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Early Morning Vatican Tour: Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica & Museums

4.9(4,090)3 h 30 minEasy pace

From

$235per person

Book on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmation
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Overview

Duration: 3 h 30 min
Languages: Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Group size: Up to 15 travelers
Suitable for: Ages 0–99
Pace: Easy pace
Access: Skip the line

Good for

Couples
First-time visitors
Solo travelers

Gain early access to the Vatican Museums, admire unique masterpieces and courtyards in a small or private group. Skip the crowds and enjoy an intimate experience with a professional local guide.

Highlights

Early Morning Access
Small or Private Groups
Expert Local Guide

What's included

Skip the long ticket lines
Private Option of this tour is Available!
Tour in a Safe and Semi Private Group of 6 people
Learn from a Professional Local Expert Guide
Enjoy Early Morning Entrance to the Vatican Museums

Not included

Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

1
Vatican Museums
2h
With the luxury of our truly small group size of 6 people max, or in the personalized intimacy of your very own private group, you will be guaranteed to get the very most out of your Vatican experience. This way you can easily navigate through the countless masterpieces with an expert guide, ask all the questions you wish, and have the guarantee of a personalized experience. We trust this makes ALL the difference! Walk through the heavily decorated Gallery of the Candelabras and enjoy the trompe l’oeil in the Gallery of the Tapestries. After you learn about the impressive Gallery of the Maps, continue to the exquisite Raphael Rooms. With your professional expert tour guide, you will be sure to see all the highlights as well as hidden gems! You will not only learn the fantastic history of the powerful Popes but will also delight in the bits of gossip and other little-known stories about life in Vatican City.
2
Stanze di Raffaello
15min
The Papal art collection at its best in the Raphael Rooms
3
Sistine Chapel
15min
Enjoy a thorough explanation of the incredible masterpiece that is the Sistine Chapel and learn all about it from your professional expert guide before you actually enter the chapel. As it is a holy place, it is strictly forbidden to speak inside. That is why we guarantee you will learn all about it before you enter. Then, once inside, you will have time to take it all in and admire the breathtaking beauty of this world famous site in contemplative silence.

Before you go

Ticket & redemption

Mobile or paper ticket accepted
One ticket covers the whole booking

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
Vatican management maintains the right to delay the opening of the Sistine Chapel for religious reasons, in this case the guide will modify the itinerary and extend your visit of the museums to ensure you make the most of your time before access to the Sistine Chapel is permitted.
Photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel and all other artwork can only be photographed without flash.

Location

From$235per person

Viator

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St. Peter's Basilica

45min

Your comprehensive Vatican tour concludes with VIP entrance directly into St. Peter’s Basilica without standing in the long lines. Walking through the Basilica, you will learn all about the secrets of the magnificent and ornate decorations, sculptures, altars and chapels. Visit Michelangelo’s Pieta and walk down the main nave to admire the dome he designed that sits on top of the largest Catholic church in the world.

Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during while inside the chapel is strictly forbidden. Therefore, your guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Sistine Chapel before entering and will be able to answer more questions once you have left the space.

St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and can be closed unexpectedly for liturgical ceremonies. If closed, your guide will provide a revised itinerary including more of the Vatican Museums. No compensation is granted in these circumstances.
Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
Guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty with this small group tour. To ensure a barrier-free tour with alternative routes, please book the private version of this tour.
Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
Access to the Raphael Rooms is contingent upon crowd conditions, timing constraints, and guard-regulated routes. Including them may not always be feasible. In these cases, your tour guide will exercise discretion to adjust the itinerary, ensuring a comprehensive experience.

Accessibility

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Restrictions & safety

Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues