Private Vatican Tour, with St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel

Sacred sites of Rome: spirituality and artistic magnificence

Description

Carefully crafted to provide you with an unforgettable experience, our signature Private Vatican Tour includes priority entrance tickets. Treat yourself, and your friends or family: enter one of the world’s most glorious museums and admire Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel frescoes!

Founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century, and enhanced and magnified by his successors,  the Vatican Museums house one of the most mesmerizing collections of all times. Comprising an impressively extensive array of diverse works of art and historical mementos, which range from Etruscan bronzes to sculptures of various periods and astounding paintings and frescoes, the Museums are located within the premises of the Palazzo Apostolico Vaticano.

Follow your guide down the opulently decorated corridors and catch glimpses of eternity: spirituality and holiness here are as pervasive as the inspiring artwork. Admire the main highlights among which the suite of rooms boasting Raphael’s frescoes, sculpture collections and tapestry and maps galleries.

Then walk on and get ready to catch your breath. The Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) boasts two of the world’s most supefying masterpieces: Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes and his Last Judgement (Giudizio Universale))...on a peak vacation season day you could be there with up to 2000 people…

Follow your guide’s lead and admire Michelangelo's ceiling fresco which depicts the Book of Genesis’ stories. Gaze at the artist’s masterly brushstrokes in the different panels: Noah’s Drunkenness of Noah, The Flood, Sacrifice of Noah, Original Sin, Banishment from the Garden of Eden, Creation of Eve and Creation of Adam, one of the most renowned artistic images of all time, which portrays God pointing his finger at Adam (and hence giving him life)  Walk over to the west wall and admire the Florentine painter’s amazing Last Judgment fresco, as your guide illustrates its main characteristics.

Crown your cultural experience uncovering the magnificence of yet another haven of spirituality: St Peter’s Basilica. Admire the mosaics and Michelangelo’s and Bernini’s sculptural marvels.
Led by a dedicated private guide, you will be sure to enjoy the finest and most exclusive of all private Vatican tours.

 

PLEASE NOTE: in order to purchase the Vatican tickets, we kindly need to receive in advance the names of all participants (accordingly to the ID card).

Inclusions

• Private guided tour
• Priority access tickets to the Vatican Museums

 

Meeting Point

VATICAN MUSEUMS, entrance viale Vaticano, meet our tour leader in front of the statue of Raphael and Michelangelo - SEE ON MAP

Notes

Please note that at the end of the Vatican Museums tour, the guide will provide a detailed explanation of St. Peter's Basilica. Following this, you will have the opportunity to explore the Basilica on your own. The guide will not accompany you inside the Basilica, allowing you to spend additional time there at your own pace.
Please note that the itinerary inside the Vatican Museums may vary, depending on restrictions decided by the museum board. Due to exceptional religious events, St. Peter's Basilica might be closed without any notice.
Entry to the Vatican Museums is based on strictly timed tickets. For this reason, late arrivals cannot be guaranteed access.
All visitors must have a photo ID for the security check.
The Vatican Museums imposes a mandatory dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered, otherwise you will not be able to enter.
St. Peter's Basilica won't be available for visits on Wednesday, the tour will include Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel only.

Important Notice: Jubilee Year 2025
As 2025 is the Jubilee Year, a period of major religious celebrations and events, tour schedules may be subject to changes beyond our control due to decisions by the Holy See and Jubilee initiatives. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding regarding any adjustments that may arise.

Rain Policy

This tour runs rain or shine.