Private Early Morning Sistine Chapel with Vatican Tour: Exclusive Access with Expert Guide
4.6
23 Ratings
Roma
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with an exclusive private early morning tour. Expert guide, hidden treasures, and Michelangelo's masterpiece await.
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Vatican Museums - Early access into the museums, 1 hour before the general public, Rooms of Raphael, Hall of Maps, Ancient Sculpture Gallery, Belvedere Courtyard, Cortile della Pigna
  • Sistine Chapel - The Sistine Chapel
  • St. Peter’s Basilica - St Peter Basilica
  • La Pieta - Inside St Peter’s Basilica
  • Cortile della Pigna - Inside Vatican Museums
  • Baldacchino di San Pietro, di Bernini - View from the inside of St Peter’s Basilica
What's Included
  • Early Access to the Vatican Museums
  • Headsets (for groups of 6 or more)
  • Expert, English-speaking private guide
  • Skip-the-line Tickets
  • All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
  • Transportation to and from the meeting and end points
  • Food and Beverages
  • Gratuities (optional)
Additional Information

Take part in a unique opportunity to explore the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the rest of the world on this exclusive early morning Vatican journey, led by a highly-rated, knowledgeable guide. Experience the peaceful ambience of the chapel while marveling at Michelangelo’s renowned masterpiece, followed by a visit to the Vatican Museums - a contender for the world’s top art collection. Discover notable works such as the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere, along with some lesser-known gems. This Vatican expedition further entails a visit to St Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll encounter Michelangelo’s Pietà and deepen your understanding of art, history, and religion.

  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. 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.
  • Please note that the Vatican Museums provide free entrance for visitors who are (according to the requirements stated by the Vatican City) at least 74% disabled by presenting the appropriate certification and, if one needs assistance by another person, that person also receives a free entrance. Please inform us when you are booking if you fit into these requirements and we will remove the pricing of the entry tickets from the price of the tour.
  • As this is a walking tour with steps and staircases, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
  • Please advise if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.
  • At the end of your tour, you are required to return the headset provided to you to your guide. In the event that you do not return the headset, you will be subject to a fine of €100 for lost property.
  • Each traveler must present a valid passport or government issued photo ID that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Vatican Museums.
Location
Caffè Vaticano
Viale Vaticano
Your guide will meet you in front of the Caffe Vaticano, Viale Vaticano, 100. They will have a Through Eternity sign or flag.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.6
(23 Ratings)
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F3825eostevel
Jun 8, 2024
Worth it - The crowds were crazy even at this hour and we had to move more quickly than we would have liked through some sections, but our guide Enrica was great, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the Vatican museums. We’re glad we booked the guided tour rather than just getting a ticket.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Verna_j
May 27, 2024
Early morning Sistine Chapel and Vatican was a hit! - Our private tour with Sricki was amazing! He was so engaging! Our group of 4 really benefited from his Knowledge and highly recommend him and this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Lonsdajk
May 1, 2024
Wonderful, unhurried and complete tour - Four of us went on this tour and it was fabulous! Our guide was so knowledgeable and passionate about our tour. We enjoyed every minute! It was wonderful to be in the historic spaces before the crowds-it made such a difference!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Berndks9980le
Mar 28, 2024
Vatican - Eugenia D'Andrea made the tour a unique experience! So much knowledge conveyed in such a lively way, I'm happy to give it 5 stars.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
270edb
Jan 30, 2024
Paolo was brilliant! - The tour was recommended to us and Paolo was a brilliant guide. He has a wonderful inclusive style and imparted an incredible amount of information/knowledge in a wonderfully chatty style. We'd recommend this tour to anyone who wants to get an intimate understanding of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel in particular.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracy_d
Oct 15, 2023
Early morning is the only way to go! - Time in line was very limited. Met promptly at 7:45, moved to the line, waited 15 min for doors to open and after that, no lines. When we came out, there was a line at least 3 hours long …in the hot sun. It was crazy busy even at the very beginning of the day. Beautiful, I’m glad we had the opportunity to see it.
Review provided by Viator
Stacie_s
Jun 2, 2023
Highly recommended! - Great tour. It is great to go in the morning before it gets too busy. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helped us get tickets for the Papal audience the next day. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Jox969
May 29, 2023
Would definitely recommend - It was a great tour. Marco our guide was very informative and a wonderful story teller. His knowledge about the Vatican and its arts was incredible. He made the tour very enjoyable and worthwhile
Review provided by Tripadvisor
208katharinep
Jun 5, 2023
Life-time experience but wish the pace was slower and break included. - We were very pleased with this tour and glad we opted for the early morning option. The crowds are legendary but our guide was able to shepherd us through the galleries very well--navigating around other tour groups and providing minimal but enough time to appreciate the art, sculpture and general experience. Many, if not most of the participants on our tour were retired/older tourists, and we would recommend structuring the tour to better accommodate this demographic. The tour is a wonderful 3.5-4 hours of viewing world class art, however there were no opportunities to take a break or sit down. The tour ended in the Basilica where there were also no places to sit and truly appreciate the stunning interior of the church (and no cafe). It was a bit of a marathon. In our other museum tours in Florence and Rome, we were able to extend our enjoyment with a short break/coffee etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Orionrockr
May 26, 2024
Disappointed…..twice - We book this tour on viator and received a notification they needed to cancel as was a mistake were able. Cancelled as requested and went back o. To re-book another. Receive a second acceptance (separate booking numbers) and thought we erected good to go. Just before the trip the cancelled without communication, just bam, cancelled. Good luck with the this one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
July 2024
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