Semi-Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
See the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and Scala Regia, the exclusive passageway to the basilica
Vatican crowds and long ticket lines can eat up your day and drain the experience. Skip the wait and explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with just 10 guests per group. This semi-private tour offers a more personal experience with a dedicated guide, plus direct entry to St. Peter’s Basilica through the Scala Regia. You’ll end in the basilica, free to explore until you’re ready to take on the rest of Rome.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking guide
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Skip-the-line ticket to Vatican Museums
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Entry to Sistine Chapel
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Exclusive access to the Scala Regia
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Direct entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
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Guaranteed max group size of 10
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Guide tips
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Basilica entry on Wednesday mornings
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins near the Vatican Museums entrance
Meet your guide near the Vatican Museums entrance. Look for the exact location on your booking voucher. Get ready to bypass the long general entry lines and head straight into the vast complex of the Vatican Museums. -
2
Vatican Museums
Uncover the incredible breadth of the Vatican's extensive art collection, featuring pieces across distinct galleries and halls. Your expert guide will lead you through the highlights, providing historical context and captivating stories behind the masterpieces you encounter. -
3
Pinecone Courtyard
In this open-air courtyard, you’ll enjoy a moment of calm surrounded by greenery and iconic sculptures. It’s a refreshing pause before diving deeper into the museums’ most celebrated halls. -
4
Pio-Clementino Museum and Nero’s Bathtub
Explore the Pio-Clementino Museum, home to iconic ancient statues like the Apollo Belvedere and Laocoön and His Sons. You’ll also visit Emperor Nero’s massive bathtub, carved from a single block of rare red marble. -
5
The Best Galleries at the Vatican Museums
Follow your guide through the Vatican's spectacular corridors, including the Candelabra Gallery and the Gallery of the Tapestries. Next, stroll down the 400-foot-long Gallery of Maps, admiring the stunning 16th-century topographical depictions of Italy. -
6
Raphael Rooms and The School of Athens
Discover the suite of rooms frescoed by Raphael, the epitome of a Renaissance artist. Here you’ll see some of his most famous works, including the profound and beautiful School of Athens, which captures the spirit of wisdom and classical thought. -
7
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Gaze up at the unparalleled majesty of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and the powerful Last Judgment on the altar wall. Your guide will explain the masterpieces beforehand, allowing you to absorb the spiritual and artistic significance in silence once inside. -
8
Scala Regia Passageway
Follow your guide down the magnificent ceremonial staircase, the Scala Regia, designed by Bernini. This exclusive passageway was once reserved for popes and dignitaries and is only accessible to official guided groups. -
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Your tour finishes inside St. Peter’s Basilica
Step directly into St. Peter’s Basilica through the privileged access point, one of the world's most breathtaking churches. Your guided tour concludes here, leaving you free to explore Michelangelo’s Pietà and the massive dome at your leisure before taking on the rest of Rome.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Dress Code: As the Sistine Chapel is a deeply religious site, everyone must cover their knees, shoulders, and toes. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry to this portion of the tour. No hats please.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. A foldable umbrella stroller can be utilized during the Vatican Museums portion of the tour, but cannot be utilized through the Scala Regia or in St. Peter's Basilica. A soft baby carrier is recommended.
Tour Changes: St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings until 1:30pm, due to the Papal Audience. Tours during this time will not include basilica entry. Tours during special Jubilee events may also experience a closure of St. Peter's Basilica.
Bag Policy: Camera tripods and large backpacks are not allowed in the museums, so please leave them at your hotel.
Please Note: The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so visitors are not allowed to speak inside the chapel. Your guide will explain what you'll see in advance.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 3-hour semi-private tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums
Pio-Clementino
Galleries, tapestries, maps & more
Raphael Rooms & School of Athens
Sistine Chapel
Enter the Scala Regia passageway
Maximum group size of 10
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Water bottle
Clothing that covers knees and shoulders
Camera
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Customer Reviews
Very positive experience again with the Tour Guy, this time with Tatiana as our guide. Being an qualified historian, she gave us an excellent look into the Vatican, it operations and select artworks - there is simply too much to see in 1 day, let alone 3 hours. Zipping by the long lines for entry etc made it also very easy. Highly recommend
Tatiana gave us a great tour. Her English is excellent. She shared a depth of knowledge with a concise manner. Her leadership kept the group together and informed us about how we would move through the congested spaces. I would recommend her to anybody seeking a guide through the Vatican Museum.
I had a great tour with Patrizia - we moved smoothly throughout the Vatican and into St Peter’s, and Patrizia provided good, detailed insight throughout. I thought the tour was well worth the cost and would recommend it to others interested in a seamless, informative introduction to the Vatican and St Peter’s.
The guide, Carolina, was very knowledgeable, patient with our questions and very friendly
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
In addition to wearing or bringing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes. You're also welcome to bring a water bottle as it can get hot inside the Vatican during the summer months.
Is there a way to see the Vatican without a guided tour?
Yes, it's possible, though you may find the experience lacking without a guide to explain the stories behind the things you'll see. But you can click here for skip the line Vatican tickets.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking a Private Vatican tour so your needs can be better accommodated.
Does the Vatican ever experience sudden closures?
During state visits or special religious events, parts of the Vatican may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice. If an area normally visited during a tour is suddenly closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas from outside. They will even show you another gallery to compensate for the lost time in the usual location.
Does this tour really skip the line?
Yes! Your guide will escort you past the long general admission line to the shorter line for groups. Then you'll enter the Vatican before the general public.
Does this tour include St. Peter's Basilica entry?
Please note that the Basilica is closed on Wednesday & Saturday mornings due to the Papal Audience and will not be included in tours. Afternoon tours will still include St. Peter's Basilica entry.
What to bring?
In addition to wearing or bringing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes. You're also welcome to bring a water bottle as it can get hot inside the Vatican during the summer months.
Is photography allowed in the Sistine Chapel?
No, the Vatican requests that no photos or videos be taken inside the Sistine Chapel.
Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?
We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise the Vatican might refuse entry to religious sites and you’ll miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
Is the Scala Regia something most visitors see?
No—it’s typically off-limits to the public. Only guided tours are allowed to use this historic papal passageway, making your access rare and memorable.
