Any suggestions on the best tour company to use to go to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel? I'm getting overwhelmed with all of the options and don't know which one to use. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle area
29 posts
Good luck. Looks like an amazing place to visit. Hopefully someone with personal experience will share also. Here's a link from tripadvisor also: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187793-Activities-c42-Vatican_City_Lazio.html
Posted by
7 posts
We just got back from Rome and took City Experiences Pristine Sistine Early Entrance Small Group Tour. It goes through the Vatican Museum, takes you to Sistine Chapel, then entry to St Peter’s Basilica. Unfortunately there was a mass in the Basilica so our tour guide was not allowed to go in with us, but regardless it was a great tour! Looks like this special entry to Basilica is closed on Wednesdays so don’t book it then. This was my third time visiting the Sistine Chapel/Vatican Museum/Basilica and will say, best experience in avoiding crowds and lines.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
In February 2024 we also took the City Experiences Pristine Sistine Early Entrance Small Group Tour. Everything went smoothly and we’d recommend this company. They were responsive to our questions and sent detailed instructions about where to meet. The guide was great. We saw everything promised. We were there on a Tuesday.
Posted by
St. Paul, Minnesota
17 posts
Donna or Charo,
With your tour, I assume you could enter at 8am like the public now can this year?
You did not get in before 8am did you?
Thanks
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
Hi Sally, we met our guide at 7:15 am and got in line at the Vatican Museum (there were separate lines for groups and individuals). The guide explained things while we waited and when the doors opened at 8:00, we were among the first people to enter. It wasn’t crowded yet and the tour went very well.
Posted by
7 posts
Like Donna indicated, despite the fact the public is allowed to enter at 8:00am, doing this tour is still beneficial because you will be one of the first to enter the Vatican Museum. There are separate entrance lines for guided tours and general public. Again, this is my third time visiting these sites and doing this tour was by far the best way to beat the crowds.
If you do decide to do the tour, you will meet the tour guide at 7:15am at a coffee shop. So if you get there early, you can enjoy a pastry and coffee! Have a great trip!