Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Vip Guided Tour

Deborah was an absolute GEM and she ran our tour like the navy. Extremely knowledgeable and was able to get us in front of some of the art so we could take great pictures. It was CROWDED so there had to be a lot of maneuvering and she was an expert at keeping our group together and hitting all the important sections. The Basilica is breathtaking and after the tour ends you have a choice to leave or spend some extra time in the church itself. There is also a nice break inside the Sistine Chapel so you can really take in the art. This tour was a wonderful way to spend my 40th birthday, and consider yourself lucky if you get Deborah as a guide!!

Absolutely the best tour I have been on in years. Christina was a wonderful host and her passion for Vatican history showed.

Maggie was amazing. Very knowledgeable and a pleasant woman. She has the best attitude and smile I have ever seen. She genuinely loves her job and has a deep Catholic faith. My wife and I loved it.

This tour was one of the best tour experiences we have had. Deborah was not only knowledgeable but also provided key background and thought provoking information. I highly recommend this tour and guide.

Koen was our guide and he was TERRIFIC! Very knowledgeable and passionate about Rome, the Vatican and its history!! Excellent time… he gave us more than our money’s worth!!!

Guide was very knowledgeable and personable . Would definitely recommend this tour for all family members

This tour is well worth the money, not only for skipping all the lines but Christine makes everything come to life, I think if we hadn't taken a tour, we'd have just wandered around aimlessly. Christine offers amazing insight into the pieces she tells you about and the different areas on the tour, Highly recommended, you won't be disappointed.

Our guide was exceptionally informative, got us through long lines and pointed out many details we might have missed in our group of ten.

Wonderful experience with an extremely knowledgeable guide named Christina. Besides sharing a wealth of information on all of the things we came to see, she did lots of little things right-like keeping us out of the fray, showing her own photo props of the Sistine Chapel over off in a quiet corner, and was just a real pleasure to listen to and learn from. We just stumbled across this tour company and Christina and are very thankful we did. We will recommend both to anyone visiting Rome in the future. Thanks for a fantastic experience!

Such anticipation for this, but an incredible let down. We paid for "skip the. line" entry but waited in line for over an hour in spite of it. Had to meet our. guide across the street from the Vatican entry, which started our wait. Then, a trek, mostly uphill, to the entry point. Out guide kept going on and on about the crowds and that there was nothing she could do about it. Isn't that why you spend the money to hire someone who can bypass the crowd??? She was very knowledgeable, but moved too fast up and down stairs and through throngs of people, often leaving some of our group. Felt like a herd of cattle moving through the gallery halls. The Sistine Chapel was so disappointing with probably 500 people crammed in. Never could get a decent perspective on the ceiling or other notable artwork. And so noisy! No attempt to control loud chatter. Even the Vatican security were on loud devices. Finally, the Basilica was unexpectedly closed for a Vatican gathering. No warning of this and missing La Pieta was a heartbreak. Again, the guide complained more about the crowds and her lack of control than anything. Would highly suggest a serious revision of current tour practices, as this is an experience most people have once in a lifetime.

Marco was an exceptional guide. Explained what to expect on the tour, the history behind the art, and answered all of our questions. He did a great job!

Christie was great. Very knowledgeable and friendly, and she made sure we saw the highlights inn a short 2 hour period. We couldn't have asked for a better guide!

Our tour guide was Christine, and she did an excellent job. She was very knowledgeable and had so much experience with the Vatican that we spent very little time (if any) waiting and more time exploring.

The guide was very knowledgeable and kept the tour interesting. The Vatican was very busy when we went so it was difficult to see everything and to keep the group together. But she tried her best.

Must do VIP to skip the crazy lines! This tour was great, and we even got to pass lines through a back passage! Fantastic way to not spend all day with this experience!

This was an amazing tour with a tremendous guide. The Vatican was particularly crowded on the day that we toured yet our guide did an excellent job, navigating our group through the Vatican and making certain that we experienced all the highlights. She was very insightful explaining nuances of various pieces and areas of the Vatican. The Sistine Chapel was extremely crowded when we arrived and because of that, we didn’t get to spend much time there. Saint Peter‘s Basilica was also crowded as there was a special mass the pope was going to be leading that evening, regardless, our guide took us through most all areas of the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica and did so in an outstanding way. We spoken to others that have taken this tour and they did not experience the crowds that we did on our day. Regardless, I highly recommend this tour and the company that facilitated it. I would not recommend going to the Vatican without a private tour as the lines are extremely long and there’s a good chance that you would not get in. A private tour is the only way to go.

