Private Tour
Private Vatican Museums Hidden Gems Tour with Optional Pick-Up
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Embark on this exclusive 4-hour tour of the Vatican Museums and its Hidden Gems for an unforgettable journey through art, history, and spirituality.
With your personal storyteller delight in the world's most celebrated masterpieces, including the iconic Sistine Chapel with its world-known frescos by Michelangelo and the fine Galleries, while also exploring the hidden, lesser-known chambers of the Pinacoteca, with exquisite works by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Caravaggio. For art enthusiasts, this is a rare opportunity that must not be missed.
Admire captivating architecture and a vast collection of classical sculptures, then seamlessly transition into St. Peter's Basilica without queues. Stand in awe of Michelangelo's Pieta and the Bernini canopy.
End your tour in the heart of Vatican City, St. Peter's Square, encircled by its iconic colonnades.
Enhance your experience and make it as smooth and comfortable by selecting our Luxury Option with pick-up and drop-off service.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress appropriately for worship places and museums; no shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Cover knees and shoulders for both genders to avoid entry issues.
Please notify us of mobility issues or disabilities.
Allow at least 20 minutes for monument/attraction security checks.
Timings and reservations may vary and are subject to last-minute changes.
Wheelchair users note partial museum accessibility; Basilica not included.
St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel may close last-minute for ceremonies; extended Vatican Museums tour offered in such cases.
Children under 18 require a valid passport or ID for age verification on the tour day.
Please review the confirmation message sent one day before the tour for final details.
Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration or closed due to extraordinary celebrations. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes
Wear comfortable shoes for moderate walking during the tour.
To ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, every reservation that includes minors (under 18) must be accompanied by at least one adult. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bookings made exclusively by unaccompanied minors.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica (free access)
Only for LUXURY Option: Pick-up and Drop-off included
Skip the Line Tickets
Only for COMFORT Option: Pick-up included
Visit to the Sistine Chapel
Access to the Pinacoteca Art Gallery
Professional Licensed Blue Badge Tour Guide for A Private Walking Tour
Food & Beverage
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
Treat yourself with a customized private tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Visit some hidden gems of the museums and explore rooms closed to the general public at all times. Meet your guide at your hotel where you will be picked-up and travel together to the Vatican Museums. Skip the line for fast-track entry to the world famous Vatican museum complex, made up of galleries with an impressive number of artwork and masterpieces from antiquity to present day. During your visit you will have a chance to see one of the world’s finest collections of sculptures, carvings, frescoes and paintings. Enjoy the impressive Belvedere Courtyard and then stroll through the most interesting rooms and galleries of the museum complex. Marvel at the famous Lacoon and the Belvedere Torso at the sculpture museum, deeply revered by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists.
Cortile della Pigna
The Cortile della Pigna, or "Court of the Pine Cone," is a tranquil courtyard within the Vatican City, named after a colossal bronze pine cone that dates back to Ancient Rome. This pine cone, once a fountain, stands as the centerpiece of the courtyard, symbolizing enlightenment and eternal life. The courtyard, nestled between the Vatican Museums' Belvedere Palace and the Apostolic Palace, is an embodiment of the Renaissance spirit, blending art, nature, and history in a serene setting.
Options
Luxury Option
Pick up and drop off included: This tour option has PICK-UP and DROP-OFF SERVICE INCLUDED in the offer.
Pickup included
Comfort Option
Pick up included: This tour option has a PICK-UP SERVICE INCLUDED in the offer.
