Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of The Vatican with a private, personalized experience led by a local.
Make your stay in Rome complete with these things to do
Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"We absolutely would not have learn as much or enjoyed ourselves as much as we did if we had taken one of the larger group tours (even with their audio devices). Francesca was a FABULOUS, and extremely knowledgeable host. She pointed out various aspects of the paintings, sculptures, mosaics tiles, etc. that we would have certainly missed, and provided explanations, and the meanings, behind them. This made the entire tour much more memorable and enjoyable. It was definitely the highlight of our trip. We will highly encourage others to book with her when they go to visit Rome."
"While Stephanie was our travel agents name, our names are Debbie and Tony! We had an amazing tour with Sara! She is extremely knowledgeable about everything in the Vatican! We saw so much and learned so much, and seeing the Sistine chapel and the Basilica was so mind blowing! Sara went above and beyond by making sure we got on the metro safely and helped with some issues because of the strike on Monday! Will definitely keep Withlocals in mind for other trips!"
"Our tour guide Sara was amazing! She guided us through the Vatican so efficiently, helping us skip the lines and focus on the highlights we cared about. She did a great job teaching us about the history, city and what everything used to be like. Her knowledge saved us so much time and effort. She also took great pictures of us and made sure we had the best experience with our time. "
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Rome with locals
Our locals will give you the best experiences that Rome has to offer
Discover experiences based on your interest
There's more to the Vatican than meets the eye. Our local hosts have uncovered the hidden stories, smart shortcuts, and surprising details that make your visit unforgettable. From secret staircases to the best time to see the Sistine Chapel, these quick reads are packed with insider tips to help you experience the Vatican like a local.
Want to see the Sistine Chapel before it's packed wall-to-wall? Some private tours offer early access—meaning Michelangelo's ceiling without the crowds. Your local guide can get you in early and share all the juicy backstories you'd miss in a group shuffle.
Explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with a private Vatican tour. Skip the line and discover hidden highlights with a knowledgeable local guide, tailored to your pace and interests.
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
"Spending time with Manuela was like being with a dear friend. Warm, fun , smart and full of knowledge . We wish we could have booked a second tour with her. We chose to tour Testaccio and the Testaccio market, it was a great choice. All of the vendors we visited greeted her with a big hug and treated us like friends. The food was amazing and authentic ( no chicken Alfredo on THIS tour😄) Towards the end of our time Manuela asked if we had any room left for one additional sample of Roman street food . She wanted to be sure we were satisfied and we were. She’s the best. "
"Eleanora met us outside the Vatican and wakes us through the whole museum in just a few hours. She was kind and knowledgeable and even brought us to requested pieces of art that our family wanted to see. I can tell the Vatican would have been way too overwhelming without a guide. She took us through a couple back entrances to get through crowds quicker. It was worth it. I wish that I had a better idea of the timeline of history but the way the Vatican is organized is not like the Louvre or other famous art collections. It was so much at once!"
"Despite the Sistine Chapel being completely overrun with a veritable lazy river of continuous people and in bad need of additional restrooms and new A/C units… Lia was a rose in the desert giving us a private tour focused on art history, geography and cultural notes as well as letting us see elements of the world famous fresco up close and personal in the form of her sculpture gallery viewing notes. "
"Francesca gave us a wonderful tour of the Vatican museums with fun facts, interesting interjections and little quizzes to engage us even further through the tour. Loved our time together! Wonderfully knowledgeable. Great way to spend our first hours in Rome!"
"We really enjoyed our outing with Francesca - especially how helpful she was getting around all the other tourists!"
"Francesca gave us a great toue of the Vatican. She was very knowledgeable and accommodating. All four of us really enjoyed her approach and friendliness. I would highly recommend her."
"We really enjoyed the tour with Yanira provided for the Vatican and St Peter Basilica. "
Ever heard of the Bramante Staircase? It's not on the standard Vatican Museums route, but locals know how to include it. A private guide can show you this architectural gem, and tell you how popes once rode down it on horseback.
Want to send a postcard from the smallest country in the world? Your local guide will lead you to the Vatican's own postal system. It's efficient, iconic, and a quirky souvenir for friends back home.
Inside St. Peter's Basilica, your guide can point out the exact spot where Michelangelo designed the dome, or where Bernini left his sculptural signature. A private tour helps you slow down, soak it in, and see what others rush past.
No photos, no talking, no lingering. The Sistine Chapel can feel rushed—unless your guide preps you. With a private tour, you'll get the full story before entering, so you know exactly what to look for and why it matters.
The Vatican Museums are massive, over 7 kilometers of art! A local guide knows how to navigate straight to the good stuff, tailor it to your interests, and make sure you don't miss iconic works hidden in plain sight.
Fun fact: the Vatican is the smallest country in the world. But it's easy to miss that when you're focused on the art. Your local host will sprinkle in stories about Vatican citizenship, Swiss Guards, and the Pope's daily routine to bring it all to life.
Want to climb the dome without the full 551 steps? Ask your local guide about the elevator shortcut and the best time of day to avoid queues and catch that perfect Vatican City panorama.
Between the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and guided entrances, it's easy to end up in the wrong line. A private guide ensures you skip the confusion (and often the lines), so your time goes into exploring, not waiting.
With over 20,000 works on display, the Vatican Museums can be overwhelming. But a great guide brings it down to earth, connecting artworks to your interests, whether you're into ancient sculptures, Renaissance drama, or quirky papal history.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