This is the second time we’ve done this tour. Both were great but our guide this time, Christina, was outstanding. I would recommend this tour and asking for her as your guide!!

Our tour was exceptional!! Our guide made it extra special with her amazing expertise, her insights and her humor. This was an experience we will never forget! Thank you!

Anyone booking at tour of the Vatican and it’s many options should be sure to view the itinerary well to ensure you are able to get into the areas you really want to see. We selected our tour elements well and fortunately had an absolutely amazing tour guide (Christina) who knew her stuff as if she’d been a part of the Vatican community forever. She also knew how to shepherd her group to the “important” stuff to allow us to see as much as possible in 2-1/2 hours. In reality, it would take many years to be able to take it all in and understand the history of the Vatican entirely. Lastly, we had a small group (n=7) which allowed for questions along the tour. I cannot say enough positive things about this tour, the organizers, and the guide. We will highly recommend to others.

The tour Director Deborah was magical and the setting is the most beautiful thing on earth. 6 stars!

Christina (American) was our guide, very experienced knew her stuff and gave us a tour of just under three hours. You could spend days on this tour but what we got was a good appreciation of what is there to see. I am absolutely delighted with what we got. I thought the Sistine chapel was overrated (still glad i went) but I have no truck with the oohs and arghs that were coming from some. It was busy and (IMHO) pretty crowded but apparently it is much worse in the height of the summer. Be prepared for heat from hell in the summer, it was October and it was too hot for me.

Guide was a bit bossy and not very friendly. She was knowledgeable about the buildings and history. Wonder subject matter just not presented in a friendly way

If you go to Rome then you must take this tour. We skipped the lines, tour groups get priority throughout and our guide Deny Martines was very knowledgeable. The comm sets were excellent so we never missed a word our guide said. Highly recommend it, it's worth it.

The lines to get into the Vatican are extremely long, and doing the VIP guided tour skips all that. Our tour guide, Debra, was incredible. Kept us on time, made sure we saw everything, and was so knowledgeable. If you can request a specific tour guide, she’s the one!

Dody was our tour guide and she very good. She was knowledgeable/ easy to understand and was patient with everyone. I would highly recommend her

Our guide was very knowledgeable and Vatican and chapel were stunning. However, we still waited in line for 30 minutes even though we had skip the line tickets. Then we spent another 30 minutes inside on a bench with the tour guide explaining the Sistene Chapel since talking isn't allowed inside (she could have done this while we were waiting in line. Each section of the tour felt rushed & was extremely crowded (to the point of getting pushed from behind as you tried to shuffle forward) even though we were there in October. Our tour of St. Peter's Basilica was also cancelled by the Pope, so we can't place blame with the tour company or our guide, but be aware, you are subject to his whims.

Good tour. Deny did a nice job. Crowded but the weather was good so not too hot outside. Time was 2.5 hours.

Our tour guide was fantastic; he was knowledgeable and taught us about the history of the Vatican in a different way. i would recommend this tour

Definitely worth paying for a tour. You can go on your own, but would miss out on so much information. Very happy with this tour!

The tour was incredible. Our tour guide, she did amazing. Its a big area and a short tour so she hit the great areas that we wanted to see. The whole experience was amazing. So much to see. No photos allowed at Sistine Chapel, don't even try. You get caught, they escort you out. No hats either, its respectful to remove them there. Only 2 bad things about the tour..1. Not enough time. 2. When you leave you are immediately surrounded by "free stuff" scammers. Just say no and walk away.

The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica are extraordinary sites, and the historical and cultural significance of what we experienced was not lost on us. Our guide was enthusiastic and clearly wanted everyone in the group to feel included. However, at times the commentary felt repetitive, and a significant amount of time was spent engaging with a few younger participants, which sometimes made it difficult to maintain the flow of the tour for the group as a whole. We also found that the Vatican Museums portion moved quite slowly, with multiple stops and delays along the way. As a result, by the time we reached the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, the pace became much more rushed than we would have preferred. We would have appreciated more time in these iconic locations, particularly after spending so much time navigating the museums. The group size was a bit larger than our personal preference, and some additional coordination around breaks and timing may have helped the experience run more smoothly for everyone. Overall, we appreciated the guide's knowledge and enthusiasm, but we believe some refinement to the tour's pacing, flow, and group management would create a more balanced and rewarding experience for all participants.