Pickup included
Basic Option
No Transportation: This tour option has NO TRANSFERS included. Meet and greet with the guide on-site at Caffè Vaticano, Viale Vaticano 100
Reviews
253 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
AN INCREDIBLE DAY WITH AN AMAZING TOUR GUIDE!
frandF4754CQ,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We scheduled a special tour of the Vatican with Rosalba (Rosie) Cilione. Rosie took us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the Vatican and made the whole experience a wonderful once in a lifetime experience. Rosie came equipped with interesting "guide" books that highlighted certain paintings or statues that we would observe, and as she was pointing things out in the book, she would give a very detailed back story about the various pieces of artwork or sculptures that we were observing, and it made the tour fascinating and exciting. Visting the Vatican can be an overwhelming experience, but Rosie made it super fun and special. We took the tour that gave us special access to various areas, and she also had special access to "fast track" us into various areas of the museums. We even made the "pilgrimage" through the Holy Door located at St. Peter's Basilica as part of the Jubilee year (2025). Our tour also included a car and driver to pick us up at our hotel and take us to where we were to meet Rosie. Rosie was there and waiting for us when we arrived at the location to start the tour. You will not be disappointed with a special tour with Rosie. It was truly a fantastic experience.
Very disappointing and felt completely overcharged
P5647YV,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We were a group of 10 people on a Vatican tour, costing €310 per person. There was no transfer included, and several of the promised sites were not even visited. In reality, we were simply guided inside the Vatican, which we could have easily done on our own. The guide was nice and professional - that’s the only positive part. But the tour itself was absolutely not worth the price. The real value of such an experience is around €50 per person, not more. In total, we paid €3,100 for something that wasn’t even close to what was advertised. Very disappointing and misleading. Would not recommend.
Exceptional Vatican Tour with Thoughtful Guide
Timothy S,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide picked us up directly from our hotel, and the experience was incredible from start to finish. The Vatican Museums, gardens, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica were all breathtaking. Our guide deserves extra credit for being so considerate — she arranged for my wife’s 80-year-old parents to use elevators and find places to sit and rest while the rest of us navigated stairs and longer lines. Her attentiveness made a huge difference and allowed everyone to enjoy the experience comfortably. An excellent tour — both beautifully organized and very thoughtful.
Amazing Vatican Tour with Alessa!
Elsa B,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Private Vatican Museums Hidden Gems Tour with Alessa was fantastic! She was warm, knowledgeable, and passionate, sharing fascinating stories that brought the art and history to life. We loved how she highlighted the lesser-known treasures and made the experience personal and engaging. Alessa made us feel completely at ease and answered all our questions with care. One of the best tours we took in Rome and we highly recommend asking for her!
Private walking tour of the Vatican City with Maria who was absolutely excellent.
David B,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Private walking tour of the Vatican City with Maria who was excellent. Fantastic knowledge and so accommodating. She made sure that we saw everything we wanted and more. Her historical and artistic knowledge was second to none as was her English. She made the whole experience so enjoyable and we felt that we learnt so much from her. Would definitely book with her again.
Our tour guide, Kate, was...
Rebecca C,
Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Kate, was amazing. She had incredible knowledge of the Vatican and was able to navigate us through on an extremely busy day there. She was authentic and kind. She was able to answer every question we had and provide more background and information so we could get the most out of our experience. It is an expensive tour but worth every penny.
Wonderful, interesting tour - thank you Andrea!
F8390COlisal,
Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Andrea, was friendly, knowledgeable and made our experience touring the Vatican a wonderful learning experience. It was a hot and busy day but Andrea helped us navigate the crowds and have a comfortable, fun experience. One of the highlights was when he showed us how he could turn the giant sphere in the museum. We learned many interesting facts about history, art and the Vatican. Highly recommend!!
Amazing art
Glenda B,
Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an outstanding tour. Our guide was professional and very informative. The tour mostly focused on art but when every inch is completely covered in it..no wonder. Still great bucket list check off.
Our Amazing Vatican Visit
kensC9151SA,
Jul 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Katie was probably the best tour guide I’ve ever had. Excellent in all areas, willing to answer questions, and extremely personable. Highly recommend her!
Excellent review
Michael B,
Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very long and was given opportunity to skip a few rooms in order to use restroom and get something to eat and drink. Excellent tour guide who helped during entire experience, including getting us to driver to get back to apartment. Took luxury option, which I recommend since it allowed a more personal experience.
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