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Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase & Niccoline Chapel Tour

Rome, Italy
Book online or call us

from $1,446.52 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase & Niccoline Chapel Tour Image 1
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4 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 5 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Instant confirmation

Overview

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.

What's Included

  • "Skip the line" entrance tickets in the Vatican Museums
  • Entrance in the Bramante Staircase and in the Niccolina Chapel (Hidden Vatican)
  • Pick-up and drop off with luxury transportation and private chauffeur
  • Entrance in St. Peter's Basilica
  • Food and beverages
  • Gratuities. If you are satisfied with the service, a gratuity is customary
See 2 moreSee 3 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
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.

What To Expect

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Vatican City

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!
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3 hours Admission Ticket Free

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous places in Vatican City. It is known for its stunning frescoes painted by Michelangelo, including *The Creation of Adam* and *The Last Judgment*. It is also the place where the cardinals meet to elect a new Pope.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Dress code required for the Sistine Chapel: knees and shoulders must be covered

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase & Niccoline Chapel Tour?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-120696P108

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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase & Niccoline Chapel Tour?
A:
This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • "Skip the line" entrance tickets in the Vatican Museums.
  • Entrance in the Bramante Staircase and in the Niccolina Chapel (Hidden Vatican).
  • Pick-up and drop off with luxury transportation and private chauffeur.
  • Entrance in the Sistine Chapel.
  • Professional guide authorised by Vatican City State.
The following is NOT included:
  • Entrance in St. Peter's Basilica.
  • Food and beverages.
  • Gratuities. If you are satisfied with the service, a gratuity is customary.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase & Niccoline Chapel Tour is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Vatican Museums, Bramante Staircase & Niccoline Chapel Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • "Skip the line" entrance tickets in the Vatican Museums
  • Entrance in the Bramante Staircase and in the Niccolina Chapel (Hidden Vatican)
  • Pick-up and drop off with luxury transportation and private chauffeur
  • Entrance in the Sistine Chapel
  • Professional guide authorised by Vatican City State
  • Entrance in St. Peter's Basilica
  • Food and beverages
  • Gratuities. If you are satisfied with the service, a gratuity is customary

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Dress code required for the Sistine Chapel: knees and shoulders must be covered

Report Product Issue

Activity name