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front view of the St Peter Basilica
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Guided tour of the Vatican
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Reserved Access

Semi-Private Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour

4.93
(1,723 Reviews)
2.5 h.
English
10
Mon to Sat
08:30, 10:30 & 11:00

  • Intimate and exclusive, our Semi-Private guided tour is perfect for those who want a more personal visit of the Vatican. With no more than 10 people per tour group our expert, English-speaking guide will tailor the experience to your unique interests.
  • Through our Reserved Entrance we guarantee safe and improved access to the Vatican Museums. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the Vatican with no crowds: a limited number of people are able to visit each day, which means you can feel secure in your visit.
  • Enjoy the Vatican highlights and marvellous masterpieces you’ve waited a lifetime to see with all the benefits of a private tour and none of the cost, including the Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and more.

Tour Description

What's Included

  • Reserved Entrance Access to the Vatican Museums
  • Groups no larger than 10 people
  • English speaking art historian guide
  • All tickets and reservation fees
  • Gratuities

Sites Visited

  • Vatican Museums
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Raphael Rooms
  • Gallery of Maps
  • Gallery of Tapestries

No One Gets You in Safer

We bring you straight through an exclusive Reserved Entrance to experience this incredible collection at a relaxing pace on our Semi-Private Vatican Tours. With groups of 10 or less, this is a great opportunity to visit the Vatican without the queues and crowds.

Updated security standards mean that you are in safe hands. Guides and guests will be required to wear masks as well as adhering to social distancing where possible. This means you can visit the Vatican safe in the knowledge that this carefully planned tour will keep you protected.

There has never been a better time to visit the Vatican. This tour is completely relaxed, and you will have a one in a lifetime opportunity to see this incredible site as there is only a limited number of people allowed inside. Reduced and limited access means you can admire the artwork and architecture in peace and complete safety. There will be almost nobody around, and it really is an amazing - almost unimaginable - way to experience this incredible place.

No One Gives You More Access

Inside, your guide will ensure you don’t miss a thing. There are over 2000 rooms across the Vatican, but with your expert, English-speaking guide you’ll follow a carefully planned route that shows you the best of what there is to see. You will enter the Pinecone Courtyard, where you will get an idea of the treasures ahead. Between ancient Egyptian statues and abstract modern sculptures, your guide will give your intimate group an outline of what to look out for in the Sistine Chapel as there is no commentary allowed inside. This will give you time to prepare for the fascinating details which will be on display when you enter.

Before you reach the Chapel, however, you will have plenty of time to explore other lesser known sites such as the Gallery of Tapestries, Hall of Maps, and the Gallery of Candelabra before stopping to bask in the Raphael Rooms with their light-filled frescoes.  All through these sections, your guide will be with your group pointing out the many fascinating details such as optical illusions and tiny paintings of Christopher Columbus. Your guide will also be with you in the Sistine Chapel, but we observe the respectful quiet asked for and give people time to reflect on the fascinating details such as Michelangelo’s portrayal of his contemporaries to his own hidden self-portraits.

In just 2.5 hours, we’ll show you the highlights of the Vatican Museums and its incredible buildings on this intimate and exciting tour. It is a great opportunity to see the Vatican in a small group, for your safety and enjoyment; you’ll see the most important sites of the Vatican City and come away feeling fulfilled.

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Thousands of 5-Star Reviews

4.93
1,723 Reviews
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1603
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119
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1
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  • Know Before You Go

    Meeting Point

    Near Museum Entrance - Open in Google Maps

    FAQs

    • I am taking a Vatican Tour that includes Saint Peter’s Basilica, will we go up the dome?

      It is possible to climb the Dome on your own if you wish, however you will need to purchase a ticket directly on site.  Our tours do not include a visit to the Dome. Please note that if you intend to climb the Dome after your tour ends, you should make sure to book a morning tour (not on a Wednesday) as the Dome access is already closed in the afternoon before our afternoon tours reach Saint Peter’s Basilica, and the Basilica is often closed on Wednesday mornings.

    • Is photography permitted during the tour?

      Throughout most of the Museums and in St. Peter's Basilica it is possible to take photographs. However, photography is strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel.

    • Are the Vatican Group tours accessible for people with a disability?

      Please note that the Vatican Museums offers free tickets for people with disabilities exceeding 74%. Show the required documentation (certification of invalidity) to our City Wonders staff at Meeting Point to avail of this. After the tour you can contact our CW Customer Care in order to get the reimbursement of Vatican ticket cost. However, due to some itinerary restrictions, we are unable to accommodate wheelchair users or customers with restricted mobility on our Vatican Group Tours.

      We welcome wheelchair users on our Private Vatican tours. Wheelchair users are required to use a different route through the Vatican Museums. Our Private Vatican Tours fully accommodate wheelchair users and persons of reduced mobility. Your guide will bring you through the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, but not the Basilica. 

      *Important note: Neither option detailed above includes the special skip-the-line access to Saint Peter's Basilica as it is not wheelchair accessible. If you wish to visit Saint Peter's Basilica after your tour, you will need to exit the Vatican Museums, go to Saint Peter's Square and queue to enter. Entry to the Basilica is free. 

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From
US$83.92
per adult
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  • 24 Hour Cancellation Policy

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