First Entry Vatican Gold Tour with Sistine Chapel
See the Vatican Before Anyone Else
Only a select few tour providers can enter the Vatican Museums a full 90 minutes before the general public. As one of the first to enter the Sistine Chapel that day, enjoy the Vatican with only a few other groups inside.
Tour Details
- Super early 7:30AM entry time
- Candelabra Gallery
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Gallery of Maps
- Without the crowds
- One of the first to enter the Sistine Chapel
- Skip the line to the Basilica
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Papal Tombs
The First Entry start time of this special tour guarantees the shortest security wait time of all Vatican tours. Joining the Vatican Gold tour gets you early access to the museums at 7:30 am, an hour and a half before the doors open to the public. This is the most exclusive early morning Vatican tour available. This 2-hour tour includes:
- Skip the line Vatican tickets
- A highlights visit to the museum's three main galleries
- Exclusive Sistine Chapel tour
- Access to St. Peter's Basilica & Papal Tombs
- A hand-picked and professional English-speaking Guide
Want to skip the line at the Vatican without having a guided tour? Click here for skip the line Vatican tickets.
COMPARE ALL VATICAN TOURS
Highlights of the Vatican Museums
Enter at 7:30 am and cruise past thee Vatican ticket office, as the VIP you are. Follow your guide through the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries and Gallery of Maps. Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy. You'll hear all about the best of these treasures from your expert guide.
Sistine Chapel at its Least Crowded Time
Tour the Sistine Chapel at its finest, only a few other tours groups inside. Since we are one of the very few companies to be granted this rare and exclusive early morning entrance, you get to visit the Sistine Chapel in total peace and serenity. If you've ever seen the Sistine Chapel during normal hours, then you know what an incredible opportunity this is.
Please note: The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, therefore, speaking inside is not allowed. Men and women must cover their knees and shoulders before entering. We understand the summers in Rome get hot, a good alternative is to bring a scarf or shawl to cover up with before you enter.
St. Peter's Basilica and Bernini's Baldacchino
Did you know St. Peter's Basilica took 120 years to build? Now's your chance to skip the line and enter through a special door to continue your ultimate VIP Vatican tour. Contrary to other Vatican tours, this exclusive tour allows you to see how the chapel sounds and looks when mass is taking place.
This is because the Vatican Gold Tour enters at a time when mass often takes place. In order to respect those taking part in mass, it's not possible for guides to speak inside the Basilica at this time of the morning. Because of this, your guide will explain St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs before the group enters the church.
If your Vatican tour lands on a Wednesday, St. Peter's is not open for tours due to the weekly Papal Audience. On this occasion, your guide will take you to visit even more masterpieces and hidden gems inside the Vatican Museums.
Important: Remember, it isn’t possible to return to the Vatican Museums from St. Peter’s Basilica. If you want more time inside the museums, you must forgo the visit to St Peter's Basilica. Also, if you’d like to stay in St. Peter's Basilica longer, don't leave with the guide to take photos in the piazza. Because the security line is long and re-entry on your own is not recommended, we suggest you spend at least 30 minutes inside St. Peter’s and explore on your own after the tour concludes on the terrace outside.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
83 total reviews
Leave a reviewAverage customer rating
4.99 / 5 based on 83 total reviews
Daniela Pontis
Fantastic guide. Getting into the Sistine Chapel early was wonderful. Got to take in the beauty in peace without being crammed in. Loved the tour.
Alfred Matthews
Absolutely amazing
Our tour guide was amazing! She was so friendly and fun which made our experience so lovely. Plus point was our group was small, a group of 6 so it was great for me. 10/10 would recommend.
Arrun Singam
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
What to bring?
Wear comfortable shoes because you'll be on your feet for the length of the tour. Also if you're wearing summer clothes because it's hot in Rome, bring something to wrap around yourself before you enter the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter's Basilica.
Is there a way to see the Vatican without a guided tour?
Of course. Click here for skip the line Vatican tickets.
I have some doubts about my mobility. Is this tour right for me?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, we strongly suggest you take a private Vatican tour.
What are the chances my tour will be canceled or the Vatican will close something.
We run the tour rain or shine all year round. Although it is rare, sometimes part of the Vatican City closes for special religious events. If an area normally covered on a tour is closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas from outside. Plus, we will show you an extra site or gallery to compensate.
Does the tour go inside at 7:30 am without waiting in any lines?
Yes! Enter the museums through the "center lane". Individuals enter through the left lane. Tour operators enter in the right lane. We enter through the center lane for this tour which lets us inside 90 minutes before individuals and 30 minutes before other tour operators.
Does this tour always include St. Peter's Basilica?
St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings due to the Papal Audience. We still run the tour because it might be your only day in Rome! Instead, we visit some of the most iconic statues in the world and Emperor Nero's enormous marble bathtub.
What to bring?
Wear comfortable shoes because you'll be on your feet for the length of the tour. Also if you're wearing summer clothes because it's hot in Rome, bring something to wrap around yourself before you enter the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter's Basilica.
Where to meet?
Between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
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