Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel + Optional Basilica
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Save time and energy at the Vatican Museums with skip-the-line, timed entry that lets you bypass long queues and head straight inside. Explore the highlights with your guide, including the Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps, while learning the rich history, art, and architecture behind these masterpieces. With expert commentary, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the Vatican’s treasures and enjoy a more meaningful visit. Upgrade to a small-group tour for a more personalized experience, or extend your visit with priority entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. Prefer to focus only on St. Peter’s? Select the Basilica-only option for a guided visit inside.
Short on time? Opt for the 1.5-hour tour to breeze through the Vatican Museums and be among the first to enter the Sistine Chapel.
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.
At least 4 people are required for the guided tour options to take place.
Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
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.
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.
Important: The ‘Basilica Only’ option it does NOT include access to the Vatican Museums.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
Visit the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel on your own or with a guide (if option selected). Tickets provide skip the line access.
Cortile della Pigna
Explore one of the Vatican's many open air courtyards. This one is decorated with a giant bronze pinecone sculpture, giving the courtyard its name.
What‘s Included
Skip the Line Access to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (except when Basilica Only option selected)
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Guided Tour
Direct Access to St. Peter's Basilica (only when option selected)
Food and drinks
Tips
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
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).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Basilica Only
Guided 1 hour tour in English with skip the line access, 20 people or less. (Cupola and Vatican Museums not included).
Starting point:
Borgo Santo Spirito, 17, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Express: 12max
12 guests max
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Express: 12max: Express Tour in English of the Vatican Museums to the Sistine Chapel, NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
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).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
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).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
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.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
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.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Hosted Tickets Only (No guide)
Hosted Tickets Only (no guide): Hosted access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, no guided tour. NO access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Private Tour
Exclusive Private Tour : Private Tour in English of the Vatican Museums. Includes Skip the Line (no included St. Peter’s Basilica)
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
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.
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
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).
Starting point:
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Reviews
6,136 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Insightful and a just the right length
Christopher S,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The Vatican Museum is overwhelming. Getting a guide is the best way to see what you need to, makes sense of it, and be able to ask your questions. Oscar from EcoArt was fantastic. Charming, funny, sharing his unique perspectives and preferences. Felt like a local friend of a friend letting you in on his secrets.
Outstanding!
Shannon P,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A ‘must see’ when in Rome! Martina was an outstanding guide and highly recommended. The tour was interesting start to finish.
Margarita-Not just a delicious drink, but also the best tour guide in Roma!
Lisa M,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Margarita was amazing and knowledgeable. She was light hearted, had a good sense of humor and I really enjoyed my time on the tour. Highly recommend!
Definitely buy tickets in...
Justin K,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Definitely buy tickets in advance! The line was crazy but we feel there were some extenuating circumstances that contributed (the Pope was out giving a speech and it was the year of the jubilee). Definitely go to the top of the dome. The view is incredible and worth the stairs. Plan extra time, the stairs are a lot.
Highly recommended!
823osamah,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience with our tour guide in the Vatican. She was incredibly kind, patient, and very knowledgeable. What truly stood out was how helpful she was, especially when she assisted us with our baby’s stroller through many stairs while our little one was sleeping. Her support made our visit much easier and much more enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Highly recommend this...
Roque R,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommend this tour if you are doing a solo trip. Stefano was such an amazing guide, funny and knowledgeable.
Wonderful guide. A pity the sound could be better.
Svend M,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Marcello was a wonderful guide. Very informative, focused on the essentials, and with a great sense of humor. Overall, a great and pleasent experience. However, we lost concentration on the way because we did not hear much when the guide turned his head away from the clip-on microphone. Hope they invest in a better microphone.
Skip the line tour with an interesting expert.
kbbmmdavis,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a rainy day, very crowded as typical, but Oscar navigated the tour for our small but diverse group (with a wide range of ages and abilities) with ease, grace and a sense of humor. He was incredibly knowledgeable, able to move us relatively seamlessly between other groups, sharing interesting details about many of the incredible things we saw during our tour of the museums and to St. Peter's Basilica. I had read reviews of how much is missed without a tour guide due to the vast size of the museum and Vatican contents and I can see how that would be the case. Well worth the money and time to get a more informed glimpse of the treasures in Vatican City.
Very easy and great!...
Sarah M,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very easy and great! Price was right for a solo experience of the Vatican: would highly recommend. Next time I would do the guided tour for more info:
Awesome experience! Our...
MELISSA B,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience! Our tour guide, Laura, was amazing and so knowledgeable. She made the tour both informational and fun. Very first class and professional. Thank you so much! It was a blessing for our family!
From €29.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by EcoArt Travel