Rome: Early Bird Vatican Museums Small Group Tour (MAX 6 People)

Experience the Vatican Museums like never before on this exclusive small group tour. With early morning access and a maximum of 6 participants, enjoy a more intimate exploration of the treasures and avoid the crowds. Book now!

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Vatican Museums - With our Prime Tour, we get you inside the Museums at its first access.

Watch the Vatican Museum Galleries slowly come to life.

  • Cortile della Pigna - The Courtyard of the “Pigna”, created from the 16th-century area of the “Belvedere”
  • Sphere within a Sphere - The Sphere within a Sphere” by Arnaldo Pomodoro at the Vatican Museums is a striking sculptural masterpiece that graces the Cortile della Pigna. This captivating artwork features a large bronze sphere with a textured, fractured surface, revealing a smaller sphere within. The interplay of light and shadow on the intricate patterns adds to its mesmerizing allure. Symbolizing themes of complexity and inner depth, Pomodoro’s sculpture at the Vatican Museums stands as a testament to the convergence of art, spirituality, and profound meaning in the heart of one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions.
  • Gallery Of The Maps - The Gallery of Maps, inside the Vatican Museums, displays a stunning collection of topographical maps of Italy. Created in the 16th century under Pope Gregory XIII, these beautifully painted maps span 120 meters, offering a unique geographical snapshot of the Italy of the past.
  • Gallery of Tapestries - The Vatican Museums’ Gallery of Tapestries showcases stunning 15th and 16th-century tapestries, intricately woven with scenes from biblical and historical narratives. Inspired by designs from Raphael’s school, this gallery highlights the artistic sophistication and storytelling of the Renaissance.
  • Gallery of the Candelabra - The Gallery of the Candelabra is a part of the Vatican Museums, showcasing a rich collection of Greek and Roman statues, sarcophagi, and reliefs. It is named for the grand marble candelabra that decorate it, dividing the gallery into thematic sections. Set up in the late 18th century, the gallery merges ancient art with stunning architectural details, providing visitors a journey through history and beauty.
  • Sistine Chapel - The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. It is known throughout the world both for being the place where the conclave and other official ceremonies of the Pope are held (in the past also some papal coronations), and for being decorated with one of the most famous and celebrated works of art of artistic civilization the frescoes by Michelangelo.
  • St. Peter’s Basilica - Enjoy the breathtaking Saint Peter’s Basilica, shrine of Christianity and Art. You will marvel at the Priceless Pietà, by Michelangelo, and stop by the venerable tomb of Saint John Paul II & Pope Karol Wojtyla.

The Pietà (1498–1499) is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

  • La Pieta - The Pietà is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères, who was a representative in Rome. The sculpture, in Carrara marble, was made for the cardinal’s funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.

  • St. Peter’s Baldachin - The Baldachin in St. Peter’s Basilica is a breathtaking masterpiece of art and architecture. Designed by the renowned Baroque sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it stands as a magnificent bronze canopy over the high altar of the basilica. This ornate structure, adorned with intricate details and towering over 90 feet tall, serves as a symbol of the grandeur of the Catholic Church and a focal point of the basilica’s interior. It is a true marvel that captivates visitors with its beauty and historical significance.

  • St. Peter’s Square - This monumental elliptical space, enclosed by 284 Doric columns four rows deep (196m wide and 148m long), is the masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who laid it out during the pontificates of Alexander VII and of Clement IX.

What's Included
  • Small-group Tour (max. 6 people)
  • Sistine Chapel
  • St. Peter’s Basilica (Not accessible on Wednesdays)
  • First Access (8:00 AM)
What's Not Included
  • Private transportation
  • Breakfast
Additional Information

Take part in an unprecedented small group tour of the Vatican Museums and experience them in a unique way. You’ll be part of a maximal group of 6, allowing for a more personal and detailed journey through the Vatican’s riches. Early admission gives you entry to the museums one hour prior to their official opening, providing the exclusive chance to appreciate the beautiful art and architecture devoid of the customary crowd.

Your tour begins with an erudite guide who will navigate you through the immense compilation at the Vatican Museums, divulging engaging details about the art’s history and significance. Experience the captivating Sistine Chapel, renowned for its ceiling, a masterpiece painted by Michelangelo.

Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church, and stand in awe of its majestic interior and remarkable assortment of holy art.

Seize the exceptional chance to delve into the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica in an atypically quiet and privileged environment.

  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved - comfortable shoes are recommended
  • St. Peter’s Basilica will not be accesible on Wednesdays
Location
Giuly's Café
Via Santamaura
You will meet your English Speaking guide at the Giuly's Café, located a few meters away from the Vatican Museums main entrance. The guide will be holding an "Eyes of Rome" sign.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(47 Ratings)
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Mavisdawn_t
Aug 10, 2024
Great! - The Vatican Museum, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are not to be missed. Our guide, Benjamin, was very knowledgeable, friendly and patient.
Review provided by Viator
Dwight_z
Aug 4, 2024
Excellent tour, but visit the Vatican during cooler weather. - The tour was fantastic and well worth the money. Only two couples, including us, were on the tour, with Ella as our tour guide. She was highly knowledgeable of the Vatican and Roman history. She would pause during the tour to provide excellent context about what we were about to see. We bypassed many lengthy lines to enter the most sacred areas, such as the Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. I would strongly recommend this tour and entering the Vatican early. When our tour was done, a line of probably 1,000 people were waiting to enter the Basilica. Given how hot and humid it was, I could not imagine waiting in that line. The only downside had nothing to do with the tour but the weather. It was 98F with 60% humidity and no indoor A/C (only sporadic fans). It was almost unbearable, with about 60% of the tour indoors. Book this tour, but go during the cooler weather.
Review provided by Viator
Jessicabrink
Jul 31, 2024
Captivating experience - Francesca was an amazing tour guide. She shared her knowledge in a way that was easy to suggest and kept our two teenagers captivated. Her love of art was clearly demonstrated in her explanations. It is a fascinating tour. A great investment of time and money. The small group was a definite advantage.
Review provided by Viator
Audrey_l
Jul 27, 2024
One of the best days in Italy - This was worth every penny! We had an amazing tour guide who was extremely informative. She kept the pace of the tour moving at the perfect rate. I would recommend this tour to anyone.
Review provided by Viator
Sergey_m
Jul 5, 2024
Great - Lots of great information and history. 6 people in the whole group, so everyone got the attention they paid for. Good pace. Enjoyed it
Review provided by Viator
Park_p
Jul 2, 2024
A great experience - Glad we did this early with “skip the line” access! Our tour guide Anna Maria was fantastic - very knowledgeable and engaging!
Review provided by Viator
Peggy_t
Jun 22, 2024
Great Vatican Tour - Great experience. Only waited about 5 to 7 minutes to get in. Valentina was knowledgeable and very nice. Would definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Osvaldo_i
Jun 20, 2024
Private and small group Vatican experience tour - Loved the small intimate Vatican City tour experience. We had a very knowledgeable guide and enjoyed hearing the stories attached to the architecture and popular places within the Vatican and its church, museums and gardens.
Review provided by Viator
John_j
Jun 6, 2024
Definitely pick this tour if you want a fun filled day! - Sylvia was a great tour guide with alot of knowledge. She was super respectful and kind and gave us plenty of time in each area for photos, answering any questions we may have! The 6 people is a perfect amount of people it didnt get overwhelming at all.
Review provided by Viator
Coretta_o
Jul 14, 2024
Informative tour - Mitra was an excellent tour guide. On time and very professional. She walked us through each process of the tour and was very knowledgeable . One suggestion I would make is to clarify that the 730am early morning viewing still consists of more than a thousand persons being on the tour at the same time. From the photos portrayed we thought the Vatican would have less persons.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 6 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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