We know better than anyone how long the lines get at the world famous tourist attractions in Rome which is why we have put together this ‘skip the lines’ private Vatican and Sistine Chapel tour.

When you visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica with us, you will have your very own local art historian and expert Vatican guide to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

If you are someone who loves culture, art and history and wants to make the most of every moment spent abroad, then our private tours are for you. Let us take all the time-consuming research and stress out of your holiday activities by planning them for you.

You will love this Intimate Group half-day tour if you:

• want a deeper insight into the Vatican City. This in-depth Intimate Group Tour of the Vatican gives you an easy-going, yet entertaining glimpse into the world’s most fascinating array of historical treasures.
• want to see first-hand the marvels of the Sistine Chapel (not sixteenth chapel as some people mistakenly think), the Raphael Rooms and the Belvedere Courtyard.
• do not want to waste your valuable time waiting in the infamous Vatican lines
• want to enjoy a level of intimacy and interaction with your guide which is not possible in larger group tours (our Vatican Intimate Group tours have a maximum of 6 people).
• like to plan your holiday in advance to make the most of your time.
• dont want to spend hours researching what to do, where to go and what to see.

Vatican Museum Tour

Some tour companies in Rome offer cheap, (huge) group tours with low-quality guides who pack too much information into a short space of time, leaving travelers feeling rushed and stressed. At Real Rome Tours, we do things differently. We believe that tours should be intimate, relaxing and informative, without breaking the bank.

When you join us for a tour of the Vatican museum, you can rest assured that you’re getting the very best in local art and history knowledge. The last thing you want is to travel all the way to Rome, only to miss an important masterpiece!

Your guide will talk you through the masterpieces of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque art as well as the important sculptures of ancient Rome. Helping you to make sense of the sheer volume of paintings, mosaics, statues and artefacts in these expansive rooms, your tour guide will explain each item’s place in the rich tapestry of Vatican City history. Not only are they beautiful to look at, each masterpiece has its own story to tell – your private Vatican tour guide will tell you the story behind the paintings, the meanings behind them and why they are so renowned across the globe.

Sistine Chapel Tour

All hyperbole aside, the Sistine Chapel is simply a vision of beauty and history. One of the many highlights of your Vatican intimate group tour will be its gorgeous architecture and mind-blowing decorations. Your tour guide will tell you all about the paintings of Michelangelo (yes, he spent 8 years of his life painting here!) and his predecessors, who covered every inch of these walls and ceilings. You’ll hear about the history of the period, including the difficulties encountered between the patron, Pope Julius II, and Michelangelo. It is this attention to detail that makes Real Rome Tours stand out from the pack.

Raphael Rooms

Next on your Vatican city intimate group tour are The Raphael Rooms. These four rooms were part of the Papal palace, painted by Michelangelo’s contemporary and greatest rival, Raphael Sanzio. Art lovers cannot afford to miss this short detour from the museums to stand in front of entire walls frescoed by the hands of this Renaissance genius! You can almost feel the rivalry and competition seeping from the walls themselves. The School of Athens is a masterpiece not to be missed!

St Peter’s Basilica Tour

Last, but certainly not least in your Vatican city intimate group tour is a visit to St Peter’s Basilica. No Vatican City tour would be complete without visiting the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and the largest church in the world. Michelangelo’s great dome is something that you have to see in real life. Pictures cannot do it justice or portray the sheer magnitude of it. Your local, expert tour guide will explain to you the fascinating history of its conception, location on the Vatican Hill, design, architecture and symbolism.

The Basilica features several chapels and contains numerous statues and mosaic works of importance. Your guide will point out the most important, and leave you with time to look around by yourself. The Pietà, one of Michelangelo’s most well-known religious sculptures, is among the highlights of this part of your visit.

There is something mesmerising about the intricate nature of the ancient buildings in Rome and none so much as St Peter’s Basilica, the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and the largest church in the world. Standing beneath Michelangelo’s great dome, you cannot help but feel somewhat humbled by the expansive surroundings. Get up close and personal with this great wonder in our guided tour of the Vatican St Peter’s Basilica.

Built over St. Peter’s tomb, the Basilica took more than 120 years to complete and is one of the most important sites in Christianity. During your St Peter’s Basilica intimate group tour our local, expert tour guide will explain to you the fascinating history of its conception, location on the Vatican Hill, design, architecture and symbolism.