Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
If you're looking for a Vatican tour that goes beyond the usual offerings, our combination tour has got you covered. With this tour, you'll bypass the line at St. Peter's, climb to the top of the dome for a stunning panoramic view of the Vatican and Rome, visit the Papal Crypts, and then skip the line at the Vatican to see the Sistine Chapel.
Your tour begins with an exciting elevator ride to the top of St. Peter's iconic dome, where you'll take in an unforgettable view of the city. From there, you'll join your expert Vatican guide for a comprehensive exploration of the art, history, and famous landmarks of this sacred city. The tour is designed to provide a deep dive into the Vatican's rich cultural heritage, allowing you to fully appreciate the art and architecture that make this place so special.
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Group size of 20 people max
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour to the Vatican Museums
Access to the elevator and stairs to the top of St. Peter's dome
A professional, fun, English-speaking guide
Entry to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Early Entry and guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and papal crypts
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food & Beverages
Gratuities
Departure Point
Largo del Colonnato, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Please arrive 10 minutes early. Meet your guide at Largo Del Colonnato. This is the area just outside of the St. Peters Square colonnades, on the right side when looking at St. Peter’s Basilica. Our staff will be there holding a “The Tour Guy” sign standing between the fountain and the green kiosk.
St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy Ready for the ultimate Vatican exploration? Your day will start meeting our staff just outside of St Peter's Square at an indicated meeting point. 5 minutes
Cupola di San Pietro, Vatican City, Italy Take your Vatican discovery to new heights climbing the Dome of St Peter's. A combo of elevator and stairs (231 steps) a medium level of fitness is required for the dome climb, but the panoramic views of Rome and the Vatican State, will stay with you for a long time. 40 minutes
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy Considered the epicentre of the Catholic faith, the St Peter's Basilica is a must-see destination for millions of tourists annually. Let our guide introduce you to all its unique features including the Holy door, Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's Baldacchino and plenty more! 60 minutes
Vatican Grottoes, Vatican City, Italy After visiting the very peak of the Vatican and learning about the treasures held within the St Peter's Basilica, its time to descend to the bottom. Visiting the Papal Crypts, you'll witness remains of the original 4th century basilica and sarcophagi of numerous popes. 15 minutes
Sphere within a Sphere, Vatican City, Italy Before exploring the Vatican Museums alongside your guide, you'll enjoy a quick stroll through the Pinecone Courtyard. Here you'll find Alnaldo Pomodoro's famous Sphere within a Sphere, symbolising how Christianity struggles against the chaos of the world. 5 minutes
Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Italy Experience the best of the Vatican City with our Highlights of the Vatican Museums tour. Skip the line and delve into the treasures of this holy place, guided by an expert who will reveal the secrets behind the stunning artworks and artifacts.
Follow your guide through the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps, marvelling at the ancient Greek and Roman statues, Flemish tapestries, and detailed maps of Italy.
In the Pio-Clementino Museum, home to some of the world's most famous sculptures, you'll see Laocoön and His Sons, the Belvedere Torso, and the magnificent sarcophagus of St. Helen, mother of Constantine.
Next, enter the Raphael Rooms and immerse yourself in the Renaissance era of amazing art and literature. See the rooms frescoed by Raphael and admire his most famous work, The School of Athens, as your guide shares insights into the artist's life and influences. 145 minutes
Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Italy Experience the grandeur of Michelangelo's most celebrated masterpiece at the world-renowned Sistine Chapel. With over 600 figures, the frescoes depicting biblical stories from Genesis to Revelations are awe-inspiring and truly a sight to behold. From the iconic Creation of Man to the powerful Last Judgement, every inch of the chapel's ceiling and walls is covered in captivating imagery.
Please note that speaking inside the chapel is forbidden due to its religious significance. However, your guide will provide an overview before entering and we'll also provide you with a map/handout to help you identify each fresco you'll see. 20 minutes
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia and/or vertigo
Please note there is no skip the line service at the St Peter's Basilica, though due to our early start we are able to avoid most of the day time crowds.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
blake_C
10 May 2025
Tour was a little disorganized. Tour guide only briefly visited Sistine chapel and missed papal crypt. Guides English language was hard to understand.
Maryanne_W
10 May 2025
Enjoyed spending the morning with our guide Patrizia. The done climb is amazing! Yes, lots of steps and narrowing walls but a wonderful view. St. Peter’s Basilica was truly a spiritual experience. The museums are challenging due to the number of visitors and we were more than ready to exit but appreciated the historical collection of art. Sorry to have missed out on the Sistine Chapel due to the newly elected Pope. Still very happy we did this tour.
Nadine_B
01 Apr 2025
Nous avons adoré le dôme et la basilique St-Pierre! notre guide Éléonora était super! Elle répondait aux questions et s’ajustait parfaitement dû au changement du jubilé! Elle ne laissait pas les rôdeurs nous dépasser dans les files. Le musée était beau, j’ai aimé l’explication sur la chapelle Sistine et les autres salles. Le musée était bondé de gens et difficile à naviguer à travers. Encore la guide a su nous garder groupé. La chapelle quant à elle m’a déçu… surtout après la basilique. On peut y voir les œuvres sur les murs mais sinon on y voit qu’une pièce pleine de gens avec une séparation au 3 quart. La montée au dôme était ardu mais moins que je pensais. Mon conjoint n’aime pas les endroits serrés mais il a trouvé ça correct car c’était one way. La vue d’en haut en valait le coup. L’intérieur du dôme est super et voir la basilique d’en haut montre à quel point elle est immense. Nous avons pris l’ascenseur et monter les 300 marches. Ensuite on descend les marches du dôme et nous avons le temps d’un café avant l’ascenseur pour voir l’intérieur de la basilique.
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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