One of the most famous landmarks in the world, Vatican City draws more than 5 million people each year, which means that no matter when you visit, you can expect massive crowds. Along with the crowds, the sheer size of this sovereign city-state in Rome can make a visit to Vatican City feel overwhelming.
If you’re feeling intimidated by the experience, consider one of the following small-group Vatican tours, guided by local experts who can both explain the history of the Eternal City and help you navigate the crowds.
As you browse the best options, be sure to keep the following in mind (and also visit the Frequently Asked Questions section at the botton of this page):
- Many tours offer early-entry or after-hours access to the Vatican, so you should anticipate crowds regardless.
- Any visit to Vatican City requires a lot of walking. Comfortable walking shoes are necessary, and strollers are allowed.
- Traffic in Rome can be brutal, especially during the summer. Give yourself enough time to get to your tour at least 10 to 15 minutes before it departs.
What a Life Tours – Skip the Line Vatican Small Group Tour
Price: Adults from $90; kids from $83
Duration: 3 hours
One of the best tours in Rome, this small-group option includes skip-the-line tickets to all the museums as well as St. Peter’s Basilica. Tourgoers are also given headsets so they can better hear their guide. Recent visitors praise the knowledgeable tour guides for helping them maneuver the museums, as well as ensuring guests are comfortable (finding a shady reprieve on a hot summer day, for example).
Tours, which last about three hours, depart from the What a Life Tours office (Via Santamaura 14B) at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Tickets start around $90 for adults and $83 for kids ages 6 to 17. There is no cost for children ages 5 and younger.
What a Life Tours also offers skip-the-line access that omits the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as local food tours and tours of the Colosseum.
The Roman Guy – Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour
Price: Adults from $184; kids from $154
Duration: 3.5 hours
Instead of early entry, this unique tour offers after-hours access to the Eternal City. Explore the museums and the Sistine Chapel with an expert guide before enjoying Italian aperitivo (a pre-meal drink) in the Pinecone Courtyard. Recent reviewers highly recommend this tour, pointing to the tour guides’ breadth of knowledge and the ability to experience Vatican City with fewer crowds. They also say the wine (which was accompanied by delicious food) in the courtyard was a highlight.
This seasonal tour takes place Monday through Thursday at 3:30 p.m., though visitors are asked to arrive 10 to 15 minutes beforehand. Tours begin and end at the entrance to the Vatican and last approximately 3.5 hours. Tickets start around $184 for adults and $154 for kids ages 2 to 14.
The Roman Guy offers a number of other local tours that include visits to the Colosseum and Catacombs of Rome as well as food tours (and tours that combine some or all of the above).
Liv Tours – Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Tour
Price: Adults from $258; kids from $55
Duration: 3 hours
This intimate tour is limited to just six people, making the experience more personal and enjoyable. Your tour guide will take you to through the famous galleries, the Julius II apartments, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Recent tourgoers say they could see a difference in this tour versus the other Vatican tours. They also note how kind the tour guides are.
Tours, which are available during a wide variety of time slots each day, start and conclude at Caffé Vaticano, right across the street from the entrance to the museums. The cost is approximately $241 for adults and $100 for kids ages 3 to 17.
Other experiences offered by Liv Tours include a Jewish Ghetto & Travestere Tour, cooking classes and tours designed for kids.
Private Tours of Rome – Skip-the-Line Private Tour of the Vatican Museums
Price: Adults from $258; kids from $55
Duration: 3 hours
Explore the Vatican with a professional historian on this private tour. Recent travelers say they’re so glad they chose to visit the Vatican on a private tour, noting how much they enjoyed hearing the guides’ personal stories about the museums and the pope.
Tours depart at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily and last about three hours. Tickets start from $258 for adults and $55 for kids ages 5 to 17.
If you’re looking for a private tour of other attractions, Private Tours of Rome offers a variety of options. It also offers shore excursions, with pick up and drop-off at your ship in Civitavecchia.
Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience
Price: From $426
Duration: 7 hours
If you’re short on time and/or prefer to see several Rome attractions at once, this jam-packed tour is a great option. During the six-hour excursion, you’ll see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Novana and Pantheon before visiting the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square (and then moving on to other sites). This tour includes optional headsets and skip-the-line access at all ticketed attractions. Recent travelers say the tour guides make this experience especially fun.
This full-day tour starts at 9 a.m. in front of Restaurant Angelino and concludes in St. Peter’s Square. It’s typically offered Monday through Saturday. The cost starts around $426 per adult. While babies and toddlers up to age 2 are permitted free of charge, this tour is not recommended for children.
Through Eternity Tours offers a number of other guided experiences in Rome, including an Angels and Demons tour based on the bestselling book. The company also offers shore excursions and day trips to Tivoli, Florence and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Vatican is a sovereign city-state recognized under international law. Its government includes the pope and the departments of the Roman Curia that help him exercise his responsibilities.
In short, yes. Vatican City is considered an independent nation-state and is the world’s smallest such entity.
Yes, and there are a variety of ticket options you can purchase on the attraction website. However, because there’s so much to see, a guided tour can help you see the highlights without feeling overwhelmed and may also include visits to other attractions in Rome.
All visitors must dress appropriately for a place of worship. Shorts, hats, miniskirts, sleeveless tops, low-cut tops and garments that show the knees are not permitted. Guests dressed inappropriately will not be allowed inside.
All visitors are required to go through a security check to enter the museums, and there are a variety of items that you may not take inside:
- Luggage: Bags, backpacks and the like must not exceed 40 x 35 x 15 centimeters (16 x 14 x 6 inches); if they’re too big, they must be checked in the cloak room (free of charge).
- Umbrellas: If necessary, these can also be checked in the cloak room.
- Video cameras: Non-flash photography is permitted in all areas except the Sistine Chapel.
- Food and drink
- Weapons and firearms
The Vatican is easily accessible from different sections of Rome. You can take the metro to either the Cipro or Ottaviano stop on Line A (orange line) to be dropped near the Vatican Museums. If taking the bus, multiple routes drop off near St. Peter’s Basilica. You can also opt for a taxi or walk into St. Peter’s Square.
Additionally, there are parking garages outside of Vatican City if you want to drive there, though driving in Rome is generally not recommended, as there are many areas where driving is restricted and you could be fined.
The Vatican museums are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours until 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and 8 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct. 28. The museums are closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month) and certain holy days throughout the year, including Christmas. Final entry to the museum is approximately two hours before closing.
St. Peter’s Basilica is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Be sure to check if there are any museum closures ahead of your visit.