Vatican

Vatican

The best way to get skip-the-line Vatican tickets

Skip the line Vatican tickets to book a guided tour that includes them. This will help you whizz through the queues and spend more time enjoying the sights. You can find a wide range of tours that include a skip the line ticket to both the Sistine Chapel and best Vatican city tickets tour Museums, all of which will be led by a professional and friendly guide.

You can also buy tickets online on the day of your visit and this will give you priority entry to both attractions. It’s a good idea to pick your time and daycare as this can make a huge difference to the wait times at both sites.

Guided tour
It’s also a good idea to take some time to look at what’s included with your tour so you can be sure you are getting the most for your money. This will save you a lot of money as well, so it’s definitely worth checking out the menu when you are booking your tour! There are also some great deals available on last minute tickets and these can be a lifesaver during busy tourist seasons.
Vatican Gardens
The stunning Vatican Gardens are a must-see attraction for those who enjoy green spaces, and there is no better way to see them than with one of the many curated Vatican Gardens skip the line tours on offer (check last prices here). You will be escorted through a private gate and can then explore the gardens at your own pace before returning to the Vatican for the museums.
Burying-ground Tours

For those who love history, there can be no greater thrill than seeing the tomb of Saint Peter deep beneath the Basilica that bears his name. This special visit to the necropolis can only be taken with permission from the Fabbrica di San Pietro (the Vatican excavations office).

These tours are only available on a limited number of dates and require advanced booking. These are 90-minute escorted tours that include only a small group of around 12 people and are strictly for those who are 15 years of age and above.

During the tour, you will learn about the history of the area and see where the tombs of Popes are located. You will also be able to walk through the Vatican grottoes which are one level up from the tomb of St Peter. You will also get a chance to bypass all the queues to go up into the basilica and enter directly inside.

Vatican City Guided Tour

Vatican City Guided Tour

The best way to Vatican City Guided Group Tours Booking

The best way to Vatican City Guided Tour the Vatican museums is to book a guided group tours. Those tour allow you to skip the line Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel tour.

These tours usually have a maximum of 25 people on them. These are a good option if you are a group of friends or family as they are more affordable than a private tour.

They also provide headphones to hear the guide speak in a normal tone, which is a huge benefit as you can hear what they are saying without having to shout over others.

Borgia Apartments

The Borgia apartments are a series of 6 rooms that were converted into a private apartment for Pope Alexander VI and Rodrigo de Borgia. They were decorated with frescoes by Bernardino de Betto de Baigio (known as Pintoricchio) between 1492 and 1495. They depict religious themes centred on martyrdom, mysteries of faith and the mediaeval themes of trivium and quadrivium.

If you’re planning a visit the best Vatican City tickets tour in Rome and want to see the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel, there are several ways you can go about it.

Book Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica Tickets in Advance

Book Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica Tickets in Advance

Book your tickets online for the best prices and skip-the-line access

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine chapel are extremely popular attractions and the queues can be very long during busy times such as Easter or Christmas, so it’s a good idea to book your tickets online in advance. There are also skip-the-line and guided tours which will allow you to visit the church without having to wait in line.

A guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel will take you around the various exhibits with a dedicated audio earpiece, giving you an in-depth look at some of the world’s most beautiful artworks. These tours are available to suit all budgets and come in both private and group options.

Climb the Dome
The iconic dome of St Peter’s Basilica is the most famous landmark in Rome and is a must-visit on any itinerary to the city. It can be climbed with a standard St Peter’s basilica ticket, but there are also more expensive ‘Dome Climb’ options which include a full guided tour of the dome and the entire church.
La Pieta
The ‘Pieta’ is the most famous sculpture in the basilica and features Mary holding Jesus’s body. Michelangelo’s masterpiece is one of the most moving pieces of art in all of Italy and a must see for any visitor to the Vatican.
Visiting St Peter’s tomb

The burial site of St Peter is right under the basilica and a visit to it is included as part of a guided tour of the church. It’s a very special moment and it’s an experience that you should not miss!

Make sure you cover your knees and shoulders to enter the basilica. Otherwise, you might be turned away!

When to go to the Vatican

Crowds at the Vatican are usually less busy in November and January. December and Easter (late March to mid-April) are the busiest times of the year, so be prepared to queue for hours if you want to see the church.

A lot of people don’t realize that there are other ways to access St Peter’s basilica than by visiting the main church entrance. You can also get into the basilica by purchasing tickets for a tour that visits the Sistine chapel first and then enters the church via a special entrance to give you more time to explore its interior and the incredible Renaissance architecture of the church.

Getting into the Basilica *directly from the Sistine chapel is an option that many other tours don’t offer, so it’s a great way to avoid the queues and enjoy the architecture of the church at your own pace.

The Basilica itself is a magnificent work of Renaissance architecture and is home to some stunning sculptures by artists like Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The main attraction is ‘La Pieta’, the 1499 marble statue of Mary carrying the body of Jesus, but there are other incredible works to admire as well.