Vatican VIP: Skip-the-Line Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Tour
A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. 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 travelers 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!)
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
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Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
730dianes, 10/19/2025 10:30:52 PM
I took this tour a few years ago but it doesn’t compare to the excellent job Giovanni did this time. As an educator myself I can say with confidence that Giovanni was not just giving a tour but instead he took the time to teach us. What an experience!
Dominic_H, 10/19/2025 5:54:02 PM
This experience is not one to miss when visiting Rome. The skip-the-line tour was a perfect way to see so much and get the best access possible. We started walking through the Vatican museums and see the incredible artwork, sculptures, and artifacts that have been collected through time. Getting the opportunity to step into the Sistine Chapel is not one we will soon forget! Ending in St. Peter’s Basilica was another incredible moment. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and energetic and was always providing answers to any questions. We would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone trying to maximize their visit to Vatican City.
Monica_R, 10/19/2025 2:20:31 PM
This is a well organised and informative tour especially if you have Lucia as your guide. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history . She negotiated us through the crowds and made sure our earpieces were continually working so we could hear her through the whole tour . This trip is a must and I would highly recommend it .If you do not pre book this tour in advance you will be left queuing for many hours outside.
Gina_C, 10/19/2025 12:32:09 PM
Wonderful tour. Our guide was experienced, had a dry sense of humour and really knew his history. I appreciated how much he respected the artefacts we were viewing.
Sarah E, 10/19/2025 12:14:15 PM
Excellent tour, informative and detailed - no waiting around at all. Started going round the Vatican City, followed by the Museums, then the highlight of the Sistine chapel which was sublime!! Very special. Finished at St Peter’s Basillica which was huge and very ornate. Our tour guide Andrea F was so knowledgeable and friendly and looked after us so well. I would highly recommend this tour - it’s the best way to see it - trust me !
DayTrip293063, 10/19/2025 10:29:33 AM
Fantastic tour of Rome, the best guide you could wish to have. His amazing knowledge of the city and its history, brought it alive with his stories rom ancient times, enriched our whole experience.
Jennifer_D, 10/19/2025 8:18:55 AM
We had the most special time touring the Vatican with Lucia. She is a great speaker and so knowledgeable and made the whole experience fun. I normally don’t like how guided tours “force” you to stand and listen so usually don’t book them, but let me tell you, this tour was perfect and is much needed for the Vatican. That is because there is so much to see and learn and it is a busy spot. The privileges this tour gave us made the experience fly by with ease. Thanks so much Lucia for an amazing tour!
David_B, 10/19/2025 7:37:56 AM
Tour guide, Paula, was good. Nearly impossible to navigate through any of the places, but likely due to timing of the jubilee.
Jennifer_S, 10/19/2025 1:50:47 AM
We waited to get called to our tour which took a lot of time then we walked 30 min from there which we learned nothing on the first hour as the tour instructor doesn’t get a microphone until at least an hour or more after the “tour” starts. We were never taken to the last tour stop which was very disappointing. Also we are American and although the tour guide spoke English her accent was so strong and the quality of the ear piece was not that good, we really didn’t hear anything she was saying.
Samuel_T, 10/19/2025 12:38:42 AM
Scheduling and confirming the tour is quick and easy. A confirmation message is sent to you with all of the pertinent details and good to know information along with the tickets you’ll need to participate. Alex D. was a remarkably knowledgeable, passionate and energetic tour guide. She made the tour outstanding from the beginning to the end.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Unforeseen events= The Vatican is its own country and therefore the Pope can decide also last minute to close St. Peter’s Basilica for ad hoc events. It is a very rare event during the year but it is possibile and we will do our best to inform you. If it is too late to inform you, our guide will extend the tour in the Vatican. Not to worry that the incredibile collection of Vatican Museums and the masterpiece of Michelagelo in the Sistine Chapel will still be included.
- Most of our tours include the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. However, there are two specific options with different inclusions. You will find below:
- Museums & SISTINE CHAPEL Tour – Includes the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel but does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
- ST.PETER'S BASILICA TOUR – Includes St. Peter’s Basilica but does NOT include the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Departure point
The meeting point is located in Borgo Pio, near St. Peter's square. The exact address is Via Plauto 17/A. IMPORTANT: Please check your booking for the start time of the Vatican ENGLISH tour. Arrive 20 minutes before at the meeting point ( Via Plauto 17A ) for check-in. Thank you !Redemption
IMPORTANT: Please check your booking for the start time of the Vatican ENGLISH tour. Arrive 20 minutes before at the meeting point ( Via Plauto 17A ) for check-in. Thank you !!!24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund