Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of the Sistine Chapel

Sightseeing Tours
Digital Voucher
240 minutes (Approx.)
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en
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.

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SuMoTuWeThFrSa
All prices are shown in USD

Adult

Ages 18 or above
2

Children

0

Things To Know

  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Skip the line ticket for St. Peter's Basilica
  • Small groups of 15 people or fewer
  • Expertly guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
  • Headset
  • Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
  • 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.

What's included in the package

Itinerary

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.

Admission Ticket Included

Sphere within a Sphere (Pass-by Only)

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.

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.

Admission Ticket Included

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.

Admission Ticket Included

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.

Admission Ticket Included

Where to meet and pickup

Pickup and Dropoff

You will make your own way to the meeting points

Meeting Points

  • Meet at Antico Café Candia at Via Candia, 153, 00192 Roma RM. Your guide will be holding a Walks sign.

End Points

  • St. Peter's Basilica

Ticket Redemption

Redeem your voucher at the starting point


Reviews By Other Travelers

4.7
Based on 453 reviews

What do other 453 guests say about Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of the Sistine Chapel

B
Becky_J
5
Mar 2024
Our guide was great and so knowledgeable. Going early was worth the extra price. There were still a lot of people, because several groups go early, but I never felt rushed or that it was over crowded
C
Carol_M
5
Mar 2024
Our tour guide Julia was very knowledgeable and entertaining. She showed us all the important masterpieces in the museum while navigating us quickly through the large crowds.
N
N_M
5
Mar 2024
Fantastic tour. Our guide Sabina was wonderful. Highly recommend! Learned so much and entire family, including teens, enjoyed it immensely.

Search Availability

SuMoTuWeThFrSa
All prices are shown in USD

Adult

Ages 18 or above
2

Children

0

Things to know

Included
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Skip the line ticket for St. Peter's Basilica
  • Small groups of 15 people or fewer
  • Expertly guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
  • Headset
  • Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Additional Information
  • 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.