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Vatican Tours Special offers ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 483 Reviews

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Vatican Tours Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Based on 483 Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-Excellent
Early entrance to the Sistene Chapel. Excellent guide!

Was great to beat the queues and have a relaxed view of the Sistene chappel. Our guide was phenominal; knowledgable, accomodating and just a beautiful person.

2019-04-06

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-Excellent
Well worth the money

The only reason i gave this 4stars instead of 5stars was that I was unclear how to get to the basilica afterwards - I thought we could access it somehow via the Vatican museums but we ended up exiting these and walking round the Vatican walls to join a 90 minute queue for basilica entry. This may have been my mistake but others from the group were also confused. So we have ended up having to buy an additional 3 tickets for skip the line entry to the basilica today which wasn’t what we had planned.

2019-03-08

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-Excellent
Kids loved it!

My husband and I decided to bring our kids to the Colosseum (thank goodness for fast-track tickets - waiting in long lines with 2 crazy kids ain't fun), and we had a great visit! The guided underground tour exceeded my expectations. Our kids particularly enjoyed pretending to be gladiators in the tunnels.

2019-02-08

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-Excellent
Exclusive Entrance

This is the best way to see the Colosseum in my opinion. Head underground and see for yourself, it's a pretty neat experience.

2019-02-03

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-Excellent
wonderfull tour

Was extraordinary to beat the lines and have a casual perspective on the Sistine Chapel. Our guide was knowledgable, accommodating and caring. Met a few people on a visit, made new companions from everywhere throughout the world.

2019-02-22

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-Excellent
Definitely worth the price!

It was amazing to visit the Sistine Chapel with only a couple of other groups inside the chapel. We were the first group to enter the chapel and it was amazing to be able to enjoy the beautiful artwork with only a few dozen people in there.

2019-04-08


Vatican Tours

The Vatican is the world’s smallest state. It sits on a hill on the banks of the River Tiber, watchfully overlooking Rome. The Vatican has a population of around 900, an area of 110 acres (you could fit 8 Vatican Cities into New York’s Central Park). It has no official currency, and its economy is entirely funded by private donations, museum admission and the sales of souvenirs and stamps. However, it does contain some of the most famous architecture and paintings. From holy relics to the legendary Michelangelo frescoes of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Vatican tours are the only way to ensure you see it all.


Book the Best Vatican Tickets & Tours!


The Vatican Museums house some of the most exceptional artworks known to man. A whole 7 km of art if lined up! Of the 70,000 items in the collection, “only” 20,000 are currently on display.


To guarantee you see the most notable, and to discover the secrets of the Sistine Chapel, definitely book one of the Vatican City guided tours. Wander around the priceless paintings and learn how to “read” the Renaissance art and architecture. Skip ahead of the crowds and don’t waste any time in queues!

Tours Of The Vatican In Rome: Highlights

#PicturePerfect #Vatican

Vatican Tours Rome: Tips

Prepare For The Best Vatican Tours

Quick Facts

City

Vatican City

Known For

Capital of Catholic Church

Activity Type

Vatican Tours

Yearly Visitors

6.7 Million

High Season

July & August

Currency Required

European Euro

Time Zone

GMT +2:00

Tours Of The Vatican In Rome: Highlights

  • Sistine Chapel: the world-famous frescos of Michelangelo Buanarotti (including God’s Last Judgement).

  • Vatican Museums: highlights include the Spiral Staircase and Papal Throne (known as “Saint Peter’s Chair”), a spectacular creation by the master of marble, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Get up close with a private complete Vatican museums tour.

  • Tomb of St Peter: visit the resting place of the most famous Catholic saint and more on a Vatican Crypts Tour.

  • Vatican Gardens: the Pope’s personal prayer gardens are stunning and serene. Only accessible through one of the tours of Rome and the Vatican.

  • Climbing the St. Peter’s Basilica Dome: climb to the top of the largest church in the world, and be rewarded with panoramic views over Rome’s skyline.

  • Vatican skip the line tickets to the Sistine Chapel: avoid spending between 3-4 hours in a queue and get early entrance straight into the most famous church in the world. 

#PicturePerfect #Vatican


How often do you get to send a picture from the tiniest state in the world? The headquarters of the Catholic Church is home to some of the best Renaissance artwork. Don’t miss these instaworthy shots:

  • Sunrise over St Peter’s Basilica: The crimson sky behind the cupola...Earlybird access is limited, book a Vatican Breakfast Tour to be first in the bronze doors. No filter needed!

