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Vatican with Context Expert-Led Audio Guides and Walking Tours

Which expert-led Vatican experience is right for you?

Listening together
Flexible Audio Guides from $10

Go at your own pace with an expert in your ear.

Private tour
Intimate Private Tours from $423

Explore the Vatican with a local art historian all to yourself.

Alone in the Vatican
Exclusive Access from $706

Be the first to enter or the last to leave for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Audio Guides

Discover the Vatican on your own schedule, with an expert in your ear.
The Vatican Museums Audio Guide: A Tour of the Treasures Within
Audio Guide

The Vatican Museums Audio Guide: A Tour of the Treasures Within

(5.0)
2 to 6 hours
US$20
Learn More
Castel Sant'Angelo Audio Guide: Rome's Most Enduring Monument
Audio Guide

Castel Sant'Angelo Audio Guide: Rome's Most Enduring Monument

Newly Added

1 hour 15 minutes
US$10
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St. Peter's Basilica and Dome Audio Guide
Audio Guide

St. Peter's Basilica and Dome Audio Guide

Newly Added

1 hour 30 minutes
US$10
Learn More

Private Walking Tours

Walk the halls of the Vatican with a local by your side, personalizing your experience along the way.
The Complete Vatican Tour with St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets
Tour

The Complete Vatican Tour with St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

(4.72)
4 hrs
From US$227 for 1 person
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Early Entry Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets
Tour

Early Entry Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

(4.74)
3.5 Hours
From US$705 privately
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Vatican Highlights Tour with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets
Tour

Vatican Highlights Tour with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

(4.83)
3 hrs
From US$592 privately
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Vatican Museums After-Hours VIP Tour Experience with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets
Tour

Vatican Museums After-Hours VIP Tour Experience with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

(5.0)
2.5 hrs
From US$9,421 privately
Learn More
Vatican Tour for Kids with the Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets
Tour

Vatican Tour for Kids with the Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

(4.74)
3 hrs
From US$538 privately
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St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Tour

St. Peter's Basilica Tour

(4.63)
3 hrs
From US$423 privately
Learn More

Exclusive Access Tours

Unforgettable Vatican experiences without the crowds.
Early Entry Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets
Tour

Early Entry Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

(4.74)
3.5 Hours
From US$705 privately
Learn More
Vatican Museums After-Hours VIP Tour Experience with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets
Tour

Vatican Museums After-Hours VIP Tour Experience with Sistine Chapel and Skip-the-Line Tickets

(5.0)
2.5 hrs
From US$9,421 privately
Learn More

Know Before You Go

The Vatican, the world's smallest country at 110 acres holds a huge artistic and historical legacy within its narrow borders. The Vatican Museums, also serving as Papal Palaces, showcase a 9-mile collection spread within its 1,400 rooms, chapels, and galleries, featuring Greek and Roman sculptures, Renaissance masterpieces, medieval artifacts, and the iconic Sistine Chapel.
You can visit the Vatican on your own or on a guided walking tour. 

Visitors visiting the Vatican Museum have to adhere to the strict dress code, covering shoulders and knees, and consider carrying a shawl or light jacket. Only in the Sistine Chapel, avoid loud conversations, and remember that photography is strictly prohibited. All backpacks, large umbrellas, tripods, and cutting tools can be checked in the cloakroom. Food and drinks aren't allowed inside, but there is a cafeteria inside the Museum’s Courtyard. 
When visiting the Vatican, securing tickets in advance is crucial for avoiding the lengthy lines at the door. Purchase your tickets exclusively from the official website to guarantee authenticity and the best rates. Be sure to reserve your tickets as early as possible to secure your preferred time and day, as last-minute availability may be limited. Keep in mind that despite timed tickets, you may still encounter mandatory security checks and some waiting time.

Additionally, note that tickets from the official website are non-changeable and non-refundable, so plan accordingly and arrive ahead of your scheduled time to make the most of your Vatican visit.

St. Peter’s Basilica is separate from the museum and entrance is free, though you can experience long wait times.
If possible, travel in the off-season, avoiding the peak times between May and September, and Easter. Plan to arrive early in the morning, or towards the end of the day when crowds diminish. 

If visiting during peak season, plan for the weather to be hot and plan for crowds. We recommend dressing comfortably, bringing water, eating before you arrive, and being patient with those around you so everyone can have a positive experience. 
The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. During the summer they offer extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Note that they are generally very crowded on Wednesdays due to the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Basilica and that they are closed on Sundays and certain public holidays. You can refer to the official website for more details on closing dates but keep in mind these might change frequently. 

For convenient access to the Vatican Museums, you can take Metro Line A to Ottaviano or Battistini, both about a 10-minute walk away. You can also opt for a taxi, specifying that your destination is the Musei Vaticani entrance, not St. Peter’s. Note that St. Peter’s Basilica is not directly accessible from the Museums (unless part of a guided tour) and it is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Museums.

For more detailed information, read “How to Visit the Vatican” on Context Stories.

How to Visit the Vatican with Context

Navigating Vatican City in a day with a guide can be a daunting task, let alone by yourself. Unlock all of the history and hidden stories you need to make your visit worthwhile with our collection of audio guides for the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Castel Sant’Angelo narrated by local experts. Be one of the only visitors to discover the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in Rome, admire Michelangelo's famous PietĂ , and uncover the hidden secrets within Rome’s 2nd-century mausoleum. 

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, let our experts guide you through the treasures of one of the world's most renowned cultural and religious sites. Because getting a little Context can change everything. Watch now and start planning your Vatican adventure!

Meet Your Experts

Raphael vs. Michelangelo with Cecilia
The Nudity Taboo in Art with Valentina
Rome's Only Da Vinci with Jeannette

Accolades for Context Experiences

8,953 Reviews – (4.73)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Giuseppe was a fabulous guide. Could have spent hours listening to him.
Giuseppe was a fabulous guide. Could have spent hours listening to him.
Our private tour of The Vatican with Simonetta yesterday was wonderful! She is so kind and knowledgeable and we came away learning so much from her. As always, another fantastic Context tour and amazing guide! Thank you
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