Stop At: Vatican City, Vatican City
Gain exclusive access to the UNESCO-listed Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with this small-group tour of 20 people or less, experience the renowned sites in the best conditions with your expert guide.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, Vatican City 00120
Stroll through rooms like the Gallery of Maps, with its golden, vaulted ceiling and the stunning Sistine Chapel, considered to be the Pope’s home chapel, with Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement. On your early-access tour, you’ll find the galleries to be considerably quieter than they would be later in the day.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Cortile della Pigna, Cortile della Pigna, Vatican City
Nestled within the Vatican Museums, the Pineyard Courtyard is a tranquil oasis exuding timeless elegance. Adorned with lush greenery and surrounded by classic architecture, this courtyard features a striking bronze statue, the Pigna, designed by Donato Bramante. The atmosphere is serene, providing a peaceful respite for visitors. As you stroll through, the sound of rustling leaves accompanies the captivating sight of the Pinecone Courtyard, offering a moment of reflection amid the cultural richness of the Vatican Museums.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Sphere within a Sphere, Pine Cone Courtyard, Vatican Museums, Vatican City 00120
In the heart of the Vatican's Cortile della Pigna stands a notable bronze sculpture: Sfera con sfera (Sphere Within a Sphere) by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. This captivating artwork depicts two fractured orbs resembling intricate machine gears, symbolizing the intricate and fragile nature of the modern world. Pomodoro began creating similar sculptures in the early 1960s, exploring the theme of complexity.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Gallery Of The Maps, Viale Vaticano, Vatican City 00120
Discover the Vatican Museums' Gallery of Maps on your tour: an enchanting showcase of detailed cartography spanning centuries. Immerse yourself in history with vibrant maps, capturing the beauty of geography and artistry.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Sistine Chapel, Viale Vaticano, Vatican City 00165
Meet and greet your guide opposite the entrance to the Vatican Museums, a collection of galleries filled with classical and Renaissance masterpieces, including the Sistine Chapel frescoes.
Walk inside through a reserved door without any waiting. This access is even faster than the priority lines. Once inside, there are more than 2,000 rooms and nine miles of art, so follow along with your guide who will point out the highlights and explain the story behind each piece. The small-group nature of your tour allows you to remain close to your guide at all times, but a headset is included to make sure you can always hear the commentary clearly.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City 00120
At last, your guide will escort you into St. Peter’s Basilica, bypassing long lines of spectators, to provide an overview of this spectacular church. At the end of the tour, you can remain in St. Peter’s Basilica at your leisure, or you may return outside to St. Peter’s Square to admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion and the basilica’s heavenly façade.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: St. Peter's Square, Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City 00120
St. Peter's Square, an iconic masterpiece in Rome, embraces visitors with its grandeur. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the vast elliptical space is encircled by a majestic colonnade, symbolizing the Church's embrace. The central obelisk and fountains add splendor, while the stunning façade of St. Peter's Basilica stands as a beacon of architectural brilliance, inviting pilgrims and tourists alike to marvel at the heart of Vatican City. The most fantastic way to finish your Vatican tour experience!
Duration: 5 minutes
