Rome travel guide: tickets, best time & real costs
Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel
+6 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3h 15min
- Price from
- $286 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 1,720 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- LivTours
- Meeting point
- In front of Caffé Vaticano, on viale Vaticano 100, just across the street from the Museum entrance. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign.Remember to bring your ID to access the Museums
Description
Explore the Vatican Museums with a private guide, skipping long lines for an in-depth, engaging experience. Discover Greek and Roman statues, including Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, while learning their fascinating histories. Wander through the lavish halls, uncovering stories of the Popes and artists. Marvel at the Sistine Chapel’s breathtaking frescoes, a masterpiece of Michelangelo’s genius. Your journey continues to St. Peter’s Basilica*, where you’ll admire its grandeur, including Michelangelo’s Pietà. With exclusive access and expert storytelling, this tour offers an unforgettable Vatican experience.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 9 times a day, 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $286
- Child (ages 3–17)
- $204
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 2:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:13 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 161 of the next 234 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Vatican Museums
With your private expert guide, discover some of the most famous paintings and sculptures from western civilization and listen to amusing anecdotes about the former popes and artists represented in the museums. With your very own private tour group, easily maneuver through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace. You can admire views of the terrace over the gardens, make your way through the Renaissance and Octagonal courtyards, and enjoy the impressive Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms. You'll also see impressive sculptures of important figures of Greek Mythology such as Aphrodite, among other Nymphs and Graces. You'll even see the the pope's toilet!
Sistine Chapel
Next, learn of Michelangelo's masterpiece from your guide before you enter through a tiny door to admire the majestic Sistine Chapel. Take in its grandeur in contemplative silence. From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.
St. Peter's Basilica
The tour will end with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica where you will access the church directly through a VIP passage to skip the long line. Enjoy the awe-inspiring visit and be amazed at the size of the beautifully adorned Basilica.
What's included
Included
Octagonal Courtyard
Raphael Rooms*
Sistine Chapel
Greek Cross Room
Saint Peter's Basilica*
Gallery of Candelabra
Gallery of Tapestries
Muses Room
Skip-the-line to the Vatican Museums
Gallery of Maps
Pinecone Courtyard
Borgia Apartments
Round Room
Private, Local, Expert guide
Not included
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
1,720 reviews
How it compares in Rome
- Rated higher than 77% of 2,301 reviewed tours in Rome
- Starting price $286 is close to the typical $300 for tours of similar length in Rome
Excurgo comparison of 8,082 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- *St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended. On Wednesday mornings the Holy Father is having his weekly audience in Saint Peter’s Square and due to security, Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed. If you book an early morning tour on a Wednesday, we can therefore not guarantee access to the Basilica.
- Important Notice Jubilee Year 2025: As part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, from December 24th, 2024 to January 6th, 2026, St. Peter’s Basilica may experience unexpected partial or complete closures. In the rare event that the Basilica cannot be visited, rest assured that your tour experience will remain exceptional. Your guide will seamlessly adapt the itinerary to include alternative highlights, ensuring the full duration and quality of your tour. Please note that, in accordance with our Terms & Conditions agreed upon at the time of booking, partial or full refunds cannot be issued due to Basilica closures.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- There is no photography allowed in some or all areas of this tour.
- Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during your visit inside is strictly forbidden, therefore your guide will give you an explanation of the Sistine Chapel beforehand during your tour, in order to give you a comprehensive explanation before entering the chapel.
- Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English. Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
- IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
- *Access to the Raphael Rooms is contingent upon crowd conditions, timing constraints, and guard-regulated routes. Including them may not always be feasible. In these cases, your tour guide will exercise discretion to adjust the itinerary, ensuring a high-quality experience
- Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility issues
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel take?
Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel lasts about 3h 15min. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel cost?
Prices start at $286 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with 9 departures a day between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM.
How much does Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel cost for children?
Children aged 3–17 pay from $204, adults from $286. Infants go free.
Does Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel sell out?
It can: 161 of the next 234 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is In front of Caffé Vaticano, on viale Vaticano 100, just across the street from the Museum entrance. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign. Remember to bring your ID to access the Museums. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility issues
Reviews(1,720)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Compare similar tours in Rome
- Lowest price: Semi-Private Vatican Museums Highlights and Sistine Chapel Tour — $49
- Best rated: Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel — 5.0 (1,720 reviews)
- Shortest: Private Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Basilica Guided Tour — 2h 30min
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel | 3h 15min | 5.0 (1,720) | $286 | |
 Private Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Basilica Guided Tour | 2h 30min | 4.8 (329) | $371 | View |
 Semi-Private Vatican Museums Highlights and Sistine Chapel Tour | 3 hours | 4.5 (629) | $49 | View |
 Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group | 3 hours | 4.9 (8,395) | $113 | View |
 Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour | 3 hours | 4.5 (41,889) | $79 | View |
 Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Basilica Guided Tour | 2h 30min | 4.6 (4,340) | $86 | View |
 Rome in a Day Tour Including Vatican Sistine Chapel Colosseum and All Highlights | 6 hours | 5.0 (77) | $628 | View |
from$286
5.0(1,720) Free cancellation