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Tickets for Vatican Gardens, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Official Guided Tour

VIP access to masterpieces and a secret garden

Provider: Tiqets International B.V.

Duration: 3h
Skip the line
Live guide: English, Italian
Max group size: 30
Instant ticket delivery
Smartphone tickets accepted
Duration: 3h
Max group size: 30
Skip the line
Instant ticket delivery
Live guide: English, Italian
Smartphone tickets accepted

What's included

Skip-the-line entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Guided tour of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and Vatican Gardens granting access to all open rooms and galleries
Audio headsets so you can always hear your guide
Tour operated by the Vatican

What's not included

Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica

Meeting point

Viale Vaticano 106-107, 00120 Vatican City Rome, Rome

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  • Experience a stockpile of Renaissance art that has ascended to mythical status, including paintings by Raphael and Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel
  • Take a guided stroll in the Vatican Gardens – a retreat for popes and their inner circle since the 13th century, now open to (very limited members of) the public
  • Skip the long entrance lines for the Vatican Museums and enjoy an expertly guided tour full of fascinating facts and stories about art and history

There are always huge lines to get into the Vatican Museums – and no wonder; it's one of the most exclusive places on the planet, packed to the rafters with spectacular art and cultural treasures. And behind the museums is one of the most private backyards in the world – the Vatican Gardens.

Awash with fountains, sculptures, and shady trees, this is where the Pope goes when he needs a little 'me time'. Sidestep the long lines, and enjoy a fix of papal-watching and heavenly art appreciation.

Built in the 13th century, the Vatican Gardens are nearly 23 hectares of flower fields, sculptures, fountains, and medieval buildings. Legend has it that when the gardens were first built, they were covered with sacred soil from Mount Calvary – so it really is hallowed ground. In the past, this garden of earthly delights was only accessible to those with power and influence. These days, all you need is one powerful ticket!

After you stroll the lush lawns, orchards, and botanical wonders like a pensive pontiff, get right to the front of the queue for the Vatican Museums – one of the elite art museums on the planet. Boasting works by a host of Renaissance luminaries, including Raphael and Michelangelo, along with the spectacular Hall of Maps, the Courtyard of the Pigna (Pinecone), the winding Spiral Staircase, and the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, it's a breathtaking sanctuary of art, history, and culture.

That's before you even mention the mesmerizing frescoes Michelangelo painted in the Sistine Chapel. Widely regarded to be one of the highest artistic achievements of all time, it's even more impressive considering Michelangelo was a sculptor, not a painter. All in all, the Vatican Museums comprise an earth-shaking journey into the world of high art. Avoid the queues, and get special access – all without needing to spend years in a seminary school? How divine!

  • Show your smartphone tickets to the security guards at the entrance
  • After security check climb the stairs on the far left of the entrance hall. The meeting point is located at the ‘Guided Tours’ desk, share your ticket and join the group.
  • Be on time, as Vatican personnel may not let in latecomers
  • Make sure to bring a valid ID for reduced tickets. Without valid ID, you will be asked to pay for a full price ticket in order to enter and the discounted ticket will not be refunded
Vatican Museums
Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 09:00 - 18:00
Friday 09:00 - 18:00
Saturday 09:00 - 18:00
Sunday Closed
Monday 09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00
  • Rescheduling is not possible for this ticket.

Hand-picked combinations

Combine Vatican Gardens with other Rome favorites. Some things are better together.

Ratings & reviews

4.5
1439 verified customer reviews
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3 reviews
L
Leanne,  United Kingdom United Kingdom
17 Mar 2023
Excellent
Christina was an excellent tour guide, she was incredibly knowledgeable on the history of what we were seeing and brought everything to life. Without her we wouldn't have appreciated what we were...
Christina was an excellent tour guide, she was incredibly knowledgeable on the history of what we were seeing and brought everything to life. Without her we wouldn't have appreciated what we were sering nearly as much.
Vatican Gardens, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Official Guided Tour
D
Dawn,  United States United States
18 Mar 2023
Excellent
Wonderful, informative tour. We especially enjoyed the gardens. Our guide was informative without being too serious. I highly recommend.
Vatican Gardens, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Official Guided Tour
R
Robert,  United States United States
17 Mar 2023
Excellent
Excellent insight by our guide, Isabella! The tour was long enough to be worth the price.
Vatican Gardens, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Official Guided Tour