Detailed Itinerary Vatican, Sistine & St Peter's Tour with Privileged Entrance

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Enter Before the General Public!

Skip the line and go straight to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel on this detailed guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Before heading into the Vatican Museums though, your professional English-speaking guide will do an introduction of the Sistine Chapel so that you can explore it freely once inside. Speaking is not permitted inside the Sistine Chapel so you'll feel well-informed entering after already having learned about its history. This extended, in-depth Vatican tour starts at 7:30 am and doors open shortly after 8 am (a full hour before general admission opens at 9 am).

Short delays at the security check may occur during June and July, our busiest months. However, we have a team of experts at the Vatican every morning to best help our groups avoid delays.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sistine Chapel, Citta del Vaticano 1, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Michelangelo’s Masterpiece - The Sistine Chapel

Begin this in-depth Vatican tour with a visit to the Sistine Chapel before it’s open to the general public. Experience Michelangelo’s masterpiece as it was meant to be. The home of the Papal Conclave of the Catholic Church, the election of new popes takes place in the Sistine Chapel.

The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, therefore, speaking inside is not allowed. Since our guide cannot explain the frescoes while you are inside, we explain the chapel in advance and provide you with a map/handout for reference before you enter. Men and women must cover their knees and shoulders before entering. We understand the summers in Rome get hot, a good alternative is to bring a scarf or shawl to cover up with before you enter.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy

The Vatican Pinacoteca

The Pinacoteca, also known as the Vatican Art Gallery, contains a series of rooms divided by art school and in chronological order. It is home to some of the Vatican’s most impressive paintings. See a total of 460 works of art painted by the likes of Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian and Leonardo up close. Often overlooked on other Vatican Tours, the Pinacoteca (Picture Gallery) is one of the Vatican Museums’ more modern sections.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy

The Carriage Pavilion

The Carriage Pavilion, another hidden gem of the Vatican, is rarely visited by Vatican tours. This underground exhibit features an impressive collection of historic vehicles used by past Popes, including a Fiat Campagnola. This Fiat is known around the world as the vehicle Pope John Paul II stood on during his attempted assassination at St. Peter’s Square in 1981. The collection also features three Popemobiles and the Renault 4 donated to Pope Francis in 2013.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Pio-Clementino Museum Tour

Next, you’ll visit the Bramante Courtyard (designed by Bramante Lazzari), home to the Laocoön and His Sons, Apollo Belvedere and the Belvedere Torso. Learn about the myths and legends associated with these iconic statues.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Top Three Vatican Galleries

Explore the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries and our personal favorite, the Gallery of the Maps. These 40 giant meticulously-drawn maps, measuring more than 15 by 16 feet, were commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Raphael Rooms

The famous Renaissance artist Raphael frescoed a series of papal apartments called the Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms). The celebrated School of Athens - a painting that depicts the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and scientists works is on display here. Raphael included himself in the painting, creating one of the first selfies.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Borgia Apartments

These private chambers occupied by Borgia Pope Alexander VI were frescoed by early Renaissance artist Pinturicchio. Pinturicchio was known for embedding fake jewels and metal saddle studs into his frescoes. The Borgia Apartments also contain the first European depiction of Native Americans.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Sistine Chapel, Citta del Vaticano 1, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Briefly walk through the Sistine Chapel once more before heading directly over to St. Peter's Basilica.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza di San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy

St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs - (Except on Wednesdays!)

Skip the lines and enter St. Peter’s Basilica through a special door and see the most palatial church in the world. Marvel at the Basilica’s celebrated artwork including the Baldacchino, La Pieta, St. Peter’s Statue and more. Then go underneath the church’s floors to visit the tombs of hundreds of Popes and a Swedish Queen with a fascinating backstory. Please note: if your Vatican tour lands on a Wednesday, St. Peter's is not open for tours. This is because Papal Mass occurs on Wednesday mornings.

Remember, it isn’t possible to return to the Vatican Museums from St. Peter’s Basilica. If you want more time inside the museums, you must forgo the guided tour of the basilica. Also, if you’d like to stay in St. Peter's Basilica longer, don't leave with the guide to take photos in the piazza. Because the security line is long and re-entry on your own is not recommended, we suggest you stay inside St. Peter’s and explore on your own after the tour concludes.

Duration: 40 minutes