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
Skip the LineLikely to Sell Out
4.96
(1512)
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!
Travelers
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.
4.96
1512 Ratings
5
1455
4
47
3
9
2
1
1
0
So Much to See, Not Enough Time
Christine Bonansinga
Verified Review
May 26, 2025
Our tour guide Sara was truly special. She brought to life so much of what we saw at the Vatican museum with her interesting stories and personal perspective. There is no way a three hour tour could even scratch the surface of what is available to see. But Sara touched upon the highlights in the museum and explained what to look for when we went into the Sistine Chapel on our own.
Donna Mendez
Verified Review
May 25, 2025
What a Fantastic Tour
Norma Marr
Verified Review
May 24, 2025
I highly recommend taking this semi-private tour. There were only seven of us on this tour and it was fabulous. Our tour guide, Sara, was so knowledgeable and she really knows her history and art work. She was ready with all the skip-the-line tickets and moved us through the line quickly to get ahead of the crowd. Sara also took us to areas that others were not allowed to go to. Be sure to start your tour at 8:00am and ask for Sara to be your guide.
Susan Phillips
Verified Review
May 23, 2025
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!
