Touring the Vatican is one of the top things to do in Rome. But deciding which tour to choose can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you find the best Vatican tour for your trip.
Summary of recommended tours
We’ve provided a complete analysis of the best Vatican tours available in this article. This includes dates and times available, duration and other useful information. Here is a summary if you’re the kind of person who wants quick answers.
Best standard tours
- Walks of Italy – Complete Vatican Tour (small groups up to 20 people)
- LivTours – Skip the line Highlights of the Vatican tour (small groups up to 6 people – 5% off with code – UntoldItaly)
- CityWonders – Skip the line tour of the Vatican (larger groups)
- Vatican official – Standard Vatican tour (provided by the museums – historic focus)
GET: 5% discount on small group tours with LivTours. Discount applied at checkout when you click this link or use code ‘UntoldItaly’.
Best early access tours (beat the crowds)
- Walks of Italy – VIP Key Masters Tour (open the Sistine Chapel at 6.00 am – small group tour) – this is the earliest and most exclusive tour
- Walks of Italy – Alone in the Vatican (small group and early access from 6.30 am)
- LivTours – Alone in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums(small group with early access from 6.30 am, includes breakfast in the Pine Cone Courtyard)
- Walks of Italy – Pristine Sistine – best first access with the general public tour
What to see on a Vatican tour
First, let’s clear up exactly what ‘the Vatican’ is so you can decide which parts you wish to tour. The Vatican is in fact an independent city state within Rome ruled by the Pope – the head of the Catholic church. It is the smallest country on Earth with an area of 0.44 square kilometers and population of just 1,000.
The main areas to visit inside the Vatican City are:
- St Peter’s Basilica including cupola (dome), tombs and square – more info
- Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel – the world’s greatest art collection with works by Raphael, Giotto, Caravaggio and of course Michelangelo
- Vatican Gardens – arguably the most beautiful gardens in Rome with stunning views of St Peters, grottoes and lawns
Most Vatican tours will include visiting both St Peters and the Vatican Museums as part of their package. The gardens can only be accessed by a separate tour usually combined with a tour of the Vatican Museums (but not St Peters).
Why take a tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peters
There are two main reasons to join a tour of the Vatican – experience and convenience.
With over 6 million visitors a year, the Vatican Museums and St Peters are among the most popular attractions in Rome and the world. And rightly so. Their collection of art is mind-boggling in scale and value. And the historical importance of the buildings is almost unparalleled.
Unless you are a highly educated art historian, there is no way you will know what to look for among all the glitz and walls dripping with priceless paintings. And unfortunately, the information provided by the museums is disappointing.
Visit with a guide and they will be able to point out the most important pieces and their symbolism and significance. Not to mention the major events that have taken place between those walls.
You will spend at least 2 – 3 hours visiting the Vatican no matter how you approach your visit. This is because it takes that amount of time to move through the buildings. That being the case, it makes sense to have an expert guide you through the highlights.
Tours start in the Vatican Museums skipping the long lines for tickets and use a special entrance to St Peter’s from the Sistine Chapel to avoid the separate lines for the Basilica. So if you are not on a tour or have not pre-purchased tickets you will need to line up twice to see both main areas of the Vatican.
Prefer to visit without a guide?
Make sure you buy skip-the-line tickets prior to your visit to avoid waiting in lines – around 2-3 hours during peak periods.
You can buy tickets for the Vatican Museums on the official site here or if you are having trouble using the site or they are sold out you can buy Vatican Museums skip the line tickets with authorized ticket seller GetYourGuide here.
St Peter’s Basilica is a separate site with its own entrance. Be aware – security line times can extend well over an hour during peak periods
What to look for in a tour of the Vatican
By law, all guides operating in the Vatican must hold a license that can only be obtained by a very strict examination process. So you know that any guide you tour with will have a thorough knowledge of the details, dates, and facts of the art and buildings you visit.
Your choice really comes down to timing, group size, inclusions, length and style and price of tour. Generally, the size and length of tour will determine the price, however, you also pay extra for exclusive experiences.
- Timing – early morning and evening tours are available and are strictly limited so you will have fewer crowds to contend with
- Group size – if budget allows, try to book a tour with a group size less than 20. Any more than this and you’ll be struggling to hear (despite headsets) or engage with your guide
- Inclusions and itinerary – basic and express tours of the Vatican focus on the highlights of the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel, Gallery of Maps, Michelangelo’s masterpieces, Pinacoteca Courtyard) plus St Peter’s interior. Longer tours will take you to the Underground Crypts, the Carriage Pavilion and Nero’s bath
- Length – the shortest tours available are around 2 hours and you can also join full day tours of the Vatican.
