Your day tour begins with a drive from Rome to the pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo – a lovely town overlooking Lake Albano. Afterwards, return to Rome for a visit to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Small group
- Limited to 15 participants
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 9 hours
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Skip the ticket line
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- Spanish, English, French, German
- Audio guide/headphones
- Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Russian
Experience
Highlights
- Visit the pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, an exclusive destination recently opened to the public
- See the Papal Palace and the pope's private gardens
- Skip the lines and discover the amazing works of art in the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
Full description
Start your 9-hour program with a bus ride to Castel Gandolfo, a secluded and charming town that’s home to the pope’s summer residence.
Explore the pope’s private Barberini Gardens by mini-bus and with the assistance of an audio guide. The Papal Palace was recently opened to the public by Pope Francis. You’ll see the treasures of this extravagant yet intimate interior, including works by Bernini.
Enjoy a break for lunch and some free time to explore the town before heading back to Rome.
In the afternoon, begin a 3-hour tour of Vatican City at the Vatican Museums. With your priority access you’ll skip the lines, allowing more time to discover the great works of art.
Continue to the Sistine Chapel, where your guide will point out amazing art including Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement – the largest fresco ever painted by a single person.
The last stop on this walking tour of Vatican City is St. Peter’s Basilica, which is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture.
Includes
- Skip-the-line priority access
- Audio guide for Castel Gandolfo tour
- Live English speaking guide for Vatican City tour
- Bus from the meeting point and back
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
COVID-19 precautions
Customers must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- Customers must keep distance in vehicles
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
- Customers are required to bring and wear masks
- Customers will get a mandatory temperature check
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Your meeting point is at the bus stop at Via Cavour 224 (take the Metro to the Cavour stop on Line B). Please arrive 25 minutes before the start of your tour, to check-in.
Open in Google Maps ⟶Important information
Not allowed
- Shorts
- Luggage or large bags
- Short skirts
- Sleeveless shirts
Know before you go
- Please note that the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica have a strict dress code year-round. All visitors must have their shoulders covered and pants/skirts must come to the knee. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
- The Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica have strict security restrictions. Due to metal detectors at the entrances of most sites it is forbidden to bring the following:
- Weapons and blunt objects (knives, long umbrellas, etc.)
- Glass bottles, aerosol sprays and alcohol
- Bicycles, skates and Segways
- Luggage
- Pets
- If you or any member of your party has difficulty with mobility (uses crutches or a wheelchair, etc.) please contact the tour operator in advance. This tour is not wheelchair accessible. Private tours are available to meet these needs, on request.
- Please note that the meeting point is outside the tour operator's office. For security reasons, no personal belongings may be stored there. Please plan accordingly.
