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Paris Toolkit Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica tours
Choice of independent, guided, with or without transfers - all with fast-track access
Take a small group walking tour of the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel and/or St Peter's Basilica, and save a lot of time and hassle by way of the skip the line facility these tours use.
Numbers are limited on the walking tours, ensuring you'll receive personalised attention from your guide.
By booking ahead, you won't waste any time waiting in line!
We have dedicated pages for both St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums going into more detail on what to expect at both.
We also have a dedicated page looking at how to visit the Vatican.
St Peter's Basilica and Vatican museums - what do I need to know?
Apart from the entrance queues the other issue for an informed visit is there is almost no information provided. You really need something to inform on what you are witnessing so a good guide book or an audio guide is a minimum if you want more than just a few photos.
Of course a guide is much better in a place like the Vatican Museums where there is so much to see. Your guide ensures you don't miss the highlights and makes efficient use of your time.
Brilliantly decorated and lined with masterpieces, the museums are brimming with treasures and history. Your guide will lead you through the best of the 2,000 rooms that stretch over almost nine miles, and share the stories and secrets contained within the Vatican's walls.
Highlight of the museums are of course Michelangelo's famous Creation of Adam fresco in the Sistine Chapel, a wonderful finale to your visit to the Vatican Museums.
You will also encounter another of Michelangelo's masterpieces, La Pieta, in St Peter's Basilica. Tours are also possible where you just visit the Vatican Museums or St Peter's Basilica.
If you prefer taking your time and exploring at your own pace independently we also have fast track tickets to the Vatican Museums or St Peter's Basilica that skip the tedious admission queues which can be very lengthy.
Sistine Chapel
Almost everyone will have heard about the Sistine Chapel and for good reason. The chapel is not only incredibly beautifully decorated, most famously by Michelangelo, it also has great significance as a place of religious activity.
The chapel is the site where the College of Cardinals gather to elect a new pope with the chapel having a chimney that broadcasts the voting status. It is also the Pope's own chapel so is the site of papal ceremonies.
Sistine Chapel ceiling
Known as one of the greatest achievements in painting, the ceiling depicts nine central stories of the Genesis with figures of nudes holding medallions and text. It covers twelve Prophets and Sibyls, Spandrels and Lunettes and there are also the four corner Pendentives.
The Creation of Adam
Created by Michelangelo depicting the creation from the book of Genesis in which God gives life to Adam, the first man. This panel is next to the creation of Eve. In it God reaches out to touch Adam and in doing so give him life and therefore the birth of the human race.
The Last Judgement by Michelangelo
The figure of Christ captured in the moment before the verdict of the Last Judgement. This epic painting proved quite controversial in its time with many suggesting that the depiction of so many nude figures was unbecoming of the Chapel of the Pope. It led to a decision later to paint clothes onto some of the figures considered most obscene.
Southern Wall: Story of Moses
The Southern Wall is dedicated to the life of Moses from his journey through Egypt to his last acts and death.
Northern Wall: Story of Jesus
The Northern Wall is devoted to the portrayal of the life of Jesus from his baptism through to the Last Supper.
Sistine Chapel - frequently asked questions
How much is a ticket to the Sistine Chapel?
The ticket for the Sistine Chapel is included with the Vatican Museum tickets. Prices for these vary from the walk up price of €17 to fast-track tickets that beat the legendary queues starting from €27pp.
Where is the Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is within the Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome. It is around a 30-min walk to get there directly upon entry.
Do I need to book tickets for the Sistine Chapel?
You can queue up for tickets on the day but be prepared for long queues, especially in peak periods. Booking in advance is sensible especially if you are willing to buy fast-track tickets to the Vatican Museum to help avoid the queues.
Can you just see the Sistine Chapel?
You could, but you have to walk through the Vatican Museums to get there, so it is unlikely you will not be distracted by the wealth of treasures on display. The Sistine Chapel is one of the highlights of the museums but not the only one by far.
Can I take pictures in the Sistine Chapel?
Photography and video is not allowed and you are requested to remain silent during your visit. This does create a distinctive atmosphere where everyone has to take in what they are seeing and feeling, rather than thinking about photos or their next selfie.
What is the dress code for the Sistine Chapel?
Respectful dress code. Do not wear shorts, skirts that do not cover the knees or sleeveless tops and hats. Flip-flops should be avoided.
How long are the lines at Vatican?
This varies according to the time of year and time of day. Queues are not unheard of being two hours long, so fast-track tickets are very popular.
What is the best time of day to visit the Sistine Chapel?
Early morning and late afternoon are considered the quietest times, but this is relative. Mondays after Sunday closing are usually busier. Wednesday morning for the Papal Audience will draw larger crowds and Saturdays are always busy. Off-peak season is generally quieter.
