The Papal Experience: Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens and Castel Gandolfo Villa Barberini

Información

This full-day tour takes you on an unprecedented, insider’s discovery of parts of Vatican territory only recently opened to the public. Get the full Papal experience on this official Vatican tour, taking you to the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Gardens and the Villa Barberini, part of the Pope’s summer palace, by way of the Vatican’s own train! This service is provided by the Vatican with the added bonus of a Walks of Italy tour leader to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible and that you don’t get lost along the way!

Your day starts at the Vatican Museums 1 hour before they open to the public. Skipping the lines here, you’ll get straight inside for a 2-hour, audio-guided tour. Your tour leader will accompany you along the way to make sure you don’t get lost and make sure you see all the highlights of the museums.

Then it’s outside to the private Vatican Gardens, which are only visitable on an official Vatican tour (like the one you’re on). These are the beautiful gardens that popes have been coming to for quiet contemplation since 1279 and once you see them you’ll understand why. You’ll stroll through the gardens, passing manicured lawns and seeing exotic flowers and plants gifted to the Pope by visiting nations, while catching glimpses of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican City beyond.

Your destination is the official (and newly-restored) train from the Vatican City. Usually reserved for Popes, the Swiss Guard, and Vatican citizens, this exclusive train will whisk you off to the town that houses the Pope’s summer palace: Castel Gandolfo. Located between lake and mountains, it’s a stunning retreat from the chaos of Rome - a fitting location for contemplation.

A short shuttle gets you to the Villa Barberini section of the papal retreat. Built on the ruins of Emperor Domitian’s 1st century palace, the grounds here, which Pope Francis has opened to the public for the very first time, are a marvel of landscaping and archaeology. Hundreds of years of Popes can’t be wrong - this is an amazing spot for some R&R.

After touring the gardens by an eco-friendly vehicle and audio guide and enjoying stunning views of the lake you’ll break for a two-hour lunch. It’s not included in the price of the itinerary but your guide will have plenty of great restaurant recommendations and you’ll even have time for a relaxing glass of wine.

Afterwards you’ll reconvene to enter the Apostolic Palace. As you spend an hour wandering the opulent corridors with an audio guide you’ll learn about the generations of Popes who have summered in this amazing residence and see some of the incredible costumes that their position has commanded. When your hours are finished your tour leader will pick you up and escort you back to Roma San Pietro Station on the train.

Meeting/pick-up point: We meet just outside the green bar in the middle of Piazza del Risorgimento Square. This is the only bar/cafè located on the square. The bar is on the side of the square towards via Crescensio - close to Tram stop number 19. The closest Metro/Underground stop is Ottaviano.
End/closing time: 6pm.
Drop-off location: Roma - San Pietro Train Station.
Languages: English.
Others: Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate guests with mobility impairments, wheelchairs or strollers on this tour. Please remember that the Sistine Chapel is a holy place, and attire must be appropriate for the visit. Both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees. Walks of Italy cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to improper dress. Please note that, since the chapel is at the end of the Vatican visit, it is sufficient to bring extra coverings with you and put them on before our entrance to the holy areas.