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Rating Star

5 (99)

Location Icon Rome

Vatican Private Tour: Skip-the-Line Museums & Sistine Chapel

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Overview

Highlights

Sentiment Analysis

Overview

Quotes Logo Private Vatican Tour: Museums, Sistine Chapel, & St. Peter's offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of Vatican City. This is a private walking tour designed to give visitors a more intimate and in-depth exploration of the Vatican's most treasured sites.

Visitors will get to skip the long lines and go straight into the Vatican Museums, home to world-famous art like Raphael’s Transfiguration and Da Vinci's St. Jerome. The tour guide will lead the way through halls filled with history, including the amazing Belgian Tapestries and the cool Papal Carriages.

One of the best parts is getting to see the Sistine Chapel, where visitors can look up at Michelangelo's famous paintings. After that, there's a special shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica, which most tours don't get to use. On the way, there's a chance to walk down the Scala Regia, see the Pope's office, and maybe even spot the Swiss Guards. This tour lasts for a half-day and offers a unique and memorable way to experience the Vatican's art and history. Quotes Logo

Highlights

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Skip the Long Lines: Go right into the Vatican Museums without waiting in the crowded entrance lines.

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See Famous Art: Admire masterpieces by Raphael and Da Vinci in the Vatican Museums.

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Visit the Sistine Chapel: Stand in awe of Michelangelo's breathtaking paintings.

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Exclusive Access: Use a special passage to get to St. Peter's Basilica, a route most tours don't offer.

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Expert Guide: A private guide shares interesting facts and stories about the Vatican's history and art.

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Small Group Experience: Enjoy a more personal tour with just your group.

Sentiment Analysis

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Overall, customers really enjoy this private Vatican tour. They love the guides and being able to skip the lines. Seeing the famous art and churches is a highlight for most people. Quotes Logo

  • Positive Highlight Icon Customers say the tour guides are very knowledgeable and friendly.

    Positive Highlight Icon Visitors really liked skipping the long lines and getting into the Vatican quickly.

    Positive Highlight Icon Many reviewers mention how amazing it is to see the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.

    Positive Highlight Icon The private tour lets people take their time and ask questions.

  • Negative Highlight Icon Some people thought the meeting point was a little hard to find.

    Negative Highlight Icon A few visitors wished they had more time in certain areas.

The Journey

1

Vatican Museums

Step into the Vatican Museums, a treasure trove of art spanning millennia. This is one of the world’s largest collections of art, with over 9 miles of art that could wrap around the Vatican walls multiple times! Explore 54 distinct museums, encompassing 1,400 rooms, chapels, and galleries, each filled with priceless artifacts and artworks. Marvel at the only Leonardo Da Vinci work in Rome, St. Jerome, admire the splendor of the Raphael Rooms, and trace papal history through the Pinoteca's meticulously arranged collections dating back to the Middle Ages. This vast complex offers an unparalleled immersion into human creativity and the rich history of the Catholic Church.

2

Sistine Chapel

Behold Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, an artistic marvel that attracts over 5 million visitors annually. Despite Michelangelo's initial reluctance due to his preference for sculpture, he created some of the most iconic frescoes in history here. Inspired by the dimensions of Solomon's Temple, this chapel displays scenes from Genesis to the Last Judgment, capturing the drama of human existence. Don't miss the other frescoes by masters like Domenico Ghirlandaio, Pietro Perugino, Cosimo Roselli, and Sandro Botticelli, each contributing to the chapel's artistic richness.

3

St. Peter's Basilica

Enter St. Peter's Basilica, the largest basilica in the world, through a secret entry. Stand in awe of Michelangelo's Pietà, a poignant sculpture of the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus. Marvel at the dazzling array of 150 mosaics illuminating the basilica's interior, and gaze upwards at Bernini's Baldachin, a monumental bronze canopy standing 96 feet tall and weighing 100,000 pounds. Discover the surprisingly sole painting hanging above the Pietà, and contemplate the countless popes buried within its walls and beneath its foundations, including St. Peter himself. The Basilica is a testament to both faith and artistic ambition.

Know Before You Go

This tour includes earphones for groups of 6 or more. It does not include private transportation or bottled water. Please note that the tour will be conducted in English, unless you request a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking guide when booking.

Hot Tip

Many people recommend wearing comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking. It's also a good idea to arrive a bit early to the meeting point to make sure you find it without any stress. Also, be sure to dress appropriately when visiting religious sites and be aware that shoulders and knees may need to be covered.

From €280 Price

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As a Viator affiliate partner, we may earn a commission on purchases made through our platform.