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Best of the Vatican: Fast Track Highlights

Arts & HistoryPopular
The most budget-friendly of all our Vatican Tours, this 2-hour tour is short and sweet while not sacrificing any of the must-sees. Book your tour today and let our passionate art historian guide get you past the queues and through the labyrinthine Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel in two hours.
Meet your expert guide by the Vatican Museum entrance and enjoy skip-the-line entry to what is arguably the most important collection of art in the world. Your guide knows every nook and cranny of the museums and will navigate seamlessly through the more than 1,200 galleries. Emphasis will be placed on the Rooms of Raphael, the Ancient Roman and Greek pieces in the Belvedere Courtyard, and the Gallery of Maps, ensuring you stay on track with an eye on the ultimate prize: the Sistine Chapel. 

As you stroll through the former papal residences, your guide will point out major works of art dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome and explain the role these ancient pieces played in inspiring the future artistic genius of Renaissance Italy.

Much of this tour will be dedicated to the majestic Sistine Chapel, from its commissioning to the finishing touches applied by none other than Michaelangelo Buonarroti. You will hear the true life story of this fascinating yet tormented artist, who considered himself a sculptor and not a painter yet dedicated countless years of his life painting frescoes on a ceiling 44 feet high. Learn of the physical and psychological damage inflicted on the artist as your guide helps you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this epic work of art. 

After ample time gazing up at the world’s most famous ceiling, choose whether to take advantage of priority access to St. Peter's Basilica or remain inside the museums to explore some of the remaining 1,400 galleries of art at your own pace.

Highlights

Quick access and a shorter tour leaves time for more sightseeing around Rome

Get up close and personal with Michelangelo’s remarkable frescoes in the Sistine Chapel

Top-rated guides make this tour a clear winner for best value

Skip-the-line access to both the Vatican Museums AND St. Peter's Basilica

Includes

Skip all lines at the Vatican and get ahead of everyone else

Rooms of Raphael and Sistine Chapel

Full-immersion guided Vatican Museums experience with an expert Vatican tour guide

Belvedere Courtyard, Greek and Roman Sculptures

Priority access to St. Peter's Basilica

Excludes

Food and drinks

Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Gratuities

Know before you book

Due to the route covered and/or the means of transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid. Please contact us to inquire about customized tour options for guests with mobility challenges.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

Max 20 participants per tour

Wednesday 9:00 AM departures will not include access to St. Peter's

Know before you go

Dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered

Tour departs rain or shine

Passports are not required for entry to the Vatican Museums

Due to the special events and ceremonies associated with the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025, access to St. Peter's Basilica might be restricted. These closures are decided by the Vatican and are outside our control

Cancellation Policy

Tours depart rain or shine unless otherwise specified. All cancellations must be received in writing to info@italiatours.com. The cancellation policy for this item is as follows: Cancellation with 72+ hours notice: full refund Cancellation with less than 72 hours notice: no refunds or exceptions will be made Failure to reach the meeting point on time (no-show) is equivalent to cancellation with less than 72 hours notice. *If you've chosen the Hassle-Free Cancellation policy during checkout, cancel your tour anytime up to midnight of the day before it begins for a full refund, excluding the Trip Protection fee. Remember to notify us of your cancellation in writing before midnight (Rome time) on the night before your tour.

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ItaliaTours has been providing expert tours for travelers to Italy for over 20 years. Our guides are highly educated expert storytellers who love sharing their passion for "il bel paese". We are fully licensed and insured, so that you can feel confident when booking with us.

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