Sistine Chapel Express, St. Peter's Basilica & Vatican Crypts Tour
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Be the first inside the Sistine Chapel – 30 mins before other groups and a full 1hr 30 mins before the general public – so you have time and space to admire Michelangelo’s masterpieces in peace and quiet.
Be amazed by the sheer size of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest ancient basilica in the world. With Skip the Line Access you’ll gain direct entry with no need to wait in line.
Venture beneath St. Peter’s Basilica to pay tribute to the most important Popes at the Vatican Crypt. This tour covers the three most important sites of the Vatican in just two hours!
For visitors with only a short time in Rome or for those who want to see the highlights of the Vatican without spending hours inside the Museums, our First Entry Sistine Chapel Tour with St. Peter’s Basilica & Vatican Crypt offers an exclusive opportunity to see the top three sites in just two hours.
With first entry to the Sistine Chapel, you’ll have time to explore on your own before other tour groups and the general public arrive. Skip the Line Access gets you directly from here into St. Peter’s Basilica, saving you more time wasted, before you descend to the incredible Vatican Crypt, not covered on regular Vatican tours.
Our early access Sistine Chapel tour starts outside the Vatican Museums before they have opened. You’ll enter 30 minutes ahead of any other tour group and a full hour and 30 minutes before the general public. With an expert guide leading the way, you’ll go directly to the Sistine Chapel (passing through the Museums). On the way your guide will give you some tips on what to look out for in Michelangelo’s world-famous frescos; from his cheeky self-portrait in ‘The Last Judgement’ to ‘The Creation of Adam’ on the ceiling.
Being the first to enter the Sistine Chapel means you won’t have to elbow your way inside or deal with the notorious crowds that fill the room during regular opening hours. Take some time to soak up the incredible beauty of the chapel as it was supposed to be seen, in peace and quiet.
Once you’ve had your fill of the Sistine Chapel, we’ll take you through a special door – not available to the general public – through which you’ll gain direct access to St. Peter’s Basilica. Skip the Line Access here means we avoid another long queue outside the walls of the Vatican, which often stretches for hours during busy periods. On the way your guide will give you an overview of St. Peter’s Basilica, letting you know what you should look out for during your visit.
Entering St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll be blown away by its size and beauty. Visit Michelangelo’s sculpture ‘La Pietà’ and Bernini’s altar, a monumental structure of twisted wood and bronze, recycled from the Pantheon.
The last leg of our tour takes you below the Basilica to the Vatican Crypt. This is where the most important Popes in Church history have been buried – a huge honor bestowed upon past popes.
Once you've finished, your guide will lead you back outside to St. Peter’s Square where you’ll appreciate the mastery of Bernini, one of Rome’s greatest ever architects and artists.
With an expert, English-speaking guide leading the way, you’ll see all the highlights of the Vatican City in just two hours, while first entry at the Vatican Museums and Skip the Line Access at St. Peter’s Basilica keep us ahead of the crowds.
For the very best of the Vatican in one breathtaking morning, choose our First Entry Sistine Chapel Tour with St. Peter’s Basilica & Vatican Crypt.
St. Peter's Basilica and other religious sites are subject to occasional closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an extended tour of the Vatican Museums, or appropriate alternative. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. Knees, shoulders and backs must be covered. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access.
It is possible to climb the Dome on your own if you wish, however you will need to purchase a ticket directly on site. Our tours do not include a visit to the Dome. Please note that if you intend to climb the Dome after your tour ends, you should make sure to book a morning tour (not on a Wednesday) as the Dome access is already closed in the afternoon before our afternoon tours reach Saint Peter’s Basilica, and the Basilica is often closed on Wednesday mornings.
The tours meet at a location very close and convenient to the entrance of the Vatican Museums. Full details of the exact location are included on the confirmation voucher you will receive when you book your tour.
No. With our tickets, it is not possible to re-enter the Vatican once you leave as the Vatican tickets are single entry only.
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