• Private Tour
• Carbon Neutral

Get ready to join me and art historian on a fascinating and interesting walk through the famous museums of the Popes. During this private tour, there's no need to wait in line, with the skip-the-line ticket you've access to all the must-sees of the Vatican!

Destination

Rome, Italy

Category

Skip The Line Tours

Duration

3.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Italiano

Included

• Private guide

Excluded

• Entrance tickets

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with Francesca Romana.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Vatican Museums - Rome to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Meeting point

   Your local guide will welcome you at Ottaviano metro station

4. Introduction

   Get an introduction of Vatican and its sights

5. The magnificent museums

   Discover Pope's collection, admire the Sistine Chapel and be amazed by Michelangelo's masterpiece

6. Insider Tips

   Your host will give you locals insider tips and answer all your questions

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

I can personalize this tour for you

• Tell me your preferred date and group size
• Tell me your preferences and wishes so I can customize the tour for you
• Wait for my personal offer in your inbox!

Contact me

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Kristen

9 March 2025

I had a lovely tour of the Vatican and museum with Francesca. She is incredibly knowledgeable and shares interesting details of the artwork and construction of the museum. She spent a bit of extra time with me as it took a little bit longer to get through the museum, but she never hurried me or gave me anything less than a 100% attention. I highly recommend Francesca and would definitely book another tour with her. Thank you, KristenLovely Tour

zoe.mohler🇺🇸 United States

18 February 2025

Francesca Romana was INCREDIBLE! Her tour of the Vatican was the highlight of our trip. We learned more in our three hour tour than I thought possible. She is a registered tour guide and it shows - she knows her stuff! When we come back to Roma, booking with Francesca is at the top of our list!The Best of the Best

Avril🇬🇷 Greece

17 January 2025

Francesca is an extremely open, warm, knowledgeable, professional and a humorous person. We were engaged from beginning to end and the time flew by and for all our family very special. If we return to Rome we would definitely seek out Francesca. Thank you so much from us all. Memorable Morning

Migel🇺🇸 United States

15 December 2024

Francesca was super knowledgeable had perfect English and most importantly for us, went out of her way to personalize the tour. Unforgettable experience!! Thanks again Francesca. Amazing experience!

Kevin

29 November 2024

Francesca was so knowledgeable. We learned so much. She was kind and patient with us as steps can be a challenge. I would highly recommend her to anyone that wants to learn so much background on the Vatican. Great tour

Melissa🇺🇸 United States

6 November 2024

It was a great tour and our guide was very understanding and accommodating to the physical restrictions one person in our party had. Thank you !Great tour

Margaret🇺🇸 United States

7 October 2024

She was great! Well worth the expense! Wouldn’t have wanted to do Rome without her!Francesca review

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

21 September 2024

We had a group of 6 adults and had a great tour experience with Francesca! She was very knowledgeable, kind, and answered all our questions. I would highly recommend her! Great Vatican Tour

Robbin🇺🇸 United States

20 June 2024

Overall, my tour of the Sistine Chapel/Vatican with Francesca was the highlight of our visit to Vatican City. Her expertise, passion, and engaging storytelling transformed what could have been a mere sightseeing tour into a profound journey through art and history. I highly recommend this tour for anyone seeking a memorable and enriching experience in one of the world’s most breathtaking artistic treasures.Wonderful experience

Dominic🇺🇸 United States

12 June 2024

Francesca (reserve her early!) was wonderful - she gave such a rich context to our Vatican tour that hours flew by. Always a good sign when your tour guide seems to know all the Vatican personnel. Highly recommend letting Francesca take you around the Vatican.Amazing Vatican Tour

Laura🇺🇸 United States

12 May 2024

We had a great tour w/ Francesca to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica. She is clearly very knowledgable & really has a passion for these sites. She told us all the good stories about the artwork & especially focused on what we would see in the Sistene Chapel. Her information about the chapel really enhanced our time spent there. My friends and I would absolutely recommend booking Francesca for this tour if you want a fascinating, well informed & personable guide!

Rose🇺🇸 United States

9 May 2024

Francesca was excellent! We enjoyed our tour of the Vatican museum and Sistine chapel tremendously. Grazie!

