Best of the Vatican Tour: Fast Track Highlights
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Meet your expert guide by the Vatican Museum entrance and enjoy skip-the-line entry to what is arguably the most important collection of art in the world. Your guide knows every nook and cranny of the museums and will navigate seamlessly through the more than 1,200 galleries.
Much of this tour will be dedicated to the majestic Sistine Chapel, from its commissioning to the finishing touches applied by none other than Michaelangelo Buonarroti. You will hear the true life story of this fascinating yet tormented artist, who considered himself a sculptor and not a painter yet dedicated countless years of his life painting frescoes on a ceiling 44 feet high. Learn of the physical and psychological damage inflicted on the artist as your guide helps you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this epic work of art.
At the end you can explore some of the remaining 1,400 galleries of art at your own pace.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
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
Direct access to the Basilica will be possible exclusively to those who book at least 72 hours in advance. Visitors without prior bookings will need to enter through the main square.
Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid. Please contact us to inquire about customized tour options for guests with mobility challenges.
Please note: This description is provided as a general example. Actual experiences may vary slightly depending on the season, local conditions, and other factors beyond our control
On days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may become necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour
Access to St. Peter's Basilica is not possible on Wednesday morning during the weekly papal audience.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Full-immersion guided Vatican Museums experience with an expert Vatican tour guide
Skip the Line at the Vatican & get ahead of everyone else
Priority access to St. Peter’s Basilica
Rooms of Raphael & Sistine Chapel
Belvedere Courtyard, Greek and Roman Sculptures
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Gratuities
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
Your guide knows every nook and cranny of the museums and will navigate seamlessly through the more than 1,200 galleries while emphasizing the Rooms of Raphael, the Ancient Roman and Greek pieces in the Belvedere Courtyard and the Gallery of Maps while ensuring that you stay on track with an eye on the ultimate prize: the Sistine Chapel.
Sistine Chapel
Much of this tour will be dedicated to the majestic Sistine Chapel, from its commissioning to the finishing touches applied by none other than Michaelangelo Buonarroti. You will hear the true life story of this fascinating yet tormented artist who considered himself a sculptor and not a painter yet dedicated countless years of his life painting frescoes on a ceiling 44 feet high. Learn of the physical and psychological damage inflicted on the artist as your guide helps you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this epic work of art.
Options
2025 Departures
Reviews
271 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Busy & warm, still glad for tour
Julie C,
Sep 5, 2025
- Viator
4.00Allow plenty of time to get there. We were going to be an hour early, then they had several streets closed that day & had to walk much further fast and made it just in time. So we were already hot and tired of walking. The guide was knowledgeable. The art was beautiful.
Best of the Vatican Museum with Chiara
Tarek H,
Sep 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00Chiara was amazing, very funny but also quite informative. I would say she is a talented story teller, and she tried to create personal connections with all the group. We were a group of about 15 persons. The tour started at the tour agency office next to the entrance of the Vatican Museums (at the east side of the Vatican). We met Chiara (our guide) there and then we stood in line to enter for about 15 minutes. As we entered, we sat near the entrance inside in a space where Chiara could properly explain things we will see, specially within the Sistine Chapel (guides not allowed to talk inside). Then after that we set out and started touring the Vatican Museum rooms and artifacts. There is quite a lot to see, and you probably need the full day if you really want to see everything to its fullest. The tour focused on key artifacts and elements, and even that took almost 2 hours. Near the end we entered the Sistine Chapel, and although it was crowded, there was place to stand confortably and look at the walls and ceilings. We were given about 15 minutes to enjoy the Sistine Chapel, and then Chiara led us out through a special exit that cuts the line to enter the Saint Petersburg Cathedral. We said goodbye to Chiara right at the entrance to the Cathedral, and we were free to tour the cathedral or do whatever we wanted. I think it was a great experience, and it was both informative and insightful, while also not being overwhelming, and my wife and I enjoyed it a lot. Chiara's pace of the tour and humor played a great role in that.
Early morning tour
Stephanie W,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
4.00Great tour, early morning better for the heat in August. Very crowded even at 8am, so if you don’t like big crowds I would avoid. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and her English was great. I recommend this tour for the physically able. I don’t recommend taking small children, as they are very disruptive and take away from the experience.
The highlight tour was...
Michaela R,
Sep 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00The highlight tour was very good, and Chiarra was very knowledgeable and entertaining. There’s so much to see at the Vatican, it was great being led to the things we shouldn’t miss!.
Vatican City Tour Fails to Inspire or Inform
Jordan M,
Sep 1, 2025
- Viator
3.00We joined a 2.5hour guided tour of Vatican City, but unfortunately our experience was very underwhelming. The biggest issue was that the tour operator did not provide audio headsets, meaning the first 30–45 minutes were spent in silence, waiting in line as a group to get inside. This time could have been used to provide history and key highlights of Vatican City, but instead it felt like wasted time. Once inside the museum, headsets were provided by the Vatican, but the delivery of information throughout the tour was uninspiring, monotone, and lacking passion. We often found ourselves tuning out, and none of the key highlights or historical context were effectively communicated. Overall, this made our first experience of Vatican City very disappointing, as the tour failed to bring the sites to life or provide meaningful insight.
Related Experiences
Operated by ItaliaTours