Skip the Line Vatican City Complete Tour: Sistine Chapel & St.Peter's

Did you know the Vatican Museums contain over nine miles of galleries? It is understandable that much of this magnificent artwork is overlooked. But, our expert English-speaking tour guide will make sure that you see it all on this extended tour of the Vatican Art Gallery, plus the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s Square. The tour itinerary has been planned to ensure that you don’t miss the most famous sights, and also to show you some things you never knew existed.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Vatican Museums, Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City Italy

First, you will head through the Gallery of Maps, Gallery of Tapestries, Gallery of the Candelabra, which leads to the renowned sculpture of Lacoon and his sons. Then, you’ll visit a real highlight of the Vatican Museums - the beautiful Raphael Rooms.
The Borgia Apartments are a standout on this tour. In the 15th century, these rooms were home to the infamous former cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (then Pope Alexander VI). As you study the family portraits, your guide will spill some of the secrets of one of the most renowned and most controversial papal families. There is a lot of history hidden within the paintings’ religious content that only an expert tour guide and point out. You will also peek into the scandalous lives of the Pope’s beautiful daughter Lucretia, and his son Cesare.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cortile della Pigna, Vatican City Italy

he famous Fountain of the Pine is located in the Courtyard of the Pine. Designed by genius architect Bramante, it is one of the few Ancient Roman fountains that survives to this day.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sistine Chapel, Viale Vaticano, 00165 Vatican City Italy

You will next head into Michelangelo’s world-famous Sistine Chapel. Before you enter, your guide will explain a bit about the frescoes, their meaning, and their significance. Michelangelo spent eight years of his life painting these wonderful frescoes – an incredible undertaking!

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Next, the tour moves to St. Peter’s Basilica, which is one of the most important sites of the Christian world. Built over the tomb of St. Peter, it is the world’s largest Basilica. The sheer scale and architectural beauty will leave you in awe. It took over 120 years to complete, and many of the most skilled and respected craftsmen and artists from the Renaissance Period contribured to it. Michelangelo’s “La Pietà,” Bernini’s famous altar, and the chair of St. Peter, amongst many other spectacular treasures are housed here.

Duration: 30 minutes