Vatican Tours

• 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. 

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.  

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. 

• 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!