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

4.96 (1695) ·

Travel Flexibly

· 3.00h · Vatican, Italy

Semi-Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

A pair of tourists standing outside of the Vatican with their guide from The Tour Guy.

A pair of tourists standing in front of the Vatican.

A pair of tourists inside the Vatican Museums with their guide from The Tour Guy.

A group of tourists walking through the Pinecone Courtyard with their guide from The Tour Guy.

An image of the inside of the Vatican Museums.

A tourist inside the Hall of Maps with their guide from The Tour Guy.

A tourist isnide the Hall of Tapestries with her guide from The Tour Guy.

A group of tourists looking at the School of Athens with their guide from The Tour Guy.

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

Expert, English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line ticket to Vatican Museums
Entry to Sistine Chapel
Exclusive access to the Scala Regia
Direct entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
Guaranteed max group size of 10
Guide tips
Basilica entry on Wednesday mornings

Tour Itinerary

1

Meet your guide outside Caffé Vaticano
Begin your semi-private Vatican adventure with a warm welcome from your guide outside the historic Caffé Vaticano. You'll quickly check in and 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.
9

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

Customer Reviews

4.96 (1695)

Leave a review

Elaine Scott, 13 November 2025

Monica Federico, 13 November 2025

Very friendly and knowledgeable!

William Cranmer, 10 November 2025

Paul R Seal, 08 November 2025

Great Tour Guide / Unfinished Tour

George Apeldorn, 06 November 2025

Tour guide was GREAT but schedule did not work out well. The crowds had our tour delayed after the Sistine Chapel - we had to wait over an hour in line before entering St. Peter's Basilica. Our guide needed to leave for another tour so we walked the Basilica solo and missed getting the history of it.

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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?

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.

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