Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
Tour Details
At the indicated time, we'll meet at a strategic location near the Vatican to begin our guided tour. Are you ready to explore one of the largest museums in Europe?
We'll have preferential access to the Vatican Museums, thus avoiding the long queues that form at the entrance to the Catholic Church's largest art collection. We'll be able to admire sculptures, paintings and other works of art from different periods.
However, this place is not just about grandeur. It also has a dark past of stories of deception and even lust. We'll discover all the details during the tour of the Vatican.
Of course, we'll also visit the Sistine Chapel, which is famous for Michelangelo's frescoes. In addition to housing some of the most famous paintings of all time, this is where the conclaves are held to elect the new Pope. The guide will explain this famous room to us before or after we enter it, thus respecting the Vatican's rules of silence and decorum.
After a guided tour of the Vatican lasting between 2.5 and 3 hours, we'll conclude the tour by saying goodbye inside the museum itself.
What Does the Tour Include?
During this tour, we'll visit two of Vatican City's must-see attractions: the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Specifically, we'll visit the following areas:
- Gallery of Maps
- Gallery of Candelabra
- Gallery of Tapestries
- Courtyard of the Pinecone
- Sistine Chapel
- Pio Clementino Museum
Itinerary Changes
Please note that, for organisational reasons, visits to the areas described in the itinerary may be subject to change.
Children Under 18
Children under 18 must always be accompanied by an adult. Bookings for more than 10 children per 1 adult are not allowed.
Get the Most out of Your Visit
Just a stone's throw from the Vatican are some of Rome's most iconic sights. If you'd like to discover the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill, have a look at our Rome Combo tour!
More Activities
Check out more ways you can see the Vatican Museums with Civitatis!
More Information
Duration
2h 30m - 3h.
Language
The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.
Included
English–speaking guide
Skip–the–line admission to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Earphones for following the explanations
When to book?
You can book up to the tour start time subject to availability. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Type of voucher
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Sustainability conditions
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.
Our providers commit to:
- Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
- Uphold fair employment standards.
- Foster the growth of local communities.
- Preserve the integrity of local culture.
- Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
- Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
- Operate with honesty and transparency.
- Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.
This particular activity contributes as follows:
- Printed material is avoided.
- No single-use plastics are used.
- The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.
- No printing of documentation required.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
Pets
Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
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Q - Can I go on this private tour with a group of school children?
A - This is not possible. For school groups, access reserved for schools must be expressly reserved through the Vatican website.
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Q - What makes the Sistine Chapel so important in the history of art?
A - The Sistine Chapel is so important in art history because of Michelangelo's incredible frescoes, which changed the way people saw painting during the Renaissance. His famous ceiling, including The Creation of Adam, showed unmatched skill in depicting the human body and telling powerful stories, while The Last Judgment on the altar wall added even more drama and emotion. These masterpieces set new standards for art, inspired countless artists after him, and made the chapel a lasting symbol of creativity and the heights of Renaissance achievement.
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Q - Why are the Raphael Rooms considered one of the highlights of the Vatican Museums?
A - The Raphael Rooms are a highlight of the Vatican Museums because they display some of Raphael’s greatest masterpieces, painted in the early 1500s for the papal apartments. Frescoes like The School of Athens show his genius for perspective, balance, and storytelling, making the rooms a stunning example of Renaissance art and one of the most memorable stops in the museum.
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Q - Is there a dress code for children as well as adults?
A - Yes, the same dress code applies to children when visiting the Vatican Museums.
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Q - How strict are the security checks at the entrance?
A - Security at the Vatican Museums is taken very seriously, with checks similar to those at airports. All visitors must pass through metal detectors, and bags are scanned on entry.
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Q - Is photography allowed inside the Vatican Museums (outside the Sistine Chapel)?
A - Yes, photography is permitted inside the Vatican Museums, including popular spaces such as the Gallery of Maps and the Raphael Rooms, as long as it's for personal use. However, using a flash is not allowed anywhere. In the Sistine Chapel, photography of any kind is strictly prohibited. Professional gear, tripods, and selfie sticks are also banned, and staff may request that you remove any photos taken in areas where pictures are not permitted.
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Q - What is the best time of day or season to visit the Vatican Museums to avoid the biggest crowds?
A - To avoid the largest crowds at the Vatican Museums, we recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons, between October and April. We'd also recommend visiting on weekdays. It's best to avoid Wednesdays, when Papal Audiences take place, and weekends, especially Saturdays, when crowds are at their peak.
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Q - What should we take into account before visiting the Sistine Chapel?
A - The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship. Therefore it is not allowed to talk or take pictures or videos. For this reason, the guides talk about the Chapel outside the Chapel.
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Q - Will we visit the Gregoriano Egiziano Museum?
A - No, this tour does not include a visit to the Gregoriano Egiziano Museum.
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Q - Is it possible to access the Vatican Museums with pushchairs/strollers?
A - No, access to the Vatican Museums with pushchairs/strollers is not allowed. They can be left with the museum's left-luggage service before entering the museum.
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Q - Does the tour visit the Raphael Rooms?
A - Only if there are not too many people that day. Sometimes the waiting time is more than half an hour.
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Q - Does the tour visit the Pinacoteca?
A - No, the tour does not visit the Vatican Pinacoteca.
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Q - Can I bring my backpack?
A - You can only enter with small backpacks. Access with pushchairs/strollers, large backpacks or long umbrellas is not allowed.
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Q - Does the Vatican have a luggage locker?
A - There is a left-luggage service in the Vatican Museums.
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Q - Is it possible to organize a visit to the tomb of Saint Peter during this tour?
A - No. The visit to the tomb of St. Peter and the necropolis below the Vatican basilica can only be booked with a formal request to the Office of Excavations, following a rigorous protocol.
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Q - What if our group is large?
A - If your group is 15 people or more, we cannot always guarantee that you will be in the same group. If you would like a more personalised service, we recommend the private tour of Rome.
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Q - Does the tour visit the Bramante Staircase or Momo's spiral staircase?
A - No.
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Q - Can you tour the Vatican on your own?
A - While you can tour the Vatican without a guide, we recommend booking a tour so that you see the highlights and some hidden gems!
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Q - What should I wear to the Vatican?
A - The dress code for the Vatican Museums is strict but easy to respect. Low-cut or sleeveless dresses, miniskirts, shorts and hats are not allowed. To cover knees and shoulders you can buy plastic cloaks to wrap around. Inside it is preferable to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers. We also recommend wearing comfortable footwear as there will be some walking as part of the tour.
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Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?
A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.
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Q - How to book?
A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.
If you have any other questions please contact us.
Free cancellation
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