Skip the Line: Small Group Vatican & Sistine + Basilica Option
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience the Vatican like never before on this 2.5-hour tour, led by an expert guide who brings history to life with fascinating stories you won’t hear elsewhere.
Join a small, exclusive group of 10 or fewer for an immersive journey through the Vatican Museums, skipping long lines with priority no-wait access—the fastest way in.
Marvel at the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s frescoes—including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment—adorn the ceiling and walls in a breathtaking display of Renaissance art.
Explore Raphael’s Rooms, featuring the iconic School of Athens, a masterpiece of High Renaissance art and philosophy.
Your tour also includes the Gallery of Maps, Tapestries, and Candelabra, showcasing treasures from the Vatican’s rich artistic legacy.
Want to visit St. Peter’s Basilica too? Choose an option that includes access to the Basilica to benefit from exclusive skip-the-line entry directly from the Vatican Museums.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children 6 and under are entitled to free access to the Vatican Museums (with proof of age)
Children aged 7-18 are entitled to a reduced entry fee (see tour and ticket pricing) and must provide proof of age.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
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.
Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
Guests with a certified disability of over 75% are entitled to free entrance to the Vatican and do not require a ticket. For guests who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended to a companion.
Important: St. Peter's Basilica is not included in all tour options. If you wish to visit the Basilica as part of your experience, please ensure you select a tour where it is explicitly listed as included.
Please include all names as they appear on your passports when booking. Tickets are non-transferable and if the names on your booking do not match your ID you may be denied access and will not be due a refund. Any name changes must be communicated at least 72 hours in advance.
Please bring an ID or a photo/copy of ID.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Skip the Line access to the Vatican Museums
Vatican Insider Guide
Skip the Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica (only when option selected)
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transportation
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
A typical itinerary inside the Vatican Museums includes the Pavilion of the Carriages, home to everything from centuries old horse-drawn carriages to vintage and modern cars really used by Popes past and present. You'll visit the Pinecone Courtyard, the Hall of the Maps (the "Oval Office" of the Pope centuries ago), the Gallery of the Tapestries, the Pinacoteca, Belvedere Courtyard, Room of the Muses, the Round Room and Candelabra Gallery.
Cortile della Pigna
This courtyard gets its name from the enormous bronze Pinecone sculpture that dominates it.
Options
First Access: 10max
10 people max
First Access: 10max: First access. Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Guided Tour: 10max
10 guests max
Guided Tour: 10max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Express First Access: 12max
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Express First Access: 12max: Express Tour in English of the Vatican Museums to the Sistine Chapel, NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
First Access + Basilica: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
First Access + Basilica: 10max: First access. Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Guided Tour + Basilica: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour + Basilica: 10max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Reviews
699 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful excursion
D3481IYstevef,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic tour guide. He was very informative and joked around with all us. Very knowledgeable Highly recommend
Great Trip
U6367FY ,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was great and Martina is very professional. Martina shared a lot of interesting information about the museum.
Great guide !
salomec914,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Martina was the best guide!!! She made tour super interesting even for my 11 year old son who is not big fan of museums. Well organized and thought through
Wonderful!
O5961CEmelissac,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Maria Laura was wonderful! Very knowledgeable and fun!! I think I would have been overwhelmed on my own— so glad I booked this tour. Thank you for a great day Maria Laura 😘🇮🇹
Great experience !
Curiosity11705704732,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Martina was a fantastic guide - informative, lively, and knowledgeable. Great tour, worth the money. I learned a lot and so will you. Ask for Martina!
Rome with family
marieH3738TX,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a most interesting visit of the Vatican museum, the Sixtine chapel and St. Peter Basilica. It was also very useful to be quick about the line. Thank you very much Maria Laura. We were happy to have you as our guide. We learned a lot especially about the Sixtine Chapel....
Expensive but informative
X3215UWshannonc,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Riccardo was a very knowledgeable guide and offered great insights. Honestly thought the experience was a little overpriced at $200 each for the Vatican and Sistine chapel but the experience itself was enjoyable
Wonderful Vatican Museum Tour with a Small Group
Traveler122368,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had a wonderful experience at the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel today thanks to the wonderful tour guide, Alessia. She had the perfect combination of historical knowledge and personality that made the tour extremely memorable. We were able to skip the long lines and the audio headset made it easy to hear Alessia’s voice throughout the tour.
Do this tour at the Vatican.
Dan H,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our third visit to the Vatican and was the best so far. Our guide did an excellent job of preparing for each section and before going into the Sistine Chapel. He gave us a handout with pictures and descriptions before entering the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's. Did not feel rushed in the Sistine Chapel.
Poor
brian r,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Booked and paid for the basilica. Got told it wasn’t included on the 2:30 tour when we arrived. Guide blamed the booking agency. Also was a 10 person maximum group. Group was larger than that. We did 6 tours in Rome, this was by far the most expensive tour and the least enjoyable
From €79.00
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