From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
María Daniela Piedra Abarca
CR

María

Costa Rica
Aug 2025
5/5
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+1 more

We really enjoyed the bus. It's the perfect way to see the city during summer if you don't want to walk too much. The only thing we didn't understand was the routes available. On the app there seemed to be two routes the red and the purple, we did the red and wanted to do the purple but when we asked it didn't seem to be available.
Kevin Manning
IE

Kevin

Ireland
May 2025
5/5
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The best part was the staff, drivers and at bus stops. Extremely helpful considering the crowds Always attentive and understanding.
Renata Cunha Melo da Silva

Renata

Jul 2025
5/5
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Very nice visit to the Vatican Museums. The digital tickets are very practical and easy to use. Good value for money. Please note: as it was very busy, I was only allowed in at the exact time indicated on the ticket, not before - for those who like to arrive a little early!
Corinne Viloria Yague
US

Corinne

United States
Jul 2025
5/5
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I loved entering the Holy Door and being apart of something historic that only comes every 25years. I also loved to see the different types of artwork and how grand everything was in St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel.
Fernando Luiz de Faria Xavier
BR

Fernando

Brazil
Jul 2025
5/5
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Castel Sant'Angelo is simply wonderful. A beautiful view of the city! It's well preserved and there are specific points where you can photograph the Vatican in the background. Fantastic. And it wasn't too crowded, which was great. A pleasant place where you can even enjoy wine and other drinks while enjoying the view. I highly recommend it to tourists in Rome.
MONICA BERMEO
EC

Monica

Ecuador
Jul 2025
5/5
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The tickets were very easy to purchase and the castle is very beautiful, the view of Rome is spectacular, and I loved seeing St. Michael the Archangel.
Aishling Duffy
IE

Aishling

Ireland
Jul 2023
5/5
We did the Angels and demons official tour. We were met by our lovely and very informative guide Allesandra. We were taken to all the main locations of the book/film in air conditioned bus which was great. Allessandra was very knowledgeable about Angels and demons but also on Roman history. We got loads of extra information about Rome and history on the tour. We finished our tour in Castel Sant'angelo which was amazing. It has a great view of Rome and the Vatican. Allesandra our guide was lovely made the tour very enjoyable.
Natascha Geiser

Natascha

Oct 2022
5/5
Unsere Angels&Demons Tour mit Roberto durch Rom war wirklich das absolute Highlight unserer Reise. Roberto ist ein unglaublicher Geschichtenerzähler. Man fühlt sich als wäre man mitten im Geschehen - ein Teil des Buches! So sehr hat sich das Geld selten gelohnt. Danke lieber Roberto für das unvergessliche Erlebnis.

Top things to do in Rome

Guided tour of Castel Sant'Angelo provides

Guide explaining history at Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, with tourists listening attentively.

✔️Licensed local expert

Join a guide with deep knowledge of Roman history—many are licensed art historians whose expertise brings centuries of transformation to life, from imperial mausoleum to papal stronghold, offering insights that turn every stone and statue into a story.

Castel Sant'Angelo exterior view during guided tour in Rome, Italy.

✔️Structured route

The tour spans 1.5 to 2 hours and follows a curated route through key sections: the papal apartments, Hall of Urns, bastions, prison cells, and panoramic terraces. Nothing essential is missed, and the pace allows time for photos and reflection.

Visitors exploring interior of Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy, with ancient architecture and historical artifacts.

✔️Personalized immersive experience

Your guide tailors the tour to your curiosity, encouraging questions and conversation so you can explore the era of castle that fascinates you most.  By the end, you’ll not only know what you’ve seen—but why it mattered.

What to expect on a guided tour?

Entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo
Step onto the spiral ramp
The mausoleum core – imperial memory
Discover the military fortifications
Wander through papal apartments
The courtyard and prisons – shadows of power
The terrace – heaven and Rome in one view
1/7

Meet your guide

Meet your guide in front of the main entrance to the Lungotevere Castello. After a quick security check, you can enter the fortress, where your journey through the interiors of the museum would begin. Your guide would take you through key spots starting from the spiral ramps, to the burial rooms, and papal residences.

