Viator
5.0
7 reviews
Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel
★ 5.0 (1,803 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: LivTours
- 3 h 15 min on the listing; the time can vary by option
- Private, up to 15 per booking
- Live guide: English
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Editor's take
This LivTours tour keeps the guide for your party throughout. The 3-hour 15-minute visit covers the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, followed by St Peter's Basilica. The Basilica stop lasts 45 minutes.
Consider it if your party wants a guide without sharing with other travellers. You still share the galleries with other visitors. Crowds can keep the Raphael Rooms off your route. A Basilica closure brings extra Museums time instead.
What does LivTours' private Vatican tour include?
1 option. Prices are per adult for a party of two, the usual lowest price of each option. The booking page shows the price for your date.
| Option | When | Guide | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 08:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and more | English | €250 |
What's included
Included
- Octagonal Courtyard
- Raphael Rooms*
- Sistine Chapel
- Greek Cross Room
- Saint Peter's Basilica*
- Gallery of Candelabra
- Gallery of Tapestries
- Muses Room
- Skip-the-line to the Vatican Museums
- Gallery of Maps
- Pinecone Courtyard
- Borgia Apartments
- Round Room
- Private, Local, Expert guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Tour or official ticket?
For two adults, the private tour starts from €250 per person against €25 for official online Museums and Sistine Chapel entry. Most of the difference pays for a guide dedicated to your party, including the visit to the free Basilica. Official entry is better value if you want to explore without a guide.
Meeting point
In front of Caffé Vaticano, on viale Vaticano 100, just across the street from the Museum entrance. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign. Remember to bring your ID to access the Museums
Itinerary
From the operator: LivTours's own description of the route.
Vatican Museums
With your private expert guide, discover some of the most famous paintings and sculptures from western civilization and listen to amusing anecdotes about the former popes and artists represented in the museums. With your very own private tour group, easily maneuver through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace.
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You can admire views of the terrace over the gardens, make your way through the Renaissance and Octagonal courtyards, and enjoy the impressive Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms. You'll also see impressive sculptures of important figures of Greek Mythology such as Aphrodite, among other Nymphs and Graces. You'll even see the the pope's toilet!
Sistine Chapel
Next, learn of Michelangelo's masterpiece from your guide before you enter through a tiny door to admire the majestic Sistine Chapel. Take in its grandeur in contemplative silence. From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel.
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During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment 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.
St Peter's Basilica
The tour will end with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica where you will access the church directly through a VIP passage to skip the long line. Enjoy the awe-inspiring visit and be amazed at the size of the beautifully adorned Basilica.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
From the operator: LivTours's own notes for this tour.
Tickets and ID
- 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 remain exceptional. Your guide will seamlessly adapt the itinerary to include alternative highlights, ensuring the full duration and quality of your tour. Please note that, in accordance with our Terms & Conditions agreed upon at the time of booking, partial or full refunds cannot be issued due to Basilica closures.
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English. Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
What to wear
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
Rules inside
- There is no photography allowed in some or all areas of this tour.
- 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.
- Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
Access and children
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
- Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility issues
Route and closures
- St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, the time inside the Vatican Museums will be extended. On Wednesday mornings the Holy Father is having his weekly audience in Saint Peter’s Square and due to security, Saint Peter’s Basilica is closed. If you book an early morning tour on a Wednesday, we can therefore not guarantee access to the Basilica.
- 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
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
Reviews
5.0 out of 5 from 1,803 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 100% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
5.0
1,796 reviews
As shown on Viator, read . The rating is for the whole listing, not for one option, and we do not have the review texts.
Photos
From the LivTours listing, 10 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: LivTours's own description of the tour.
Explore the Vatican Museums with a private guide, skipping long lines for an in-depth, engaging experience. Discover Greek and Roman statues, including Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, while learning their fascinating histories. Wander through the lavish halls, uncovering stories of the Popes and artists. Marvel at the Sistine Chapel’s breathtaking frescoes, a masterpiece of Michelangelo’s genius. Your journey continues to St.
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Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll admire its grandeur, including Michelangelo’s Pietà. With exclusive access and expert storytelling, this tour offers an unforgettable Vatican experience.
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