Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Semi-Private Tour with Skip-the-Line

Vatican Museums. A typical itinerary inside the Vatican Museums includes the Pavilion of the Carriages, home to everything from centuries old horse-drawn carriages to vintage and modern cars really used by Popes past and present. You'll visit the Pinecone Courtyard, the Hall of the Maps (the "Oval Office" of the Pope centuries ago), the Gallery of the Tapestries, the Pinacoteca, Belvedere Courtyard, Room of the Muses, the Round Room and Candelabra Gallery.

Pinecone Courtyard. This courtyard gets its name from the enormous bronze Pinecone sculpture that dominates it.

Bronze Sphere. The Vatican Museums contains some modern art as well, including this famous sculpture: Sphere within a Sphere. Variations of this sculpture can be found in many settings around the world.

Pio Clementino Museum. The most famous wing of the Vatican Museums, the Pio Clementino museum contains much of the Museum's most important highlights. Your guide will take you through the Room of the Animals, where you can spot the life-like statues of fauna from around the world. Head to the Octagonal Courtyard where a small fountain trickles in the background of famous statues like the Laocoonte and Apollo Belvedere. Don't forget to look at the Candelabra Gallery -- master painters decorated these ceilings to create the illusion of a 3D effect centuries ago!

Gallery of the Candelabra. Named for its ornate marble candelabra, this elegant hall showcases a rich collection of ancient Roman sculptures and artifacts, blending classical artistry with intricate architectural details

Gallery of the Tapestries. Lined with monumental 16th-century tapestries woven from designs by Raphael's school, this stunning gallery captures biblical scenes with remarkable depth and craftsmanship

Gallery of the Maps. Head with your guide to the Gallery of the Maps -- and get a perspective of the world how it was five centuries ago. These exquisitely detailed, hand-painted giant maps are a favorite of the Vatican Museums. See if you can find the Italian cities you have visited, or spot the nod to Christopher Columbus' journey to the Americas.

Raphael Rooms. Raphael painted these rooms with incredible frescoes, originally meant for the private rooms of Pope Julius II.

Sistine Chapel. No guides are able to speak inside the Sistine Chapel. However, your guide will prepare you in advance for your free time inside so you'll know what to look for.

Vatican Museums. Your visit ends at the entrance of the Vatican Museums. From here, you are free to continue to explore on your own within official opening hours.