTIC!

Tana Kopydlowski

Verified Review

May 19, 2025

Our guide Franchesca from Dooooing was so enjoyable! Her knowledge of the Colosseum and the Forum and Palentine Hill was impressive and she made the tour so interesting. She was also a lot of FUN.

Not to be missed

Elizabeth Markiewicz

Verified Review

May 18, 2025

Great Vatican Tour

Richard and Barb Broadway

Verified Review

May 17, 2025

Great tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. So much to see that it’s overwhelming but it is a must see of a lifetime !

Stress-free, knowledgeable, perfect balance

Lisa S Millis

Verified Review

May 17, 2025

Our guide, Yamuna was wonderful! Very informative, easy to talk with, always felt like we were in good hands!

Vivian Rupp

Verified Review

May 16, 2025

What a great experience and so much to see. The Sistine Chapel was beautiful. Our guide Yamuna was an amazing guide…loved her!

paola bermudo

Verified Review

May 16, 2025

John Whitesides

Verified Review

May 15, 2025

BRENDA LEE HAMILTON

Verified Review

May 15, 2025

Allen nauss

Verified Review

May 13, 2025

Angela Corbett

Verified Review

May 13, 2025

Xara Quillian

Verified Review

May 11, 2025

Wonderful tour with Milica

Staci Clark

Verified Review

May 10, 2025

We had such a great experience touring the Vatican with the wonderful Milica. She gave us such wonderful and fun details about various exhibits. We are so happy we booked a tour guide rather than doing it on our own as we would have missed out on so many of the cool stories behind the artwork and rooms through the museum. Recommend this company 100%

Our Guide was Smart and Energetic!

Steve Hanley

Verified Review

May 10, 2025

In difficult situations a Tour Guide makes all the difference, and ours was terrific! She navigated the HUGE crowds with skill, informing us along the way of trip hazards and Master’s paintings. She deserves A+ credit for her work. Thanks!

Robert Ouellette

Verified Review

May 10, 2025

Matt Carroll

Verified Review

May 10, 2025

Vatican Museum Tour

Matthew Church

Verified Review

May 07, 2025

Sara was a wonderful guide. The tour of the museums was amazing. We had a small group which was awesome. Disappointed to not see the Sistene Chapel due to conclave happening, but we loved her wit and knowledge.

Mary Wilson

Verified Review

May 06, 2025

WELL-DONE!

Lynette C Statham

Verified Review

May 06, 2025

Eli has amazing breadth of knowledge on a HUGE time in history! We were well-informed and she kept a fast pace. She was warm & personable. She was very kind to call our closely-spaced next tour (same company) to let them know we were coming. I recommend!