Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Skip the line and gain direct access to the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man & Scala Regia passageway

4.93 (2851) ·

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· 3.00h · Vatican, Italy

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

A tourist inside the Vatican Musuems listening to his guide from The Tour Guy.

A group of tourists outside of the Vatican while on tour with The Tour Guy.

A group of tourists walking through the Pinecone Courtyard in the Vatican Museums while on tour with The Tour Guy.

An image of the Pio-Clementino Museum in the Vatican.

An image of the sculpture Lacoon and His Sons inside the Vatican Museums.

A group of tourists walking through the Hall of Maps inside the Vatican Museums while on tour with The Tour Guy.

An image of the Assassination of Julius Caesar in the Hall of Tapestries.

Two tourists having their picture taken in front of the School of Athens.

Most visitors miss the Vatican’s best shortcut. With our expert guide, you’ll explore the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel, then descend the Scala Regia (Bernini’s regal staircase) into St. Peter’s Basilica through an entrance reserved only for guided groups. This is the Vatican experience you didn’t know you needed.

What You Get With This Tour

Expert, English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line entry to Vatican Museums
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Privileged access to Scala Regia
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
Guide tips

Tour Itinerary

1

Meet your guide outside Caffé Vaticano
Your guide welcomes you just outside Caffé Vaticano, directly across from the Vatican Museums. You’ll get a quick intro to the plan before bypassing the crowd and stepping into one of the world’s greatest art collections.
2

Vatican Museums
With your privileged, skip-the-line entry, you'll glide past the main crowds and head directly inside to begin exploring the Vatican's magnificent art collection. Your guide will lead the way, ensuring you hit all the must-see masterpieces and avoid getting lost in the maze of galleries.
3

Pinecone Courtyard
Pause briefly in the serene Pinecone Courtyard, a beloved open-air space within the Vatican Museums. Here, art and nature blend seamlessly around the massive bronze pinecone that gives the courtyard its name, offering a moment of tranquility before the main artistic explorations.
4

Pio-Clementino Museum
Next, explore the halls filled with some of the world’s most important classical sculptures. You’ll stop to admire masterpieces like the dramatic Laocoön and His Sons and the serene Apollo Belvedere, learning about the myths and legends associated with these iconic works.
5

Gallery of Maps
Follow your guide into the astonishing 120-meter (400 ft) long Gallery of Maps. This iconic hall reveals Italy’s intricate terrain through the meticulous cartography of the 16th century, commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. You’ll hear the stories behind these detailed, topographical depictions of the Italian peninsula.
6

Gallery of Tapestries
Marvel at richly woven scenes created by Raphael’s students. These monumental tapestries tell biblical stories with color, movement, and fascinating artistic tricks your guide helps you spot.
7

Raphael’s Rooms
After that, you’ll enter the suite of rooms decorated by the Renaissance master Raphael. These chambers reveal the height of Renaissance art and wisdom, containing famous frescoes such as The School of Athens, which celebrates philosophy and human intellect.
8

Sistine Chapel
Finally, the moment arrives to gaze up at Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. You'll take in his magnificently portrayed biblical stories, from the Creation of Man to The Last Judgment. Remember that this is a silent visit, as the chapel is a place of worship.
9

Scala Regia
After your silent visit, follow your guide down the Scala Regia—Bernini’s dramatic ceremonial staircase. This passage, once used by popes and kings, is reserved exclusively for guided groups, giving you a special route to your final stop.
10

Your tour finishes at St. Peter’s Basilica
Last but not least, enter the breathtaking St. Peter’s Basilica. Discover Michelangelo’s Pietà, stand beneath Bernini’s monumental Baldachin, and soak in centuries of spiritual grandeur. You are free to remain inside the Basilica for as long as you wish before exiting back into Rome.

Additional Information

Good to know:

Dress Code: As the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are deeply religious sites, everyone must cover their knees, shoulders, and toes. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry by security officials. No hats please.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. A foldable umbrella stroller can be utilized in the Vatican Museums, but cannot be utilized through the Scala Regia into 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.
Please Note: Tours starting after 3:30pm are not guaranteed entry into St. Peter’s Basilica. 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 tour includes:

Expert English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums
Access to the Pio-Clementino Museum
Visit to the Raphael Rooms and Borgia Apartments
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Privileged access through the Scala Regia to St. Peter’s Basilica
Morning or afternoon entry options
Maximum group size of 20

What to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Water bottle
Clothing that covers knees and shoulders
Camera

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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 the information and guidance you get with a tour is certainly worth considering. If you'd rather explore independently then 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 concerns about your mobility, we suggest taking a Vatican Private Tour so your needs can be better accommodated.

Does the Vatican ever experience unexpected 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.

Will the Vatican Museums be crowded during this tour?

The Vatican is often slow in the late afternoon, but there is a chance the museums may be crowded while we are inside.

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.

What to bring?

Where does this tour end?

This Vatican tour will end in or just outside of St. Peter's Basilica. You're free to stay in the church and explore some more if you like.

If I am coming from a cruise ship can I book this tour?

This tour does not include transportation from port. If you are coming from a cruise ship, please ensure to arrange your transportation to allow for traffic and train delays.

How long is this tour?

This tour is 3 hours long.

Does this tour include entrance to St. Peter's Basilica?

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 on Wednesdays will still include St. Peter's Basilica entry. Any tour beginning after 3:30pm on any day is not guaranteed to include St. Peter's Basilica entry.

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