Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
Tour Details
With an area of just 0.44 km² (0.16 mi²), Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. Despite its small size, this microstate located within Rome is home to one of the world’s most impressive artistic heritages. Are you ready to discover it?
Our comprehensive Vatican tour will begin at the scheduled time near the microstate, from where we’ll first head to the Vatican Museums.
After admiring the main highlights of its permanent collection, we’ll go to the Sistine Chapel and from there enter St. Peter’s Basilica, where we’ll conclude this tour, which lasts between 3 and 3.5 hours in total.
What Will We See?
Below, we detail what our Vatican tour will entail. On this tour, we'll visit, in this order, the following sites in the world’s smallest country:
Vatican Museums
First, we'll enter the Vatican Museums, whose art collection is one of the most important in the world. We'll begin the tour by visiting the Courtyard of the Pineapple, where we'll receive an introduction to Vatican City.
Next, we’ll head into the Pio-Clementino Museum, where we’ll see:
- Laocoön and His Sons, a masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture dating from the 1st century B.C.
- Roman sarcophagi and busts of emperors
- The Belvedere Torso and Apollo: these works inspired Michelangelo himself
- Ancient mosaics and reliefs.
The tour will continue through 3 of the most important galleries in the Vatican Museums:
- Gallery of Maps: We'll see the 40 giant maps of the regions of Italy designed by the Dominican friar Ignazio Danti between 1580 and 1585, during the papacy of Gregory XIII
- Gallery of Tapestries: These enormous tapestries, most of which come from Flanders, feature designs largely inspired by the works of Raphael Sanzio
- Gallery of Candelabra: In addition to candelabra, we will see classical sculptures, sarcophagi, and reliefs.
Sistine Chapel
Following the guided tour of the Vatican Museums, we'll enter the Sistine Chapel. Built in the mid-15th century under Pope Sixtus IV, in the early 16th century Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo Buonarroti to decorate this sacred space, leaving for posterity the famous paintings of the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgment.
During our visit, we'll explore the details of these paintings and discuss the papal election process, which takes place in this chapel.
St. Peter's Basilica
Finally, from the Sistine Chapel, we'll enter St. Peter's Basilica via priority access. Inside the world's largest church, we will admire two unique works:
- The Pietà: An extraordinary sculpture created by Michelangelo when the artist was just 24 years old
- Bernini’s Baldachin: Situated above the High Altar, it marks the burial site of Saint Peter.
The Vatican tour will last between 3 and 3.5 hours and will conclude inside the basilica, which you can continue to explore on your own after the tour ends.
Itinerary Order
Please note that, for organizational reasons, the order of the visits described in the itinerary may vary.
More Information
Duration
3h - 3h 30m.
Language
The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.
Included
English–speaking guide
Admission to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
Priority access to St. Peter's Basilica
When to book?
You can book up until 2 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. 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:
- No printing of documentation required.
Pets
Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
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Q - What happens if St. Peter's Basilica is closed on the day of the tour?
A - In the event of a closure, a visit to the Basilica may not be possible. Normally, the tour continues with an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums, as permitted.
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Q - Is it possible to skip the line?
A - The tour may include priority access to ticket purchases; however, security checks are still required for everyone.
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Q - Are backpacks allowed?
A - Only small backpacks are allowed inside. Large backpacks or long umbrellas must be left at the Vatican Museums’ coat check.
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Q - Which local supplier will be providing the tour?
A - Inside Out Italy Corporate name: Inside out italy SRL Registered Office: Via Sebastiano Veniero 74/76, Rome, Italy Tax Identification Number (VAT ID): IT17115241006 Contact information Email: rebecca.bertoni@insideoutitaly.com Phone: +39 3775709410 This supplier is commited to providing services in accordance with applicable European Union laws.
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Q - Can someone in a wheelchair take the tour? Is it suitable for people with mild mobility issues?
A - No, this activity is not accessible to wheelchair users. We also do not recommend this tour for people with limited mobility. The route adapted for people with limited mobility is different from the guided tour itinerary. For specific details regarding stairs, hallways, or rest areas, please contact the Vatican Museums administration directly.
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Q - Can you bring strollers into the Vatican Museums?
A - No, strollers are not allowed inside the Vatican Museums. You may leave them at the museum’s free coat check before entering.
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Q - What rules of conduct should I follow during the tour, especially inside the Sistine Chapel?
A - When visiting the Vatican, and especially the Sistine Chapel, it is essential to behave respectfully: absolute silence is required, taking photos or videos is prohibited, and you must cover your shoulders and knees. In the Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, photos without flash are permitted (except in restricted areas), but always with discretion, and you must speak in a low voice.
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Q - Can I bring food and drinks into the Vatican Museums? Are there any cafes or restaurants on the premises?
A - You may bring water bottles, but no food. The tour does not include shopping stops or breaks at a café.
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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.
Cancellations
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Where does the activity end?
St. Peter's Basilica