So what’s the right Vatican tour for you? With over nine miles of Museums and so much to see, trying to pick the best way to tour Vatican City can be overwhelming. As Vatican Experts, we’re making things simple with our break down of what to see in the Vatican and what tour is best for you.
The Highlights:
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica Tour
Who is it for:
Whether you’re just in Rome for a short trip or have a lot to cover on your stay, you want to be sure you get to see the essential elements that the Vatican has to offer.
Where you’ll go:
You’ll get an overview of the Vatican Museums starting in the Pinecone Courtyard then making your way through the Candelabra gallery, through the Gallery of Tapestries and magnificent fresco adorned Gallery of Maps then into The Raphael Rooms before getting to the splendour of the Sistine Chapel. After that you take in the highlights of St Peter’s Basilica and can then choose to head out directly into St Peter’s Square or wander back into the Museums to explore at your own pace.
The Art Lover:
Extended Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour with Bramante Staircase & St. Peter’s Basilica
Who is it for:
Art lovers, art students or just those of you who want to explore more art from this amazing collection.
Where you’ll go:
On this extended tour of the Vatican you’ll see the Vatican Pinacoteca, Caravaggio’s Deposition from the Cross, Chiaramonti Museum, Apollo Belvedere and the Raphael Rooms among other works that will help you to fully explore all movements and eras of art before you finish with the essential Candelabra, Tapestry and Map Galleries and on to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Family:
Vatican Museum Highlights for Families Tour with Sistine Chapel
Who is it for:
Anyone who wants to take a different route and explore the areas of the Vatican Museums that will definitely spark the imagination of the younger minds in your family.
Where you’ll go:
Your family tour will take you to slightly different parts of the Vatican Museums like the Carriage Pavilion, where horse drawn gilded carriages from early papal times sit alongside Volkswagen Beetles and more modern papal transports; The Antiques from the Ancient Near East museum, where mummified remains and spooky Egyptian artefacts will surprise and delight and then a tailored version of The Gallery of Maps; The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica specially planned to engage those younger minds.
The Flying Visit:
Full-day Vatican and Colosseum Combo Tour
Who is it for:
If your only in Rome for a couple of days you’ll want to make the most of your time there! With this combo tour you’ll get to see two of the biggest attractions in Italy, the Vatican and the Colosseum, in one day. You’ll have the benefits of skip the line access everywhere you go, saving precious time.
What you’ll see:
Visit the best of the Vatican Museums like the Gallery of Tapestries, Gallery of Maps, The Gallery of the Candelabra, Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica before you head off to see the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
The Early Bird:
Sistine Chapel Express, St. Peter’s Basilica & Vatican Crypts Tour
Who is it for:
You wouldn’t be the first person to dream about walking through the Vatican in silence. The good news is that because of our Official Vatican Partnership, City Wonders can bring our guests into the Vatican a full hour and a half (1h and 30min) earlier than the public and 30 minutes before other tour companies can start their “early access.”
What you’ll see:
Your group will head directly for the Sistine Chapel passing through the 3 essential galleries of candles, tapestries and maps to enjoy the Chapel in utter silence. Then you’ll visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Crypts of the Popes.
The Garden Lover:
Exclusive Half-Day Vatican City Tour with Breakfast and Gardens
Who it’s for:
If you enjoy spending your days basking in your own Garden, the Vatican Gardens should be on the top of your list. With a mixture of three different styles of landscaping, English, French and Italian; you’ll enjoy the perfect balance between beautiful flowers, history and art.
What you’ll see:
To visit the Vatican Gardens you’ll have to organise a guided tour. If your planning your vacation during the summer our garden tour includes breakfast and a tour of the gardens before the highlights of the Vatican Museums, so you’ll get more than the average tour.
The History Buff:
Extended Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Tour with Bramante Staircase & St. Peter’s Basilica
Who it’s for:
Those of you who truly want to live in history, exploring all the artefacts and hidden gems the museums have to offer leaving you feeling like you’ve really walked in the footsteps of Roman history.
What you’ll see:
The Extended tour will take you on the longest route through the Vatican Museums so that you get to see all the headline art like the Pinacoteca and the Raphael Rooms to name a few. You’ll go though the Chiaramonti Museum, the Bramante Staircase and the Etruscan Museum before heading off to The Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica.
The Night Time Outing:
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Night Tour
Who is it for:
Those who want to experience the Vatican in a unique setting and maybe enjoy the cooler temperatures as well. Each year the Vatican announces a handful of dates where they will keep their doors open until 11 o’clock at night.
What you’ll see:
You’ll enjoy a guided tour through the Pinecone & Octagonal Courtyards, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel.
The Exclusive:
Who is it for:
For those who want to have a more intimate experience of the Vatican Museums with smaller group and more 1 to 1 guide attention.
What you’ll see:
Like the Highlights tour you’ll get an overview of the Vatican Museums starting in the Pinecone Courtyard then making your way through the Candelabra gallery, through the Gallery of Tapestries and magnificent fresco adorned Gallery of Maps then into The Raphael Rooms before getting to the splendour of the Sistine Chapel. After that you take in the highlights of St Peter’s Basilica and can then choose to head out directly into St Peter’s Square or wander back into the Museums to explore at your own pace.
The Papal Audience:
Papal Audience Experience with Pope Francis
Who is it for:
Thousands of people travel each year to see the Pope, and Pope Francis has certainly captured the imaginations of people from all walks of life. Whether you are a pilgrim or just a curious soul who wants to experience seeing the Pope, the Papal Audience will certainly live up to expectation.
What you’ll see:
Your Guide will take you to pre-reserved seats that Pope Francis walks right by. Before the Ceremony your guide will tell you about the Vatican and the Popes of the past. Considering Papal Audiences sell out quickly and usually involve long lines and waiting times this booking is essential to finding the best spot and a hassle free way to get close to Pope Francis.
