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Guided Tours

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Early Morning Tour

Sculpture in the courtyard of the Vatican Museums
Tour group at Laocoön and His Sons statue, Vatican Museums, admiring architecture and artwork.
Guide leading tour group through Gallery of Maps, Vatican Museum, showcasing detailed map frescoes.
Visitors exploring Chiaramonti museum in Vatican Museums

Skip the crowds and experience some of the greatest Renaissance art at the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with an early morning tour with an expert guide.

    • Enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica before 8am, skipping ticket lines and exploring in peace before the crowds arrive.
    • Hunt down some of the Museum's most iconic artworks, including the Torso Belvedere and Lacoon and Sons.
    • Experience the artistry of The Last Supper within the hallowed halls of the Sistine Chapel with your expert guide.
    • Discover the grandeur of the St Peter's Basilica, or take in the panoramic views at the St Peter's Dome. Choose your ideal experience during checkout.
    • Upgrade to begin your tour with an American-style banquet in the Vatican Courtyard.
    • Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
    • Guided tour of St Peter's Basilica
    • Entry to St Peter's Dome (as per option selected)
    • Breakfast at Vatican Courtyard (as per option selected)
    • Expert English-speaking guide
    • Headsets
    • Gratuities
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.6
    2,111 ratings
    5/5
    1.6K
    4/5
    314
    3/5
    84
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    52
    1/5
    77
    • United States
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    • Romania
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    • Greece
    Guests from United States, Australia, United Kingdom and over 54 countries have loved this experience
    GUILLERMO SANCHEZ SALGADO

    Guillermo

    5/5

    Feb, 2025

    A great tour very clear and led by an expert and friendly guide, you enjoy everything, thank you!
    View original review in Spanish
    Ajit Kaur Dhillon

    Ajit

    5/5

    Apr, 2025

    Yamuna was well prepared with all the interesting facts, lovely personality, easy to chat with, answerting questions. She prepared us all very well for the climb up the Basilica tower. The information aboit the Cistine Chapel was fantastic and respecting the rules of the chapel even though nobody else was observing them.
    Paul Joseph Hunton

    Paul

    5/5

    Apr, 2025

    Getting there early was key. Our tour guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable about what she showed us and how to budget time to maximize our experience..
    Keith Boardman

    Keith

    4/5

    Mar, 2025

    Our guide seemed to navigate our group through the crowds with a minimum of queueing; great! We did the dome climb, bit scary but worth it. Lots of facts and info from our guide, easy to hear via the earpieces Expensive tour but memorable.
    Karl Joseph Doyle

    Karl

    5/5

    Feb, 2025

    This tour was absolutely brilliant—flawlessly organized, perfectly timed, and such a great experience from start to finish. Being in the Vatican Museums early, before the big crowds, made a massive difference, and the whole thing ran so smoothly. Communication was clear throughout, so we always knew what to expect. The real highlight, though, was our guide—an archaeologist who was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also funny, energetic, and genuinely entertaining. They had this amazing way of making history come alive, balancing deep insights with humor and engaging storytelling. There was never a dull moment, and they made sure we got the most out of every part of the tour. Seeing the Sistine Chapel with the guide’s explanations beforehand made it even more breathtaking, and walking through the Vatican Museums with someone who truly knew their stuff was an experience I won’t forget. If you want a well-organized, fascinating, and fun tour, this is the one to book. Highly recommend!
  • Beat the crowds, early morning!

    Early birds, this tour is your best bet to explore the Vatican with fewer people around! Get ahead of the crowds by entering the museum before the crowds start pouring with your fast-track entry. Start your experience at the Vatican Museums and move on to explore the famous Torso Belvedere and Lacoon and Sons with your expert guide.

    Uncover masterpieces at the Vatican

    See and admire the breathtaking artistry of Michelangelo's Last Judgement within the hallowed Sistine Chapel. Your expert guide will shed light on the history and process of the Biblical-painted ceilings by Michelangelo. Extend your exploration to St Peter's Basilica, or elevate your experience with a climb to the summit of St Peter's Dome for panoramic views of Rome. These optional add-ons can be selected during checkout, ensuring a fully customized Vatican adventure tailored to your interests.

  • What to bring

    • Wear comfortable shoes as the experience requires a fair amount of walking.

    What's not allowed

    • Strict dress code: knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
    • Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes. No chatting, no phones, and no photos, just pure admiration.
    • Luggage and/or large bags are not allowed inside the venue. You may drop off your bags with the free cloakroom service.
    • Pets and other small animals are not allowed in the venue.

    Accessibility

    • This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
    • The Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required. Click here for the accessible route.

    Additional information

    • The entrance to the Museums is timed. Be sure to select your activity starting time when booking. Once inside the Museums, you will be free to explore at your own pace.
    • Although not included in these tickets, access to St. Peter's Basilica is free but there could be a waiting line during peak season.
    • Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures. These circumstances are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Meeting point

    • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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