Most visitors miss the Vatican’s best shortcut. With our expert guide, you’ll explore the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel, then descend the Scala Regia (Bernini’s regal staircase) into St. Peter’s Basilica through an entrance reserved only for guided groups. This is the Vatican experience you didn’t know you needed.
Expert, English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line entry to Vatican Museums
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Privileged access to Scala Regia
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
Guide tips
Your tour begins near the Vatican Museums entrance
Meet your guide near the Vatican Museums entrance. Look for the exact location on your booking voucher.
Vatican Museums
With your privileged, skip-the-line entry, you'll glide past the main crowds and head directly inside to begin exploring the Vatican's magnificent art collection. Your guide will lead the way, ensuring you hit all the must-see masterpieces and avoid getting lost in the maze of galleries.
Pinecone Courtyard
Pause briefly in the serene Pinecone Courtyard, a beloved open-air space within the Vatican Museums. Here, art and nature blend seamlessly around the massive bronze pinecone that gives the courtyard its name, offering a moment of tranquility before the main artistic explorations.
Pio-Clementino Museum
Next, explore the halls filled with some of the world’s most important classical sculptures. You’ll stop to admire masterpieces like the dramatic Laocoön and His Sons and the serene Apollo Belvedere, learning about the myths and legends associated with these iconic works.
Gallery of Maps
Follow your guide into the astonishing 120-meter (400 ft) long Gallery of Maps. This iconic hall reveals Italy’s intricate terrain through the meticulous cartography of the 16th century, commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. You’ll hear the stories behind these detailed, topographical depictions of the Italian peninsula.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
...
...
4.93
2912 Ratings
5
2757
4
117
3
32
2
4
1
2
bygUCzPIEIchijDs
fwaynPKMeEJADOGqAgJH T.
Verified Review
December 14, 2025
iZTWvksvMJrdqKiYrXYR
John L.
Verified Review
December 14, 2025
Excellent Tour Tania best guide
Aldis K.
Verified Review
December 10, 2025
Tania very knowledgeable art historian
Clear language paused effectively
Kept counting group numbers
Answers to all questions
Tour is 4 km
Lots of up down stairs should note in description
We missed St Peter’s due to Pope Jubilee
But one could go around and Enter but line was very long
Suggest before booking this tour verify if St Peter’s closed pick another day
Tour Guy had great info texts before start date
Easy to meet your
Suggest tour notes suggest taking Metro to cipro station then few blocks to meeting point
Layl M.
Verified Review
December 09, 2025
Enriching experience with a great guide
Prashant V.
Verified Review
December 08, 2025
Koen was the most amazing guide - blending history with a lot of humour. He made this tour really enjoyable. Wish we could have done more tours with him.
Emma S.
Verified Review
December 07, 2025
Sharon M.
Verified Review
December 07, 2025
Cory C.
Verified Review
December 07, 2025
Great tour — Fabi was the best!
Dean S.
Verified Review
December 06, 2025
Fabi was such a knowledgeable tour guide. She provided so much background, history, and legends that each part of the tour came alive. Even though its a ton to go through she was able to keep us all together and pointed out the most significant sights to see along the way. Highly recommend this tour if you go to the Vatican
Wonderful tour!
Stephanie D.
Verified Review
December 05, 2025
Muna(?spelling)was an amazing guide, so knowledgeable and you could tell she had a passion for what she was doing! We enjoyed it so much! Highly recommend!
Great tour - Francesco was excellent
William C.
Verified Review
December 05, 2025
Salvador M.
Verified Review
December 05, 2025
Excellent
Nobokumar M.
Verified Review
December 04, 2025
The guide, Mrs. Fabiola was excellent in her knowledge and guidance. I must admit that I was really fortunate to visit Sistine chapel under her guidance. Guide explained so many facts in history which was not aware of. I loved so much . Thank all for your hard work and dedicated service. I will never hesitate to recommend my friends about you.
Thank you and wish you Merry Christmas.
Excellent
Nobokumar M.
Verified Review
December 04, 2025
The guide, Mrs. Fabiola was excellent in her knowledge and guidance. I must admit that I was really fortunate to visit Sistine chapel under her guidance. Guide explained so many facts in history which was not aware of. I loved so much . Thank all for your hard work and dedicated service. I will never hesitate to recommend my friends about you.
Thank you and wish you Merry Christmas.
Excellent
Nobokumar M.
Verified Review
December 04, 2025
The guide, Mrs. Fabiola was excellent in her knowledge and guidance. I must admit that I was really fortunate to visit Sistine chapel under her guidance. Guide explained so many facts in history which was not aware of. I loved so much . Thank all for your hard work and dedicated service. I will never hesitate to recommend my friends about you.
Thank you and wish you Merry Christmas.
Great Guide
Michael V.
Verified Review
December 04, 2025
I agree with one of the other comment. I can't imagine doing this by ourselves. Our guide was awesome and made the whole tour very interesting.
Can't imagine doing this on my own...
Christopher C.
Verified Review
December 03, 2025
I can't imagine trying to combo all of this on-line / tickets, times, etc. There is just too much to see - meaning there is also so much to miss. This was simply the most efficient way to see all the highlights without being a true pilgrim, spending days seeing every statue, tapestry and painting. And Ferdinando did a solid job of pointing out the key points, the key pieces as we traversed all of these amazing places. Definitely worth it.
Excellent tour! Highly recommend
Jessica C.
Verified Review
December 03, 2025
The company was easy to find at meet up, our guide was friendly & informative, would book with this company again.
