VIP Vatican, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour with Vatican Grottoes

based on 398 reviews

Duration:3 hours (approx.)
Location: Rome, Italy

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CHILD (Age : 6 to 16)

ADULT (Age : 17 to 99)

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Upto 24 hours in Advance.

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Skip the line and immerse yourself in the Vatican's treasures with an expert guide and priority entrance with a small group. This exclusive tour includes the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel and direct entrance into St.Peter's Basilica and the Papal tombs. Designed for those who wish to absorb the full splendour of the Vatican, this experience is an in-depth exploration into Vatican city.

Wander through the Vatican Museums, whose halls house an incredible array of masterpieces. This vast collection includes exquisite sculptures, mesmerising frescoes, and architectural wonders that together create a collection unmatched anywhere in the world.

Feast your eyes on breathtaking works by world renowned artists such as Bramante, Bernini, Perugino, and Botticelli, culminating in the Sistine Chapel. Here, Michelangelo's famous frescoes, including the majestic Last Judgement, stretch magnificently across the ceiling and rear wall, offering a visual spectacle that encapsulates the divine.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

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Once you book, we organize everything. Just show up and check-in at the Maya Tours office (VIA GERMANICO, 16) at the correct time (Please arrive 10 minutes before your booked departure time) and your guide will escort you inside the Museums & provide you with your ticket.
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Explore the Vatican Museums with an Expert Guide, visit the highlights of the incredible collections comprised of a colossal 20,000 works on display, over 4 miles of Art, Sculptures, Tapestries, Paintings and Architecture. Belvedere Courtyard Pinecone Courtyard Pio Clementino Museum Octagonal Courtyard Sala Degli Animali Sala Delle Muse Sala Rotonda Sala A Croce Greca Gallery of the Candelabra Gallery of Tapestries Gallery of Maps
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Marvel at the incredible Sistine Chapel, an impressive sanctuary that boasts works of art by master painters like Perugino, Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, Botticelli, Signorelli, della Gatta and, of course, Michelangelo. See the world famous frescoes stretch magnificently across the ceiling with the renowned Creation of Adam as the central focus and the majestic Last Judgement upon the rear wall, offering a visual spectacle that encapsulates the divine. Sistine Chapel Frescoes Cosmati Floor Mosaic Forseen conception of Jesus Christ Pagan Sibyls / Icons Prophet depictions Creation of Adam The Last Judgement Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Greek Mythology Styx
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Gain privileged direct entrance to the heart of the Catholic faith and lose yourself in the monumental grandeur of Saint Peter's Basilica. See the highlights of the phenomenal church with a guide and enjoy free time to explore its many secrets including getting your blessing at Saint Peter's feet and head down into the Vatican Grottoes which contain the Papal Tombs. The Pillars The Ceiling Statue Of St. Peter (Blessing at Saint Peter's Feet) Tomb Of Innocent XI St. Peter’s Throne La Porta Santa (Holy Door) Loggia Of The Blessings Or Central Balcony The Dome High Altar (St. Peter's Altar) Baldacchino Vatican Grottoes (Papal Tombs) La Pietá Tomb of John Paul II La Navicella Mosaic
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Exit the Basilica on to St. Peter's Square, a large plaza located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, one of the largest, most beautiful squares in Europe where the Papal Audience is held. Bernini Fountain Maderno Fountain Vatican Egyptian Obelisk St. Peter's Square colonnades Columns Basilica Façade Central Balcony Statues of the Saints and first century apostles

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• The tour reservations have strict timing. To join the tour, you are required to be at the meeting point for check-in at least 15 minutes prior to your tour departure time.
• If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, the tickets and guide are void. As per Vatican rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
• Knees & Shoulders MUST be covered for both men & women to enter the Sistine Chapel!
• St Peter’s Basilica is subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies, with little to no warning and in this case, the tour will conclude in the Sistine Chapel. When this occurs visitors will have an extended tour of the Vatican Museums.
• Should St. Peter’s Basilica be closed or not accessible within the scheduled time, the tour will include Raphael's Rooms or the explanation of the Basilica from the outside. In this case we are unable to provide refunds or discounts as the Basilica is free to enter and not included in the tour price.
• The Raphael's Rooms are not included in the tour and are visited only when St. Peter’s Basilica remains closed to the public or if the Vatican makes the internal itinerary mandatory.
• Please note that on the day of your visit certain areas of the monument/attraction can be closed due to either religious events or national holidays.
• Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Please be aware that large oversized bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction.
• Students booking a reduced ticket must have a photo ID to be allowed into the monument. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• It is not possible to contact guides when they are inside the Vatican museums, it is the clients responsibility to stay with the guided tour group, if you lose your guide inside the Vatican, there is nothing we can do in this case.
• Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for those with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Aristeo_D
Arnoldo was our guide and he has an incredible understanding of history. He was very clear to listen to, provided fascinating information, and we kept a healthy pace and covered much ground. Unfortunately, the day we visited, there were many detours so the Sistene Chapel not exceed capacity. As a result, at one point, we had to race with him to make the last people in before we were detoured for one hour. Two of us became separated from our group as a result. We somehow raced our way in/out of rooms until we caught up so that's the only negative about. I would most certainly do this tour again
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-28 17:24:58

Posted By : Lisa_O
Maggie was an outstanding tour guide. She spent over 3 hours describing the highlights of the Vatican including the art gallery, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica & Square and the crypts. She is very knowledgeable and conscientious, making sure that none of our group got lost amidst huge crowds. This tour should only be done via Viator. It’s the only way to take it all in.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-27 09:24:32

Posted By : Stuart_D
Maggie the host was excellent, she did an excellent job explaining everything and curating the tour very well.. thank you!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-23 13:37:20

Posted By : Michele_B
We attended this tour with 18 people and loved every minute of it. Our tour guide was patient informative and fun.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-23 03:18:26

Posted By : Jorge_A
Our tour guide from Maya Tours, Christina, was amazing. Other than that, it was as expected. Christina made it worthwhile

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-22 17:38:59

Posted By : Hector_D
Very informative, knowledgeable, patient, and passionate of her job, the Vatican and Pope! Definitely gave us a VIP tour well worth it by putting us up in front of the art mastepieces and pretty much stopped the crowds for us! Debra is the best.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-20 10:49:35

Posted By : Breanne_E
Overall for the price we paid did not feel it did it justice. There were multiple other groups at the starting point without clear direction of where each group should meet to stay together, and overall delayed the start of our group. Once we arrived to the Vatican museum the guide did not have enough headsets for everyone which then delayed the start again. The guide would not give clear directions on which way she was heading in the museum and would rush through the halls pretty quickly as the rest of us were trying to enjoy the area and then seemed upset when we were taking by to long to get through. In the end was thankful for having the opportunity to take this tour and be able to see all that we did and then spent extra time in St. Peter’s.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-17 16:45:00

Posted By : Donna_W
Highly recommend this experience! Our guide, Debra, was so knowledgeable and passionate about art and the sites we were seeing. She tailored her information to the group and was especially brilliant at engaging the kids. Debra was masterful at getting us close to the important features in each place and knew exactly where to take the best photos. And skipping the long lines during high tourist season made it worth the money. Many thanks for the memorable tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-17 13:41:45

Posted By : Mark_C
The access was fantastic skipping the line at the museum, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica was great. I felt the guide could careless.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-14 15:48:21

Posted By : Amanda_A
Maggie our tour guide was great! I love that everyone was given earbuds to hear the tour guide. I would recommend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-13 03:59:02