- Budget – basic tours start at around €40 for large group tours while you can pay between €300 – €500 per person for a private tour of the Vatican
Worth Noting
- We have not found a tour that includes visiting St Peter’s Dome. If you want to ascend the dome you will need to buy a ticket at the basilica office at the conclusion of your tour
- If you find yourself waiting in line for tickets and wishing you had booked a tour, please do not join one of those offered by the scammers that work the crowd. They are not recommended – expensive and basically just entry tickets (if that!)
The best Vatican tour companies
Here are some of the most popular operators and our assessment of how they differ. There are literally hundreds of tour operators working in the Vatican so we have chosen the best for different types of travelers.
- Walks of Italy – working closely in partnership with the Vatican Museums to create unique and engaging experiences for English-speaking visitors, the Walks of Italy offerings Pristine Sistine and VIP Key Masters tours are outstanding
- Vatican official tours – The Vatican Museums tours are generally the least expensive option but note that group sizes start at 16 people. Expect a focus on religious history and the church. Their Art and Faith tours are focused on the relationship between art and religion in the context of the history of the Catholic Church in Rome – view all official Vatican tours
- LivTours – this Rome based company is known for their very small group and private tours and knowledgeable guides who are expert at adjusting tours for their guests’ interest and knowledge level – view all LivTours Vatican tours PLUS 5% off with code ‘UntoldItaly’
Best Vatican tours
We chose the best small and larger group tours of the Vatican offered by the tour companies mentioned above. We used our own experience and cross-checked this with ratings on tours on TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and other media. This is updated on an ongoing basis so we can bring you the best tours available.
Please note – If you are visiting on a Wednesday, your tour group will not be able to enter St Peter’s Basilica due to the weekly Papal Address. In this case, the tour will include additional galleries of the museums.
If you are looking for a private Vatican tour please skip forward to the section below.
Standard tours of the Vatican
Most tour operators offer a standard 2 – 3 hour Vatican tour that includes highlights of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s. These tours start at the same time the museums are open to the general public.
Your tour includes skip the line for tickets and have a dedicated guide escorting you and explaining the art and history. But, there is no escaping the crowds, unfortunately. You will however be able to use the group entrance into St Peter’s avoiding a half hour walk back to the main entrance and line for the basilica.
| Tour operator | Duration Availability | Group Size | Price |
| LivTours* | 3 hours Monday to Saturday 10:00 and 14:30 | 6 max | €104 per person |
| To book LivTours Vatican tour - click here Don't forget to add code - UntoldItaly - for your 5% discount |
|||
| Take Walks | 2.5 hours Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat (time of year dependent) 08:00 | 20 max | €92 per person |
| To book the Take Walks Vatican tour click here | |||
| Vatican Museums* | 2 hours Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat 10:00, 14:00 Wed 09:30, 10:00, 11:30, 14:00 | 16 min - up to 40 | €35 per person |
| To book the Vatican Museums tour - click here | |||
| *Tours also available in Spanish, German, French and Italian | |||
Early morning Vatican tours
We think that early access tours are the best way to experience the Vatican. You can see the priceless artwork in relative solitude as you pay a premium to enter without the crowds. If these tours are within budget then we strongly suggest choosing the earliest tour available.
- Walks of Italy – VIP Key Masters Tour (open the Sistine Chapel at 6.00 am – small group tour) – this is the earliest and most exclusive tour
- Walks of Italy – Alone in the Vatican (small group and early access from 6.30 am)
- LivTours – Alone in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums(small group with early access from 6.30 am, includes breakfast in the Pine Cone Courtyard)
- Walks of Italy – Pristine Sistine – best first access with the general public tour
The Vatican Museums allow a very limited number of people each day into the galleries at 6:00 am with the “clavigero” or key keeper of the Museums. You can join this unforgettable tour led by the wonderful team at Walks of Italy – more info and booking instructions here. Note – this applies to the museums only and does not include access to St Peter’s. If you would like to read our complete review of this experience – visit this page
LISTEN: To our Vatican Museums Tips and Highlights podcast episode with Walks of Italy co-founder Stephen Oddo.
