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Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase, Niccoline and Sistine Chapels Private Tour

Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase, Niccoline and Sistine Chapels Private Tour

By Rome Italy Explora Srls
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The highlight of this special guided tour is the magnificent helical staircase designed by Bramante for Pope Julius II in 1505. This architectural gem, inaccessible until now, will be the special focus of a visit that will also explore the principal masterpieces of the Pope's Museums. The tour is conducted by an educational guide authorised by Vatican City State and includes: Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase, Niccolina Chapel, Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, Gallery of the Geographical Maps, Raphael’s Rooms, Sistine Chapel.
Lowest price guarantee

Ages 0-99
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
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  • Pick-up and drop off with luxury transportation and private chauffeur
  • "Skip the line" entrance tickets in the Vatican Museums
  • Educational professional guide authorised by Vatican City State
  • Entrance in the Bramante Staircase and in the Niccolina Chapel (Hidden Vatican)
  • Entrance in the Gallery of the Candelabra and Raphael’s Rooms
  • Entrance in the Gallery of the Tapestries and in the Gallery of the Geographical Maps
  • Entrance in the Sistine Chapel
What's not included
  • Entrance in St. Peter's Basilica
  • Gratuities (optional)


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • Pick up at your accomodation (hotel, B&B, apartment). Please confirm us the pick up address. N.B.: If your accomodation is not in the area indicated on the above map, send us a message to arrange your pick up.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      Additional pickup options
      During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included pickup points.
      • Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Infants must sit on laps
        • Infant seats available
        • Near public transportation
        • Not wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 120696P108

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Most travelers can participate
        • Child rate applies only when shared with 2 paying adults
        • Dress code required for the Sistine Chapel: knees and shoulders must be covered
        • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

        • All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 120696P108

        From
        $1,905.42
        per adult (price varies by group size)
        Select date and travelers

