Skip the Line: Small Group Vatican Tour with Basilica Access

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Rome, Italy
The Hall of Maps
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2 hours 30 minutes (Approx.)
Mobile Ticket
Instant Confirmation

Overview

This 2.5 hour Vatican Tour is led by an expert guide who will share stories you won't hear anywhere else! Visit the highlights of the Vatican Museums in small, exclusive groups limited to 10 people or less.  Skip-the-Line no-wait access is included and is the fastest possible way to enter the Museums. For a special experience, choose the first access of the day at 8:00AM. All tours included Skip the Line access to St. Peter's Basilica (except Wednesdays, special events).

What's Included

  • Skip the Line access to the Vatican Museums
  • Vatican Insider Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation

Meeting Location

Start Times

What To Expect

Vatican Museums

A typical itinerary inside the Vatican Museums includes the Pavilion of the Carriages, home to everything from centuries old horse-drawn carriages to vintage and modern cars really used by Popes past and present. You'll visit the Pinecone Courtyard, the Hall of the Maps (the "Oval Office" of the Pope centuries ago), the Gallery of the Tapestries, the Pinacoteca, Belvedere Courtyard, Room of the Muses, the Round Room and Candelabra Gallery.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cortile della Pigna

This courtyard gets its name from the enormous bronze Pinecone sculpture that dominates it.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sphere within a Sphere (Pass By)

The Vatican Museums contains some modern art as well, including this famous sculpture: Sphere within a Sphere. Variations of this sculpture can be found in many settings around the world.
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Museo Pio Clementino

The most famous wing of the Vatican Museums, the Pio Clementino museum contains much of the Museum's most important highlights. Your guide will take you through the Room of the Animals, where you can spot the life-like statues of fauna from around the world. Head to the Octagonal Courtyard where a small fountain trickles in the background of famous statues like the Laocoonte and Apollo Belvedere. Don't forget to look at the Candelabra Gallery -- master painters decorated these ceilings to create the illusion of a 3D effect centuries ago!
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Gallery Of The Maps

Head with your guide to the Gallery of the Maps -- and get a perspective of the world how it was five centuries ago. These exquisitely detailed, hand-painted giant maps are a favorite of the Vatican Museums. See if you can find the Italian cities you have visited, or spot the nod to Christopher Columbus' journey to the Americas.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Stanze di Raffaello

Raphael painted these rooms with incredible frescoes, originally meant for the private rooms of Pope Julius II.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sistine Chapel

No guides are able to speak inside the Sistine Chapel. However, your guide will prepare you in advance for your free time inside so you'll know what to look for.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Museos Vaticanos (Pass By)

Your visit ends close to where it began, after the spiral staircase at the entrance to the Vatican Museums.
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Vatican City (Pass By)

Visit to Vatican Museums - Vatican City
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St. Peter's Square

When available, access is provided to St Peter's Basilica, skipping the lines. A tour is not provided inside the Basilica, only access. Your visit will end at the steps of St. Peter's Square with an introduction made by your guide after which you will be on your own to continue exploring.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica (Pass By)

When available, access is provided to St Peter's Basilica, skipping the lines. A tour is not provided inside the Basilica, only access. Your visit will end at the steps of St. Peter's Square with an introduction made by your guide after which you will be on your own to continue exploring.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
  • Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
  • Skip the Line Access (no guided tour) to St. Peter's Basilica is included when available, except Wednesdays and special events.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the activity for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-6700P12

Reviews

4.92
511 reviews

Average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 511 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
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4 stars
28
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0

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