Harini🇺🇸 United States

21 April 2024

Francesca did amazing job. We are families with young children and they all liked her. She was thorough and describing everything in detail and answer all the questions very patiently. I will highly recommend her if you are looking for knowledge and personable guide.Excellent

Amelia🇺🇸 United States

18 April 2024

Our family of five, with children ages 10-15, really enjoyed our Vatican tour with Francesca. Pre-tour communication was a breeze. With Francesca we easily navigated the entrance and did not wait in lines. Francesca asked about our knowledge and interests, in order to tailor the tour and explanations to our family. She did a wonderful job engaging the kids and making quick decisions about what to skip and where to spend more time. We all feel like we learned a lot from Francesca’s tour. Francesca also recommended a great spot to eat after the tour!Engaging, knowledgable & accomodating

James🇺🇸 United States

31 March 2024

Francesca kknows so much I feel negligent that I can’t remember it all. She did her part by teaching us the history, of the area, happenings, artists, and art we saw. She is a great teacher and really wants you to learn what she teaches. We had a wonderful tourGreat Teacher

jpagone🇺🇸 United States

30 March 2024

Francesca was great, has a ton of knowledge to share regarding the history of the Vatican, Popes and background that was invaluable to the context of our tour. I can’t imagine touring the Vatican museums without the stories and history she shared, made the tour. She’s passionate about the history and it shows, highly recommended!Vatican Tour

Buzz🇺🇸 United States

14 March 2024

Francesca was amazing. She shifted her focus based on our interests that created a very memorable experience. Would 100% recommend her. Fantastic experience

Casey🇺🇸 United States

5 March 2024

We had an amazing experience touring the Vatican with Francesca. She is incredibly knowledgeable and provided us with the exact experience we were looking for. 10/10 would recommend! Francesca was fantastic

Nicola

13 February 2024

What an amazing tour of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica!! We avoided the long queues and had a such an informative guide. Francesca was a warm and friendly expert. We loved it! 🥰. We’d highly recommend. It’s expensive when only 2 of you, but well worth it. Thanks for a memorable tour Francesca! You were brilliant!The Only Way to See Rome!

Raul🇺🇸 United States

1 February 2024

Wow! You want an amazing amazing tour? You want to know in detail about Roman history? Book a tour with Francesca! TRUST ME you won’t regret it. The passion she shows for Rome and the Vatican, is wonderful and warming to see. 10th generation Roman since the 1700s! Who else would you want to give a tour of Rome? Grazie Francesca! Thank you Francesca!

Eva🇳🇱 Netherlands

6 January 2024

Francesca is een top gids, ze heeft ons een mooi op maat passende rondleiding door het Vaticaan en de Sixtijnse kapel gegeven. We hebben genoten en we raden je aan om een mooie tour te boeken bij Francesca. Betrouwbare en goed geinformeerde gids

Radhiya

4 January 2024

We spent our afternoon walking, learning and simply being in awe with our surroundings. Our guide Francesca was incredible. She is knowledgeable, passionate and very helpful. Although there were lots of walking and information to absorb, it was a day well spent.wonderful day spent

Simon🇦🇺 Australia

29 December 2023

Francesca made the culture of the Vatican and the history of the Popes so real for our family and brought to life every painting, tapestry, statue ..., as well as every Papal drama! She is exceptionally knowledgeable and well read and was able to speak to both an adult audience (my wife and I) and to a younger audience (children 10 and 14); all 4 of us continually engaged. We absolutely loved this tour! Grazie mille Francesca xx Exceptional Guide!

Elisa🇺🇸 United States

4 December 2023

Francesca was marvelous! My husband and I booked a private tour with Francesca and it was outstanding! She is so knowledgeable and works you through the massive maze of the Vatican and all the important areas. We loved seeing the Sistine Chapel (not a first time), but this time Francesca reviewed the entire ceiling and what we would see before going into the chapel. It was so enlightening to be able to look up and recognize everything she taught us! We highly recommend Francesca and hope to see her on our next visit! Incredible Experience! Highly recommend!

