Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Private Tour

Ribal was an excellent guide and provided amazing perspective on the artwork and sculptures within the museum and chapel. Really knowledgeable and excellent guide.

What a great tour and experience! This private tour was definitely worth it! We met our tour guide, Alfredo Noya, at the meeting point, and we walked together to the entrance of the Vatican and went inside earlier than when it opens to the public. It was about a 3-5 min walk. The tour was with my mother-in-law and my daughter and we all enjoyed it immensely. Alfredo had an assistant with him for help with children. He was extremely knowledgeable about everything inside the Vatican museums. Every painting, sculpture, tapestry, statues, ceiling art work, All of it! He was very patient and answered every question we had. He took our pictures everywhere we wanted and was very kind and sweet. He has a great personality! He is Roman and other than speaking Italian, he also speaks English and it was very good, clear and understandable. We walked through the museums, saw a garden and ended up at the Sistine Chapel. No photos are allowed inside the Sistine Chapel, and no talking either. Afterwards, he took us to the St. Peters Basilica and walked with us and explained the history of a lot of the smaller chapels inside as well as La Pieta. He told us about the crypt below the Basilica and the Dome above. He gave a lot of great information about Rome as well. We did the crypt and the dome on our own as it's not part of this tour. The crypt is free, and the Dome was about 5 Euro to go up by stairs and 7 Euro to go up by elevator. It is worth it to pay the 7 Euro and wait for the elevator, because there were many more steps after the elevator ride that the elevator cannot get to. There are two parts to the Dome. The first part is a few stairs up after the elevator ride and looks down into the basilica. The second part is optional and only for those who do not have problems with their heart or claustrophobia. This part is several stairs, most of it is narrow, steep, and wall hugging. But at the top is a 360 degree view of the city of Rome. After exiting the Dome, there is a gift shop where every item for purchase is blessed by priests of the Vatican. Be sure to dress appropriately. Showing the shoulders is not allowed, so if you are wearing a tank top, make sure you have a shawl or cardigan to cover your arms, otherwise you won't be allowed to go in the Vatican at all. Also, you may want to wear comfortable shoes. I was wearing flat sandals, and while I was ok, tennis shoes would have been better for all the stair walk up to the Dome. I will definitely book this tour again if I go back to Rome. If you have the opportunity, ask for Alfredo Noya in advance. He was the best guide we've ever had! Also, he has a Facebook page, just look up Alfredo Noya and you should be able to find him and send him a message.

A must-see, though we were skipping the line with a lot of other groups. Expert Guide. The crowd made it difficult to see everything on our guide's agenda, and sadly the Raphael Room was closed just before we got there due to overcrowding. If it is at all possible to gain entry 30 min early it would greatly improve the experience.

This was an experience of a life time. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Linda's insight and commentary on the highlights of the Vatican. She was deeply knowledgeable of so many details that go beyond any books or written commentaries. I read up in advance of the tour to make sure I knew what to look for but Linda provided so much more insight. There is so much to see, so much to take in, so she cut through the crowds and the guards who all knew her and went straight to the most memorable sites. Thank you so much for a truly great tour!!