Vatican Museums & St Peter’s Basilica combined tour with fast track entry tickets
Days of operation: Monday to Saturday
Your knowledgeable guide will escort you into the Vatican Museums to explore the world's most extensive collection of art.
Highlights of the museums are Michelangelo's famous Creation of Adam fresco in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Rooms.
After taking in the Vatican Museums, you will walk over to St Peter's Basilica for a fascinating finish to your group guided walking tour stopping to admire magnificent St Peter's Square.
VATICAN MUSEUMS, SISTINE CHAPEL & ST PETER'S HALF DAY WALKING TOUR
• Fast track entrance throughout the day • Fully narrated tour • Headsets • Free Wi-Fi at entrance • Add on your entrances
FASTER THAN SKIP-THE-LINE VATICAN MUSEUMS, SISTINE CHAPEL & ST PETER'S TOUR
• No-wait access • Professional guide • All entrances included • Multiple departures available • Small group tour
EARLY ACCESS VATICAN MUSEUMS, SISTINE CHAPEL & ST PETER'S TOUR
• All entrances included • Professional guide • Early morning access before the museums are open to the public • Private guide tailors commentary to you • Entrances to Vatican & Sistine Chapel included
VATICAN MUSEUMS & GARDENS, SISTINE CHAPEL & ST PETER'S
• Early access to the Vatican Museums & St Peter's • See the Sistine Chapel • Small group tour • Skip line pass to Vatican Museums and Vatican Gardens
Vatican Museum tickets including Sistine Chapel - fast-track, guided tour & VIP access tickets
This facility provides fast track access through a reserved door into the Vatican Museums, allowing you to skip all the lines.
Meet your host in Vatican City or outside the museum entrance and head to a reserved entrance that guarantees you the fastest skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums.
Available every day except Sundays and holidays listed on the Vatican Museums calendar.
VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL FAST TRACK ADMISSION
• Fast track entrance throughout the day • Open every day except Sundays and bank holidays • Optional download audio guide to your phone
EXCLUSIVE ENTRANCE VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL BEFORE OPENING HOURS
• Likely to sell out • Enter 30-mins before opening • Enjoy the Sistine in the quiet • 2.5 hour tour • All entrances covered
FRIDAY NIGHT VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL TOUR
• Beat the crowds • Expert tour guide • 3-hr tour • Likely to sell out • Instant confirmation • Add on your own entrance ticket
SKIP THE LINE VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL WITH OPTIONAL LUNCH UPGRADE
• Hotel pick-up • Local guide • All entrances included • Several departures per day • Am/pm or full-day tour
Private Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tours
Receive the Papal treatment with your very own private tour of the Vatican! You'll receive personalised attention from your guide, and by booking ahead you won't waste any time waiting in line.
Accompanied by your expert guide, you will enjoy an intimate, personalised tour of the Vatican Museums, which were originally meant for the sole enjoyment of the Pope.
With your own private guide to lead the way, you'll discover the beauty and secrets hidden within the masterpieces lining these rooms. Pricing is per private group.
This is a flat fee whether there is 1 or 9 people in the group. There are no special rates for children or seniors.
Private Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tours - more details
Rome Tourist Card
The Rome Tourist Pass is a simple ticket pass that lets you see the three most popular attractions in Rome all with one ticket. You can visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican including the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.
Please read the product description of the Rome Tourist Card on the website of Tiqets carefully when buying. We say this because in exceptional circumstances like Easter (when Rome is incredibly busy) the attractions may have to be adapted so that you get the best value possible. As tickets sell out for major attractions they are replaced by others. To be fair this is unusual and only ever occurs if demand is extreme, which after so long without travelling due to coronavirus, it currently is. So just be sure to read what you get for the dates you want to use the card on before buying.
This pass can save you money on buying individual tickets to each attraction and offers a few extra bonus discounts too. So, if you know you are going to visit all three attractions on your stay in Rome, then it can be a good money saving and ease of use purchase.
Key Features:
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Priority access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palantine Hill.
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Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel skip the line ticket with 20% discount in the Vatican Museums online shop.
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Guided tour of St Peter's Basilica with an official Vatican guide.
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City Tour of Rome: Audio App Guide.
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Self-guided Tour of the Pantheon Rome via Audio guide app.
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10% discount on other attractions in Rome
ROME TOURIST CARD FOR COLOSSEUM, VATICAN AND ST PETER'S BASILICA
With the Rome Tourist Card you get tickets for three of Rome's biggest attractions plus some extra bonus discounts.
You will still need to book your entry times in advance and plan your days carefully, but if you are going to visit all three then it can save you money on buying equivalent tickets individually.
VATICAN FAST TRACK TICKETS & TOURS 2024
