Make the most of your valuable vacation time by skipping the line at the Vatican Museums. You’ll potentially save hours waiting by booking a group tour, and get engaging commentary from your guide as you explore. Admission is included to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica; follow your guide on a carefully-crafted itinerary to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
For health safety, although not mandatory, the use of face masks is strongly recommended by the Vatican Authorities in closed spaces.
As a result of the pandemic there could be longer-than usual wait times, we ask for your patience and understanding.
The dress code in the Vatican: You can wear any dress you prefer (shorts, skirts, t-shirts, short sleeves) but it is important that shoulders and knees are covered (at least that it arrives to to the knees) when you enter in St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. If you choose a dress that doesn’t cover knees or shoulder, there is an easy solution just bring a scarf, jacket, an extra t-shirt, or an extra pair of shorts.
Via Plauto 17 A (Google Map), in Borgo Pio very close to the Vatican.
8.25 AM in the morning for check-in, the tour will start at 8.45 AM!
See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece.
This budget-friendly tour is the best value for money for travellers that are interested in 1) seeing the museum’s highlights 2) meeting a new friend or two through your group and 3) skipping the lines (trust us, with over 6 million tourist spilling into the museum every year, you’ll want it!)
Disclaimer: you will be entering the Vatican museum during one of the busiest times of the day. While the tour provides skip-the-line access, the crowds in the museum vary from day to day and some delay with security can be expected (it would be misleading for other tour operators to not tell you this!)
Meet your tour guide at our office, located in the oldest neighbourhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following a self introduction by your guide, you will walk through the charming shops of the Borgo, as he/she shares some local tips for eating and site seeing in Rome, including some sites off-the-beaten-track that you must visit during your holiday!
Some background will also be provided on the history of the Sistine Chapel (we do it here as the chapel forbids noise and travellers are expected to observe silence once entering).
Admire the flags and surrounding embassies as you walk through this street, which serve as the primary access point to St. Peter’s Square, and by extension, to the Vatican City itself.
We arrive at St. Peter’s Square, which is marked by a towering Egyptian obelisk and enveloped by columns and statues of saints. Hear about the history of the square and the legendary artist Bernini who designed it.
Fun fact- the Pope addresses crowds from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, during the Papal audience held every Wednesday and Sunday morning.
En route to the museum, you will get to see and hear about how residents of the smallest city in the word go about their day to day life (including getting their mail!) Snap a pic of the Swiss guards- the pontifical bodyguards in their distinctly Renaissance uniforms.
Our Tip: send yourself a post card after the tour. The post office sells a variety of memorabilia, including stamps with Pope Francis’s face!
Then, slowly head towards the museum’s entrance, where you will be led to a special area reserved for skip-the-line groups.
Be prepared to hear about stories as your guide walk you through an outstanding collection of Roman and Greek statues, the gallery of tapestries, and a gallery of maps depicting 16th century Italy.
Admire Michelangelo’s famous works, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement. This spectacular fresco vividly portrays God’s creation of the world and man in the biblical era. For many people, it evokes creativity and imagination about the story of mankind.
Note that the museum requires visitors to observe silence and a dress code (knees and shoulders covered).
You will be brought in front of St. Peter’s Church, where a special entrance will allow you to enter directly from the museum and bypass the long queue out in the square.
Got questions? Ask your guide before parting ways!