expedia
Skip to main content
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Sign in

Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour Semi-Private

By LivTours
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$377 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h 15m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Skip the line
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

  • Enjoy a semi-private tour of no more than 6 people max
  • Discover the masterpieces of the Vatican Museum
  • See works by Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini and more!
  • Visit the world's largest Christian basilica
  • Enjoy the tour with your expert guide by your side

Activity location

  • Vatican
    • 100 Viale Vaticano
    • 00192, Roma, Lazio, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Viale Vaticano 100, in front of Cafè Vaticano, right across the street from the Vatican Museum's Entrance. IMPORTANT: You must bring photo ID to guarantee entry.
    • 100 Viale Vaticano
    • 00192, Roma, Lazio, Italy

Check availability

Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour Semi-Private
  • Activity duration is 3 hours and 15 minutes3h 15m
    3h 15m
  • English

Vatican & Sistine Chapel Highlights Tour is an ideal way to experience the Vatican Museums, including Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. With your expert guide and groups no larger than 6 travellers, you will have a complete overview of access to one of the world’s largest art collections.

This semi-private tour allows you to fully enjoy your Vatican experience in a more intimate environment with your guide. Learn little know stories and facts of the popes and artists commissioned to create these world famous pieces. Your tour takes you through the Vatican highlights, showing art from over 2000 years ago from antiquity to Renaissance.

Language options: English
Starting time: 2:00 PM
Price details
NZ$377.04 x 1 AdultNZ$377.04
Total
Price is NZ$377.04

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Reserved Vatican entrance tickets
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Fully guided experience
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Belvedere Torso & The round room
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Constantine coffins & Gallery of Tapestries
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms*, The School of Athens painting
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Sistine Chapel, Michelangelos ceiling & Last Judgement
  • What's includedWhat's included
    St Peters Basilica*, St Peters square, Berninis bronze alter canopy
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Service charge

Know before you book

  • *Access to the Raphael Rooms is contingent upon crowd conditions, timing constraints, and guard-regulated routes. Including them may not always be feasible. In these cases, your tour guide will exercise discretion to adjust the itinerary, ensuring a high-quality experience
  • *St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, your guide will provide a revised itinerary including more of the Vatican Museums. No compensation is granted in these circumstances.
  • *Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed on most Wednesdays mornings due to the weekly Papal Audience. If you book this tour for a Wednesday the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended.
  • Important Notice Jubilee Year 2025: As part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, from December 24th, 2024 to January 6th, 2026, St. Peter’s Basilica may experience unexpected partial or complete closures. In the rare event that the Basilica cannot be visited, rest assured that your tour experience will
  • Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during your visit inside is strictly forbidden, therefore your guide will give you an explanation of the Sistine Chapel beforehand during your tour, in order to give you a comprehensive explanation before entering the chapel.
  • Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. In order to ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour.
  • Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
  • IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
  • From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgement inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgement wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible

What you can expect

From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgement inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgement wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.

Your Vatican & Sistine Chapel tour begins with direct access to the Vatican Museums, meaning no waiting in line. Experience the wonders of the Pinecone and Octagonal Courtyard, and the Belvedere Torso. Stroll throughout the Round Room and admire the Constantine coffins of the Greek room.

Your expert guide will take you to see the Gallery of Tapestries where you will walk the halls of handcrafted tapestries by Pieter van Aelst’s School which were created from drawings by Raphael’s pupils. Next, it is on to the Gallery of Maps, just imagine, wall-to-wall hand-painted maps from the 16th-century giving you an idea of what the geography looked like back then. From there you will visit the recently restored Raphael Rooms which are sure to take your breath away. Admire The School of Athens, one of Raphael’s master works, and learn about the historic greats and some contemporaries he carefully placed within this painting.

After this, it’s time to head over to see one of the stars of the tour – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Admire the 8,000 square feet of this masterpiece standing in its centre surrounded by paintings. After the Chapel and all its glory, your tour guide will take you towards your final stop, St. Peter’s Basilica* where you will enjoy exclusive access to the most immense and ornate Catholic church in the world. Visit one of the most stunning pieces of art in the basilica, Michelangelo’s statue of the Pietà, depicting the Virgin Mary holding her dying child in her arms. Another must-see work of art is Bernini’s alter canopy, which is made of an astounding 100,000 pounds of gilded bronze.

This comprehensive tour will give you an idea of the grandeur of Vatican City and the artwork it holds.

To end, your guide will leave you inside Saint Peter’s Basilica, allowing you ample time to continue your exploration of the Papal Tombs, and even climbing to the top of the Dome.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Vatican
    • 100 Viale Vaticano
    • 00192, Roma, Lazio, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Viale Vaticano 100, in front of Cafè Vaticano, right across the street from the Vatican Museum's Entrance. IMPORTANT: You must bring photo ID to guarantee entry.
    • 100 Viale Vaticano
    • 00192, Roma, Lazio, Italy