4-hour museum tour
Partially accessible
kid-friendly tour
The tour will begin from the fascinating Vatican Museums and then continue with a visit to the St. Peter's Basilica, to discover the masterpieces of the Vatican.
We have selected for you the most famous works of art belonging to its huge collection, which covers almost 4,000 years of history (from the Egyptians to the modern age). Starting from the Court of the Pigna, you will enjoy a scenic view over the Vatican Gardens; the tour will proceed with the visit of the Pius-Clementine museum which houses important pieces of ancient art such as the Laocoon, the Apollo of the Belvedere and the Belvedere Torso.
Delving deeper into the collection, you will go through the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of the Maps. Finally, you will be taken to the Sistine Chapel, which was entirely frescoed by the masterful hands of Michelangelo. The tour will continue with the St. Peter's Basilica to end in the scenic St. Peter's Square, a masterpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Some of the most representative pictures of this tour
Discover the main stops of this tour
This museum, named after the two popes who oversaw its foundation, is today the nucleus of the pontifical collections of classical sculptures, among which stand out for importance and prestige the Laocoon, the Apollo of the Belvedere and the Belvedere Torso.
The Gallery of the Candelabra takes its name from the massive marble candelabra which decorate this place, together with the coloured marble columns. The Gallery of Tapestries is named after the spectacular tapestries on the walls depicting scenes from the life of both Christ and Pope Urban VIII. The Gallery of the Maps consists of forty beautiful fresco painted maps of Italy. These and other rooms form part of the Pius-Clementine museum.
The four rooms known as the Stanze of Raphael formed part of the apartment situated on the second floor of the Pontifical Palace that was chosen by Julius II as his own residence. The same Pope commissioned Raphael and his school the frescos that decorate the Stanze.
The Spanish Rodrigo Borgia, elected pope with the name Alexander VI, lends his name to part of the residence used during his papacy. The Borgia Apartment consists of six monumental spaces that now house part of the Vatican Museums’ Collection of Contemporary Art.
Official residence of the pope and still today the site of the papal conclave, it has become famous for the beautiful frescoes that decorate the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the back wall, both carried out by Michelangelo. Besides him, other skilled painters worked here during the 15th century, creating the series of frescos depicting the Life of Moses and the Life of Christ which decorate the lateral walls: the team included Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Rosselli and Luca Signorelli.
Located in the Vatican City, it is one of the largest churches in the world other than being considered one of the Catholic Church’s holiest temples. Built in the Renaissance style, it was designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Some useful information for your experience
Expert and licensed guide, entrance ticket, full on-site assistance, sterilized earphones (from 5 people upwards).
Suggested start time: 9.00 am. Not available on Sunday. Not recommended on Sunday and Wednesday.
Italiano
English