Available languages
3 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a semi-private Vatican tour with a maximum of six guests. With your expert guide and skip-the-line tickets, explore the Vatican Museums, experience the wonders of the Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard and the Belvedere Torso.
Admire Constantine’s coffins and unique sculptures while learning about Church history, the Popes, and the artworks.
After this, it’s time to head over to see one of the stars of the tour – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Admire the 8,000 square feet of this masterpiece standing in its center surrounded by paintings. After the Chapel and all its glory, your tour guide will take you towards your final stop, St. Peter’s Basilica* where you will enjoy exclusive access to the most immense and ornate Catholic church in the world. Visit one of the most stunning pieces of art in the basilica, Michelangelo’s statue of the Pietà, depicting the Virgin Mary holding her dying child in her arms.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
*St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, your guide will provide a revised itinerary including more of the Vatican Museums. No compensation is granted in these circumstances.
*Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed on most Wednesdays mornings due to the weekly Papal Audience. If you book this tour for a Wednesday the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended.
Important Notice Jubilee Year 2025: As part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, from December 24th, 2024 to January 6th, 2026, St. Peter’s Basilica may experience unexpected partial or complete closures. In the rare event that the Basilica cannot be visited, rest assured that your tour experience will remain exceptional. Your guide will seamlessly adapt the itinerary to include alternative highlights, ensuring the full duration and quality of your tour. Please note that, in accordance with our Terms & Conditions agreed upon at the time of booking, partial or full refunds cannot be issued due to Basilica closures.
Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
There is no photography allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.
Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during your visit inside is strictly forbidden, therefore your guide will give you an explanation of the Sistine Chapel beforehand during your tour, in order to give you a comprehensive explanation before entering the chapel.
Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. In order to ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour.
Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
*Access to the Raphael Rooms is contingent upon crowd conditions, timing constraints, and guard-regulated routes. Including them may not always be feasible. In these cases, your tour guide will exercise discretion to adjust the itinerary, ensuring a high-quality experience
From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.
Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Vatican Museums
Discover some of the most famous paintings and sculptures from western civilization and listen to amusing anecdotes about the former popes and artists represented in the museums. With a small-group tour of maximum of 6 people, or in your very own private tour, easily manoeuvre through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace. After a view of the terrace over the Vatican gardens, make your way across the beautiful early Renaissance courtyard to admire Hadrian's Pinecone, and then to the modern art piece of Arnaldo Pomodoro. You will then head to the magnificent Octagonal Courtyard which is one of the most remarkable collections of Roman and Greek artefacts. Admire the famous Belvedere Torso, learn about the mystery of the Laocoön Priest of Troy, and visit the Muses Room. Walk through the beautiful galleries to admire an abundance of candelabra, tapestries, and maps. Then head to the Julius II apartments and see the grandeur and the magnificent details of the Raphael Rooms.
Sistine Chapel
Next, learn of Michelangelo's masterpiece from your guide before you enter through a tiny door to admire the majestic Sistine Chapel. Take in its grandeur in contemplative silence as you admire this 8,000 square foot wonder. From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.
Private Option available!
Private Family Experience | Vatican Tour for Kids OPTION
Gallery of Tapestries
Sistine Chapel
Raphael Rooms*
Tour in a Safe and Semi Private group of 6 people
Berninis bronze alter canopy
Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard
Michelangelos ceiling & Last Judgement
The School of Athens painting
St Peters Basilica*
Gallery of Maps
Professional, Local, Expert Guide
Belvedere Torso
St Peters square
The round room
Constantine coffins
Reserved Vatican entrance tickets
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes: With Family Experience, you can rest assured that even the youngest ones will be engaged, have fun, and learn a whole lot!
Private Tour for Families: Vatican Tour for Kids Private Tour is the perfect tour for the whole family!
Small Group Tour in English: Explore the Vatican in a group of maximum 6 people and a top-rated guided
Private Tour: Tour of the Vatican with your very own dedicated guide.
3,841 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
loricrozet,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We took a Vatican Highlights, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica | Semi-Private Tour this month with Fabrizio. He was a great guide who was very informative and personable. Would highly recommend this tour and ask for Fabrizio!
B9457HMdouglasb,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a fantastic Vatican tour with Laura P, and it was a highlight of our trip as a couple. Her background as an art history major, combined with her deep knowledge of church history, really showed — she explained the art, architecture, and religious context in a clear, engaging way that made everything come alive. Laura was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive, and the tour felt personal rather than rushed. We left with a much deeper appreciation of the Vatican and its history. Highly recommend her tour, especially for couples.
angelarD9934DB,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Eva was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and flexible to our needs. Would highly recommend this tour!
rak57,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Annalisa was excellent! She was energetic and entertaining making sure that we saw all the important works within the allow time of the tour. I wish we could have had an all-day tour; there is so much to see. I highly recommend the small group tour; it is worth the cost. Thank you, Annalisa!
Discover738014,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our guide was Giulia, who was easy-paced and knowledgeable. We were accompanied by children aged 7 and 14. Giulia was very patient and gave us and the children a very good travel experience and we highly recommend her.

andrisda,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Guide was really good and knowledgeable. Great story telling of the museums. Superb tour. Small group only 6 people. Liked that.
MarcB2278,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
It was a fantastic tour. Liv Tours keeps the groups small- we only had six total. This allows for a more personal tour, and Annalisa, our guide was amazing. She knew everything about the Vatican and the art we were looking at. I would highly recommend Liv tours
riaandjay,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
My wife and I did a tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peters with Luca. He was amazing! Very knowledgeable and well organized in his presentation. We were able to understand the historical timeline of important events and the individuals who were significant players. I don't believe we would have appreciated the history and significance of the tour if we had done it without a qualified guide. Five stars!

ericsunmd,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a private tour they offer which that is also family focused as my 10 year old child was part of the group. We greatly enjoyed the tour! Our guide, Giovanna, was great and really did an amazing job of finding ways to make things interesting for our daughter (as well as us!). Would definitely recommend.
Cyndi L,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
It was breathtaking , the best surprise was that we got to see the pope. That was so unexpected but incredible.
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