Description

Most visitors miss the Vatican’s best shortcut.With our expert guide, you’ll explore the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel, then descend the Scala Regia (Bernini’s regal staircase) into St.Peter’s Basilica through an entrance reserved only for guided groups.This is the Vatican experience you didn’t know you needed.

Tour Overview

Meet your local guide just outside Caffé Vaticano, right across from the entrance to the Vatican Museums.With skip-the-line access, you'll breeze past the crowds and head straight through security, even in the busy afternoon.From the Gallery of Maps to Nero’s Bathtub and the Sistine Chapel, you’ll hit all the must-sees.Then follow your guide down the Scala Regia for a grand finale inside St.Peter’s Basilica.

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St.Peter's Basilica Description

Your 3-hour small group tour includes:

• Passionate, English-speaking guide
• Pio Clementino
• Skip-the-line Vatican Museums
• Vatican gallery highlights
• Sistine Chapel
• Raphael Rooms & Borgia Apartments
• Enter Scala Regia (passageway to St.Peter's)
• St.Peter's Basilica
• Max group size of 20
• Morning/Afternoon entry

Please note that the Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings due to the Papal Audience and will not be included in tours.Afternoon tours will still include St.Peter's Basilica entry.

Pio-Clementino Museum and Nero's Bath

At the start of your tour, you'll follow your guide to the Bramante Courtyard, designed by Donato Bramante.This part of the Vatican Museums is home to the Apollo Belvedere, Laocoön and His Sons, and the Belvedere Torso.Learn about the myths and legends associated with these iconic sculptures before visiting the oldest and largest bathtub in existence.Nero's bathtub is an incredible 25 feet long and is made from a rare red marble that isn't even available nowadays!

Popular Vatican Galleries

Your guide will lead you on through the Vatican Museums, visiting the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps.Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students, and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy.

At the height of the Roman Empire, pontiffs rarely left Rome.In order to understand the Italian peninsula without endangering his life, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned 40 giant meticulous maps to be created for his use.Most of these maps measure more than 15 by 16 feet, and the end result is nothing short of spectacular.

You'll hear the stories behind these treasures from your expert guide as the Vatican secrets are slowly unveiled to you.

Raphael Rooms and The School of Athens

Raphael, one of the traditional trinity of great masters, reigned during the Renaissance.After the turbulent Middle Ages, European civilization rebounded and experienced a prolific period in which the arts, literature, and thought flourished.As a true Renaissance man, Raphael embraced the ideals of the period and painted the walls of the Vatican Museums with his masterpieces.Among these, you can view his most famous work, The School of Athens, which is a testament to his vision and creativity.

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.As 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

No trip to Vatican City is complete without stepping inside the Sistine Chapel.Only when you’re beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling does the scale of his work truly hit you.With over 600 figures painted by hand, it’s one of the greatest artistic achievements in the world.Because the chapel is still a place of worship, speaking inside is strictly forbidden.Your guide will prep you beforehand with insights and a handout so you can spot the key details on your own.

After your silent visit, you’ll follow your guide down the Scala Regia, Bernini’s ceremonial staircase, for direct entry to St.Peter’s Basilica.This is an entrance reserved exclusively for guided tour groups.

To enter the Sistine Chapel, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders, otherwise, the Vatican might refuse entry to religious sites and you’ll 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.

Ending Inside St.Peter’s Basilica

Your tour concludes inside St.Peter’s Basilica, the heart of Vatican City and one of the most celebrated churches in the world.Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà, gaze up at the soaring dome, and stand beneath Bernini’s monumental bronze canopy.While most visitors exit the Museums and wait again to enter the basilica, your group takes the direct route through the Scala Regia with exclusive access reserved only for guided tours.Once inside, you are free to remain as long as you wish before exiting to explore the rest of Rome.