Tour Details
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
"A wealth of knowledge"
"Vittorio had a wealth of knowledge which he presented in very fine detail and patiently answered my questions. I very much enjoyed my experience, and liked that it was a small group who connected well."
Susan D.
Susan D.
"Went above and beyond"
"Worth every penny! Cecilia was so interesting and knowledgeable. My husband is not a history buff but is now after Cecilia Vatican tour. She made the experience personal and it gave us a behind the scene view. She went above and beyond"
Erica L.
Erica L.
"Not just informational, but also experiential"
"This was an excellent tour. Alessia was fantastic! She responded thoughtfully to our questions and cheerfully guided us through the huge crowds. This tour was not just informational but also experiential and will leave a lasting impression."
Michael A.
Michael A.
Photos & Highlights
- The most comprehensive Context Vatican tour, offering a deeper understanding of the history, art, politics, and religion.
- Navigate the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica with your expert guide leading the way.
Select a date
Tour Description
Surrounded by paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and more, the Vatican holds an incredible array of artwork and history. This Complete Vatican guided tour is for those who want to unlock that vast amount of information with an exclusive deep dive that most visitors simply skip over.
As one of the only Context tours to include all three historic sites — the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica — you’ll enjoy the incredible value of experiencing these famous venues with an expert who knows how to bring the powerful history of each one to life.
Rather than simply looking at a painting or tapestry like most Vatican visitors, you’ll get an exclusive understanding of the dramatic stories behind each work and the hidden meanings held within.
Begin with a walk through thousands of artworks in the Vatican Museum before moving into the iconic Sistine Chapel. Many visitors find its sheer magnitude and beauty overwhelming. Your expert will give you the background and history you need to appreciate the craftsmanship while also understanding the stories held within the famous frescoes, including The Creation of Adam.
Use special access to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, skipping long lines outside, to see Michelangelo’s famous Pieta, St. Peter’s grave, and the incredible detail of Bernini’s canopy, among many other breathtaking statues and mosaics.
This tour provides a deep dive into the sprawling history contained within the walls of the Vatican City’s iconic sites. Ready for an unforgettable journey through history, art, politics, and religion? Your Context expert is waiting!
The Rome Jubilee (Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 14, 2025) may impact availability for visits in St. Peter's Basilica with short notice. As updates are announced, we will alert any affected tours for alternative scheduling options. In the event that the Basilica is not open to the public, tours will still visit the Vatican Museums and travelers will receive our St. Peter's Basilica Audio Guide at no additional charge, allowing you to visit the venue with Context guidance at anytime.
The Rome Jubilee (Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 14, 2025) may impact availability for visits in St. Peter's Basilica with short notice. As updates are announced, we will alert any affected tours for alternative scheduling options. In the event that the Basilica is not open to the public, tours will still visit the Vatican Museums and travelers will receive our St. Peter's Basilica Audio Guide at no additional charge, allowing you to visit the venue with Context guidance at anytime.
Experts
- You want to hit the three major venues — the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica — with an expert who can help you get the most out of your visit.
- You’ve been to the Vatican sites before, but it felt overwhelming without an expert to guide you through the venues. This time, you’re looking for a better understanding of the art and history held within each site.
- Navigating miles of Vatican hallways on your own sounds daunting. You’d like to go with an expert who already knows the best routes and highlights, allowing you to enjoy the works you’re most interested in while also being shown the hidden gems often missed by others.
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
Tickets
Our visit to the Vatican includes advance entry tickets, which allow us to skip the general admission line. However, we will still be required to wait in the security line which can take up to 20 minutes. Your guide will spend this time wisely by providing an overview of the history of the Vatican.
Your ticket includes special access through the stair passageway from the Sistine Chapel to reach St. Peter's Basilica, avoiding the line in St. Peter's Square. Since St. Peter's Basilica is an active church with numerous events, the portion of the tour involving the Basilica might be subject to disruptions on the day of the visit, depending on the church's events, availability, and crowd levels. Unfortunately, we cannot prevent or alter these changes.
