Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica
Vatican City, IT
91% of travellers recommend this
Highlights
- Exclusive early access to Vatican Museums
- Expert guide providing insight into priceless artworks
- Skip the Line access to St. Peter's Basilica
- Small group size for a more personalized experience
- Opportunity to admire Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
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Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
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Skip-the-line tickets included
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Small group up to 10 people
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English-speaking guide
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Headsets provided
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Access to St. Peter's Basilica included
Experience the Vatican like never before with an Exclusive Early Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica. Skip the long lines and enter the Vatican Museums one hour before the public, allowing you to explore these incredible halls in a more intimate setting. With a knowledgeable guide and a small group of no more than 13 people, you'll discover the legends, histories, stories, and hidden meanings behind the museum's most priceless artworks. Marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel, and when available, enjoy Skip the Line access to St. Peter's Basilica at the end of your tour. This is not your typical Vatican tour - it's an extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of Vatican City and uncover its secrets. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience.
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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2 hours 30 minutes
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Instant Confirmation
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Available in English
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Mobile voucher
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Small Group tour
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Guided
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Family friendly
Featured Reviews
Experience the Vatican like never before with exclusive first access to the museums and skip-the-line access to the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
Included
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Headsets -
Jan 12–Mar 31, 2026: Last Judgment under conservation; may be obscured.
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Admission fees
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Skip-the-line tickets
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English Speaking Vatican Guide
Excluded
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Hotel pick up & drop off -
Gratuities
Meeting Point
Plan on arriving to our meeting point at least 15 minutes in advance of your selected departure time. Meet our representative on the steps at Via Tunisi, located at the corner with Via Sebastiano Veniero. Be on the lookout for the color bright green of our logo.
Via Tunisi, 4, 00192 Roma RM , Italy
End Point
When access is not available to the Basilica, this tour will conclude at the Sistine Chapel.
00120 Vatican City , Holy See
What to expect
Vatican Museums
Visit the Vatican Museums with fast entry, in the first available access of the day.
10 minutes
This courtyard gets its name from the enormous bronze Pinecone sculpture that dominates it. Don't miss Alfredo Pomodoro's famous Sphere within Sphere while you are here. Ask your guide to give it a spin for you!
15 minutes
Admission Included
Don't miss Arnaldo Pomodoro's Sphere within a Sphere. Variations of this sculpture can be found in many settings around the world. Ask your guide to give it a spin for you!
Museo Pio Clementino
The most famous wing of the Vatican Museums, the Pio Clementino museum contains much of the Museum's most important highlights. Your guide will take you through the Room of the Animals, where you can spot the life-like statues of fauna from around the world. Head to the Octagonal Courtyard where a small fountain trickles in the background of famous statues like the Laocoonte and Apollo Belvedere. Don't forget to look at the Candelabra Gallery - master painters decorated these ceilings to create the illusion of a 3D effect centuries ago!
45 minutes
Admission Included
Head with your guide to the Gallery of the Maps and get a perspective of the world how it was five centuries ago. These exquisitely detailed, hand-painted giant maps are a favorite of the Vatican Museums. See if you can find the Italian cities you have visited, or spot the nod to Christopher Columbus' journey to the Americas.
20 minutes
Admission Included
Stanze di Raffaello
Raphael painted these rooms with incredible frescoes, originally meant for the private rooms of Pope Julius II.
15 minutes
Admission Included
No guides are able to speak inside the Sistine Chapel. However, your guide will prepare you in advance for your free time inside so you'll know what to look for.
30 minutes
Admission Included
Your visit ends close to where it began, after the spiral staircase at the entrance to the Vatican Museums.
Vatican City
Visit to Vatican Museums - Vatican City
When option is selected, access is provided to St Peter's Basilica, skipping the lines. A tour is not provided inside the Basilica, only access. Your visit will end at the steps of St. Peter's Square with an introduction made by your guide after which you will be on your own to continue exploring.