Our Tour Guide was exceptional. She had all the credentials for her profession. She knew everything about the Vatican and mentioned that she worked for the Vatican directly. She was great at interacting with all of us on the tour. Was willing to answer all questions.

Great tour but definitely not enough time. If I ever return I would pre-book museum tickets and spend a day there if I could. Our tour Guide Debra was amazing. You could tell this was not a job for her, rather her passion. Thanks Debra!

Maggie did an excellent job of not only showing us the sights but also explaining their significance in an easy manner. She kept our attention and had a delightful way of drawing us in.

Amazing experience. Guide Christine was knowledgeable, well spoken, easy to understand, and funny. Her stories and knowledge add a lot to the experience. Skip the line is worth the cost. There is no offseason for the Vatican tours.

This was a great tour! Christine, our guide, was fantastic and extremely knowledgable about all things Vatican City. Highly recommend this tour!

Our tour guide, Koen, was really great! Very kind and knowledgeable. We got to see so much history and art, however, the tour did feel a bit rushed. This could just be due to large crowds, which made it a little hard to stop with a group of people. You sort of had to go with the flow of the crowd, or things would get jammed. Even so, we were very glad we went! Worth the wait and walking.

It’s a fairly long tour with excellent guidance. Maggie was fantastic as our guide she is an actual employee of the Vatican and was even married there.

Debra was very knowledgeable and provided a wealth of information about the Vatican and all the history within the Sistine Chapel.

Debra was absolutely fantastic and very knowledgeable and had a passion that was felt by all in our tour. My wife was in a wheelchair for part of our journey and Debra made sure we kept up with the tour and was extremely accommodating to us. Thank you Debra

Visiting the Vatican was one of the biggest highlights of my birthday trip to Europe, and this VIP guided tour exceeded all my expectations! From the moment the tour began, I was absolutely amazed by the extraordinary history, magnificent architecture, and breathtaking works of art. Walking through the Vatican Museums, admiring the incredible masterpieces, and experiencing the beauty of the Sistine Chapel was something I will cherish forever. And then came St. Peter’s Basilica! Words and photographs simply cannot capture the grandeur of this extraordinary place. The towering ceilings, magnificent sculptures, intricate details, and sheer beauty of the basilica were absolutely spectacular. Standing inside such a historic and sacred place was truly humbling. What made the experience even more special was the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history, remarkable artists, and centuries of tradition behind everything we were seeing. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for the incredible treasures of Vatican City. I had traveled all the way from the United States with visiting the Vatican as one of my biggest birthday wishes, and I couldn’t have imagined a more meaningful way to celebrate! This wasn’t simply a sightseeing tour. It was an extraordinary journey through history, art, architecture, and faith. If you’re visiting Rome, this is an absolute must-do experience! The Vatican is one of those rare places that leaves you speechless, and seeing it in person is something I will never forget. Five stars without hesitation! An absolutely phenomenal experience and a birthday memory I will treasure for a lifetime! 🇮🇹

Very knowledgeable. She was funny and knew so many facts. She made sure the group was ok and was a phenomenal tour guide.

Deny was a lovely guide. She seemed to know all of the tricks to give us the best experience, including getting us into the best spots for photos. Though it would have certainly been cheaper to go without a guided tour, the line was hours long and we didn’t want to waste that time and we wouldn’t have seen everything we did with Deny. We had a great time!

Maggy our tour guide was awesome. She worked hard to make sure everyone was attended to and included in the group. She was knowledgeable and funny and entertaining. She was patient with us.

Mark was wonderful and very knowledgeable. He was also accommodating to our toddler and us managing our stroller throughout. Not stroller friendly typically, but we used a lightweight easy fold stroller and felt very comfortable doing so especially having Mark as our guide. Thank you Mark!

It was an amazing experience and I would do it again. Our guide, Margaret, was wonderful. The small group is the only way to visit.

Maggy was a super guide, very engaging and knowledgeable. The small group tour allowed everyone to interact in a positive way and no questions went unanswered. We got virtual “front of the line” access which cut hours of waiting compared to the others there to tour that day. What a beautiful place to see, once in a lifetime. Can’t say you visited Rome without going thru the Vatican.

The gide was lovely and full of nollage had a lovely time

The guide was very knowledgeable, attentive and considerate with great sense of humor.