M
Our tour guide was...
Our tour guide was extremely informative and knowledgeable on all things around the Vatican. We did a small group tour so it felt more private and we were able to do and see more things up close!
Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group
+21 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3h 15min
- Price from
- $216 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 4,165 reviews
- Languages
- PT, EN, IT, FR
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- 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, just across the street from the Museum entrance. Your guide will be holding a LIvTours sign. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.
Description
Enjoy a semi-private Vatican tour with a maximum of six guests. With your expert guide and skip-the-line tickets, explore the Vatican Museums, experience the wonders of the Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard and the Belvedere Torso. Admire Constantine’s coffins and unique sculptures while learning about Church history, the Popes, and the artworks. After this, it’s time to head over to see one of the stars of the tour – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Admire the 8,000 square feet of this masterpiece standing in its center surrounded by paintings. After the Chapel and all its glory, your tour guide will take you towards your final stop, St. Peter’s Basilica* where you will enjoy exclusive access to the most immense and ornate Catholic church in the world. Visit one of the most stunning pieces of art in the basilica, Michelangelo’s statue of the Pietà, depicting the Virgin Mary holding her dying child in her arms.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 15
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $216
- Child (ages 3–17)
- $148
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $594.
Larger groups pay less per person.
In demand: 54 of the next 124 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Vatican Museums
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 a small-group tour of maximum of 6 people, or in your very own private tour, easily manoeuvre through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace. After a view of the terrace over the Vatican gardens, make your way across the beautiful early Renaissance courtyard to admire Hadrian's Pinecone, and then to the modern art piece of Arnaldo Pomodoro. You will then head to the magnificent Octagonal Courtyard which is one of the most remarkable collections of Roman and Greek artefacts. Admire the famous Belvedere Torso, learn about the mystery of the Laocoön Priest of Troy, and visit the Muses Room. Walk through the beautiful galleries to admire an abundance of candelabra, tapestries, and maps. Then head to the Julius II apartments and see the grandeur and the magnificent details of the Raphael Rooms.
Cortile della Pigna
Experience the wonders of the Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard and the Belvedere Torso
Stanze di Raffaello
Admire the the famous frescoes, painted by Raphael and his workshop. Please note that the visit to the Raphael Rooms may not always be feasible.
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 as you admire this 8,000 square foot wonder. 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
Your comprehensive Vatican tour concludes with VIP entrance directly into St. Peter’s Basilica without standing in the long lines. Walking through the Basilica, you will learn all about the secrets of the magnificent and ornate decorations, sculptures, altars and chapels. Visit Michelangelo’s Pieta and walk down the main nave to admire the dome he designed that sits on top of the largest Catholic church in the world.
What's included
Included
Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard
Private Option available!
Private Family Experience | Vatican Tour for Kids OPTION
St Peters square
The School of Athens painting
Raphael Rooms*
Tour in a Safe and Semi Private group of 6 people
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelos ceiling & Last Judgement
Berninis bronze alter canopy
Gallery of Tapestries
St Peters Basilica*
Professional, Local, Expert Guide
Belvedere Torso
Gallery of Maps
Reserved Vatican entrance tickets
The round room
Constantine coffins
Not included
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
4,165 reviews
How it compares in Rome
- No. 24 by number of reviews among 8,065 tours in Rome
- Starting price $216 is 29% below the typical $307 for tours of similar length in Rome
Excurgo comparison of 8,065 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- 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, your guide will provide a revised itinerary including more of the Vatican Museums. No compensation is granted in these circumstances.
- *Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed on most Wednesdays mornings due to the weekly Papal Audience. If you book this tour for a Wednesday the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended.
- 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 inside the Sistine Chapel.
- 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.
- Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. In order to ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour.
- 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 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 this tour take?
Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group lasts about 3h 15min. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $216 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $594. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 3–17 pay from $148, adults from $216. Infants go free.
Does this tour sell out?
It can: 54 of the next 124 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel this tour 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, just across the street from the Museum entrance. Your guide will be holding a LIvTours sign. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN, IT, FR, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. In order to ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour. Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(4,165)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
K
Outstanding Tour!
This is such a well-run tour, so easy to do the meet up and a very professional tour with a real can-do approach. Book well in advance to ensure you get to do it when you want to and allow time to find the meeting location and be ready to really enjoy the experience!
Operator response
Thank you for such a fantastic review, Kellie! We’re delighted to hear that everything from the meeting point to the tour itself felt smooth and well organized. We also appreciate your helpful tip about allowing a little extra time to arrive and getting familiar with the meeting location—a relaxed start makes it much easier to enjoy everything the Vatican has to offer. Thank you for choosing LivTours and for sharing your experience!
B
Giuseppe was very...
Giuseppe was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful throughout the 3 hour long tour. We really enjoyed our time with him.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience! 🏛️ We’re so glad to hear that Giuseppe made your three-hour Vatican visit such an enjoyable one. His knowledge and friendly, helpful approach clearly made a wonderful impression and helped you get the most from your time exploring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. We’re delighted you enjoyed your time with him and truly appreciate you choosing LivTours for your visit to the Vatican!
R
Vatican with Vita Just Do It !!
The crowds are a force to deal with, know your meeting point ahead of time, and this was a 3hr. endurance test. If prepared very rewarding. Our guide was pleasant and just a master of facts, Vita was a student of history and a delight.
M
Great tour in Rome
My wife and I had a great time on the tour. Donota was an amazing guide - friendly, funny, entertaining, and importantly, knowledgeable. We learned so much. We will definitely use Liv Tours again!
C
Rome
Ilaria, our guide was very knowledgeable and personable! She walked us through the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with ease among the crowds!
S
Great Vatican tour with Leonardo
Leonardo was a great guide and extremely knowledgeable about the history. A fun, enjoyable tour.
B
Excellent
Excellent tour. Fantastic guide
A
Need the radios throughout the tour!
Definitely need to have the radios w earphones throughout the tour. The guides voice was not loud enough to hear the information. We did have the radios in the Basilica. It was so much better.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, Lynne! We’re glad to hear that the radios in St. Peter’s Basilica made such a positive difference to your experience. For the Vatican Museums, the audio equipment is managed by the Vatican, and we are required to use the headsets provided by the venue. Based on ongoing guest feedback about their quality, we have chosen not to use them throughout the Museums for our small groups, as being close together allows guests to hear the guide more naturally. We truly appreciate your suggestion and are always looking for ways to make our tours more comfortable and enjoyable. We hope to welcome you again in Rome!
M
Excellent tour and guide was amazing
The tour was excellent and Caterina was brilliant. She was so intelligent about the museums and St Peter’s and genuinely interested in her guests and helping them get the most out of the experience. I explored the museums by myself the day before but Caterina made the same experience infinitely better. Thank you.
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| Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group | 3h 15min | 4.9 (4,165) | $216 | |
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from$216
4.9(4,165) Free cancellation