Vatican Tour from a Jewish Perspective | Semi-Private
View the Vatican and its treasures from an entirely different angle
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(0039) 334 7243374
Mon - Sat / 08:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Why Choose It?
- Discover Judaic art and symbols within the vast papal collection.
- Contextualize the Old Testament scenes of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.
- View Saint Peter's Basilica in a new light with our informative, licensed guide.
- Private tour upon request (let us know in the box to the right).

Tour Description
Everybody knows the Vatican as the epicenter of Catholicism, the beating heart of the Christian world. Few look beyond its Christian facade and ancient collections to uncover a different side to the Vatican. A side in which the oldest of the Abrahamic traditions takes center stage.
Your private Vatican Tour from a Jewish Perspective walks you through the Vatican’s vast collection, offering a unique lens through which to decode its symbols and discover its treasures. From the Jewish imagery of the Sistine Chapel to the Jewish artifacts of the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica, you and your expert guide will fully explore the Vatican for a perspective most visitors in the Eternal City completely overlook.
Explore the famed halls and galleries of the Vatican Museums
Stepping straight inside the Vatican with special skip-the-line entry, you’ll proceed straight towards the highlights of the Vatican Museums’ renowned collections. Fully explore the marble-coated Gallery of the Candelabra, burnished gold Gallery of Maps, and the intricately detailed Gallery of Tapestries, seeking out the subtle Jewish symbolism hidden away in each.
Stretched across almost 4.5 miles of corridors, the Vatican Museums boasts one of the largest art collections in the world. With the focus of approaching them from an entirely Jewish perspective, your private guide will be able to venture into greater depth as you explore its many highlights.
Discover the secrets of the Jewish Lapidarium
Should its collection be open to the public, your Vatican Tour from a Jewish Perspective will take you through the Jewish Lapidarium: a unique collection showcasing some of the most interesting inscriptions from ancient Rome’s Jewish community.
Hailing from the Jewish Catacomb of Monteverde, near Trastevere, these inscriptions offer fascinating glimpses into the social, religious, and cultural lives of Rome’s Jewish community between the third and fourth centuries AD. Your expert guide will introduce you to the most interesting, bringing you face to face with the ghosts of history.
Get an all-new angle on the Sistine Chapel
If there’s one attraction you can’t miss during your time in the Vatican, it’s the Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo’s undisputed magnum opus and one of the most lasting and influential contributions to western art. Standing beneath its frescoed ceiling with Michelangelo’s Last Judgement stretching up in front of you, you’ll experience the Sistine Chapel like few others, viewing it through a lens many would never stop to think to look through.
Let your private guide regale you with stories of Michelangelo’s immersion in the Talmud, Torah, and Kabbalah – immersion which informed the visual iconography intrinsic to the Sistine Chapel’s famed designs.
Take in the breathtaking Saint Peter’s Basilica
From the Sistine Chapel, you’ll make your way to Saint Peter’s Basilica for the final part of your Vatican Tour from a Jewish Perspective. Your private tour concludes outside in Saint Peter’s Square where, in the shadow of the square’s obelisk, surrounded by Bernini’s perfectly proportioned colonnade, your guide will put together the final pieces of the puzzle in a way that will engage, inform, and most importantly entertain.
Should you wish to continue, your private guide will direct you inside the storied walls of the basilica. Here you will see Michelangelo’s famous Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin through new eyes, allowing you to experience Saint Peter’s like so few ever do.
Entrance fees are not included in the price. We will provide your VIP skip-the-line access for an additional fee.
- Itinerary:Vatican MuseumsGallery of the CandelabraGallery of MapsGallery of TapestriesJewish Lapidaium (subject to opening)Sistine ChapelSaint Peter's Basilica (view)Saint Peter's Square
- Included:Licensed tour guideSkip-the-line entrance
- Important Info:Saint Peter’s basilica is an active religious center and is strongly influenced by liturgical ceremonies and needs: we are therefore not responsible for any inconvenience resulting from sudden closure of the basilica. Umbrellas and backpacks cannot be taken inside, and please cover shoulders and knees.
- Wheelchair accessible:Guests with limited mobility are encouraged to request a private tour.
- Meeting Point:Vatican Museums entrance (under the statue of Michelangelo and Raphael)
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excellent guides
Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for the inspiring cultural heritage of our Italian cities. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!
M109LWmaggieb
Wonderful Wine Tour My husband and I did the secret wine bar tour with Sara. She was an absolute delight—so easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable. She took us places we would... read moreMy husband and I did the secret wine bar tour with Sara. She was an absolute delight—so easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable. She took us places we would have never chosen on our own and they were all amazing!