        Similar experiences

        Itinerary
        • 1
          The Vatican City boasts countless great museums, with extensive art collections attracting thousands of visitors everyday. Inside these galleries we can admire classical sculptures and masterpieces of the Renaissance art. Among these few are able to admire Bramante Staircase, a revolutionary piece of architecture that is hidden inside the Vatican walls. Inside the Vatican Museums a vast number of art pieces and amazing architectures can be admired, belonging to different persiods, cultures and countries from all over the world. One of the biggest exhibition spaces inside the Vatican is the Pio-Clementine Museum, built in the 18th century as ordered by Pope Julius II to host countless Ancient Greek and Roman collections belonging to the Papacy. Among these priceless pieces lies an uncompared Renaissance architecture, commissioned by the same Pope Julius II at the start of the 16th century to link the Belvedere Palace of Pope Innocent VIII to the city of Rome. Tucked inside the large square tower belonging to the Pio-Clementine Palace we can see a breathtaking spiraling structure, carved in stone by a famous architect from Tuscany, Donato Bramante. The amazing thing about the “Bramante Staircase” is its shape: centuries before the DNA was discovered, Bramante created a staircase with the shape of a double-helix, something its contemporaries had obviously never seen before. His creation soon gained a huge popularity among the public. The purpose of this staircase, though, was very practical: it was once an entrance from street level to the Papal apartments, but it was built to accommodate even horses and mules carrying large items back and forth from the Papal Palaces. Not only is this staircase beautifully designed and carved: climbing it to the top will allow you to gain a breathtaking view across Rome and the Vatican estate. Today, though, Bramante staircase is closed to the general public. The Niccoline Chapel is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. It is especially notable for its fresco paintings by Fra Angelico and his assistants, who may have executed much of the actual work. The name is derived from its patron, Pope Nicholas V, who had it built for use as his private chapel. The chapel is located in the Tower of Innocent III, in the most ancient part of the Apostolic Palace. The walls were decorated by Fra Angelico with images of two of the earliest Christian martyrs; the upper level has Episodes from the Life of St. Stephen, and the lower one Scenes from the life of St. Laurence. The vault is painted blue, decorated with stars, and features figures of the Four Evangelists in the corners. The pilasters are decorated with the eight Doctors of the Church.Only visitors who has been granted a special access have the privilege to walk this precious staircase. If you want to be among those few priviledged visitors, do not hesitate to check out our “Tours of the Vatican with Restricted Areas” and discover how to visit the Vatican with a Private Guide, entering most of the restricted areas of the Museums!
        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Rome Italy Explora Srls
          272
          Rome, Lazio, Italy
          Joined in February 2019
        • MarilynC2330
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Unforgettable experience
          I requested the tickets in July for the New Year mass at The Vatican. Around the second week of December, I received a confirmation email from The Vatican office with instructions on how to retrieve our tickets at the Vatican. We arrived around 2:30pm on New Year eve, there was a long line already, Mass was scheduled to start at 5pm. At 3pm they started to let us in, the process was a bit chaotic. Mass started at 5pm, it lasted about an hour. It was simply beautiful. The choir was angelical. At the end of the mass, the Pope took the time to randomly give blessings, sign books, and give chocolates to some children, my child included. It was a very special moment for our entire family.
          Written January 15, 2025
        • maryrJ3703GC
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Worth the stop!
          Fantastic side trip on our way to Montepulciano from Rome Airport. Walked the bridge then had Great lunch in little restaurant, then on our way!
          Written November 17, 2024
        • 293ednah
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Unforgettable experience!
          What an unforgettable experience! Francesco was great to work with, answering questions beforehand and arranging everything to keep it hassle free for us. The tour company provided private transport for our family and wheelchair assistance for our mother. When our group had to split up, Francesco maintained communications throughout and even sent pictures so we knew where the others were located. Wonderful customer service. Our seats were incredible! The pope went right in front of us. Highly recommend
          Written November 14, 2024
        • valerielH7400EI
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great experience. 100% recommended
          I would recommend 100% this tour. It was a unique experience without all the hassle. The seats were well located. The company was so easy to work with, the communication was great and the service they provided was convenient. They do everything for you! I would definitely do it again with them. If you have little kids, bring something to entertain them while they wait but the rest was a magnificent experience. Great job they did with me and my family.
          Written October 19, 2024
        • teresacU7691PF
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Unforgettable and like nothing else
          When we did this tour we went to the San Sebastiano Catacombs by request - we also saw the incredible Quo Vadis church and the footprints of Jesus in the San Sebastiano church. The catacombs are a place like no other. We learned a lot during this tour. We also enjoyed learning about the Ancient Appian Way. Thank you to Sabrina, our tour guide, who went out of her way to make this happen for us at the last minute!
          Written October 16, 2024
        • teresacU7691PF
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A truly holy and beautiful experience
          This tour was a truly unique, touching and unforgettable experience! We are so incredibly fortunate to have been able to see the places where St Rita lived her life. We learned so much that we did not know and feel a true closeness to St Rita. Thank you to our wonderful guides Francesco and Sabrina.
          Written October 16, 2024
        • teresacU7691PF
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Truly special holy sites
          This was a really special tour. We learned so much about the first Eucharistic miracle and the Holy Face of Jesus. These holy sites are not to be missed. The surroundings were beautiful and there was incredible artwork in the churches. I really got the most out of seeing the museums also which helped me to really understand what I was looking at, as they had incredible descriptions of things I never heard about before. Our guide, Francesco, was also really wonderful. On top of everything, he also ensured we were well fed with the most delicious specialties of the area! Thank you Francesco for helping us to feel right at home.
          Written October 16, 2024
        • G9265BRdeborag
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Best tour
          Beautiful experience, Luigi was the best driver and Sabrina was a wonderfull tour guide so patient and attentive they are the best
          Written October 2, 2024
        • ariastricindy
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Perfect way to see Rome!!
          That was the way to see Rome!! Our own private driver and tour guides. No lines no waiting. We had them all to ourselves and the experience was amazing. We saw so much with ease. The guides were warm, attentive, accommodating! We don't speak Italian so there was some difficulty understanding, at times, with our jet lagged brains or I would have given it a 5 star.
          Written September 22, 2024
        • 611emanuell
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great experience, and must do
          The tour guide was very knowledgeable and knew all of the history. He took us on a trip through time and explained all of the events relating to the Holy House. He explained the creativity behind the aestetics of the Holy House. I would definitely do it again. If you are staying in Loreto this company does tours as well.
          Written September 7, 2024
        • 943reenab
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Padre Pio
          As a devotee, I hope people can differentiate tourist spot from sacred places like this one. San Giovanni Rotondo is Far from cities but reachable with public transportation. A beautiful place but we were there for 4-5hrs. Overall, its nice to add in your journey to see the pilgrims of Padre Pio.
          Written August 6, 2024
        • lauramP3190PQ
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Exceptional trip very inspiring!
          This was the best tour ever! Francesco and the driver were so polite and informative. Francesco made it a very special and memorable experience. I highly recommend this tour. Thank you for everything we look forward to booking additional trips.
          Written April 26, 2024
        • BoardingPass651933
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A Great Experience at San Giovanni Rotondo
          Our trip to see Padre Pio was a great experience! Francesco was our guide for the tour, and he was an excellent companion.
          Written April 17, 2024
        • Pioneer57222275485
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing!
          Our tours guides were awesome!!!! The day was filled with adventure and even though we could not do the boat ride because of rough waters it was worth taking this tour! The views and the sights of the island are absolutely stunning! The lunch we had was off the charts! We were treated like royalty!
          Written March 13, 2024
        • Pioneer57222275485
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing
          Our tour guide’s Francisco and Roberto were outstanding! What an amazing day! Three great villages to see and visiting an amazing winery with great tasting wines!! Highly recommend!!
          Written March 13, 2024
        See all 272 reviews
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        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase, Niccoline and Sistine Chapels Private Tour provided by Rome Italy Explora Srls

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