Karen🇺🇸 United States

30 November 2023

My husband and I really enjoyed this tour. Francesca was an excellent guide, making us feel comfortable and welcome right away. She quickly discerned our level of knowledge and really crafted the tour on the spot accordingly. We felt very much like we had exclusive access to the museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica and learned quite a bit, having started with only a general knowledge of the Vatican. Thank you, Francesca, this was a real highlight of our trip to Rome!Great Tour

Viona🇦🇺 Australia

5 November 2023

Francesca took my family and I (4 adults) through Vatican with such efficiency and we felt we were in good hands from the moment we met her. From skipping through the line to enter the Vatican, flying through security and spending most of the time in the rooms /points where we could enjoy ourselves listening to her stories of history. We thoroughly enjoy our time with Francesca and wished the 4hours would be longer. Even my husband who was the least interested in history enjoyed his time. I would strongly recommend her to anyone who is looking for an experienced guide who genuinely care about people & the history, and full of knowledge. See you next time Francesca and we wish you best of luck!A memorable day at the Vatican w/Francesca

Kelly🇺🇸 United States

19 October 2023

Francesca was a great guide. She was very helpful and accommodating.Great Experience

Andrea🇺🇸 United States

11 October 2023

From the time I booked this tour, Francesca was a great communicator. She answered all my questions & gave very helpful information. Began our tour by sharing lots of details, even before we entered the Museum & the Sistine Chapel, utilizing less crowded spaces. She efficiently moved us through so that we were able to see more than if we had been in a larger group. Friendly, very knowledgeable & very approachable. Highly recommend a tour with Francesca. A wonderful experience!

Ken🇺🇸 United States

14 August 2023

My family of 5 was visiting Rome for the first time. The thought of navigating the Vatican on our own seemed like a daunting task so we decided to set up a tour with Francesca. Well, we were not disappointed!! Francesca was so kind, personable, and knowledgeable. She thoroughly explained everything to us regarding what we encountered in the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter's Basilica. Navigating the Vatican on our own would have been challenging and having Francesca guide us was a helpful and wonderful experience. I would highly recommend!!Vatican Tour

Alyssa🇺🇸 United States

2 June 2023

Francesca was awesome! She was really engaging for all of us, especially our 13yo son. Told us stories and brought along a picture guide to help us better understand the historical timeline and prepare our eyes for the art inside the Vatican. Perhaps a bit pricey, but skipping the lines, having a private guide was a must for the crowded museum. We recommend Francesca without reservation!Great family tour

Dana🇺🇸 United States

28 May 2023

This is my 2nd trip to Rome and 2nd tour of Vatican City. On my first trip I was on a 12 tour with 60 people, we had local guides take us through the museums, Sistine chapel and St. Peter’s with headphones and it was not a good experience. This time around I wanted something more educational, meaningful and personalized. Francesca’s knowledge and passion for the history and art was energizing and engaging. We had a small group of 4 and it was perfect! I am excited for the next two tours (colosseum & Pompeii) we booked through Withlocals. Highly recommend Francesca!!! Wonderful Experience!

Mike🇺🇸 United States

14 May 2023

My Wife and I had a great time seeing the Vatican Museum with Francesca! She gave us insights and information that we would not have discovered on our own. It was very crowded and Francesca kept us moving and navigated us through the museum and crowds. I appreciated the explanation of the paintings of the Sistine Chapel before we entered it. We were able to appreciate what we were looking at in a more meaningful way than had we done it on our own. I would recommend Francesca! Mike and Dawn Tucson,AZTour with Francesca

Audrey🇨🇦 Canada

7 May 2023

Met Francesca who knew her history but it was never boring. The Vatican is still busy at 4 pm but she was able to keep us moving. Highly recommend A wonderful time with Francesca

Sol🇵🇭 Philippines

23 April 2023

Francesca was an excellent host. Other than her knowledge and passion about Rome, it was her kindness that stood out as far as my family is concerned. One of my sisters could not keep up with the tour due to health issues while 2 teenage grand daughters were very jet lagged. Francesca was very caring and empathic and made the most out of the time we spent with her. She would even go out of her way to have a happy compromise between those who could keep up with the pace and those who could not. Definitely recommendable. The kind Francesca

Casey🇺🇸 United States

24 February 2023

Francesca was wonderful with our group of 10 ranging from 11 years old to 70 years old. She was able to connect with the kids and kept our group informed and together. Thank you Francesca! Great Family Tour

Sheryl🇺🇸 United States

5 January 2023

Francesca provided us with an amazing tour of the art in the Vatican - giving us the historical perspective we were looking for as well as information about artists and art itself. She patiently answered all of our questions and provided context for all that we saw. It was the best way to view the museums - so grateful we found her. Highly recommend Francesca! Amazing tour of Vatican museums

cqdgs542qp🇦🇺 Australia

24 December 2022

Our family had a great tour of the Vatican with Francesca. We had an excellent mix of structure and flexibility to keep the adults and our 10 and 15 year olds engaged. 10/10. Great tour

Gabrielle🇧🇸 Bahamas

20 November 2022

We did the longer tour with Francesca and she was so friendly and knowledgeable. She ensured that we kept engaged and she was so personable and easy and to listen to. We loved everything about the tour. 10/10 would recommend Francesca is a rockstar !