Complete Vatican tours
If you’re an art and history lover it is fair to say that 2-3 hours will barely scratch the surface of the 54 galleries and 20,000 works on display. These early start tours ensure you see the highlights as well as some of the lesser known treasures in the museums such as Nero’s bath, the Borgia apartments, Pinacoteca Vaticana and 16th century double helix Bramante staircase which inspired the modern version of the same name. Visit the Vatican Museums ticket office to learn about openings of special galleries and sections of the Museums.
DISCOVER: More tours in our guide to the Best tours in Rome.
Family friendly tour of the Vatican
Do you want to take the whole family to tour the Vatican Museums? We suggest giving this a lot of consideration especially if you have very young children. They will need to do a lot of walking, often in hot and stuffy rooms and remain silent in the Sistine Chapel.
If you do decide to go, booking a family friendly tour is a great idea. Your tour will be tailored to the interests of children and your guide will assist in keeping your kids entertained so you can enjoy the experience too.
LivTours offer a fun family friendly interactive tour in the Vatican designed especially for families. This is a great way to introduce your children to the history and stories behind this precious art collection.
Special Vatican tours
Evening Vatican museum tours
During the summer months the Vatican Museums open from 19:00 pm to 23:00 pm on Friday evenings. With limited numbers allowed into the galleries, you can enjoy them without the crowds and in the cooler night air. This exclusive experience will no doubt be a highlight of your trip to Rome.
Note – this experience does not include visiting St Peter’s Basilica so you would need to go there separately
Recommended night Vatican tours
- Vatican Museums official [group size up to 30] – click for info
- Walks of Italy [group size max 15] at 19:30pm – click for details
Claim your 5% discount on small group tours with LivTours. Click here and use code ‘UntoldItaly’
Vatican Garden Tours
The Papal gardens are among the finest in Europe that are centuries old. A stroll through the gardens reveals sculptures, fountains and stunning views of the basilica. They are an oasis away from the chaos of the city beyond.
A tour of the gardens will help you appreciate the history and stories behind the many works of art within the gardens and their significance to the Catholic church. There is a replica of the sacred Lourdes grotto in France as well as monuments and statues collected by and dedicated to former popes.
An advantage of doing a tour of the gardens is that it also includes admission to the Vatican Museums. And yes, you skip the lines. No tour is provided in the museums, however.
Vatican Scavi tours
If you have a particular interest in Christianity and history, there could be no bigger thrill to see what is said to be the tomb of St Peter the apostle, deep below the basilica that bears his name. Only 250 people per day are allowed into this sacred area as part of escorted 90 minute tours run by the Vatican. Tour groups are small with only 12 people visiting the excavation site and tomb.
You need to book this tour months in advance by following the instructions on the official Vatican excavations office page. Please note – children under 15 years may not go on this tour. You may not take photos on the tour.
Private Vatican tours
Would you prefer a fully private tour of the Vatican Museums? Private tours are a great way to enjoy the Vatican at your own pace and to see those things you really want to see. Starting at around €350, they can also be more cost-effective if you are traveling in a larger group. We recommend LivTours for private Vatican tours.
DISCOVER: The Best hotels near the Vatican City.
Useful information for visiting the Vatican
Both the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica are religious sites. Men and women should cover knees and shoulders as a sign of respect. You may be refused entry if you are not suitably attired.
During the hot Roman summers, you might like to bring a light shawl or scarf as an alternative to wearing clothing that covers your shoulders.
Tours are not offered on Sundays when the museums are either closed or open to the public for free admission.
Tour itineraries do not include St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday due to the usual Papal audience in the piazza.
The best day to do a standard Vatican tour is probably Tuesday when you avoid the extended long weekend European visitors.
If you want to do an early morning tour choose from Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
Night tours of the Vatican are only available on Fridays from April to October.
The Vatican Museums’ official site states that from the 1st of August 2024, all entrance tickets to the Vatican Museums purchased online must be validated by staff in the access corridors in the entrance area of the Vatican Museums. If you fail to validate your ticket, it will be invalid for passage through the turnstiles, so you will have to go back to get it validated
Yes, it is a condition of entry that all people entering the Vatican Museums and St Peters pass security checks. Don’t worry, these lines move quickly
Yes, cloakroom facilities are found near the entrance to the Vatican Museums and there is a separate cloakroom for St Peters. Both are free of charge
Yes, you can take photos (without flash) in most areas except the Sistine Chapel where photography of any kind is not allowed. Flash photography is forbidden in all areas as it may damage the artwork
Our team of writers and creatives at Untold Italy are experts in keeping you informed and inspired about travel in Italy. Our team collaboration involves writers, photographers and editorial staff dedicated to sharing accurate Italy travel information.
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