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‘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)
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.
Options
Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
English Tour & Tickets
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
MUSEUM+SISTINE CHAPEL+BASILICA
INCLUDES Tickets & Tour: VATICAN MUSEUMS, SISTINE CHAPEL & ST. PETER'S BASILICA
Duration: 3 hours
English Tour
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
Vatican Tour & Tickets - 8 AM
Reviews
10,829 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Enjoyable tour
Antonio F,
Jul 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our tour guide was very informative about everything. TJ is is our second time at the Vatican and we learned something new.
Vatican and Museum Tour
Gail J,
Jul 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00The tour guides, two, one for the Vatican and one for the museum was quite educational, laced with humor and engaging with each participant. I totally recommend this event !
Beautiful! So nice to get...
Alexia S,
Jul 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00Beautiful! So nice to get a quick highlights and history of all the major sights there. No waiting and minimal time in the sun was perfect for the summer. Going up the Basilica is not an option.
Ditched “The Tour Guy” for “Viator” - A Great Decision
Chris A,
Jul 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00We spent over $3,000 on a full-day private tour with “The Tour Guy,” expecting a custom experience that included entry into St. Peter’s Basilica—our family’s top priority in visiting Italy. When we met our guide at the Vatican, we were surprised and deeply disappointed to learn that they would not accommodate entry into St. Peter’s, despite the cost and planning. They told me there was no way to get in, that it was booked. I didn’t believe that. Out of frustration, I contacted Viator, and to our amazement, they immediately arranged access to St. Peter’s with a private guide—even though they were fully booked. Our family is incredibly grateful to the Viator staff and especially our guide, Lorenzo, for making it possible for us to have the meaningful, spiritual experience we had traveled so far for. What’s more, Viator provided this experience for less than a third of what “The Tour Guy” charged—and without hesitation, while “The Tour Guy” refused any refund. Their flashy marketing and suspiciously perfect reviews can’t compare to the genuine care, integrity, and customer-first mission that Viator demonstrated. Thank you, Viator, for saving our trip and honoring the spirit of travel.
Super Vatican Experience!
Kiana V,
Jul 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00Marco was absolutely fantastic! We had such a great time with him—he shared so much fascinating information, kept us laughing, and made the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. I would gladly take this tour with him again—several more times, in fact! There’s just so much to see and absorb at the Vatican. Even if you pass by the same things, you’ll notice something new each time. The three hours truly fly by because you’re surrounded by such incredible history at every turn.
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