Private Early Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Although your guide will have a carefully planned itinerary to show you the best of the Vatican, there's room for flexibility depending on your group size, the things you want to see, and the pace you're comfortable with. Enjoy a tailored experience viewing the iconic works of the Vatican Museums and marvel at the Sistine Chapel without the crowds, before skipping the line to explore St. Peter's Basilica with your guide.

Early Morning Private Vatican Tour Description

Your 2.5-hour private Vatican tour includes:

• Early entry, skip-the-line Vatican tickets

• Tailored highlights tour of the main Vatican galleries

• Exclusive Sistine Chapel tour before the crowds arrive

• Skip-the-line tour of St. Peter's Basilica

• An expert English-speaking private tour guide

The Best Galleries at the Vatican

Your private guide will lead you on through the Vatican Museums before the crowds arrive, visiting 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.

At the height of the Roman Empire, pontiffs rarely left Rome. In order to understand the Italian peninsula without endangering his life, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned 40 giant meticulous maps to be created for his use. Most of these maps measure more than 15 by 16 feet, and the end result is nothing short of spectacular.

You'll hear the stories behind these treasures from your expert guide as you see the most popular highlights of the Vatican Museums.

Sistine Chapel Without the Crowds

One of the top things to do in the Vatican City is, of course, to visit the Sistine Chapel. The chapel opens its doors at 8:00 am, well before the main crowds arrive, meaning you can literally be one of the first few people of the day to step inside and admire this beautiful, iconic chapel where popes have been elected for centuries. Speaking is not allowed in the chapel since it's a sacred space, so your guide will explain what you'll see before entering and give you a handy guide for reference.

Only when you are inside, it's clear why the Sistine Chapel is one of the most celebrated works of art in Western civilization. Michelangelo painted more than 600 figures in all, and the sheer magnitude of his endeavor is mind-blowing. As one of Michelangelo’s most prized masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel also serves as a gathering place for cardinals of the Catholic Church.

To enter the Sistine Chapel, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders, otherwise, the Vatican might refuse entry to religious sites and you’ll miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

Majestic St. Peter’s Basilica

After your time in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, you'll walk through a passageway that allows you to bypass the ticket lines and enter St. Peter's Basilica more quickly. Here, you'll be awestruck as your guide leads you around by the impressive architecture, statues, and artwork made by famous artists like Michelangelo and Bernini. Gaze upon the beautiful Pietà, the incredible mosaics, the Tomb of Innocent XI, and Bernini's canopy under the dome.

You tour ends here, but feel free to spend extra time enjoying the Basilica on your own afterwards.

 If your tour falls on a Wednesday, St. Peter’s Basilica is closed due to the Papal Audience. In this case, your guide will use this time to show you more masterpieces that the Vatican Museums has to offer.