Best Sistine Chapel Tours in Vatican City in 2023 with Special Access and More
Sean Finelli
Vatican City is one of the most well-visited places in the world. It’s overflowing with art, history, and spirituality. Without a doubt, the centerpiece of this magnificence is the Sistine Chapel and the gorgeous paintings that adorn its ceiling. Here we’ve put together a list of some of the best tours of the Sistine Chapel.
Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Create a browser folder and bookmark this post along with our dedicated guide to Vatican City for more planning resources, our top Vatican tours for a memorable trip, and how to visit the Sistine Chapel.
Top Sistine Chapel Tours at the Vatican
Whether you just want to see Michelangelo’s stunning ceiling or you want to experience more of what the Vatican has to offer, these tours are some of the best ways to see the Sistine Chapel ceiling and have a memorable trip to Rome. We offer a lot of different options, so be sure to check out all our Vatican and Sistine Chapel tours.
Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel (3 hours)
This is one of our best-selling tours and for good reason. With privileged entrance, you’ll be able to enter the Sistine Chapel before the crowds show up.
This is a sacred space, so you’ll have to stay quiet and dress appropriately, but it’s certainly worth it. The gorgeously adorned paintings above are a sight to behold. And once you’ve had your fill of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, you’ll be led through the Vatican’s excellent galleries.
It includes a stop in the Borgia Apartments, Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Raphael Rooms, painted by the Renaissance master Raphael. On top of that, you’ll have skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica through a special entrance.
Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel (3 hours)
Just because you don’t want to get up early doesn’t mean you have to miss out on what the Vatican has to offer.
On this tour, you’ll have flexible start times throughout the day to explore the Sistine Chapel. While they won’t be able to speak once they’re inside, your guide will reveal the fascinating story behind this masterwork.
You’ll also be led through the Vatican’s finest collections, including a stop at Nero’s Bath, a 25-foot bathtub made from extremely rare red marble in the Pio-Clementino Museum.
Your tour includes the Vatican Galleries of Maps, Tapestries, and Candelabra as well as the Raphael Rooms and Borgia Apartments. And finally, explore St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica Private Tour (3 hours)
Hoping to explore the massive Vatican Museums in a more intimate way with a private guide? We have the perfect tour! With start times throughout the day, this tour explore all the most important areas of the Vatican Museums with a passionate guide reserved just for your group.
You’ll be able to interact more with your guide and even tailor your visit to suit your interests. Want more time in a certain area? Just let your guide know, and they’ll accommodate you. Private Vatican tours are the way to go if you want that personal experience.
St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour (5.5 hours)
Want to combine multiple attractions at the Vatican for a lower price? Then book this combo tour that takes you through the best Vatican galleries, the Pio Clementino Museum, and the Raphael Rooms. Of course, you’ll also have time at the marvelous Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s work.
But before you explore the Vatican, this tour starts with an early morning dome climb at St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll beat the heat and the crowds for the best view of Rome! Then enjoy a guided tour of St. Peter’s with the Papal Crypts included. It’s the best combo tour to see the best of Vatican City.
Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour with Aperitivo (3.5 hours)
For the most exclusive access to the Sistine Chapel without paying for a private tour, you’ll probably want to book this one. You have a later entry with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums.
The best part is that the Sistine Chapel closes to the public but your small group will have access with no more than 100 other tourists! Normally, there are an average of 2,000 people in this chapel, so it’s a seriously huge difference!
Your guide will make this awe-inspiring experience even more memorable having prepped you with tales of its creation. Finish off with an aperitivo of your favorite drink in the Pinecone Courtyard!
Highlights:
3.5 hours
Skip-the-line at the Vatican Museums
Guided Vatican tour
Exclusive entry to the Sistine Chapel without crowds
Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Local Trastevere Food Tour Combo (8 hours)
From foodies to history buffs, everyone loves this tour. It has everything you’re looking for in a Vatican experience. You’ll get skip-the-line access to the Vatican, so you won’t have to wait in the long line for hours like the general public.
Included on this tour are plenty of Vatican highlights, such as skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you’ll see another of Michelangelo’s masterpieces: La Pieta. For many, this sculpture is just as impressive as the Sistine Chapel frescoes that you’ll have just seen.
After you’ve seen it all in the Vatican, your tour has only just started. With a local guide, you’ll take a tasting tour through the hip neighborhood of Trastevere. This includes a visit to an authentic Roman bakery for pizza, and a stop at a vendor’s cart for some filetto di baccala and popular street food in Rome.
After you’ve whet your appetite, it’s time to sit down for a delicious authentic Roman dinner, washed down with local wine and limoncello. Once you’ve had your dessert of organic gelato, it’s time to say ciao to your guide before enjoying the Roman nightlife on your own.
Arriving in Rome late? More of a night owl than an early bird? Then this night tour of the Vatican Museums is perfect for you. Starting later in the day means you’ll also arrive after most of the crowds have left.
You’ll get a guided tour of the Pio Clementino Museum to see amazing pieces like Laöcoon and Sons and Nero’s 25-foot red marble bathtub. Then explore the Gallery of Maps, Tapestries, and Candelabra to see ancient works from Greece and Italy.
Finish up at the Sistine Chapel where it will be a quieter experience without so many people there. It’s a great way to end your evening in Rome before heading off for a delicious dinner.
Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens, and Castel Gandolfo Day Trip (11 hours)
This might be our most thorough tour and it’s perfect for anyone looking for a full-day experience of the Vatican. With skip-the-line access, you’ll enter the Vatican well before the public.
Your guide will describe the four years of Michelangelo’s intense work on the Sistine Chapel that made this masterpiece a reality. Then, you’ll have plenty of time to examine the awe-inspiring frescoes for yourself.
You’ll also get exclusive access to the Vatican Gardens. These tickets are in extreme demand, but we’ve worked hard to secure your visit. This special place has about 100 fountains—these gardens are absolutely breathtaking!
After checking out the Vatican city highlights, you’ll board a train with your guide to visit the pope’s summer home: Castel Gandolfo. Few take the opportunity to see this gorgeous castle and its gardens.
After you’ve had the chance to see it all, you’ll be treated to a delicious buffet lunch of local cheeses and meats. It’s one of our most special tours and our customers love it!
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