Vatican Museums Small Group Tour with St Peter's Basilica Access
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Enter the Vatican Museums in a small group with timed entry and discover one of the world’s most important art collections, avoiding the busiest hours. With a licensed expert guide, you will follow a carefully planned route with clear explanations and a relaxed pace.
Your visit includes highlights such as the Pio Clementino Museum, the Upper Galleries and the Raphael Rooms, where you can admire masterpieces like The School of Athens. The tour continues into the Sistine Chapel, where you will experience Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgment.
From the Museums, your guide will accompany you to St. Peter’s Basilica. Inside, you will explore at your own pace and admire works such as Bernini’s Baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà.
Please arrive 15 minutes early and dress appropriately. Full names are required 72 hours in advance to guarantee Basilica access.
PLEASE NOTE: On Wednesdays no Basilica access due to Papal Audience. It may also close without notice for religious events.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children 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
On Wednesdays the access to the Basilica is not allowed due to the Pope's audience
What To Expect
Vatican Museums
Within the Vatican Museums you will visit the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of Candelabra, Gallery of Maps and Gallery of Tapestries
Stanze di Raffaello
The marvellous Raphael Rooms are part of this itinerary where you will be able to admire the well known The School of Athens
Options
Early Access for Group
Enter the Vatican Museum an hour earlier than the general public. Group maximum is 24 people.
What‘s Included
On Wednesdays the Basilica access is not included due to the Pope's Public Audience
Headsets to hear the guide clearly
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Lunch
Transportation to/from attractions
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Museum of Museums
massimodF2353JK,Nov 9, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Back to Rome specifically to visit the Vatican Museums. We booked by choosing the guide and “skip the line”. A unique emotion among marbles, sculptures, tapestries, paintings, frescoes and many treasures. The guide, Michelangelo wire too much, had wings at his feet and something was visited with too much haste. The Sistine Chapel, beautiful but in the overall and perhaps disappointing "mix".
Very informative and enjoyable tour
MindfulCylist69,Feb 7, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Having looked at the queue of people going into Vatican City, we were immediately relieved that we had booked a tour that was 'skip the line'. We were able to get in easily with no fuss, as opposed to others waiting for an hour or two (and this was the off season). We had good, fast access to every aspect of the tour which gave us great value for money. Dina was our guide for the morning. She was an exceptional guide and was a wealth of knowledge. She has been doing these tours for 20 years and so she not only knows what she is talking about, but seems to be well known by staff and other tour guides which helped with the smooth nature of the tour. Dina was flexible to the needs of our small group and was friendly and clearly enjoys her job. I would recommend City Lights Tours and would highly recommend Dina as a guide.
Awesome guide
waynekc2018,Oct 13, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alberto was an outstanding tour guide. He was extremely well informed, provided great advice on moving from place to place, and had excellent english language skills. He had a very relaxed demeanor. The tour itself was excellent. We had early access, and what a huge advantage.
Amazing - Book a Tour with Guido
Discover799582,Sep 17, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is amazing and I would highly recommend getting in early to beat the rush of people and get a closer look at many of most popular sights within the museums. We got lucky only had 3 people on our tour with Guido. Guido was fantastic and provided our small group with an incredible and unforgettable tour. He is very knowledgeable, took the time to describe various sculptures and art work and did not rush at all. His passion for the Vatican comes through in his descriptions and made the tour that much more interesting and fascinating. If you are able to request Guido, I would, or at least ask when his tours are and book it.
Fabulous small group great knowledgeable guide
Sandy M,Jun 1, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the early morning tour was three hours and our guide gave great clear instructions, the small group was really nice and manageable, Eddy was so knowledgeable and we learnt so much about the different galleries, sculptures, paintings and artists. Recommend this company
Mathieu beatrice
Mathieu L,Dec 10, 2017
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Very good visit,cristina is a superb guide very interesting and passionate about what she tells us during the museum visit ,c was exciting and very informative without being boring perfect
Spectacular! So much history and...
fabbey,Nov 12, 2017
- Review from Viator
5.00Spectacular! So much history and beauty. Our tour guide was great! Did not have to wait in long lines and was able to move through Vatican City easily.
My only negative was our guide Guido...
Gerald J,Oct 27, 2017
- Review from Viator
4.00My only negative was our guide Guido was a bit grouchy at the end but he had to search for three of our group a couple of times? So maybe that was it?
The whole tour was very well...
susan p,Sep 28, 2017
- Review from Viator
4.00The whole tour was very well organised.
Lorenzo, our guide, was a charming and an extremely knowledgeable young man. Our small group all appreciated his expertise.
Even though we arrived early it was still very busy but speaking from previous experience, this particular tour did make our visit far more
enjoyable. Would recommend.Guide was very knowledgeable in the...
vherington,Sep 10, 2017
- Review from Viator
4.00Guide was very knowledgeable in the history of Rome, the Vatican, art and linguistics. Highly recommended.
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Operated by City Lights Tours