Is it possible to get a tour of the Sistine Chapel only or are they always as combos with the Vatican Museum?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
I think it is always combined since your have to go through the museum to get to the chapel. Maybe a private would bypass it for you.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
To echo Frank's comments, all "advertised" tours include the Sistine Chapel as part of the Vatican Museum Tour. One of the primary reasons is that neither you - or any tour guides - are supposed to TALK in the Sistine Chapel. Constantly VM guards will hush the crowd... Funny, they always say it in English!
Almost all tour groups do their Sistine Chapel presentaiton in the Pine-Cone courtyard. In this beautiful setting are many "boards" set up displaying the ceiling and walls of the Chapel. Guides "work" these boards to explain the paintings and history of the Chapel. Then you still have to walk through about a 1/2 mile of artworks BEFORE you descend the stairs to the Chapel. thus it's on your way in... and if you use the group exit, it's your way out ... to St. Peter's Basilica.
Certainly some tour guides do a better job setting up the Sistine Chapel experience. Hope that explains why it's part of the "package."
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, USA
7 posts
The Vatican museum is huge and there is a lot to see. We took a tour of both St. Peters and the Vatican, ending at the Sistine Chapel. It was definitely worthwhile. The tours of St Peters are generally free--it is considered gauche to charge for a tour of a church. St Peters requires headsets, so you have no trouble hearing your guide. We used Jennifer Cody and she was great-- well informed, friendly, entertaining and affordable. Highly recommend her . She can be reached at [email protected]