Vladislav🇺🇸 United States

6 November 2022

We selected the longest tour with Francesca but it was not enough for us. Francesca is not only very knowledgeable but also very pleasant to deal with. There is a lot to see and she made sure we saw the highlights but she also pointed out less known facts. Definitely getting her again for our next tour in Rome.3.5 hours is not enough!

Claudia🇺🇸 United States

20 October 2022

My clients Daniel and Sofia have done the private Vatican tour with Francesca Romana. She was very professional during the tour and she kindly answer to all the questions that the clients done to her. They have very good memories of their travel in Rome and for sure Francesca is part of these beautiful memories.Private Vatican tour

Claudia🇺🇸 United States

20 October 2022

My Clients Tabitha and James have done the private Vatican and St. Peter tour with Francesca Romana. Francesca Romana was very kind, professional and supportive through all the process. She has sent a detailed recap the day before and everything went smoothly during the tour. Vatican Tour with Francesca Romana

Abbey🇺🇸 United States

16 October 2022

Francesca was an amazing tour guide! She made our tour of the Vatican so seamless (we did not have to wait in line!) and she had so much knowledge to share. We really appreciated her patience and being so accommodating with our group, since we had a few people that needed extra time throughout the walking tour. We truly enjoyed our experience with Francesca and would highly recommend booking her as your tour guide! Francesca was wonderful!

Anthony🇦🇺 Australia

25 September 2022

Francesca is delightful in her telling of the history of Rome and particularly of the Vatican. She weaves history with specific anecdotes you will not find in guide books. She is enthusiastic to tell the story of her city in laughter and in seriousness when appropriate. Bravo, Francesca.The Best Tour of the Vatican Museum

Angela🇦🇺 Australia

25 September 2022

Francesca was warm and friendly. Her English was excellent and conversational. I found the tour fascinating and Francesca showed us things beyond the ordinary. Highly recommend. Information with a touch of laughter

Dave🇺🇸 United States

21 September 2022

Our tour guide Francesca Romana was fantastic!! Our tour of the Vatican was so much better than we ever expected. Francesca unlocked the history of the Vatican museum and St Peters church with so much knowledge of the art, the artists, and the surrounding areas. We would highly recommend taking her tour to anyone interested in learning more about this amazing topic.Fantastic Experience

Patrick🇺🇸 United States

19 September 2022

Francesca gave us an amazing tour. She was friendly, knowledgable, and was able to answer all of our questions. Highly recommended!!Amazing Vatican tour guide!

Martin🇺🇸 United States

18 September 2022

The Vatican Museums are imposing anytime but this being our first visit we were blessed to have Francesca as our personal guide. The expanse of galleries and large number of artworks are vast. Francesca was knowledgeable, patient and motivated to give us a memorable tour. Her experience is deep and she knows her way around the Vatican. Francesca covered the Sistine Chapel well and did a wonderful walk around St Peter’s Basilica. Francesca created for an amazing introduction to Rome. Vatican City Made Easy

Lynn🇺🇸 United States

17 September 2022

Francesca was the perfect guide! She was knowledgeable, friendly & her English was excellent. We had a fantastic tour and would recommend her to everyone. Amazing tour with Francesca!

Stephanie🇺🇸 United States

14 September 2022

Francesca was a down right awesome tour guide. We had a group of 10 folks, ages ranging from 9 to 59 ... and she held our attention the entire time! We learned so much, saw so much, and experienced so much. Yes, the Vatican and its museum is probably great on its own ... but we were all so happy to have opted for a guided tour with Francesca. There's no way we would have been able to fully enjoy it without her. And not only was she a great and knowledgeable guide but she was particularly responsive even before we arrived in Rome. She answered all my questions, via withlocals.com, in a timely fashion -- some on the same day! ... And I had lots of questions. When we visit Rome again (because we threw our coins in the Trevi fountain, of course!), we will ask for Francesca. And you should too!Best Vatican Tour Ever

Sigrid🇧🇪 Belgium

21 August 2022

We had the most wonderful experience! It was a great tour and above all Francesca was not only very entertaining but also the most pleasant and aimable guide you can even imagine! 10