Day trip

Rome: Vatican City in a Train with Lunch at Pope's Residence

Activity provider: Enjoy Rome
Day trip

Rome: Vatican City in a Train with Lunch at Pope's Residence

Activity provider: Enjoy Rome
Save up to 20%

From US$ 121.48 US$ 97.18 per person

Visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Vatican gardens. Travel by a special train from the Vatican City to the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo a lovely town overlooking Lake Albano.

About this activity

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Duration 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English, Italian

Experience

Highlights
  • Visit the pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, an exclusive destination recently opened to the public
  • See the Papal Palace and the pope's private gardens
  • Skip the line and discover the of art in the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel
  • Enjoy a delicious meal at the Pope's Summer Residence
  • Visit the remarkable Vatican Gardens
Full description
The most memorable things to do in Rome – this unique experience begins with a day trip from Rome to one of the most exclusive destinations. Explore the Pope’s Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo – a beautiful, small town overlooking Lake Albano. One of Italy’s most scenic towns, located only 15 miles southeast of Rome, it is understandable why Popes have chosen this spot as their sanctuary for hundreds of years. Recently opened to the public by Pope Francis for a select number of tours, this sightseeing tour allows you to escape into the Pope’s private and luxurious Barberini Gardens, the Papal Palace and stroll around the beautifully scenic and serene town of Castel Gandolfo. Followed by a Vatican tour which includes visits to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Vatican Gardens. Where you will see all of the must-see destinations when visiting Vatican City. Experience a peaceful retreat in two of the most unforgettable places to visit in Rome. ITINERARY 1.This exclusive day trip from Rome begins with one of the main destinations and top things to do in Rome – the Vatican Museums. And with our Priority Access, you skip the line, allowing you more time to discover the great works of art by Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini. 2.Our sightseeing Vatican visit continues to one of the most revered places to see in Rome – and the world – the Sistine Chapel. An absolute must-see in Rome, our expert guide will take you around to explore the amazing works of art including Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement – the largest fresco ever painted by one man. 3.Then you will be visiting an essential to your Rome itinerary. Covering the most significant and spiritual destinations in the world, The Vatican Gardens, an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. 4.The second part of the tour begins with 11:00 am train ride to the Pope’s Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo. One of Italy’s most scenic towns, located only 15 miles southeast of Rome, it is understandable why Popes have chosen this spot as their sanctuary for hundreds of years. 5.A short ride by mini bus from the train station and you arrive to the top of this secluded, charming town where your exclusive sightseeing tour begins. Explore the Pope’s private and luxurious Barberini Gardens, using your audio guide, before sampling a yogurt snack straight from the Pope’s private farm. Then eat lunch and stroll around as you absorb the breathtaking views of this scenic town. 6.Recently opened to the public by Pope Francis for a select number of tours, the Papal Palace – also known as the Apostolic Palace was designed by Carlo Maderno- the same architect as St. Peter’s Basilica’s façade. Previously off-limits, you can now discover the rare history and treasures contained in its extravagant yet intimate interior, including the works of Bernini.
Includes
  • Skip the line with Priority Access
  • Live guide for the Castel Gandolfo tour
  • Live guide for the Vatican tour
  • Small group (25 people maximum)
  • Train from the Vatican City to Castel Gandolfo and train back to the St. Peter's train station
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Please be at the meeting point at least 25 minutes before the activity starts.

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Important information

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Shorts
  • Luggage or large bags
  • Short skirts
  • Sleeveless shirts
  • Weapons or sharp objects

Know before you go

  • Please note that the Sistine Chapel has a strict dress code year-round. All visitors must have their shoulders covered and pants/skirts must come to the knee. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
  • The Vatican has strict security restrictions. Due to metal detectors at the entrances of most sites, it is forbidden to bring the following:
  • Weapons and blunt objects (knives, long umbrellas, etc.)
  • Glass bottles, aerosol sprays and alcohol
  • Bicycles, skates and Segways
  • Luggage
  • Pets
  • If you or any member of your party has difficulty with mobility (uses crutches or a wheelchair, etc.) please contact the tour operator in advance. This tour is not wheelchair accessible. Private tours are available to meet these needs, on request.
  • Please note that the meeting point is outside the tour operator's office. For security reasons, no personal belongings may be stored there. Please plan accordingly.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 10 reviews

Review summary

  • Value for money
    4.4/5
  • Safety
    4.8/5
  • Service
    4.3/5
  • Organization
    4/5

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Star rating:

Wonderful way to spend the day if you’ve already seen most of the main historical destinations in the city center. The tour began a little early (8:00 am) with a bus ride to the small town of Castel Gandolfo where the Pope’s summer residence is. We rode first by bus, then by a mini eco-train around the sites in this beautiful mountaintop town. After visiting the Pope’s private gardens and the Papal Palace, we were given some time to eat lunch and walk about town a little. This incredibly adorable town sits at the top of the mountain, overlooking the lake so on a clear day (which we luckily had) the views were breathtaking. Definitely enjoyed the morning at Castel Gandolfo more than the afternoon at the Vatican – but a visit there is a must when in Rome. If it were a longer trip, we would’ve liked to spend more time in Castel Gandolfo and around the Castelli Romani. Such a nice change of pace from the city center and so beautiful!

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March 28, 2023

The trip starts in Castel Gondolfo where we've seen the beautiful gardens of the Pope's summer residence and the Apostolic Palace. It was so beautiful and peacefull! Then we had a break for lunch and we eat in a really nice little restaurant before to go back to Rome. The visit of the Vatican Musems and Sistine Chapel was amazing, and to finish the visit to St. Peter's Basilica was wonderfull! In the morning you have an audioguide with good information and in the afternoon we had a live guide who was so nice and knowledgeable! All our day trip was really well organised, I recommend it 100%!

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March 28, 2023

Wonderful way to spend the day if you’ve already seen most of the main historical destinations in the city center. The tour began a little early (8:00 am) with a bus ride to the small town of Castel Gandolfo where the Pope’s summer residence is. We road first by bus, then by a mini eco-train around the sites in this beautiful mountaintop town. After visiting the Pope’s private gardens and the Papal Palace, we were given some time to eat lunch and walk about town a little. This incredibly adorable town sits at the top of the mountain, overlooking the lake so on a clear day (which we luckily had) the views were breathtaking. Definitely enjoyed the morning at Castel Gandolfo more than the afternoon at the Vatican – but a visit there is a must when in Rome. If it were a longer trip, we would’ve liked to spend more time in Castel Gandolfo and around the Castelli Romani. Such a nice change of pace from the city center and so beautiful!

Read more

March 28, 2023

Product ID: 101336