A visit to the Vatican Museums is one of the highlights of a visit to Rome. But a guided tour of the Vatican Museums can give you the opportunity to learn the unique stories behind its treasures as well as gain access to areas of the Vatican City that regular tourists don't get to see.
The guided tours outlined below are for individuals who will be joined with a group of up to approximately 20 others. Private tours for groups (school, church, etc.) are also available. Be sure to check the Vatican Museums website for updates on tours, tour schedules, and admission prices.
1. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
This tour is guided by an official Vatican Museums tour guide. It follows the regular route of a regular Vatican Museums, which includes the Pio-Clementino Museum (Greek and Roman antiquities), the Gallery of the Candelabras, the Maps Room, the Tapestry Gallery (Renaissance Art), the Raphael Rooms, and culminates at the Sistine Chapel. Included with the price of the tour is admission to the Museums and rental of audio-guides. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
2. Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica Art and Faith Itinerary
Combining the "art" of the Vatican Museums and the "faith" (as well as art) of St. Peter's Basilica, this tour provides a good overview of the treasures of the Vatican City. It includes the Pio-Clementino Museum, the Pinacoteca (Picture Gallery), the Gallery of the Candelabras, the Tapestry Gallery (Renaissance Art), the Maps Room, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
3. Vatican Gardens Tour
Access to the Vatican Gardens, an idyllic parkland set with villas, statues, and monuments, is restricted only to visitors on a guided tour. So, if gardens are your thing, this is the tour for you. The Vatican Gardens tour includes admission to the Vatican Museums (without a guided tour), a guided tour of the Vatican Gardens, and rental of audio-guides. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours. Note that there are no tours of the Vatican Gardens on Wednesdays or Sundays.
4. Vatican Scavi Tours
Guided tours of the archeological ruins (scavi) of the Vatican are available for groups. The tours go through either the archeological ruins under Vatican City, which includes the necropolis where the remains of St. Peter are said to be buried, or the Scavi under San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John Lateran).
To book a tour, groups must contact the Vatican office for guided group tours via email at visiteguidategruppi.musei@scv.va or by calling (39) 06 6988 3145.
5. Private Guided Tours of the Vatican Museums
Private tours of the Vatican Museums can be arranged after closing hours. Contact visitespeciali.musei@scv.va for details.