Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
See the bucket-list Vatican attractions with start times throughout the day
Want to join a skip-the-line Vatican tour but can't find a start time that works for you? This is one of our most popular Vatican tours since it has several start times throughout the day at a great price! Find the time that suits you and skip the line with a small group and a passionate tour guide who will wow you with hidden stories and knowledge at every turn! This tour covers all the must-see attractions such as the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Raphael Rooms.
Tour Details
- Skip the line Vatican tickets
- View of St. Peters
- Pinecone Courtyard
- Pio-Clementino
- Laocoön and His Sons
- Nero’s Bath
- Gallery of Candelabra
- Galley of Tapestries
- Gallery of Maps
- Raphael Rooms
- Borgia Apartments
- Sistine chapel
- St Peter’s Basilica On Your Own
- La Pietá
- Baldacchino By Bernini
Visit the highlights of the Vatican (and some hidden gems) with a friendly art history expert. With multiple start times, skip the regular entrance line* and take this tour as an afternoon or morning Vatican tour. Like all our Rome tours, this experience is led by a friendly, English-speaking guide. This 3-hour tour will include:
A Memorable Experience
A local & Fun English-speaking Professional Guide
Skip the line Vatican tickets
Both morning and afternoon start times
A maximum Group Size of 20
* As of June 23rd, 2021, the Vatican has closed the "licensed guide entrance" to St Peter’s Basilica for all tour companies and tour guides. Therefore a guided visit to the Basilica won’t be possible due to the distance between sites. Not to worry! Your awesome guide give you a detailed introduction of the church and will explain how to visit on your own at the conclusion of the tour.. Hopefully, this changes very soon!
Highlights of the Vatican
Explore the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, and our personal favorite, the Gallery of the Maps. Based on painted topographical maps of Italy by Dominican Italian friar Ignazio Danti, the Gallery of Maps is both beautiful and informative. The painted frescoes reveal how Renaissance Italians saw themselves in terms of geography. Predating a unified Italy by nearly 300 years, the Gallery of Maps shows the length and breadth of the peninsula circa 1580. See if you can spot the sea monster on one of the maps.
Nero's Bath and Octagonal Courtyard
Visit the Pio-Clementino Museum, home to the Apollo Belvedere, Laocoön and His Sons, and the Belvedere Torso. Learn about the myths and legends associated with these iconic statues, before visiting a 25ft red marble bathtub. Believed to have belonged to Emperor Nero, the massive tub is made from a red marble so rare and precious there’s no way to recreate it again.
Raphael - The School of Athens
Raphael is the epitome of a Renaissance artist. In the period of European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages, a great period of revival in art, literature, and thought occurred. Raphael encompassed the ideals of a Renaissance man and frescoed multiple rooms inside of the Vatican Museums. Among other masterpieces, see one of Raphael’s most famous works of art, The School of Athens.
Borgia Apartments
Downstairs from the Raphael Rooms and once occupied by Borgia Pope Alexander VI, these private chambers were frescoed by early Renaissance artist Pinturicchio. A co-pupil of Raphael’s under master Perugino, Pinturicchio had a penchant for embedding fake jewels and other three-dimensional objects like metal saddle studs in his frescoes. The Borgia Apartments also contain another hidden gem - the first European depiction of Native Americans.
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Tour
One of the top things to do in Vatican City is visiting the Sistine Chapel. Only when you are inside, is it clear why the Sistine Chapel is one of the most celebrated works of art in Western civilization. Michelangelo painted more than 600 figures in all, and the sheer magnitude of his endeavor is mind-blowing. Since the Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, speaking inside is not allowed. Your guide cannot explain the frescoes while you are inside - we provide you with a map/handout for reference before you enter.
Please note: In order to enter the Sistine Chapel, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to this portion of your Vatican tour. We understand the summers in Rome are hot - a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
302 total reviews
Leave a reviewExcellent tour and guide
Cathy Ammon
Highly recommend this tour and Cristina. Very knowledgeable and passionate
Amazing! Raffa Rocks!
Paula Grider
We had the best experience on this tour. In fact, this was the best tour we did on our Mediterranean adventure. Raffa was so knowledgeable, kept us together, knew all the answers to every question, friendly, funny, just a joy to be around. The Vatican was beyond words. The beauty overwhelming. To see this incredible art in person was a dream of a lifetime. SO happy that we used this service for our Vatican tour and so pleased with the tour guide we had.
Amazing Experience
Alina Rossi
We had an amazing experience touring the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with Raffa. She was extremely informative and knowledge about everything she showed us on the tour. She kept the group organized and presented the information in an easy-to-digest manner. She made sure to teach us things about Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine chapel before going in, so we could easily spot it once we were in there. She worked in time for everyone to take photos, which made it very convenient since we were all taking photos regardless. She will even offer to take them for you! This tour and our guide really enhanced the experience to a level we wouldn’t have gotten without the tour. Highly recommend!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
In front of Caffé Vaticano on Viale Vaticano, 100. This is across the street from the Vatican Museum Entrance. A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
What to bring?
The Vatican dress code dictates you cover your knees and shoulders. If you do not meet the dress code, you may be denied entry! No need to dress like the people living there, covering your knees and shoulders is sufficient. Wear comfortable shoes.
Is there a way to see the Vatican without a guided tour?
Of course. Click here for skip the line Vatican tickets.
I have some doubts about my mobility. What do you suggest?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, we strongly suggest you take a Vatican Private Tour.
Does the Vatican ever experience unexpected closures?
During State visits or special religious events, parts of the Vatican may be closed unexpectedly. If an area normally covered on a tour is closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas from outside. Plus, we will show you an extra site or gallery to compensate.
Will the Vatican Museums be crowded during this tour?
The Vatican is often slow in the late afternoon, but there is a chance the museums may be crowded while we are inside.
Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?
We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you may be refused entry to religious sites and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
What to bring?
The Vatican dress code dictates you cover your knees and shoulders. If you do not meet the dress code, you may be denied entry! No need to dress like the people living there, covering your knees and shoulders is sufficient. Wear comfortable shoes.
Where to meet?
In front of Caffé Vaticano on Viale Vaticano, 100. This is across the street from the Vatican Museum Entrance. A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.