The Complete Vatican: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel with optional visit at St. Peter's Basilica

Skip the line on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica for a unique understanding of the history and world-class art collection of the Vatican.

Our Complete Vatican Tour gives you the best of the museum's collections and an in-depth understanding of the art, architecture, and history contained within the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. The specially curated itinerary ensures that you see the most famous attractions as well as lesser-known gems in just over 3 hours. With skip-the-line tickets to both the Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica there is no quicker or more accessible way to see the best of the Vatican.

Prefer a laid-back afternoon experience? Book the Vatican Museums Tour with Sistine Chapel at 4pm or 4:15pm for a relaxed visit after the crowds have left for the day (St. Peter's Basilica not included).

Start your tour by skipping the (always long) ticket lines to get into the museum and diving right into the galleries holding some of the most famous works of art in the world. This specially-designed route encompasses all the can’t-miss pieces while also including some of the lesser-known works that will really dazzle you.

Your expert, English-speaking guide will give you eye-opening insight and context (along with some great stories) as you explore the Raphael Rooms, the Belvedere courtyard with ‘Apollo Belvedere’ & the Laocoön group, the Pinecone Courtyard, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of the Maps, and the Gallery of the Tapestries.

The piéce-de-resistance is, of course, the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will prep you for your time here by telling you the stories behind the creation of the iconic frescoes as well as what they mean. When you enter, you will then be able to appreciate the full majesty of the room, spotting little details like Michelangelo’s self-portrait and the rather painful revenge he plotted for the Pope’s aide (he wasn’t his biggest fan…)

From the Sistine Chapel, you'll follow your guide through a special, groups-only door taking you right into St. Peter's Basilica—skipping the long line outside (note: Basilica not included on 4 pm and 4:15pm tours). Once in St. Peter's, your guide will point out the precious art and treasures inside and share the story behind the church's 120-year construction.

The Vatican is more than just a museum. It's home to the Pope and Catholicism and is one of the world's smallest yet powerful states. On this intimate tour, your guide will ensure that you get an overview of it all—from papal scandal to Renaissance masters and the day-to-day operation of Vatican City.

Sites Visited:

Vatican Museums

Sistine Chapel

Raphael Rooms

Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön & His Sons

Pinecone Courtyard

Gallery of the Candelabra

Gallery of the Maps

Gallery of the Tapestries

St. Peter's Basilica (not included in tours starting at 4pm or 4:15pm)

Know Before You Book

Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.

The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and is subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will offer a more in-depth tour of the Museums. We are unable to provide refunds or discounts.

The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.

All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.

Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.

Between January 12 and March 31, 2026, the Vatican Museums will carry out a dedicated preservation project focused on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment. The Sistine Chapel will remain open, but the fresco will be temporarily covered by scaffolding during this period, this specific artwork will be temporarily out of view during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING POINT

• Meeting point valid until March 1st: At Antico Café Candia, Via Candia, 153, 00192 Roma RM. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.
• Meeting point valid from March 1st: At Touristation Cappella Sistina, Viale Vaticano 95, 00192 Roma RM.