Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece.
This budget-friendly tour is the best value for money for travelers that are interested in 1) seeing the museum’s highlights 2) meeting a new friend or two through your group and 3) skipping the lines (trust us, with over 6 million tourist spilling into the museum every year, you'll want it!)
Disclaimer: you will be entering the Vatican museum during one of the busiest times of the day. While the tour provides skip-the-line access, the crowds in the museum vary from day to day and some delay with security can be expected (it would be misleading for other tour operators to not tell you this!)
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unforeseen events= The Vatican is its own country and therefore the Pope can decide also last minute to close St. Peter’s Basilica for ad hoc events. It is a very rare event during the year but it is possibile and we will do our best to inform you. If it is too late to inform you, our guide will extend the tour in the Vatican. Not to worry that the incredibile collection of Vatican Museums and the masterpiece of Michelagelo in the Sistine Chapel will still be included.
Most of our tours include the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. However, there are two specific options with different inclusions. You will find below:
Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour – Includes the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel but does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR – Includes St. Peter’s Basilica but does NOT include the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Borgo
Meet your tour guide at our office, located in the oldest neighbourhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following a self introduction by your guide, you will walk through the charming shops of the Borgo, as he/she shares some local tips for eating and site seeing in Rome, including off the beaten track sites that you must visit during your holiday! Some background will also be provided on the history of the Sistine Chapel (we do it here as the chapel forbids noise and travellers are expected to observe silence once entering).
Via Della Conciliazione
Admire the flags and surrounding embassies as you walk through this street, which serve as the primary access point to St. Peter's Square, and by extension, to the Vatican City itself.
What‘s Included
Admission tickets to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and/or St. Peter's Basilica
Entry/Admission-Vatican Museums (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR)
An expert tour guide with over 10 years of experience. Excellent story teller.
Entry/Admission- Sistine Chapel (NOT included if you book the option: ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR)
Guaranteed skip-the-line access
Entry/Admission - St. Peter's Basilica (check below to see which option does not include it)
If you book the “Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour” option it does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
If you book “ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR” option it does NOT include the Museums & Sistine Chapel.
Gratuities (Tips)
Options
VATICAN KEY MASTER EARLY TOUR
Super Early Morning: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
First in the Sistine Chapel: The Vatican Key Master will accompany you with the tour guide inside the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Duration: 3 hours
Sistine Chapel NOT included
Included : Vatican Museums and St.Peter’s Basilica
NOT included: SISTINE CHAPEL
VATICAN AFTER HOURS
Description: Start at St. Peter’s Basilica, then visit the Vatican Museums after closing, ending alone with our group inside the SISTINE
Exclusive Access Tour: SISTINE CHAPEL
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Vatican Museums+SISTINE CHAPEL
INCLUDES Tickets & Tour: VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL
NOT included:: ST.PETER'S BASILICA
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
ONLY ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR
NOT included: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
INCLUDES Tickets & Tour:: ST.PETER'S BASILICA
Duration: 1 hour
Meeting Point: Via Plauto 17A, 00193 Roma, Italy
Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
English Tour & Tickets
MUSEUM+SISTINE CHAPEL+BASILICA
INCLUDES Tickets & Tour: VATICAN MUSEUMS, SISTINE CHAPEL & ST. PETER'S BASILICA
Duration: 3 hours
English Tour
Vatican English Tour & Tickets
English Tour and Tickets
SKIP-THE-LINE Tickets & Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Includes: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Meeting Point: Via Plauto 17A, 00193 Roma, Italy
Vatican Tour & Tickets - 8 AM
Reviews
12,791 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Vatican Visit
Virginia C,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Should be prepared to walk a distance to the Vatican and to wear appropriate clothing for inclement weather. In addition, be sure not to bring items like large umbrellas as they are prohibited . Despite our day, in bad weather, our guide Lorenzo did a wonderful job in ushering us through the crowds and explaining what it was, we were about to see in the Sistine chapel.. he was very knowledgeable regarding the artwork in the museums, and he was excellent in keeping our group together in very crowded situation.
Best experience
Aleksandra M,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good experience with this company! Dear Shak, Thank you so much for guiding us through the Vatican. Your knowledge, passion, and storytelling truly brought the history and art to life in a way we will never forget. From the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica to the beauty of the Sistine Chapel, every moment felt more meaningful because of your insight and enthusiasm. You made such an extraordinary place feel personal and engaging. We are so grateful for your time, expertise, and kindness.. You made our visit incredibly special. With sincere thanks, The Greek couple from Cyprus!🙂
Great tour
714spirosa,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Giada was a great guide!! Very knowledgeable, friendly and fun!
No wait. Sylvia was very...
Kay H,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00No wait. Sylvia was very knowledgeable, easy to understand and entertaining! It was well worth the money!!
Giovanni is the best guide for the Vatican
Sandy B,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Tour was awesome. Our guide Giovanni was excellent. He was great at explaining things and pointing out details we would have never known if we went on our own. You can tell Giovanni genuinely enjoys his job and touring the Vatican
Vatican museum and saint Peter's basilica.
Pedro m,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very great tour. Our guide was very kind and friendly. He explained the process from beginning to the end. Answered all our questions highly recommend.
Amazing Experience!
reubens615,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Carl was phenomenal. Incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about the history. He made everything smooth and stress-free. The small group atmosphere felt personal, and he connected with everyone. Easily one of the best guides we’ve ever had. Highly recommend.
Fascinating tour with Shak
Niamh M,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My mother and I both really enjoyed this tour. Shak was a great guide. She has studied art history so it was fascinating for us to gain that extra context and understanding of the art. A much richer experience than just going by ourselves.
Not worth it.
K6315WYgayleb,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Due to heavy rain we started late. (Not guide’s fault) Unfortunately though, there was no mention of a 20 minute walk to Vatican City in the heavy rain. The skip the line still had us wait 45 minutes to get into building. There were hundreds if not a thousand people entering at the same time. There were so many people that several of us were left behind multiple times. We spent too much time waiting which then gave us very little time in museum and Sistine Chapel. (We had 5 minutes crammed in with hundreds of people) He did not tell us his name until the end of the tour. Best part of the tour was the church as it is beautiful inside. If you cannot walk long distances, stand around, and / or hate tight places with lots of people.. this is not for you. I would not do this again.
Fantastic tour with guide Shak
Teragram10,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We pre purchased tickets for this tour through Viator and so glad we did as the queue was 1.5 hours and that was on a quiet day! We had tour guide Shak who was excellent. She was very knowledgeable, informative and funny too :). Fantastic tour which lasts 3 hours and I would recommend if you are visiting Rome.
From €25.00
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Operated by Vatican Tour