Full description
Private family tour of the Musei Vaticani, the Cappella Sistina and the Basilica di San Pietro, with a treasure hunt and prizes for the children
This private tour is designed for families, with a guide who specializes in children and turns the visit into a treasure hunt. The meeting point is at the top of the staircase on Viale Vaticano, where the guide gives the children a map and a list of items to find along the way. Entry to the Musei Vaticani is with timed tickets.
The hunt begins in the Museo Gregoriano Egizio, with stone lions, sarcophagi and mummies, and continues through the Cortile Ottagono, with the Laocoön and His Sons, the story of Medusa and Nero's giant marble bathtub. Next comes the Sala degli Animali, a stone zoo created by Pope Pius VI, and the Galleria delle Carte Geografiche, where the children look for sea monsters and ancient ships on the maps.
The route includes the Cappella Sistina; since talking is not allowed inside, the guide explains it before entering. The visit ends in the Basilica di San Pietro, in front of Bernini's Baldacchino and Michelangelo's Pietà, where the children complete the final task and receive their prize. On Wednesday mornings, due to the Papal Audience, the visit does not include entry to the basilica.
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Additional Information
● Please arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes before the start time
● The tour is conducted in the language selected at the time of booking; please make sure the selected language is correct before confirming
● In the event of extraordinary closures or restrictions imposed by the Museums, no refund will be issued. The itinerary may be modified while keeping the same duration or, when possible, the visit may be rescheduled for another date
● Vatican tickets are issued in the name of each participant and are non-transferable. First and last names must exactly match the ID presented on the day of the visit (national ID card or passport). In case of discrepancy, entry may be denied by the site and the booking cancelled without refund
● All passengers must bring valid identification on the day of the tour
● The details of all passengers must be entered correctly: full first name(s) and last name(s), date of birth and nationality. The details entered in the booking cannot be edited; name or data changes are not allowed once the booking is closed. It will be necessary to cancel and rebook, subject to availability
● Date of birth is required to correctly identify the adult, child and infant categories. Nationality is required especially for the special rates for European Union citizens aged 18 to 25, when applicable
● All passengers, including children and infants (even if they travel free of charge), must be listed in the booking and present valid identification on the day of the visit. Minors must always enter accompanied by at least one adult
● Important – Vatican: official tickets and their issuance are guaranteed once the booking is confirmed. However, the Vatican may make later operational adjustments, so the entry time, access points or route may change. In case of changes, the closest available time to the one originally selected will be assigned
● Age categories: adults (18 and over), youth (7 to 17) and children (6 and under). Children aged 6 and under are free of charge
● The route inside the Vatican Museums may change according to internal museum regulations. In addition, St. Peter's Basilica may close partially or completely without notice due to ceremonies, extraordinary religious events or decisions of the Vatican
● The Basilica di San Pietro is closed on Wednesdays until 1:30 p.m. due to the Papal Audience; tours during this time do not include entry to the basilica. In addition, entry to the basilica is not guaranteed on tours starting after 3:30 p.m. (any day of the week)
● Dress code: as these are places of worship, shoulders and knees must be covered, and hats and flip-flops are not allowed. Security staff may deny entry to anyone who does not comply
● Tripods and large backpacks are not allowed inside the museums, so it is recommended to leave them at the accommodation
● The Cappella Sistina is a place of worship and talking is not allowed inside; the guide will explain the frescoes before entering
● As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be adapted to the needs of guests with reduced mobility; this must be indicated at the time of booking
● The activity may be affected by external causes beyond the provider's control
● The provider is not responsible for any physical injury or loss of or damage to personal belongings during the experience
Inclusions
✔ Private guide in the selected language (English or Italian)
✔ Timed entry tickets to the Musei Vaticani
✔ Guided tour of the Musei Vaticani
✔ Entry to the Cappella Sistina
✔ Guided tour of the Basilica di San Pietro (except Wednesday mornings)
✔ Treasure hunt materials
✔ Prizes for the children
✔ Headsets for larger family groups
Exclusions
✖ Hotel pickup or drop-off
✖ Transportation to the meeting point
✖ Entry to the dome of San Pietro
✖ Tickets, food and drinks unless expressly specified in the tour inclusions
✖ Other services not specified
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the start of the activity.
Cancellations made less than 7 days in advance and no-shows are non-refundable.
Meeting point
Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Rome, Italy
The guide will be waiting at the top of the large staircase, between the TMark Hotel Vaticano and Caffè Vaticano, holding a The Tour Guy sign.