Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms in Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy

Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms

Outty Ranking 54 4.6 · 17 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom €79
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Outty Ranking

54/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms worth booking?

Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms is a 3-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from €79 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 17 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
54 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (17)
Duration
3 hours
From
€79 per person

This is a superb half-day tour to see the Vatican in the company of a top-rated and very knowledgeable guide. With skip-the-line access you by-pass the waiting lines of tourists and head directly inside to see Ancient Roman and Greek statues,  Raphael’s Rooms, the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, the Sistine Chapel, to name a few. This is one of the most comprehensive tours of the Vatican highlights and we ensure you won’t miss any of the “must-see” treasures that make this such a special place.

What you get

    About this experience

    This is a superb half-day tour to see the Vatican in the company of a top-rated and very knowledgeable guide. With skip-the-line access you by-pass the waiting lines of tourists and head directly inside to see Ancient Roman and Greek statues,  Raphael’s Rooms, the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, the Sistine Chapel, to name a few. This is one of the most comprehensive tours of the Vatican highlights and we ensure you won’t miss any of the “must-see” treasures that make this such a special place.

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional art historian guide
    • Guaranteed to skip the long lines
    • All activities
    • Admission tickets

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Private transportation
    • Hotel pick up and drop off

    What you'll see and do

    1. Vatican Museums

      You meet with your guide at the entrance to the Museums and with privileged access by-pass the queues and head inside.  You can leave your belongings in the cloakroom and take a comfort break before starting the tour. The visit begins in the rooms that hold ancient Roman and Greek artworks collected from excavations in the city of Rome.  When the Popes ruled Central Italy the Vatican had the rights to all finds.  Your guide will take you to see the most interesting of these including the Belvedere Apollo, the Torso, the busts of Claudius and Hadrian and the sarcophagi of Helen and Constance, the mother and daughter of Emperor Constantine.Next on the itinerary is a visit to the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra where you walk over rare Roman mosaics and come face-to-face with the magnificent statues of Diana of Ephesus, the Muses and many Greek philosophers.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Stanze di Raffaello

      You then proceed to the Gallery of Tapestries, the Sobieski Hall and Raphael’s Rooms.  The latter were the private apartments of Pope Julius II and were painted by Raphael and his disciples.  Here you will see two of the painter’s most famous masterpieces, the Parnassus and The School of Athens.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Sistine Chapel

      The highlight of any tour is of course the famous Sistine Chapel, Italy’s most visited site.  Your guide will tell you all about Michelangelo’s frescoes, The Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis as well as details of the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino and other famous Renaissance masters.  Still in use today, the Sistine Chapel is where the conclave takes place to elect a new Pope.  Listen to anecdotes and some well-kept secrets about this amazing place.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    4. St. Peter's Basilica

      It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    5. St. Peter's Square

      The tour will end in Saint Peter's Square

      30 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Rome

    At the stairs outside the Vatican museums, at the monumental white door topped with the statues of Michelangelo and Raphael (Vatican museum Entrance) Address: viale vaticano

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    At the stairs outside the Vatican museums, at the monumental white door topped with the statues of Michelangelo and Raphael (Vatican museum Entrance) Address: viale vaticano

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en, it
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
    • READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during your Vatican tour: the Sistine chapel and/or the Basilica of Saint Peter might not be accessible. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.
    • Please note due to the Jubilee, the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. Unfortunately, we know that very last minute.In any case, you can go there after the tour, queueing.

    Photos

    Vatican Museums, Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms in RomeVatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms in Rome, photo 3Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms in Rome, photo 4Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms in Rome, photo 5Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms in Rome, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Pace and timing

    3 mentions

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Small groups

    2 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    17 verified traveler reviews for Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    13
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    Docpoppop · September 2022

    When in Rome tours . With Chiara on Sept 24 ,2022 . Tour was quite informative and entertaining . The selected info grea

    The tour was great . Entertaining and informative . Chiara was very personable . We were able to see many important items in many different parts of the tour. When in Rome tours with Chiara was just presented in a way to entertain and inform . The language was clear and easy to understand . We did not go into St. Peter’s Basilica because the lines were enormous . If admission to St Peter’s was included that would have saved us hours of line waiting . But no line waiting on the vat museums and Sistine chapel .

    via Tripadvisor

    markcburr · May 2022

    Claudia and the Vatican

    Claudia was fantastic. She knew her material so well. She was funny and thoughtful and took great care with my somewhat frail sister. Loved her!

    via Tripadvisor

    keithmF5984AA · May 2022

    Private Vatican Tour

    Our guide was so good and knowledgable. Could not ask for better. Made the Vatican experience come to life. Thank you.

    Response from the operator: Ciao Keith, thank you very much for your review! I am so happy you had a great tour :)

    via Tripadvisor

    VirginiaTravelbunny · March 2022

    Wait until Covid restrictions are over!

    I am leaving a poor review only because Covid restrictions made this tour a waste of time. We had to meet infront of a monitor for half an hour while the guide explained what we were going to see. Imagine twenty plus people crowded around to see a glimpse of the screen. Then when the walking tour began, the guide talked more about the popes of the era rather than the artwork which we were viewing. The mask police where everywhere and if your mask happened to slip off you nose for a second they rushed to reprimand you. By the end of the tour we finally made it to the Sistine Chapel but the guide was not allowed to tell us anymore about it. It was so anticlimactic that all we wanted to do was escape the Vatican.

    via Tripadvisor

    lindy j · February 2020

    Vatican City

    Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel We did skip the line which is in Vatican & Sistine Chapel. You can use a live, audio or on your own tour. The portrait and sculpture works are awesome. There is only one way in and one way out. There is a short mass every so often during the day. Lots of people, very crowded. They have a lot of souvenir shops. Excellent presentation of artwork.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Price range
    €79 to €355
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    6
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tours, who run 14 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 39.3.

    See everything Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tours runs

    Why this scores 54

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)73
    Review evidence (18% weight)39
    Booking momentum (14% weight)31
    Value for money (12% weight)74
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)48
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.

    How much does Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms cost?

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    Prices start at €79 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rome usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms take?

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    Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rome is not rushed.

    Is Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Rome, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms?

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    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms?

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    Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rome can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rome and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rome within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Rome?

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    Rome runs on skip-the-line access. The Colosseum underground, the Vatican before opening, and the catacombs south of the walls all require a licensed operator, and the price gap between the good ones and the rest is smaller than you would expect. We rank by guide credentials, group size and how reliably the promised access actually materialises. On Outty we rank every Rome experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rome Pizza & Gelato Class with Wine by Cooking Italy, Rome [4in1] Pasta Making_Tiramisù_Wine Tasting_Secret Cellar, Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & Fine Wine 5*. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Rome?

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    April, May, September and October. August is hot and half the city is shut. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Rome?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms?

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    Included: Professional art historian guide; Guaranteed to skip the long lines; All activities; and Admission tickets. Not included: Gratuities; Private transportation; and Hotel pick up and drop off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms?

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    At the stairs outside the Vatican museums, at the monumental white door topped with the statues of Michelangelo and Raphael (Vatican museum Entrance) Address: viale vaticano Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms offered in?

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    It is offered in English and Italian. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope Francis and his inte; and Please note due to the Jubilee, the Basilica might not be accessible as part of the tour. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Rome. Standard cancellation terms apply.

    What do travelers say about Vatican Tickets & Tour including Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms?

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    Across 17 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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