Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour

Discover one of the greatest art collections in the world on this 3-hour tour of the Vatican. With a handy skip-the-line ticket, jump straight to the front of the notoriously long queues to purchase tickets before setting off on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Built on the site where St. Peter was martyred and buried, the Vatican later became the official residence of the popes.

The tour starts in the Vatican Museum with the Pine Courtyard, named after a bronze pine cone from an ancient fountain. Marvel at the Belvedere Courtyard and Octagonal, where the ancient statue of Laocoön and His Sons is located. See the massive marble candelabra and marble columns of the Gallery of the Candelabra, and admire the classical statues of the Pio Clementine Museum.

Look at stunning Flemish tapestries in the Tapestries Gallery. Next, go to Michelangelo’s miraculous Sistine Chapel and admire the frescoes of The Last Judgment, as well as scenes from Genesis.

End the tour inside St. Peter's Basilica, home to more than 100 artworks, some of which were salvaged from the original 4th century basilica built by Constantine. Highlights here include Bernini’s baldacchino beneath Michelangelo’s towering dome, and Michelangelo’s Pieta depicting the body of Jesus on the lap of Mary after the crucifixion. End the tour here and continue exploring Rome at your leisure.