Skip-the-line Vip Private Tour of Vatican Sistine Chapel&Basilica
At a glance
Skip-the-line Vip Private Tour of Vatican Sistine Chapel&Basilica is a 3h private experience in Rome, Italy, operated by Rome City Tours. Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 11 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $406.57 per person. Included: Local guide, Private tour, Professional art historian guide.
Highlights
- Skip-the-line entry saves time at busy sights
- Private experience — just you and your group
- 5 stops in one well-planned itinerary
Quick facts
- Duration
- 3h
- Group
- Private tour — only your group
- Languages
- English, Italian
- Pickup
- Meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Confirmed within 48 hours
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- See cancellation policy
Overview
Visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica in the company of a local, expert guide on this great 3-hour private tour. With skip-the-line access you miss the queues and have more time to see the impressive artworks like Raphael’s famous masterpieces, the Parnassus and The School of Athens, the marvelous frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli and other Renaissance painters.
As this is a private tour you go at your own pace and gain access to some of the smaller rooms not available to the large groups.
What's included
What's included
- Local guide
- Private tour
- Professional art historian guide
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Not included
- Gratuities
- Private transportation
- Hotel pick up and drop off
Itinerary
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Stop 1 · 1h
You meet your guide for either a 9.00 am or 2.00 pm start and head directly for the Belvedere Courtyard. Then it is on to the largest collection of ancient Roman and Greek statues in the Pio-Clementino Museums.
As you meander through the collections your guide will share the history and many anecdotes about the wonderful treasures to be seen. Hear about the tapestries in the Gallery of Tapestries and the largest collection of Renaissance Maps in the world housed in the Gallery of Maps. See the largest canvas in the Vatican in the Sobiesky Room and learn about the frescoes in the Immaculate Conception Rooms. -
Stop 2 · 30m
You will also see Raphael’s famous masterpieces, the Parnassus and The School of Athens. These are displaced in the rooms painted for Pope Julius II by the young Raphael and are considered some of his very best works.
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Stop 3 · 15m
Before you enter the Sistine Chapel (no talking is allowed inside) your guide will tell you about the marvelous frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli and other Renaissance painter of the day. The chapel is also where the conclave is held to elect a new Pope. Hear all about this as well as many other interest facts and anecdotes.
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Stop 4 · 30m
It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome.
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Stop 5 · 15m
The tour will end in the magnificent Saint Peter's Square
Meeting point
Departure Point: Vatican Museums Entrance, at the stairs under the big white monumental door with statues. Your guide will be holding a sign with your name on it.
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
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during you Vatican tour: the Sistine chapel and/or the Basilica of Saint Peter might not be accessible. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
- Please note due to the Jubilee, the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute.In any case, you can go there after the tour, queueing.
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Skip-the-line Vip Private Tour of Vatican Sistine Chapel&Basilica take?
The experience lasts about 3h.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $406.57 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
Local guide; Private tour; Professional art historian guide; Guaranteed to skip the long lines.
Where does it start?
Departure Point: Vatican Museums Entrance, at the stairs under the big white monumental door with statues. Your guide will be holding a sign with your name on it.
Can I cancel?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in English, Italian.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 11 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Rome.
