Skip-the-line All Inclusive Private Vatican Sistine Chapel Tour
Discover the wonders that the Vatican City has to offer on this three hour private tour, led by an expert guide. As pre-booked tickets are included on this tour, you won’t have to spend time queuing before visiting the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and more. Your guide will discuss the history of these iconic locations and give you insights into some of the masterpieces in the Vatican’s collections.
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Skip-the-line All Inclusive Private Vatican Sistine Chapel Tour
What's included in Skip-the-line All Inclusive Private Vatican Sistine Chapel Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Vatican Museums
Your guide will meet you at the entrance to the museums and with pre-booked tickets you’ll avoid the queues and the tour will begin immediately; visiting the Belvedere Courtyard, the Pio-Clementino Museum and the large collection of Ancient Roman and Greek statues. You will then enter the Gallery of Tapestries followed by the Gallery of Maps; a priceless collection of Renaissance maps, and one of the most important in the world.. In the Sobiesky Room you will see one of the largest paintings in the Vatican collection, as well as view some stunning frescoes in the room of the Immaculate Conception. A must see on any Vatican tour is Raphael’s Rooms. Raphael decorated these rooms for Pope Julius II, and they contain some of the artist’s greatest works, the Parnassus and The School of Athens.
Sistine Chapel
As talking is forbidden in the Sistine Chapel, before you enter your guide will discuss the masterpieces you will see inside, including the renowned frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli and others on the walls and ceiling. Your guide will also share anecdotes about the chapel, which is used today for the papal election – Conclave.
St. Peter's Basilica
t is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome. There is still more to see though below ground level. You guide will lead you below ground to the papal crypt where, over the centuries, many of the Popes have been interred. This special place is a site of pilgrimage for many Catholics.
Inclusions
- Historian local guide
- Private tour
- Admission tickets
- Private transportation
- Gratuities
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Jubilee the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute. In any case, you can go there after the tour, queuing.
- 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
- READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during you Vatican tour. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- at the stairs outside the Vatican museums, under the big white monumental door (street address is viale Vaticano ). Your guide will have a sign with your name.