My only warning is that you will be full by the end of this tour—which is a great thing! We weren’t sure how much food would be provided, so we made late dinner reservations that we ended up canceling because we had plenty to eat on the tour!!
I highly recommend this experience, and highly recommend requesting Sara as your guide! read less - 4/01/2022stevejnb
A great evening with Marcos. I always wanted to know how to make the perfect pizza and gelato. Here, Marco the expert will show you how. It was a great participation event with lots... read moreI always wanted to know how to make the perfect pizza and gelato. Here, Marco the expert will show you how. It was a great participation event with lots of laughs, and we all got to sit down together afterwards to eat our creations. This is a great event for adults and children alike. Narco and his team are a credit to the company. read less - 12/05/2021
JRSwimmerDC
Exceeding Expectations in Unexpected Location This is an essential tour. After many trips to Rome this is an excursion we were excited to take. Our expectations were exceeded. Sara was great and made the tour... read moreThis is an essential tour. After many trips to Rome this is an excursion we were excited to take. Our expectations were exceeded. Sara was great and made the tour special. She has a great personality and is engaging. The chef, assistant, and team at Castel Gandolfo were all terrific to work with.
If there is one thing to do when visiting Rome after the major sites and time around the city, take this trip. read less - 12/03/2021fundumper
Geeking out at The Vatican Rosi was our guide for the experience and she was A+. Not just knowledgeable but also passionate and a great story teller. She was patient w questions and made the... read moreRosi was our guide for the experience and she was A+. Not just knowledgeable but also passionate and a great story teller. She was patient w questions and made the overall experience incredibly fun. read less - 11/30/2021
251313
The 2 villas of Tivoli We did the Private tour of Villa D'Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli. The driver picked us up from the hotel in Rome and drove to the Villa Adriana, where... read moreWe did the Private tour of Villa D'Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli. The driver picked us up from the hotel in Rome and drove to the Villa Adriana, where our guide, Barbara, met us. Thoroughly versed in ancient history and art history, she was a lively and fascinating guide. Never exhausting or boring, always good company, Barbara clearly loves what she does, sharing her knowledge of Rome and environs and deepening the appreciation of discerning travelers who want to learn about what they see. She was a good sport, because it was a windy rainy day, not ideal for a long day outdoors! I would definitely hire her again. read less - 11/04/2021
MarciaMMueller3
Gracious, Knowledgeable, Experienced Walk Inside Rome has the best, most informed guides and they never disappoint!
From the first inquiry through the tour they are also the most gracious and accommodating. Our most... read moreWalk Inside Rome has the best, most informed guides and they never disappoint!
From the first inquiry through the tour they are also the most gracious and accommodating. Our most recent guide at the Vatican was TEO, knowledgeable, friendly, and someone who clearly loves the city of Rome. The owner of WIR, Marilena is hands on, and considers you a friend after the first tour! read less - 11/02/2021drwu67
Great Guide and Tour Very impressed and happy - From booking to the tour, everything was very smooth. I had some questions about the tour before booking - sent an email with responses prompt... read moreVery impressed and happy - From booking to the tour, everything was very smooth. I had some questions about the tour before booking - sent an email with responses prompt and the relevant information. We did the early morning Vatican Tour with Walks Inside Rome with our guide Barbara, who was amazing. Spending the extra money was worth the experience of WIR, in depth knowledge of the guide, early access to the Vatican and the path/route to see the highlights and relevant areas of the Vatican. Would highly recommend for anyone to book this tour, and would consider them for other tours next time in Rome! Thanks to the team at WIR and special shout out to Barbara who was so very considerate (my Mom was 89 years old and visiting the Vatican for the first time, making sure my Mom was at the front and able to see everything even though she was a tiny bit slower than everyone else! Grazie Mille! read less - 10/12/2021
cyclefiend
Making Pizza & Gelato in Roma This was a fun, educational experience. I enjoy cooking, baking, etc so learning to make authentic Roman style pizza and a simple recipe for gelato is a skill I... read moreThis was a fun, educational experience. I enjoy cooking, baking, etc so learning to make authentic Roman style pizza and a simple recipe for gelato is a skill I can take home! Our chef/instructor, Marco, was enthusiastic and his experience shown through as he explained what and why following the recipes was important. The kitchen space was well equipped and the dining space magical. Next time we’re in Rome (yes we tossed coins in the Trevi Fountain) we will take another course from his organization. read less - 9/27/2021