Exclusive Private Vatican Sistine Chapel Tour St. Peter Basilica w Hotel Pick Up

Experience the best that the Vatican City has to offer on this wonderful three hour tour, accompanied by an expert guide. Pre-booked tickets included with this tour ensure no time will be wasted in long entrance queues before you begin to explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica and more! Throughout the tour, you’ll hear about the history of these renowned religious sites from your guide, as well as learn more about some of the masterpieces which can be found inside. You can choose from either a 9.30am or 2.30pm start time and, as this is a private tour you can explore at your own pace, as well as view rooms in the museums which are closed to larger tour groups. You will be met by your guide outside the entrance to the Vatican Museums and with the pre-booked tickets; the tour will start immediately, with a visit to the Belvedere Courtyard, the Pio-Clementino Museum and the large collection of Ancient Roman and Greek Statues. Next, you’ll wander through the incredible Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps, which contains one of the most important collections of Renaissance maps in the world. In the Sobiesky Room you’ll view one of the Vatican’s largest paintings and marvel at the incredible frescoes in the room of the Immaculate Conception.

The beautiful Raphael’s Rooms are a particular highlight of any tour of the Vatican. Decorated by Raphael for Pope Julius II, they contain some of the artist’s best known masterpieces; the Parnassus and The School of Athens. As no talking is allowed inside the Sistine Chapel, before entering your guide will talk to you about the stunning frescoes which you will see inside, including works by Michelangelo, Botticelli and others. Your guide will also share intriguing anecdotes about this historic chapel which is still used today as the venue for Conclave, the papal election. You will then move on to the vast Saint Peter’s Basilica where you’ll see Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini’s Baldacchino, amongst many other works of art which commemorate the lives of Popes and Saints. The tour will end in Saint Peter’s Square where you can see the papal palace and catch a glimpse of the colourful Swiss Guards.