Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Raphael’s Rooms – Without the Wait!
Embark on a Skip-the-Line tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Raphael’s Rooms. Opt for First Access with guided entry to St. Peter’s Basilica, where available.
Explore highlights with an expert guide who brings history to life. Group tours are capped at 20 guests and include headsets for clear narration.
Want a more personal touch? Choose our Small Group tour (max. 10 guests) or upgrade to First Access to be among the first visitors. Prefer independence? Select our escorted ticket-only option for self-paced exploring.
Important:
St. Peter’s Basilica is separate from the Museums and included only in tours where stated. With Basilica access, you’re free to explore independently after the guided portion.
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.
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.
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.
Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
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 official ID with you (or a photo/photocopy).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Skip the Line Access & Entrance Ticket to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Skip the Line Access to St. Peter's Basilica (only when option is selected during booking)
Headsets to hear your guide clearly (if guided option selected)
Insider Guide (if guided option selected)
Food & Beverages
Gratuities
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
Together with your guide, set foot inside the smallest country in the world via the fastest possible entrance!
Cortile della Pigna
One of the first stops inside the Vatican Museums is the Pinecone Courtyard where you will find the Sphere within a Sphere sculpture as well as the Roman fountain, an enormous bronze pinecone, that lends the courtyard its name.
Options
First Access: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
First Access: 10max: First access. Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Guided Tour + Basilica: 20max
20 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour + Basilica: 20max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Guided Tour: 10max
10 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour: 10max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. 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).
Guided Tour: 20max
20 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Guided Tour: 20max: Tour in English of the Vatican Museums, NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Express First Access: 12max
12 guests max
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: 20max
20 guests max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
First Access + Basilica: 20max: First access. Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica (access only – no tour).
Hosted Ticket Only (No guide)
Hosted access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, no guided tour. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Reviews
1,405 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very good tour
Deborah E,
Jul 10, 2025
- Viator
4.00Our tour guide was Rodrigo and was extremely knowledgeable but I had a great difficulty in understanding him. His accent was quite thick. But heads extremely patient and knowledgeable. Helped us get to the Basilica after our tour.
Family Vatican tour
Mjkeenan2,
Jul 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00Martina was engaging and excellent at sharing detailed information about the artwork we were seeing. She dealt very patiently with stragglers.
We received an...
Danielle B,
Jul 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00We received an unexpected private tour and Sara was such a kind and knowledgeable guide. Couldn’t have asked for a better person to walk us through this monumental Rome experience with!
We had a great experience...
Greg E,
Jul 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a great experience on our tour with Giuseppe. Tour was as described and he gave us a lot of very good information. Even with skip the line tickets, it was so busy it took us a bit of time to get in. But no problem as Giuseppe was able to give us even more tid bits of information. Check in was easy and everything went smoothly.
An Unforgettable Vatican Tour with a True Expert
Alicia H,
Jul 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had the pleasure of taking a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Senori Frederico, and it was truly unforgettable. As an archaeologist with a background in art, his knowledge and passion for both history and aesthetics made every stop fascinating. He knew exactly where to pause for the most meaningful views and the most interesting details, like how one of the museum’s tapestries has eyes that seem to follow you. Those little touches brought the entire experience to life. We had our 8-year-old with us, and Frederico was incredibly engaging, keeping all of us, adults and kid alike, interested throughout the full 3-hour tour. Despite the intense summer heat, he thoughtfully included stops in air-conditioned areas we wouldn’t have even known existed, which made the tour not only enjoyable but comfortable. If you’re looking for a guided tour that’s both educational and enjoyable, we can’t recommend Frederico enough. He made a massive and overwhelming place feel personal and full of wonder.
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