Explore the iconic Vatican City on a private guided tour. Skip the lines and see some of the world’s most famous art and artifacts, with interesting facts and commentary! Admire the historic artistry of the Sistine Chapel and learn about the Vatican’s complex and rich history.
You can choose between an ordinary private tour, an early-bird tour to miss the crowds, or an evening tour for a little romance and privacy. We compare different options for all three so you can find the best private tour of the Vatican for you!
Know before you book:
- You will want to bring a camera
- Knees and shoulders must be covered in the Sistine Chapel
- The tour involves stairs and a few hours of walking
Highlights:
- Admire the exquisite Vatican and Sistine Chapel
- See St Peters Basilica, the world’s largest church
- An informative and enthusiastic local guide
- Skip the long queues
Vatican City is its own country! This alone is reason enough to visit this unique place, but there is so much more to appreciate. Housing ancient Roman sculptures and Renaissance frescoes, including Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican is a must-see when in Rome.
These tours allow you to skip the long line, which takes hours to wait in during peak season. They also offer a guided, informative opportunity to explore the Vatican, providing you with a wealth of information and context for the beautiful things you will find there.
The Vatican is one of the world’s greatest historical and cultural treasures, and a private Vatican tour is certainly the best way to experience it!
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Prices 2021
The cost of tickets starts at about USD $110. This tour lasts three hours and provides a personal guide and VIP access, allowing you to skip the lines. Tours average around USD $170 for increasingly special and unique experiences.
Compare prices across the ticket providers below:
Times
Private tours of the Vatican last three hours and include access to all of the Vatican that is open to the public, as well as the Sistine Chapel. You then have free access to St Peters Basilica – though some tours include this too!
Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturday: 9am – 6pm
Best time to go
Vatican City is best to visit during Italy’s spring (March – May) and Autumn (September – November) seasons. The days are temperate and pleasant, and the main holiday crowds are gone.
The best time of day to visit the Vatican is in the early morning and again in the evening, outside of normal visiting hours! On these tours, you’ll miss the crowds completely for a more intimate experience.
Sistine Chapel Private Tour
The only time you can hope to tour the Sistine Chapel privately is outside of normal visiting hours. During the day the chapel is packed. It is still exquisite and not to be missed – but don’t go in hoping to get some alone time in the beautiful structure!
Private tours of the Sistine Chapel are included in the early-bird and evening tours of the Vatican. This is the best way to experience it especially if you don’t like a crowd.
Private Vatican Tours
Choose between three amazing options! The classic private tour, the early morning private tour, and the private evening tour. Read on to find the best option for you!
Early-Bird Vatican Private Tour
Enjoy the Vatican’s wealth of history and beauty in absolute calm and peace. With about 10% of the usual crowds present, the early tour is ideal for those interested in photography, or just uncomfortable in crowds.
This exclusive Vatican private tour is limited to a small number of people and offered by only a few tour companies. Beat the crowds by visiting the Vatican first thing in the morning!
At the Sistine Chapel, you’ll enter through a special door only available only if accompanied by your guide, and have private access to the chapel. Unrivaled in its impact on religion and art, this is an extraordinary place to be alone in!
Explore and enjoy your destination
- Skip-the-queue access
- Early entrance
- Guided tour
- Hotel pickup with luxury vehicle
- Optional tips
- Meals
Take the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most influential religious sites without the many other people who want to too! Indescribably beautiful and full of treasures, this tour is perfect for everyone. And since it’s only three hours, even children can join in.
Check Price & bookClassic Private Vatican Tour
Enjoy fast-track access to the Vatican Museum, saving hours of your holiday time! This ticket includes a private tour of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum and St Peters Basilica. It also comes with headphones so that you can easily hear your guide.
Tour the many galleries and lovely grounds of the Vatican. Take in its beauty in a small group with a dedicated, knowledgable guide. It is certainly the best way to spend three hours of your Roman holiday!
Enjoy some of the destination’s best activities
Explore and enjoy your destination
- Skip-the-line entry
- Small-group guided tour
- Knowledgable English-speaking guide
- Entry to the Sistine Chapel
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Gratuities (optional)
- Meals and drinks
Vatican-By-Night Private Tour
These are the best Vatican tours! Experience the beauty of the Vatican in the magical, dreamlike state of the evening. When everyone has left, you can tour it privately in a small group. Discovering one of the world’s richest art collection in the quiet of the evening is a phenomenal experience.
The tour takes you through the Sistine Chapel, grand and empty, and ends in St Peters Square. Here you’ll enjoy an orientation tour of the Basilica and a rare opportunity to see the square standing empty.
Enjoy some of the area’s best activities
Explore and enjoy your destination
- Evening access to the Vatican Museum
- Small-group guided tour
- Knowledgable English-speaking guide
- Private tour of Vatican and Sistine Chapel
- Transportation
- Gratuities (optional)
- Meals and drinks
Specification: Best Private VIP Tours of Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tickets
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Photos: Best Private VIP Tours of Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tickets
Anonymous –
This was the second tour I have done of the Vatican. I would highly recommend this tour! The general lines are so long and it is so nice to be able to go in before the general public. I really liked our tour guide, I wish I could remember her name. She was very knowledgeable and not rushed. I did another tour last year and was disappointed at how it ended. We had to return our headsets in a store after listening to a sales pitch. We were unaware that once you leave the Basilica you cant reenter without standing in a very long line in the sun! We wanted to walk to the top of the Dome, but couldnt. I really appreciated that this tour ended at the Basilica so we were able to enjoy it after the tour, and our tour guide showed us exactly where we needed go for the Dome!!
Anonymous –
Very informative and engaging tour. Our guide we unfortunately don’t recall her name was excellent. She was friendly, animated and her energy and enthusiasm for the subject matter was contagious. The early access and small group aspects were of great benefit. My wife and I very much enjoyed our tour and wouldn’t hesitate recommending it to others visiting the Vatican.
Anonymous –
Our guide was interesting, knowledgeable and very entertaining. He answered all questions with enthusiasm and was every bit in awe of the Vatican as the first timers. It was a little difficult finding our guide as there were many other guides meeting at the same place, but once we hooked up everything fell into place.
Anonymous –
Nice to get in to the museum early because it was packed. Our tour guide, Sylvia, was superb. She had a very thorough knowledge of the museum, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican. She handled a lot of stupid questions with style and grace. Would go again 10/10.