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.
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.
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Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"Our private tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with Federico was one of the highlights of our trip to Rome. Federico was incredibly kind, empathetic, and funny, and his warm personality made us feel comfortable right away. We are both very interested in history, and Federico’s tour exceeded all our expectations. Although we had visited the Vatican Museums before, we still learned so many new and fascinating things from him. His knowledge and engaging way of sharing the history brought everything to life, and we truly got everything we could have hoped for from the tour. The entire experience was perfectly organized and completely hassle-free. We didn’t have to wait in line, and Federico expertly guided us past the large crowds. Even in the intense heat, the tour was absolutely wonderful. It was a truly memorable experience. When we return to Rome, we will almost certainly book another tour with Federico. Highly recommended!"
"We had a fantastic time with Yanira Fabbro as our tour guide through the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Yanira has a wonderful enthusiasm coupled with an extensive knowledge about the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. We very much appreciated Yanira sharing both the biggest and smallest details during our tour. If anyone visiting Rome is looking for an outstanding private tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, we strongly recommend Yanira Fabbro. We have so many wonderful memories from this tour because Yanira was so engaged, informative, and thorough. "
"Francesca was such a charming, passionate and thoughtful guide. She took care to meet all the needs of our group which included 2 Italian speaking 70+ Nonni on one spectrum bookended by 2 English-only-speaking tweens on the other end. She found ways to connect with everyone and make it a meaningful experience. Her art history background and her generational knowledge of Rome added so much value too. And she’s just a lovely person! Best experience. Couldn’t have imagined doing it without a guide. "
"My group had Lia guide us through The Vatican. Lia suggested purchasing skip the line tickets as an option. This was a great way to go and her knowledge and passion made our experience wonderful. "
"Eleonora was brilliant from start to finish, she ensured that we had the correct tickets, made sure we had allowed enough time to cover what we wanted to see and was a fountain of knowledge."
"From 10,000 miles away we were taken in by a whirlwind of Italian charm intelligence and passion. She is a spirit as much as a guide. An archaeologist. A historian. An art lover. A mother. A daughter. A philosopher and forever student of spirituality. A teacher and an example to our renaissance daughter of the power of feminine independence. Three hours was too short to soak in the immense knowledge of art, the Vatican, and the obvious deep love of Rome. The genuine joy of life with reverence and humor is infectious. Love, the Broome Family"
"Federico was our guide for the Vatican and the Colosseum. He’s an amazing guide. He’s well educated and knowledgeable about Roman history and the Vatican. He took the time to thoroughly answer all our questions. He’s also very friendly with a good sense of humor. He even took the time to give us restaurant recommendations in Rome including ones for when we’d be in Naples. We really appreciated having him be our guide and highly recommend him! "
"Francesca has to be the best guide in Rome. Don’t tour without her. She is kind and patient and extremely flexible with itinerary. We may come back just to spend more time with her. She is a thoroughly beautiful and kind person. I can’t thank her enough. Book with her you won’t be disappointed. A truly good person. What a value, she is worth 3 times the listed amount. Just fabulous!!!! We love you my new friend. Arrivedercci. The Herbs.😘"
"We did two tours as a family (a teen and two young adult kids) with Francesca. She was funny, knowledgeable, answered our million questions and knew how to navigate everything so that we could see everything we wanted despite our short time and big crowds. She also helped us when one of kids wasn’t feeling well - took us to a pharmacy and helped translate for us to get the right medication for him. I highly and without hesitation recommend her - 10 out of 10! "
"We had a wonderful tour this morning with Eleonora - lots of interesting information about the Colosseum and Ancient Rome. Highly recommend!"
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.
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.
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.
