Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Why book this tour? You visit the Vatican once in a lifetime! Skip-the-line access means you’ll have more time to explore millennia of art and history within these hallowed walls without waiting in the long general admission lines.
In 3 hours, explore the highlights of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica in a small group.
Get straight inside with skip-the-line access to see a host of treasures of the Vatican City, all with enlightening storytelling from a passionate guide.
Dive into the Vatican’s must-see attractions with the highlights you absolutely can't leave Rome without. This tour has been specifically designed to get you inside as quickly as possible with skip-the-line entry.
This is the perfect tour for families traveling with small children or teens, people who "don't do" museum tours, or those who have limited time and want to see the Eternal City in less than an eternity.
The tour includes the big 3: Museums & the Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's!
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
MEETING POINT IS VIA SANTAMAURA 14B, What A Life Tours
St. Peter's Basilica is an active parish and therefore subject to last-minute closures due to mass or other religious events. In these cases, we will offer an extended tour of the Vatican Museums (including areas normally not part of the tour). No refunds are issued for unexpected closures.
All participants (including under 18s) must bring valid ID.
All participants MUST cover their knees and shoulders during visits to religious sites, the Vatican Museums included. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
Please notice that we are not responsible for the number of visitors the Vatican Museums allow inside.
Large umbrellas are not allowed, please leave these at your accommodations.
We recommend you bring your own headphones as the ones provided by the Vatican have a single earpiece only, and you may prefer to use both earbuds to hear the guide better.
Your tour voucher is valid only for the day and time reserved. We’re unable to accommodate late arrivals due to a strictly timed entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums. Missed tours or tickets due to late arrivals are non-refundable. Please allow extra time to reach the meeting point as Rome's streets can be confusing. Meeting time is 15 minutes before the start time of the tour.
ACCESSIBILITY: While the Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair access, they are not conveniently located on the group tour route and only give access to specific sections of the Museums. As a result, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs or walkers on this tour.
Between January 12 and March 31, 2026, the Vatican Museums will carry out an extraordinary maintenance project on Michelangelo's "Last Judgement" fresco in the Sistine Chapel. During that time, the entire wall featuring the fresco will be covered by scaffolding, leaving the artwork temporarily out of view. The Sistine Chapel will remain open to visitors.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Meeting Point: The meeting point is our office, very close to the Museums' entrance, the exact address is Via Santamaura 14B. The closest Metro stop is Ottaviano. Please allow extra time due to traffic during the summer months! If you do need assistance with how to reach the meeting point, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Vatican City
We continue our visit entering Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Encircled by a 2-mile border with Italy, Vatican City is an independent city-state that covers just over 100 acres, making it one-eighth the size of New York’s Central Park. Vatican City is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head. The Vatican mints its own euros, prints its own stamps, issues passports, licenses plates operates media outlets and has its own flag and anthem. One government function it lacks: taxation. Museum admission fees, stamp and souvenir sales, and contributions generate the Vatican’s revenue.
Headsets to hear the guide clearly
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica with privileged access
Kindly note that the meeting will be held at our office premises and not at an external location.
Tickets included
Skip-the-line entry with ticket to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Small Group
English-speaking licensed tour guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Not wheelchair accessible
Important info: •Small Group •Meeting Point: Office - Via Santamaura 14b
Important Information: • Please note that the 9:30 + 10:15 AM tours on Wednesdays do not include St. Peter's Basilica due to the Papal Audience.
7,124 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sonya M,,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
Our tour guide Ennio was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, passionate, interactive, and easy to understand. Loved the detail of the tour. Well done Ennio!
Freedom75706,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our guide,”Cinzy”, I believe that was her name, did a wonderful job of keeping all 11 of us together and well-informed about all that we saw in the Vatican. Cinzy was extremely knowledgeable and patient with our many questions, We feel that we were very fortunate to have a guide with so much energy and a good sense of humor! Thank you,
MARIA G,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
Maria our guide was excellent.engaged with all of us &. Kept up our interest for the 3 hours. We avoided quoeing despite the larger crowds
gretchenw550,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our tour with What a Life Tours was a great way to gain deeper insight into Vatican City, including the Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Our guide, John, combined informative commentary with humor as we made our way through very large crowds. Having visited the Vatican years ago, I was again struck by the incredible layers of history preserved there. Tips for fellow travelers: It’s unrealistic to see everything in one day—even with an excellent guide. Consider planning multiple days or booking focused tours to get the most out of your visit. Tour-specific feedback: We visited on Ash Wednesday, so it was extremely busy. The tour felt a bit long by the end, and more scheduled pauses for questions or discussion would have improved the experience.
Rusky101,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Cinzia who took us around was amazing. Not only was she hugely knowledgable she had a great sense of humour and looked after us well.
Melissa M,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
Perfect! Eugene was amazing. He was so personable, and ensured the group had a great experience. I travel extensively and one of the best tours we ever had. Knowledgeable, interesting and fun.
Anne M,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
Our guide Fabrizio was great. Very engaging and knowledgable. Ably navigated the Vatican crowds. We learned so much. Would highly recommend.
simonvL4901JP,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
An excellent tour expertly led By Emma who looked after us very well and was very knowledgeable. I Would highly recommend the tour and tour guide
worldtravelers52,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Very interesting and informative tour. John is an excellent guide. We learned so much about the Vatican. Definitely recommend this tour.
liningw2025,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Victoria was a great guide! We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and even my daughter who was not into museums enjoyed it.
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