Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of the Sistine Chapel

based on 637 reviews

Duration:4 hours (approx.)
Location: Rome, Italy

From $108.92

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Enter the Sistine Chapel at the most peaceful time of day to enjoy Michelangelo’s masterpiece in serenity and embark on a thorough guided tour of the Vatican Museums, ending at the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica. There's no better way to see the highlights of the Vatican without the crowds that descend upon the galleries later in the day.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
Your guide will lead you on a full tour of the Vatican Museums, stopping to see all the most important works. Since you got a head start compared to most of the day's visitors, you’ll stay one step ahead of the crowds in most galleries.
2. Sphere within a Sphere
Inside the peaceful, Pinecone Courtyard you'll pass a spectacular bronze globe. It was designed for the Vatican by well-known Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro and copies of it can now be found all over the world, including Dublin, Tel Aviv and New York City.
3. Stanze di Raffaello
During the day, the Raphael Rooms are as busy as the Sistine Chapel. At this hour of the morning, however, when the Museums have just opened for the day, you'll have plenty of space to enjoy them peacefully. Your guide will point out where Raphael worked the faces of his contemporaries Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo into his frescoes.
4.
The Sistine Chapel wasn’t meant to be seen standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other people. Beat the crowds by entering first thing in the morning and enjoy the incredible frescoes in relative peace.
5. St. Peter's Basilica
Last but certainly not least, you'll head straight to St. Peter's Basilica via a special secret passage, bypassing the long lines that are starting to form outside. End your morning with a full tour of the sacred space and gaze upon Michelangelo's moving Pietà, Bernini's grandiose altarpiece, and so much more as you learn the stories and legends behind them. Note: The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is subject to unexpected closures. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery.

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
• Please note the attire must be appropriate for the visit. Both men and women are required to wear clothing that covers both shoulders and knees. We cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to improper dress. It is sufficient to bring extra coverings (i.e. scarves and shawls) with you to wear before entering the holy areas.
• While the Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair and stroller access, they are not conveniently located on the group tour route and only give access to specific sections of the Museums. We advise clients to contact Walks Customer Service Team to make further arrangements
• The tour is in English
• Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team to make alternative arrangements.
• Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Harmony Z
Angela made our tour exceptional! Her passion and knowledge were contagious. She led us efficiently & kindly with care especially taking attention to our elder parents by minimizing steps. Highly recommend!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-01-06 05:11:39

Posted By : shane_a
The host was excellent. Description of early entry is false advertisement. The Vatican doesn't allow early entry you just go in with everyone else. Update the name of this tour it's false advertisement
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-01-03 07:00:15

Posted By : Ayse_A
We had an excellent guide for the early Vatican museums tour. He was very knowledgeable and professional. I also liked the pace we had, we were not rushed through any of the places, nor we spent too much time in one place.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-30 13:09:26

Posted By : Benjamin_L
The tour guide Sev was outstanding. Truly one of the best tour guides we have ever had. A fantastic and engaging guide. Made the experience.
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Posted On : 2023-12-29 03:12:46

Posted By : irenedD2083QH
Highly recommend the early tour! We were able to see everything with calm and space (not crowded at all). Our tour guide was amazing and showed enthusiasm throughout the entire tour. He provided us with great information and made it memorable!
By the time our early tour ended the Vatican was full with lines of 2.5 hour wait time to enter but we skipped thanks to the tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-28 05:52:53

Posted By : Kerry_M
Our guide Antoinette was very knowledgeable, entertaining and interesting! We saw everything that we wanted to see, did not feel rushed, and spent quality time enjoying the Sistine Chapel. We also had a lot of time to see all of St. Peter’s Basilica and after the tour we took the time to go down to the Crypt (no extra charge). Would definitely recommend this tour! It does not come with breakfast; however, we made sure to be at the meeting point 10 minutes early to grab a coffee and croissant before starting the tour :)
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Posted On : 2023-12-24 17:12:10

Posted By : Fangqiu_S
Christine is very knowledgeable and shared with us many interesting facts of the museums and cathedral.
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Posted On : 2023-12-20 13:31:04

Posted By : Robert_T
Best tour guide ever. He has written books on the topics and it came through in the tour

He knows all the nuances and crafted a captivating story line. He exposed some secrets and perspectives from very iconic artifacts. He commanded his group with nuggets of knowledge mixed with humor, while all the while knowing where everyone in his group was

Really enjoyed the tour!!!!!!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-20 04:40:56

Posted By : Global44142450133
Our private, small-group early entrance Vatican tour was probably the best thing we did in Rome. There is simply no more beautiful or interesting place in Rome to see. The tour through the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica was immersive and informative and I left feeling like I learned so much. Our guide Sev had encyclopedic knowledge of the history and art and was passionate about this incredible place. Catholic or not Catholic, religious or not religious, the Vatican is a must-see in Rome and well worth the money and time.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-17 15:51:37

Posted By : Andre_M
The Tour guide was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and even answered questions when they came up. Would recommend to anyone looking to Experience the Vatican.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-16 08:58:14