Step onto the spiral ramp

Step into the spiral ramp which begins at the Atrium and connects to the Hall of Urns. Here, the expert would explain its original purpose in imperial times—designed to transport cremated remains to the mausoleum above—and how it later served military functions, enabling soldiers and supplies to move swiftly through the fortress.

The mausoleum core – imperial memory

At the heart of the structure lies what was once a sacred tomb. Though the urns and original decorations are lost, it’s a silent, austere space, where you sense the solemnity of imperial death—with your guide sharing stories of Hadrian’s legacy and the cultural weight of Roman funerary traditions.

Discover the military fortifications

Climbing higher, the tone changes. Thick walls, battlements, and strategically placed gun slits remind you that this building became a military stronghold. As you walk along the ramparts, the guide may recount sieges, papal battles, and how the structure protected Rome in times of war, especially during the Sack of Rome in 1527.

Wander through papal apartments

As you ascend into the papal apartments, you will learn how Pope Nicholas III transformed the mausoleum into a secure papal refuge. Here you will encounter richly frescoed ceilings by Renaissance artists like Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta—not just as decoration, but as expressions of power and piety.

The courtyard and prisons – shadows of power

Moving through the Cortile di Alessandro VI, you descend into the fortress’s grimmest chapter. Iron bars, stone cells, and preserved instruments of torture tell the story of Castel Sant’Angelo as a prison. With a guide, the space takes on a chilling gravity—they explain how political prisoners, heretics, and even nobles were locked here, and what their imprisonment meant in the broader context of papal justice.

The terrace – heaven and Rome in one view

Your tour ends where sky meets stone—on the panoramic terrace overlooking Rome. As you take in views of St. Peter’s dome and the Tiber, your guide shares the legend of Archangel Michael’s 590 AD appearance, said to mark the end of a plague. This moment gave the castle its name and transformed it from imperial tomb to spiritual symbol.

Which guided tour is best for you?

Fast-track entry tours

Fast-track entry tours

  • Save waiting time by cruising past the ticket lines and let your guide take you on a comprehensive and structured experience of the castle, ensuring you uncover its rich history and hidden gems with ease.
  • You also get the option to expedite your exploration to 1-hour with our express guided tour option.

Recommended tours

Castel Sant'Angelo Guided Tour

Combo tours

Combo tours

  • St. Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’Angelo share more than a hidden passage—they’re united by a rich legacy of papal history and power. Combine your visit to both landmarks and enjoy a seamless guided tour, where you'll uncover the untold stories and unforgettable connections between two of Rome’s most iconic sites.

Recommended tours

Combo (Save 5%): Castel Sant'Angelo + St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour

Highlights of the tour

Cortile delle Fucilazioni

Cortile delle Fucilazioni

Level 1
Once used for executions, this stark courtyard reveals the fortress’s darker role as a place of punishment and political control.

Bastion of San Marco
Hall of Apollo
Sala Paulina
The Hall of Cupid and Psyche

Frequently asked questions about guided tours

What does a guided tour cover?

The Castel Sant'Angelo guided tour covers all the major points of interest inside the Castel Sant Angelo including the Papal Apartments, Hadrian’s Tomb, Ponte Sant’Angelo, Passetto di Borgo, and the Terrace, and more. However, you should note that access to the passetto is provided only in specific tours.

How long is a guided tour?

The Castel Sant’Angelo guided tours can be anywhere between 1-2 hours long, based on the tour option you select.

Is the guided tour worth it?

A guided tour of Castel Sant’Angelo is usually worth it—especially if you're interested in the rich history and hidden details that go unnoticed without context.

In what languages are the guided tours available?

As of now a guided tour to Castel Sant'Angelo is available only in English.

Do the tours include fast-track access?

Some guided tours include fast-track access to the museum. Make sure to read the details carefully before booking your tickets.

Can I cancel a booked tour?

Yes, it depends on the Castel Sant’Angelo tour you book. Please check the cancellation policy before booking tickets.

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