Private Tour
Vatican Museums Private Tour: Sistine Chapel and Necropolis Scavi
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Your guide will escort you into the Vatican Museums while skipping the mass queues waiting outside.
Marvel in the spectacular museum galleries & bask in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. After being within such breathtaking surroundings, you might think at this point you’ve seen all that is on offer, but with our Ultimate Express Vatican experience, we will also guide you through the Scavi (Underground) area of the Vatican. With many myths and secrets, your guide will open up a new mysterious world.
Additional Info
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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
A moderate amount of walking is involved - comfortable shoes are recommended
Minimum age is 15 years
During the Scavi visit, visitors may be affected by the altered environmental conditions of temperature and humidity. Those who have special physical problems, subject to increase under these conditions, including claustrophobia, are advised not to access the site
St. Peter's Basilica may close at the last minute for ceremonies or masses without warning
Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration or closed due to extraordinary celebrations. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes
Please advise if anyone in your group has mobility issues
To ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, every reservation that includes minors (under 18) must be accompanied by at least one adult. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bookings made exclusively by unaccompanied minors.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
St. Peter's Basilica
Access to the Scavi (Underground) as part of a small group led by a Vatican guide
Private walking tour (Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel)
Sistine Chapel
Hotel pickup (centrally located hotels. Within Aurelian Walls)
Professional Licensed Tour Guide
Food and drinks
Hotel Drop Off
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
With our Prime Tour, we get you inside the Museums at its first access. Watch the Vatican Museum Galleries slowly come to life.
Cortile della Pigna
The Courtyard of the “Pigna”, created from the 16th century area of the “Belvedere”
Options
Scavi Tour - Pick up Included
Pick up included
Pickup included
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great
Bryan W,
Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful, Guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and we learned alot. Worth every penny. Highly recommend!
The sites are...
Richard G,
Feb 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The sites are spectacular. My guide Elisse was wonderful. Your customers might want to know that they will be on their feet for almost all the tour.
The absolute highlight of our trip!
Sally B,
May 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The Scavi and Vatican tours were absolutely the highlight of our trip to Italy. Our guides, Elisa for the Vatican museums, St. Peter's and the Sistine chapel and Kiran for the Scavi tour, were absolutely excellent. Elisa managed to get us through construction and changing entrance procedures smoothly on a very busy day there, even organizing an impromptu backdoor pickup with our driver when the lay of the land changed. She obviously has good relationships with the Vatican staff which is so helpful and her friendly, warm demeanor was a pleasure for us. She gave us clear instructions and just the right amount of time at each of our stops. The order of sites and timing had to change a bit due to Vatican changes and actually turned out so much better than what we originally planned. Elisa was easy to understand, knowledgeable and so very helpful. We never would have gotten so much out of the visit without her. The Scavi tour with Kiran was an absolutely beautiful experience. She struck a perfect balance between the fascinating archeology and history and the profound religious meaning of the site. Our whole group with varying backgrounds and interests was overcome by the blessing that this experience was. What a gift to employ Kiran in this capacity. We are so very grateful for her knowledge and presentation skills and her ability to convey the full meaning of this once-in-a-lifetime visit. I can't recommend her or the tour more highly!
Fantastic tour of the Vatican
Barry F,
Oct 5, 2019
- Review from Viator
5.00I want to start the review with a thanks to Maria, our tour. She was extremely engaging and friendly throughout the tour. She ensured everything went well and we had a good time. She met us at the hotel (pick up was included) and then proceeded to give us a tour as we drove to the Vatican. She was well organized and knew most everyone - making it very quick and easy to get through the various check points/lines with ease. Since this was a very early start (7:20a) we seemingly had a private tour for most of the morning. Many rooms were empty except for us. She explained the history and could answer all of our questions. The Vatican itself was incredible and overall we had an excellent time. We included the Scavi tour as well - which was the one area that while I’m glad I went, I probably wouldn’t do again. This was not an issue with Maria (another guide takes over inside the Necropolis) and it was both long and rather hot/humid underground. If you are claustrophobic, I would be hesitant to recommend this portion of the tour. Still, that part was an incredible piece of history and I’m glad I did it. Back outside, Maria took over and quickly guided us to the Sistine Chapel. We were fortunate on two accounts: the weather was spectacular and the pope was having an audience that day so many special arrangements were happening and the place was buzzing with extra energy. Maria ensured we got to everything we needed to and then assisted us with transportation after we were done (also included). Instead of going back to the hotel, she recommended a few areas and even a lunch place once we decided where to go. Lunch was excellent and we were able to walk around the Piazza Navona area for hours. Highly recommended! Maria is one of the best guides we ever had and made it a great experience. I would also note to have a good breakfast and bring water/water bottle for the tour. You cannot bring much else (cameras/phones/small bags OK) so plan accordingly.
Vatican and Sistine Chapel
Clair M,
Sep 26, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We wer very fortunate to have the services of Barbara De Rosa on our private tour. She was very knowledgeable and explained the various sites in detail. Her English was perfect so we could understand what she was explaining and her sense of humor kept us laughing and interested in what she was saying. We couldn't have asked for a better tour guide.
Spectacular!
Marioneide S,
Sep 14, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This walk, without a doubt, was the most special we did. Being in front of what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter, of his bones, of what was the beginning of Christianity is something very significant. Our guide Ana Paula was very didactic and clear, it was a fantastic experience.
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