All-in-One Vatican Tour with St. Peter's Dome, Basilica & Sistine Chapel
All-in-One Vatican Tour with St. Peter's Dome, Basilica & Sistine Chapel
Many travelers ask: Is there a Vatican Tour that includes everything?We hear you out! Now, yes!This is a special, and unique special-combo itinerary and is not for all:It is, of course, possible to explore the Vatican Museums independently. But without an understanding of the art & history of the Vatican, it can be tough to tell exactly what you're looking at - let alone what it means.
1) Dome and Basilica Tour: Explore every facet of one of the greatest buildings on Earth as you climb to the top of St.Peter’s Dome, and then visit treasures like Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini’s Baldachin.2) Discover the Vatican Museums with a personal expert guide to satisfy your every curiosity on the masterpieces, Raphael Rooms, and Sistine Chapel. A local expert will guide you through the history and secrets of the Vatican.This is an intimate experience with tour groups capped at just 8 people or fewer. This means that there won’t be a mass of people between you and your tour guide.
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
St. Peter's Square
St. Peter’s Square in is one of the most famous (and certainly one of the most holy!) sights in the world. It was designed in the 17th century by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who was known as the most accomplished architect in Rome at the time. Pope Alexander VIII, who commissioned the piazza, asked Bernini to emphasize St. Peter’s importance as “the gateway to Heaven” and the architect implemented the request beautifully. He divided the square into a smaller trapezoidal area adjoining the Basilica and an oval main part, which together create a ground plan in the shape of a giant keyhole.
10 minutesSt. Peter's Basilica
Time to see Rome from the top of Michelangelo’s Dome! The view from the top of St. Peter's Dome is hailed far and wide as the best panorama of Rome. From these heights, you will also be able to gaze over the whole of Vatican City, with its splendid gardens. This is 360° of pure magic as the Eternal City stretches to the hills beyond, and your guide will help you spot many a famous roof and dome, from the Pantheon to Castel Sant'Angelo and more.
1 hourSt. Peter's Basilica
If you thought the size of the Vatican Museums was overwhelmingly spectacular, St. Peter’s Basilica takes the “wow factor” to another level. The sheer capacity of the interiors is enough to leave any visitor searching for words to describe its vastness. At 613 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 147 feet high, it took an incredible 120 years to build, starting from 1506. Admire Michelangelo’s unparalleled Pietà masterpiece and stroll towards the center-right nave to observe Bernini’s bronze Baldachin, which sits directly atop the site of St. Peter’s tomb.
30 minutesRaphael Rooms
Raphael’s most famous frescoes can be seen in four rooms in Pope Julius II’s and Leo X’s apartment. The first of the Raphael Rooms (1508-1524) to be frescoed – Pope Julius II’s study – reflects the themes of theology, philosophy, poetry and justice. Raphael’s most noted painting the School of Athens highlights the degrees of knowledge acquired through reason. The largest of the rooms the Hall of Constantine represents the victory of Christianity over Paganism, the Room of Fire is dedicated to Pope Leo IV, and the Room of Heliodorus represents the liberation of St. Peter. A real highlight on our Vatican tour!
15 minutesGallery of Maps
The Gallery of Maps is a stupendous hallway where geography and history are perfectly intertwined. Created at the end of the 16th century, the entire room is dedicated to customized maps, which display the whole of Italy. On one side of the 393-foot long gallery are two representations of the country: one from the Imperial Roman Era and the other from the 1500s. Each map shows political happenings, religious roles, and major battles. The ceiling is no less remarkable, with frescoed scenes displaying episodes and miraculous events of apostles, saints, and martyrs, which are linked to the geographical maps below.
10 minutesVatican Museums
These collections have been piled up over the course of centuries through acquisitions, donations, commissions, confiscations, and quite often lucky discoveries from underground Rome and not only
1 hourSistine Chapel
Admire the breathtaking Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo! The most famous section of the Sistine Chapel ceiling is Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. This scene is located next to the Creation of Eve, which is the panel at the center of the room, and the Congregation of the Waters, which is closer to the altar.
25 minutesIncluded
- Climb the Dome with your guide
- Skip-the-line access
- All Fees and Taxes
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Full Tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- Full Tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Small Group of maximum 8 participants
- Guaranteed to skip the lines
- Entry/Admission - St. Peter's Basilica
- Entry/Admission - Vatican Museums
- Entry/Admission - Raphael Rooms
Not Included
- Gratuites
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- You must present either proof of full vaccination, proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past 6 months, or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before the activity starts.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.