A tour of the Vatican is one of the best things to do in Rome. But deciding which tour to choose can be overwhelming. We're here to help you find the best Vatican tour for your trip.

Summary of recommended trips

In this article, we have provided a complete analysis of the best Vatican tours. This includes available dates and times, duration and other useful information. Here's a summary if you're the type of person who wants quick answers.

What to see on a Vatican tour

First, let's clarify what exactly 'Vatican City' is so you can decide which parts you want to visit. The Vatican is actually an independent city-state in Rome, ruled by the Pope - the head of the Catholic Church. It is the smallest country on Earth with an area of ​​0.44 square kilometers and a population of just 1,000.

The main areas to visit inside the Vatican are:

St. Peter's Basilica including the dome, tombs and square - more information

The Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel - the largest art collection in the world with works by Raphael, Giotto, Caravaggio and of course Michelangelo

Why take a tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peters

There are two main reasons to join a Vatican tour - experience and convenience.

With more than 6 million visitors a year, the Best Vatican City Tickets Tour Museums and St Peters are among the most popular attractions in Rome and the world. And rightfully so. Their art collection is staggering in scope and value. And the historical significance of the buildings is almost unparalleled.

What to look for when visiting the Vatican

All guides working in the Vatican are required by law to hold a license, which can only be obtained through a very strict examination process. So you know that every guide you travel with will have a thorough knowledge of the details, data and facts about the art and buildings you visit.

The best Vatican travel agencies

Here are some of the most popular carriers and our assessment of how they differ. There are literally hundreds of tour operators working in the Vatican, so we've picked the best for different types of travelers.

Take Walks - working closely with the Vatican Museums to create unique and engaging experiences for English-speaking visitors, the Pristine Sistine and VIP Key Masters tours are excellent.

The best tours to the Vatican

We have selected the best small and large group tours to the Vatican offered by the above travel agencies. We used our own experience and verified it with tour reviews on TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and other media. This is constantly updated so we can bring you the best tours available.

Standard tours of the Vatican

Most tour operators offer a standard 2-3 hour Vatican tour that includes the highlights of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's. These tours start at the same time that the museums are open to the general public.