About this experience
Early morning Vatican Museums tour provides a memorable and once in a lifetime experience, allowing to appreciate the Vatican's treasures in a more relaxed and intimate tour.
The most important benefit of this tour is its timing. Enter the Vatican Museums at their first opening. This creates a more intimate and peaceful atmosphere in for example The Gallery of Maps, The Gallery of Tapestries and The Sistine Chapel, with marvelous Michelangelo's frescoes.
Conclude the voyage in the city of the Pope's with a Skip-the-Line access to the St. Peter's Basilica. This passage includes a complimentary audio guide of the St. Peter's Basilica.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hr–3 hr 30 min
Plan your experience
Set aside 3 hr–3 hr 30 min for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What is included
- Live Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
- Admission Ticket of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
- Line Free Access to the St. Peter's Basilica (Subject to Availability)
- Portable Wireless Audio Transceiver System
- Guided Tour of the St. Peter's Basilica (Subject to Availability)
Itinerary and highlights
With 20,000 works are on display, the Vatican Museums display works from the immense collection amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy throughout the centuries, including several of the most well-known Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world.
Founded in 1771 Clement XIV and enlarged by his successor Pius VI, Pio-Clementino Museum houses works of Greek and Roman sculpture.
Commissioned in 1580 by Pope Gregory XIII, Gallery of the Maps contains a series of painted topographical maps of Italy based on drawings by friar and geographer Ignazio Danti.
Built between 1473 and 1481, the Sistine Chapel it is the site of the papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected. The fame of the Sistine Chapel lies mainly in the frescoes that decorate the interior, most particularly the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment, both by Michelangelo.
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter is a church of the Italian High Renaissance. It was initially planned in the 15th century by Pope Nicholas V and then Pope Julius II to replace the ageing Old St. Peter's Basilica, which was built in the fourth century by Roman emperor Constantine the Great. Construction of the present basilica began on 18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626.
Designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, and Carlo Maderno, with piazza and fittings by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter's is one of the most renowned works of Italian Renaissance architecture and is the largest church in the world by interior measure. St. Peter's is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic shrines.
Meeting and pickup information
- In front of the Grand Vatican Museum Entrance (where it is written MVSEI VATICANI on the top of the big door) there is a street. Cross that street and you will find yourself at the top of steps leading down. Walk down those stairs and immediately turn right and look for number 15.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Capitolium Tours
Accessibility and practical details
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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Service animals allowed
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