Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St Peter's Small Group Tour

At a glance

Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St Peter's Small Group Tour is a 3h small-group experience in Rome, Italy, operated by Through Eternity Tours. Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 317 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $131.71 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Headsets (for groups of 6 or more), All Fees and Taxes, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Skip-The-Line Tickets.

Quick facts

Duration

3h

Group

Small group, up to 12 travellers

Languages

English

Pickup

Meet at the start point

Confirmation

Instant confirmation

Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation

Free cancellation (see policy)

Overview

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 · 2h 10m

   With more than five miles of corridors, this vast complex of museums chronicles the history and accomplishments of mankind over the last 2000 years, featuring classic masterpieces such as Rodin's "Thinker" and the Sistine Chapel.

2. Stop 2 · 10m

   The Vatican bronze pinecone is a colossal and ancient bronze sculpture also known as the Pinion and is located in one of the courtyards at the Vatican, in the Cortile della Pigna. It was found in the Middle Ages at the Baths of Agrippa where it originates, until late in the antiquity, today you can find it in the complex of the Vatican Museums now for many centuries.

3. Stop 3

   Also known as “Sfera con Sfera,” is a series of sculptures created by sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro. The sculpture depicts an enormous metal sphere with a cracked surface, revealing an intricate interior with another cracked sphere inside.

4. Stop 4 · 10m

   The four rooms known as the Stanze of Raphael formed part of the apartment situated on the second floor of the Pontifical Palace that was chosen by Julius II della Rovere (pontiff from 1503 to 1513) as his own residence and used also by his successors. The pictorial decoration was executed by Raphael and his school between 1508 and 1524.

5. Stop 5 · 30m

   Probably the most famous chapel in the world because of its incredible artwork, notably "The Last Judgment," Michelangelo's stunning fresco covering 10,000 square feet of the ceiling and wall.

6. Stop 6

   Enjoy the outstanding view of the Basilica from St. Peter's Square

7. Stop 7

   The Vatican Obelisk is the only ancient Egyptian obelisk in Rome to have remained standing since Roman times

8. Stop 8

   The two fountains in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, created by Carlo Maderno (1612–1614) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1667–1677) to ornament the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. The older fountain, by Maderno, is on the north side of the square.

Meeting point

Good to know

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please note that the Vatican Museums provide free entrance for visitors who are (according to the requirements stated by the Vatican City) at least 74% disabled by presenting the appropriate certification and, if one needs assistance by another person, that person also receives a free entrance. Please inform us when you are booking if you fit into these requirements and we will remove the pricing of the entry tickets from the price of the tour.
• As this is a walking tour with steps and staircases, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
• Please advise during the booking process if any clients have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.
• At the end of your tour, you are required to return the headset provided to you to your guide. In the event that you do not return the headset, you will be subject to a fine of €100 for lost property.
• Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
• Disclaimer: For reservations made less than 72 hours in advance, access to the Basilica cannot be guaranteed due to ticketing restrictions.
• The Basilica of St. Peter's may be subject to unscheduled closings and late openings for religious ceremonies. We do not provide refunds for last-minute closures of St. Peter's Basilica. Your guide will still give you an introduction to the Basilica should you wish to return on your own time during your visit to Rome.
• Please note that the Raphael Rooms are part of this 3-hour itinerary but on days due to crowding, timing and direction flows of crowd traffic dictated by the Vatican Museum staff on the day, we may not be able to make this stop within the designated time frame.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Frequently asked questions