PLEASE NOTE: Starting May 2024, the Pietà sculpture and the Baldacchino inside St. Peter's Basilica will undergo restoration works and therefore they might not be visible during the tour.
PLEASE NOTE: Starting May 2024, the Pietà sculpture and the Baldacchino inside St. Peter's Basilica will undergo restoration works and therefore they might not be visible during the tour.
Headsets
Depending on your group size, you may have headsets on the tour.
Summer Crowds
During the summer travel period, the Vatican Museums can see upwards of 35,000 visitors per day in the high season (Easter - September) and there is very little air conditioning in the buildings. It’s important to anticipate slower movement, limited visibility, and potential restrictions on accessing certain areas due to the density of crowds. Our experienced guides are adept at navigating through these challenging conditions and will strive to optimize your tour's route.
Dress Code
Vatican policies require modest attire to respect the sanctity of the site. This generally includes covering shoulders and knees for both men and women. It's also advisable to wear comfortable footwear.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
For more information on planning your tour, take a read through our How to Visit the Vatican Museums resources page.
A few things that pair well with this tour:
A few things that pair well with this tour:
- Your comfiest walking shoes and a lightweight outfit, especially if visiting in the spring and summer months.
- A little pre-trip prep to help you make the most of this in-depth experience: Vatican Museums: Top 10 Highlights for Curious Travelers
- An open mind and a readiness to dive deep into history and art.
I have purchased the Roma Pass, can I use it on my Context tours?
Roma Passes can not be used for the Vatican.
How crowded are the Vatican sites?
During the summer travel period, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica can be subject to extremely high levels of visitor traffic. It’s important to anticipate slower movement, limited visibility, and potential restrictions on accessing certain areas due to the density of crowds. Our experienced guides are adept at navigating through these challenging conditions and will strive to optimize your tour experience.
Does this tour "skip the line"?
Our visit to the Vatican includes advance entry tickets, which allow us to skip the general admission line. However, we will still be required to wait in the security line. At times, this line may take up to 20 minutes. Regardless, our guide will spend this time wisely by providing an overview of the history of the Vatican. The most important consideration is timing your visit to avoid large tour groups and cruise ships which cause excessive crowding. We schedule our tours to try and find the best conditions inside the museums.
How is this tour different from your other Vatican tours?
This is one of only two Context Vatican tours that visit all three iconic sites: the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.
Why is this tour not available on Wednesdays?
This tour grants entry to St. Peter's Basilica. On Wednesdays, the Basilica is closed to the public for the weekly audience with the Pope. We provide two tours that include visits to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, excluding the Basilica, and that are available every day, including Wednesdays. You can find more information by exploring our Vatican Highlights Tour with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets and Vatican Tour for Kids with the Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
There is access for clients with mobility issues, and free wheelchairs are available for rent at the entrance. However, people using wheelchairs/walking devices must follow a different route and book privately.
Guests with disabilities may be entitled to free entry to the Vatican Museums. Please contact us to find out if you qualify.
Are there areas to stop and sit along the way?
There are not many opportunities to stop and rest, especially with larger crowds during the busier spring and summer months. Please wear appropriate footwear and let us know of any mobility issues that may impact your tour experience.
Where You'll Start
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4001 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Simona is wonderful!!!
Beth
Nov 21, 2024
Excellent tour!
Anna
Nov 16, 2024
Estella was a gifted guide. She took great care to see that our group saw the many important and sacred highlights of the Vatican.
I want to mention that she professionally handled and unfortunate incident where one our group accidentally exited the Vatican Area at the "Changing of the Guard" and was not permitted to return on the premises. He would have go through the main entrance lines and security again if he wanted to return. Estella was understanding and did all possible to rectify the situation. She handled the outcome which was the person and his wife were asked to wait outside the perimeter until our group completed the St. Peter's Basilica tour.
The full Vatican Tour is a comprehensive and lengthy undertaking. Estella kept us focused on the beauty of the treasures and the importance of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican throughout history and into today and the future.
Patty
Nov 13, 2024
See the Vatican with Context
Get to know one of the art historians leading this tour
Meet Cecilia