  • Pietà: Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture of the Madonna & Child.

  • The Vatican at Night: Enjoy exclusive after-hours access and savor the serene atmosphere and photogenic floodlit buildings.

Got a winner? Choose your best snap from one of the three most instagrammable spots listed above, post it on your IG, and tag #dotravelgram to be featured.  


Vatican Tours Rome: Tips


How many times will you visit the Papal state? Buying your Vatican tickets ahead of time is highly recommended. With a guided tour, you can save precious time by jumping the long lines outside, and save money by combining your Vatican visit with other landmarks in Rome. For more money-saving hacks, read our Quick Tourist Rome Guide.


Some ideas to get you started:

  • The Vatican at night: These allow you to see the intricate architecture lit up under a starry sky.

  • Skip the line Vatican Museum tour: Avoid wasting all your time shuffling along in a monotonous queue, purchasing a fast-track ticket is well worth it.

  • Vatican Gardens Tour: Remember, the Pope's personal gardens are only accessible with a guided tour.

  • Scavi Vatican Tour: One of the most exclusive of the Vatican private tours, this Necropolis tour takes you all around the excavations beneath St Peter’s Basilica. A limited number of people are taken to see the bones of St Peter. Not for the faint-hearted!

* Remember: Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days to book your private Vatican tour. These are generally less full days. With early access, you could be first into the Raphael Rooms! Here is the Ultimate Vatican Guide


Prepare For The Best Vatican Tours

  • There are two entrances to Vatican City: One is via St. Peter’s Square, and the other is in Viale Vaticano. (One queue for the Basilica, the other for the Museums). The only way to avoid walking a lot or queuing twice is signing up for a Vatican tour. Going with a Vatican tour guide, you will be able to use a secret passage and go straight from the Sistine Chapel to the Basilica.

  • Dress code: Even in the height of the Italian summer, there is a strict dress code to enter the Vatican museums and St Peter’s Basilica. Your knees, shoulders (and everything between) should be covered!

  • Free lockers: Large bags will need to be stored (free of charge) in the cloakroom.

  • Wear comfortable shoes: With more than 7km of galleries, forget fashion and start thinking practical!

  • Bring money: A souvenir is a great way to remember your visit. Rosaries, crucifixes, books, stamps, and coins (the Vatican has its own mint) are some great available options for souvenirs!

FAQ

How much is a tour of the Vatican?

This depends on whether you reserve the Vatican Walking Tour, a family package or one of the general Vatican City Tours. Paying extra for one of the private Vatican tours will be worth it if you want an exclusive experience up close to the artwork.

Can you visit Vatican City on Sunday?

Remember the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays (apart from the free last Sunday of the month).

How to get there?

You can reach the Vatican by:


Metro: Line A direction Battistini, Ottaviano or Cipro stations .


Bus: Number 49 (get off in the square in front of the Vatican Museums), numbers 32, 81, 982 (get off at Piazza del Risorgimento), numbers 492, 990 (get off Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni).


Tram: 19 (drop off at Piazza del Risorgimento).

Do I need a guide for visiting the Vatican?

Booking a tour with one of the expert guides and licensed tour operators is highly recommended, especially when it comes to the Vatican Museums. Their collection is incredibly extensive and, quite frankly, overwhelming if you are to tackle it on your own. 

Which are the best Vatican City tours?

To avoid the crowds, book an early morning tour. They begin at 8 am, a full hour before the official Vatican Museums opening time and the places are strictly limited. Definitely check out the Sistine Chapel and St Peter Basilica Tour, a highlight of any visit!

What is the best time of the year to visit?

The best time to visit is the low season from November to February. Also, avoid visiting the Vatican during significant Catholic holidays such as Christmas and Easter. 

Should I book my tour in advance?

Due to the incredible number of people visiting Vatican City daily, booking in advance is probably the best thing you can do. Waiting in a long queue is not pleasant, especially during summer.

How to see the Pope?

It’s highly unlikely you’ll run into the Pope on your tours of Vatican and Sistine Chapel. But, every Wednesday, the Pope holds an official public audience. In summer, the audience takes place on St. Peter’s Square and in winter in the Audience Hall. It begins at 10:30 am, but a majority of visitors arrive earlier to secure a good seat. 

What is the best tour of the Vatican?

This depends on your requirements. Family tours include discounted prices that save money for big groups. The private Vatican tours after hours may be best for small groups. Certain days will guarantee you are part of the papal audience. 

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