Private Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica Tour
Enjoy a tailored VIP Vatican experience with a dedicated private guide
4.97
(204)
3 h
Enter the Vatican Museums as soon as the doors open for the day, beating the rush and exploring in a more peaceful setting. With a passionate, dedicated guide, set your own pace and uncover the stories behind masterpieces like Raphael’s School of Athens and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Then, step inside St. Peter’s Basilica to admire La Pietà and the stunning dome. With skip-the-line access and an expert storyteller by your side, experience the Vatican like few others do.
You'll meet your dedicated local guide near the Vatican Museums entrance. Your guide is a true Vatican expert with tons of facts and stories to share, and you'll see the main highlights alongside some of Vatican's lesser-known gems.
With your friendly private guide, you can ask as many questions as you like and the tour will move at a pace that suits your group. Plus, if there's anywhere you'd like to spend more time or particular artworks you want to see, your guide will try to make th...
Select participants and date
Free cancellation up to 60 days in advance!
Skip-the-line early access Vatican private tour
Pio-Clementino Museum and Gallery of Masks
Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Gallery of the Maps
Raphael Rooms and School of Athens
Early entry to the Sistine Chapel
Explore inside St. Peter's Basilica (except Wednesdays)
A private, English-speaking Vatican guide
Meet your guide at Caffe Vaticano
Exact location can be found on your voucher
Vatican Museums
See the finest collections in the Vatican Museums, with an art history expert to guide you.
Gallery of the Candelabra
Originally an open "loggia", this gallery was walled and closed some 200 years ago. The statues and candelabras on display here date as far back as the 3rd century B.C.
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.
Gallery of Maps
On display here are maps that were painted over 400 years ago, yet still remain remarkably accurate even to this day.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
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.
4.97
204 Ratings
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Roberto Tonizzo
April 22, 2025
Raffa was fantastic.
Eanna Murphy
April 22, 2025
Raffa catered to our entire group, connecting with the kids, moving at a pace suitable for parents and grandparents. All superb.
Kelly Carder
April 22, 2025
Great Tour but expensive
Angelo Guercio
April 21, 2025
This is a very informative tour…you see all the main points of the Holy City. Mariana, our guide was lovely and was constrained by time, she really wanted to show us more but time didn’t allow. The tour company is really raking it in and the tour should be at least 1.5 hours longer.
Robin Connelley
April 19, 2025
Lia
Edward Jarosz
April 19, 2025
Lia was the absolute best. Informative, thoughtful and easy to be with. We really enjoyed her passion and enthusiasm.
Some disappointing mishaps in communication but Serena
Lisa Battalia
April 18, 2025
Highly recommend the private tour; allows us to feel a certain intimacy with the place despite the crowds. Serena knew so much, never rushed us and was fantastic!
Vatican City
David Wilson
April 17, 2025
Marina was an excellent tour guide with a wealth of knowledge. I would recommend her to anyone wanting to know in depth history of Vatican City. Thank you for an awesome time Marina!!!
Brian Louie
April 15, 2025
Oksana was a fantastic guide. Knowledgeable, energetic, and funny. She asked us what we wanted to really see and accomplish. She provided insights about the major areas we were going to see. She engaged my 15 yr old daughter on her level. A great day to see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's.
Amazing Experience!
Chanda Davidson
April 08, 2025
Patrice was a fabulous tour guide. We splurged and signed up for the private tour for just our family of four and it was well worth it! Patrice expertly maneuvered us around the key exhibits and took the time to answer all our questions. Our teenagers had a lot of questions and there wasn't one that stumped her! One of the most confusing parts of the trip was lining up to get into the Vatican and she got us through security super fast
Vatican Private Tour
Christine Becher
April 07, 2025
Marina was our guide for our private tour of Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. She is as knowledgeable as they come and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide! You’ll be lucky to be paired with Marina. Salute!
Aaron Reynolds
April 06, 2025
Incredible history lesson!
Angie Lau
April 02, 2025
History come to life - our family loved the depth of knowledge!
Sucha great tour
David Mutnick
April 01, 2025
We had just an amazing morning. Was so easy to meet our guide and get inside, skipping huge lines. Our guide was incredible. She knew EVERYTHING about the art and history of the Vatican. She walked us through the highlights, but also let us explore and gave us info on anything we were interested in. What an incredible place, and the tour nailed it.
Heather Ward
April 01, 2025
David Mutnick
March 31, 2025
Renae McElligott
March 31, 2025
Private Skip The Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour
Dana Pruitt
March 28, 2025
Roberta was excellent :) She is very knowledgeable, friendly, and an amazing guide. Vince and I had a wonderful experience today! Thank you, Dana and Vince
Larry Nabatoff
March 27, 2025
John Tillery
March 25, 2025
Meghan Martin
March 25, 2025
Richard Carrera
March 23, 2025
What an amazing tour!
Patricia McMahon
March 20, 2025
Raffa was an outstanding tour guide. She took the time to talk to us about what we were all interested in, including my two teenage boys, and adapted our tour to suit our interests. We heard lots of fascinating details because Raffa is so knowledgeable. Definitely a tour to remember. Thank you!
Informative and interesting
Michelle Thillman
March 19, 2025
We lived our private tour with Eleonora, she was very knowledgeable and fun. Our two 17 year olds loved. I would recommend this to anyone
Amazing Tour
Marcello Dispensa
March 15, 2025
We had an amazing experience on the Private Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica Tour on March 15, 2025. Marina, our guide, was fantastic from the very beginning. She was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also so thoughtful and accommodating. She made sure we got to see all the key highlights at a comfortable pace, especially since my mom has COPD. Marina was attentive to her needs, allowing us to take breaks when necessary, and ensured that we could enjoy the tour without feeling rushed. The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica were breathtaking, and skipping the lines made the experience even more enjoyable. Marina’s passion for art and history shone through as she expertly guided us through the remarkable exhibits, sharing fascinating details and stories. She also answered all our questions with patience and clarity. Overall, it was a memorable and enriching experience, and we truly appreciated Marina’s thoughtful care, making it an unforgettable day for our family.