More about: Vatican Guided Tours
With the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Square and dome as its main landmarks, the Vatican is a must-see among the things to see and do in Rome. The history behind its walls cannot be read in textbooks, and that is one of the main reasons to visit.
The experience of visiting the Vatican Museums on your own is completely different from doing so with a specialized guide who explains and contextualizes the centuries of art in these museums. Choosing a tour from the many options available can be overwhelming, but these are the best options:

Guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
Complete tour of the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica
If you want to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica on the same day without missing the papal tombs, saving money and time, this is the best option.
This option for a complete tour of the Vatican with an expert guide is for those who want to make the most of their day in the Vatican and see its main architectural gems. With this complete tour of the Vatican and St. Peter's, you'll save a lot of time queuing and also have exclusive access to the Papal Tombs in St. Peter's Basilica.
In addition to explanations about specific works, this tour also includes interesting information such as observing the architecture of the area, learning about the political and religious life of the Vatican (worthy of a TV series, and in fact there are several) and anecdotes that most tourists don't know about.
Recommended if... You want to complete your visit to the Vatican by discovering another of Rome's must-see attractions, taking advantage of its proximity.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
Official guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
A shorter, more art-focused option for those who want to discover the masterpieces of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with an official guide, avoiding the queues.
This other guided tour is designed for those who want to focus on the artistic and cultural wealth of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. With this tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, you'll skip the lines and spend about 2.5 hours exploring such iconic rooms as the Pio Clementino Museum, the Tapestry Gallery, the Map Gallery, and Raphael's Rooms, ending with Michelangelo's iconic frescoes.
Unlike the combined tour with the Basilica, this visit does not include access to St. Peter's or the Papal Tombs, making it ideal if you have already visited that part or have less time but don't want to miss out on the Vatican's art.
Recommended if... You want a shorter experience focused solely on the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, with an official guide and no queues.
Other options for guided tours of the Vatican

If you want to forget about queuing and wasting time waiting, here are some other guided tour options for the Vatican:
- Early morning guided tour of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel: avoid the crowds and enjoy the tour at your own pace.
- Guided tour of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel for children: a different kind of guided tour, with games and trivia to make the tour more fun for kids and more relaxed for adults.
- Small group guided tour of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel: an ideal option if you prefer a smaller group and more personalized attention during the tour.
- Guided night tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel: discover the Vatican Museums in a unique atmosphere with fewer crowds, in an exclusive experience at nightfall.
Which one will you choose?
What you need to know about your guided tour of the Vatican

When you book a guided tour (and this applies to almost all cases), you don't have to worry about times, routes, or waiting (the vast majority of visits to the Vatican are skip-the-line). Although it may seem paradoxical, you feel less like a tourist on guided tours because your only concern is the stories the guide is telling you.
Free cancellation
Some options offer a refund if you cancel 24 hours in advance. This allows you to adapt your plans in case of unforeseen circumstances without losing your money. When making your reservation, make sure that tickets are included and that skip-the-line access is guaranteed: although it may seem basic, nothing should be taken for granted.
Organize your guided tour of the Vatican

Opening
Although there are several times to visit the Vatican with a guided tour, it is advisable to choose the first tour in the morning to avoid the crowds at the Vatican Museums. It is also important to bear in mind that tours that include a visit to St. Peter's Basilica after 2:00 p.m. do not guarantee access to the basilica.
How to get to the Vatican
Although it is a little far away, you can reach the Vatican from the center of Rome on foot from tourist spots such as Piazza Navona or Campo di Fiori. In any case, the easiest option is to take the metro line A to Ottaviano S. Pietro.
Duration
A tour of the Vatican can take approximately three hours, although the total time may vary and be longer. If you want to see the most important parts of the Vatican Museums in depth, we do not recommend a tour of less than this time. If you are visiting the Vatican on your own, you may be interested in this post about the duration of visits to the Vatican.
Eating in the area
Leave the area to eat unless your guide gives you a specific recommendation for somewhere to eat near the Vatican. Keep in mind that most places near St. Peter's Square will be expensive, and some may commit the serious sin of offering you a plate of reheated pasta or pizza.
Tour with children
It is not recommended that you take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums with children unless it is specifically designed for them. The tour is long for young children, the museums are crowded, and neither they nor you will enjoy it. As for strollers, they can cause chaos during peak hours.
Ana's Traveler Tip
Avoid hiring "guides" who approach you in St. Peter's Square. Many are not official and are not qualified to give a quality guided tour.
Frequently asked questions from travelers interested in a guided tour of the Vatican in Rome

How should I dress at the Vatican?
Due to the unique nature of the place, one of the main rules of the Vatican is to wear "decent" clothing. To enter, shoulders and knees must be covered. This also means no caps, straps, low-cut tops, shorts, or short skirts.
Can I take photos inside the Vatican?
In the Vatican Museums, flash photography and selfie sticks are not allowed. You can take photos with your cell phone and with a camera that does not involve professional accessories (for the latter, you must request special permission).
In the case of St. Peter's Basilica, remember that you are in a place of worship; although many tourists do not respect this, it is not appropriate to take photos while visitors are trying to enjoy the contemplative atmosphere that the place should convey.
Is it worth climbing to the top of St. Peter's Dome?
Although admission to St. Peter's Basilica is free and you will probably see it during the guided tour of the Vatican, there is a separate charge for climbing to the dome of St. Peter's. If you are fit and don't suffer from claustrophobia, it is worth doing. Otherwise, you will get a very similar view of St. Peter's Square from the Gianicolo hill.
Can you visit the Vatican Museums at night?
On certain Fridays throughout the year, the Vatican Museums are open in the evening (although there are usually no tours at this time). Find out when these are and take advantage of the opportunity to visit if you are in Rome, as there are usually far fewer people.
What if I only want tickets for the Vatican?

Of course, you also have the option of purchasing tickets to the Vatican without a guided tour. This will allow you to explore the area at your own pace without having to listen to a guide's explanations, but you will miss out on the charm of learning about all the art, the way of life, and the curiosities hidden within the Vatican. The price of tickets to the Vatican without a guided tour will be lower, and you can benefit from discounts on Vatican tickets if you meet certain age or professional requirements.
Other guided tours in Rome

Another guided tour that may also interest you if you are visiting the Vatican is a visit to the Necropolis beneath St. Peter's Basilica. This tour requires special permission because it provides access to the place where the apostle is buried, but there are some specialized tours that offer this visit.
As for other guided tours worth taking in Rome, the visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum is undoubtedly the favorite. The area has nothing to do with the Vatican, but it is the other must-see in the Eternal City and its history is fascinating, which is why there are combined tickets for the Vatican and the Colosseum.