Guided Tours

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

Name: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
Start: 2025-02-20T14:35:00
End: 2025-02-20T17:05:00
Location: Rome

Tour guide showing a group around the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel at night in Rome, Italy

Visitors exploring the Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museums, Rome.

Tourists with guide near Statue of Apollo Belvedere, Vatican Museum.

Small group tour exploring Vatican Museums' art collections.

Get fast-track access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on a guided tour. Opt for a small group tour for added exclusivity.

Highlights

Ditch the crowds and the 2-hour waiting lines, and explore the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with a guide and skip-the-line entry.
With over 70,000 pieces on display, it would take weeks to see it all—but your guide will help you cover the must-sees in just a couple of hours.
Get all the insider stories before stepping into the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s breathtaking ceiling frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
Go for a small group tour (up to 15 people) for a more personal experience, or stick with a regular group (up to 20 people) for great value and expert insights.

Inclusions

Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
Explore with a group of up to 20 people
Small group tour (as per option selected)
Nighttime tour (as per option selected)

Exclusions

Gratuities
Entry to St. Peter's Basilica and/or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica

Cancellation Policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

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4.1

17.2K ratings

5/5

9.6K

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3/5

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Stephanie

5/5

Feb, 2025

Our wonderful guide, although I can't remember her name. She made the whole experience enjoyable and spent time making sure we all understood the artwork. As we couldn't talk during the Sistine chapel part, she made sure to find a quiet area in the gallery first to explain all the paintings within the area. As it was raining that day it was nice to be in the warmth while other tour guides were outside. While going through the gallery and explaing the artwork she made sure to add personal touches, such as telling us her favourite sculpture in the Basilica was the Pieta. When we come back to Rome I would love to take another tour with her, I'm sorry I don't remember her name.

John

5/5

Feb, 2025

The guide was superb and brought the site and place alive with lots of good stories keeping us all engaged. He was able to dodge queues or skip lines too - for example the access to the Sistine Chapel was closed, he spoke to the attendant and we were in!

Antonius

5/5

Feb, 2025

Lovely tour of the Museum and Sistine Chapel. Very knowledgeable guide who explained all the ins-and-outs in a fun and interesting way. Well worth booking this activity!

View original review in Dutch

Benedetta

5/5

Feb, 2025

The organization was exceptional.The friendly and nice chaperones and nice everything was carried out very neatly and decisively,and the guide was very good in explaining and accompanying us through the Vatican museums,despite the many people and guides com other groups.She was polite and helpful

View original review in Italian

Mark

5/5

Feb, 2025

The fact that the initial meeting point was so clearly described and that the tour itself was clearly and informatively delivered allowed my family and me to simply enjoy the phenomenol sights and atmosphere of the Vatican.

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Your experience

Unveiling the Vatican Museum

Fast-track your way into the Vatican Museums and dive right into the highlights. Your guide will take you through the must-see galleries and sculptures, from the Apollo of the Belvedere to the Laocoon—all without the hassle of waiting in ticketing lines. Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on the Pope’s treasure trove and a mix of masterpieces from medieval to modern times.

Discovering the Sistine Chapel

Then it’s off to the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s frescoes steal the show. Your guide will decode the hidden quirks in these iconic biblical scenes—like where Eve is slyly tucked away and the deeper story behind The Creation of Adam. It's art appreciation with a twist!

Ticket Options Explained

Choose your perfect Vatican experience — whether it's a guided tour, a small group adventure, or an exclusive after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Not sure which to pick? Here’s a quick guide:

Guided Tour: Ideal if you want an expert to lead you through the 70,000+ artworks in the Vatican Museums and share the fascinating stories behind the Sistine Chapel.
Small Group Tour: Perfect for those who prefer a smaller setting, allowing for plenty of interaction with your guide and fellow art enthusiasts in a group of up to 15.
Nighttime Tour: For a one-of-a-kind experience, visit the Vatican after-hours when the crowds have thinned out, giving you a quieter, more serene exploration.

Know before you go

What to bring

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as the tour involves a fair amount of walking

What's not allowed

Strict dress code: knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
Big bags and suitcases aren't allowed inside the attraction, but guests can make use of the lockers on site.
When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.
Photography and the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
Pets and other small animals are not allowed in the venue, with the exception of guide dogs.

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
While the tour is not accessible, the Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion.

Additional information

Please note: All guests must pass through airport-style security. During high season and peak hours, the wait time at the security check may be up to 30 minutes.
Purchasing this tour implies an agreement to stick with the assigned guide, without whom you cannot access the Vatican Museums. Opting out or missing the tour means losing ticket rights, without refunds.
Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.