5 minutes
Only for options that explicitly include St. Peter's Basilica: Your tour will include access to St. Peter's Basilica through a special exit from the Sistine Chapel, allowing you to bypass the usual long entry lines. Please note that this access does not include a guided tour inside the Basilica.
10 minutes
Admission Included
When access is available, this tour will conclude at the steps of St. Peter's Basilica.
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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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. -
Check-in is 15 minutes prior to the booked start time. Tickets are time sensitive and we cannot accomodate late arrivals.
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Children 6 and under are entitled to free access to the Vatican Museums (with proof of age)
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Children aged 7-18 are entitled to a reduced entry fee (see tour and ticket pricing) and must provide proof of age.
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Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
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Guests with a certified disability of over 75% are entitled to free entrance to the Vatican and do not require a ticket. For guests who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended to a companion.
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Important: From January 12 to March 31, 2026, conservation work will be carried out on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment. The Sistine Chapel will remain open to visitors; however, the fresco will be temporarily not visible due to scaffolding. We thank you for your understanding during this important preservation project.
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Please bring an ID or a photo/copy of ID.
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Please include all names as they appear on your passports when booking. Tickets are non-transferable and if the names on your booking do not match your ID you may be denied access and will not be due a refund. Any name changes must be communicated at least 72 hours in advance.
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What our experts say
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Arrive early to enjoy the quiet -
Don't miss the Pinecone sculpture
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Ask your guide about hidden gems
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Check out nearby Trastevere for lunch
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St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter
More About this Experience
Introduction:
Experience the Vatican like never before with the Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica. This unique tour allows you to bypass the long lines and enter the Vatican Museums with the first access of the day. With a select small group of no more than 10 people and a knowledgeable Vatican tour guide, you'll have the opportunity to explore the timeless pieces that line the halls of this iconic destination.What to expect?
During this tour, you can expect to discover the legends, histories, stories, and hidden meanings behind the Vatican Museums' most priceless artworks. Your English-speaking Vatican guide will lead you through the must-see masterpieces, providing insights and context that will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the art. One of the highlights of this tour is the chance to witness Michelangelo's greatest work: the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will prepare you for this awe-inspiring experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and grandeur of the famous frescoes. Additionally, when available (excluding Wednesdays), you will have the opportunity to skip the line and enter St. Peter's Basilica at the end of your tour. Please note that no guided tour is provided inside the Basilica, but you are free to explore this magnificent religious landmark at your own pace.Who is this for?
The Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica is perfect for anyone who wants to avoid the crowds and have a more intimate and immersive experience at the Vatican Museums. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the world-renowned artworks housed within these walls, this tour is for you. It is suitable for all ages and can be enjoyed by solo travelers, couples, families, and groups.Why book this?
By choosing the Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica, you are ensuring a truly unforgettable visit to the Vatican Museums. With early access and a small group size, you can avoid the usual crowds and have a more personalized experience. Your knowledgeable guide will bring the artworks to life with fascinating stories and explanations, making your visit not just informative but also entertaining. And with the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel and potentially enter St. Peter's Basilica without waiting in long lines, you'll save valuable time and make the most of your Vatican experience.Good to know
It is important to note that this tour includes skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, but does not include a guided tour inside St. Peter's Basilica. However, you are free to explore the Basilica at your leisure after the tour. The tour also provides headsets for easy listening to your guide's commentary. Gratuities, hotel pick-up, and drop-off are not included in the tour package.Reviews
Travelers who have experienced the Exclusive First Access Vatican Tour with Skip the Line Basilica have raved about the in-depth knowledge and passion of their guides. They appreciated the smaller group size, which allowed for a more personalized experience and easier navigation through the museums. Many praised the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica without the usual crowds, making their visit even more enjoyable. Overall, reviewers were highly satisfied with the tour and considered it a highlight of their Vatican visit.
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