Afternoon Vatican Tour And St. Peter's Basilica | Private

Step into the Vatican’s timeless beauty during the calm and golden light of the afternoon. With your own private, licensed English-speaking guide, explore one of the world’s greatest collections of art and history. 

Marvel at the masterpieces of the Renaissance, admire ancient Roman and Greek sculptures, and stand in awe beneath the frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The radiant Raphael Rooms, with their vivid colors and divine imagery, offer moments of quiet inspiration.

Wander through the Gallery of the Candelabra, pause in the richly decorated Gallery of Tapestries, and trace the contours of history in the Gallery of Maps. End your journey in the grandeur of Saint Peter’s Basilica, where every detail speaks of centuries of faith and artistry.

This four-hour afternoon experience builds its brilliance through the storytelling supplemented by your guide— it is a chance to connect with the soul of the Vatican in stillness, beauty, and light.

Meet the Laocoön – a statue soaked in pathos

Discovered on the Esquiline in 1506 (though sculpted perhaps 1,500 years earlier), the Laocoön statue is one of antiquity’s undisputed masterpieces. Mentioned by Pliny the Elder, Mount Vesuvius’ most famous victim, the artwork depicts one of the most famous scenes from the Trojan War in which the gods punish a Trojan priest named Laocoön for revealing the Greeks’ trickery and warning them not to lead the wooden horse into Troy’s walls.

Dragged into the sea by a serpent along with his two young sons, the statue powerfully captures Laocoon’s agonizing desperation – a helpless father struggling in vain to save his children. The Vatican is home to a host of other ancient statues you can choose from, including dozens of busts of Roman emperors and the Pantheon of gods they worshipped.

Explore the Vatican Museums’ exquisite galleries

Your Private Afternoon Vatican tour offers you the opportunity to choose from any of the Vatican’s most prized highlights, many of which lie off the museum’s beaten path. Immerse yourself in the statues of the Gallery of the Candelabra; nourish yourself with the knowledge of how medieval geographers understood the world around them in the immersive Gallery of Maps.

You then have the chance to lose yourself in the intricate detail of Flemish designs in the ornate Gallery of Tapestries to see the masterful frescoes of the Raphael Rooms which most say rival those of Michelangelo.

Pay homage to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel

Marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel, in the peace and tranquility it deserves, practically alone and free from any crowds. Your specialist guide will inject life into the frescoes of this private papal chapel, bringing it to life and crafting a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Discover the story behind Michelangelo’s creation of the Last Judgement, see if you can spot key figures and scenes on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling – even try to identify Michelangelo himself who painted his self-portrait into the torso of a certain saint.

Soak in the sights of Saint Peter’s Basilica

The final Vatican highlight on your complete afternoon Vatican experience is the majestic Saint Peter’s Basilica. Admire its marvelous mosaics, still cared for by the Vatican Mosaic School, and come face to face with Michelangelo’s Pieta, and Bernini’s Baldachin in all their resplendent glory.

Conclude your private adventure outside the basilica, in Saint Peter’s Square, where the Pope still holds his audiences. In the shade of the ancient Egyptian Vatican obelisk you can absorb the incredible experience of having spent the afternoon exploring the Vatican artistic and historical treasures. Many consider our Afternoon Vatican Tour as being “one of the best experiences in Rome.

Book yours today and experience it for yourself!

*Please note, shoulders and knees need to be covered during the tour. No vests, shorts, or skirts above the knee will be allowed inside the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.*