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Join a passionate art historian guide to cruise past the long ticket lines and straight into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on this guided tour in Rome.

Highlights

• Quick access and a shorter tour leaves time for more sightseeing around Rome
• Get up close and personal with Michelangelo’s remarkable frescoes in the Sistine
• Skip-the-line access to both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica

Description

Meet your expert guide by the Vatican Museum entrance and enjoy skip-the-line entry to what is arguably the most important collection of art in the world. Your guide knows every nook and cranny of the museums and will navigate seamlessly through the more than 1,200 galleries. Emphasis will be placed on the Rooms of Raphael, the Ancient Roman and Greek pieces in the Belvedere Courtyard, and the Gallery of Maps, ensuring you stay on track with an eye on the ultimate prize: the Sistine Chapel. As you stroll through the former papal residences, your guide will point out major works of art dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome and explain the role these ancient pieces played in inspiring the future artistic genius of Renaissance Italy. Much of this tour will be dedicated to the majestic Sistine Chapel, from its commissioning to the finishing touches applied by none other than Michaelangelo Buonarroti. You will hear the true life story of this fascinating yet tormented artist, who considered himself a sculptor and not a painter yet dedicated countless years of his life painting frescoes on a ceiling 44 feet high. Learn of the physical and psychological damage inflicted on the artist as your guide helps you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this epic work of art. After ample time gazing up at the world’s most famous ceiling, choose whether to take advantage of priority access to St. Peter’s Basilica or remain inside the museums to explore some of the remaining 1,400 galleries of art at your own pace.

Includes

Vatican tour guide Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums Tour of Rooms of Raphael and Sistine Chapel Belvedere Courtyard, Greek and Roman Sculptures Priority access to St. Peter’s Basilica

Important Information

• Access to St. Peter's Basilica is not possible on Wednesday morning during the weekly papal audience. All visitors must pass through airport-style security. During high season the wait at security may be up to 30 minutes. Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid. Please contact us to inquire about customized tour options for guests with mobility challenges. Due to the special events associated with Jubilee 2025, access to St. Peter's Basilica might be restricted. Such closures are decided by the Vatican and are beyond our control. Direct access to the Basilica will be possible exclusively to those who book at least 72 hours in advance. Visitors without prior bookings will need to enter through the main square. Please note that essential travel documents and final itinerary details might be delivered electronically closer to the activity date.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund