Private Early Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
Red carpet access to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica with a licensed guide
Our early morning Vatican tour offers the most exclusive experience of the Vatican Museums. Enter an entire hour before the general public does at 8am and see the Sistine Chapel at its most serene.
Tour Details
- Super early 7:30a.m. 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
If you’re one to actively avoid crowds on your vacations, this exclusive early entrance private Vatican tour is absolutely perfect for you, for a few reasons. First, this private Vatican tour allows you to customize your group size and experience the magic of the Vatican with hardly anyone else inside. Entering an entire hour and a half before the general public will allow you to be there right when the Sistine Chapel is unlocked and it’s the quietest. Additionally, most guided tours only have 8:30 am access. However, this private Vatican Platinum tour offers you the chance to enter the museums when the collections are at their least crowded! This 2-hour long tour includes:
- Skip the line access with fewer crowds
- Highlights of the Vatican’s three main galleries with a guide
- The earliest and most quiet Sistine Chapel guided visit of the day
- Access to St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs
Raphael's Students and Maps of the Italian Peninsula
As you make your way to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, your guide will show you the main galleries of the Vatican, including the Gallery of Maps, Gallery of Tapestries and Candelabra Gallery. Admire all of the iconic works of art throughout, including ancient Greek statues and tapestries created by Raphael’s students. Get a sense of how topographers thought centuries ago by studying some of the first maps of Italy and the surrounding areas.
Sistine Chapel Without the Crowds
A visit to the Sistine Chapel often involves standing in the midst of hundreds of other people. On this private tour, that’s not the case at all. Taking in the magic you came to the Vatican to see when this jaw-dropping room is at its most empty. This early, early entrance time to the Vatican museums allows you a quieter, less congested and more meaningful Sistine Chapel experience. The Sistine Chapel opens its doors at 8 am, meaning you and your group will quite literally be one of the first groups to enter the Sistine Chapel that day.
The Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, and no speaking is allowed inside. Your guide will explain everything there is to know about the artwork ahead of time before you enter. This way, you can enjoy the silence of the sacred space. In addition, the Sistine Chapel is a place of worship and it requires a specific dress code. All visitors must cover their knees and shoulders while inside. Although Rome can get hot during the summer months, we recommend a light shawl or scarf to adhere to these regulations.
Majestic St. Peter’s Basilica
On your private Vatican City tour, your guide will grant you access to a special door from the Sistine Chapel that leads to St. Peter’s Basilica. Before entering the Basilica, your guide will provide insightful information to your group to allow you to make more meaning out of all of the sights. Speaking is prohibited in the holy space, so it’s best for your guide to prepare you for your visit beforehand. Enter the largest church in the world that took over 120 years to build. Once inside, you’ll understand why. The details of this iconic Italian Renaissance Basilica make the structure one of the most renowned landmarks in the world.
Explore the famous artworks crafted by Michelangelo, Bernini, Bramante and more on your own. See La Pieta up close behind bulletproof glass and marvel at the Baldacchino and take a special visit to the Papal tombs, the final resting place for hundreds of popes after your tour.
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.
See what people are saying
11 total reviews
Leave a reviewAMAZING!!!!
Jeremy McCassy
The ROMAN Guy made my daughters and I'd vacation and tours extremely simple, easy and full of knowledge. Its the best way to go!
Awesome tour. Great timing.
Great timing. Skip the line is really good. This is a must do tour with a guide. Our compliments to Sara our tour guide. Definitely knows a lot about the Vatican. She explain many things really good and detailed. Also our compliments to the organizing team that receive us in the morning. Great experience.
Joshua Sroka
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.
I have some doubts about my mobility. Is this tour right for me?
If you have any doubts about your mobility this is a great tour for you to take. Your private guide will ensure you are comfortable the entire way and can tailor the tour to your needs.
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.
You may also like
Skip the Line
Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums
Explore the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and more with a passionate guide
Skip the Line
Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
Enjoy early access to see the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man, St. Peter's Basilica, and more
Skip the Line
Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
See the bucket-list Vatican attractions and St. Peter's Basilica with start times throughout the day
Skip the Line
Complete Vatican Combo Tour with Sistine Chapel & Dome Climb
Climb St. Peter's Basilica, explore the Papal Crypts, and skip the line at the Vatican Museums
Skip the Line
Detailed Itinerary Vatican in a Day Tour with Sistine Chapel
Dive deep into the Pinacoteca, Cabinet of Masks, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and much more!
Skip the Line
Vatican Highlights Tour with Sistine Chapel
Enjoy skip-the-line early access on an abridged tour of the Vatican Museums' top artwork
Skip the Line
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Private Tour
Skip the line to enter the Vatican City with a licensed guide
Skip the Line
Private Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Vatican Museums
Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and more with a private, licensed guide
Skip the Line
Private Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica Tour
A tailored Vatican experience for those who prefer to explore with a private guide
New Tour
First Entry Vatican Prime Tour with Breakfast Included
Enjoy VIP early entrance to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel before the big crowds
Skip the Line
Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel
Enjoy a unique opportunity to visit the Vatican after hours without the crowds
Skip the Line
Private Full Day Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
An Immersive and In-Depth Vatican Experience with a Licensed Guide
Transportation Included
Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia
Transportation, Vatican & Colosseum admissions, and great guide included!
Skip the Line
Ultimate St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb and Tour with Papal Crypts
See St. Peter’s Basilica up close and climb the dome for the best views of Rome and the Vatican
Entry Ticket
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets
Skip the line and gain quicker access to the Vatican so you can explore at your leisure
Private Tour
Private Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Dome Climb Complete Tour
Climb St. Peter's Dome before the crowds then see the Vatican & Sistine Chapel with a private guide
Skip the Line
History of Christianity Tour with Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and Catacombs
Step back into Catholic history at the Roman crypts and skip the line to see the Vatican treasures
Private Tour
Vatican Under the Stars Private Evening Tour with Sistine Chapel
An Evening Tour of the Vatican with Fewer Crowds
New Tour
Vatican at Closing Time Tour with Sistine Chapel
Explore the Vatican with fewer crowds in the late afternoon
Skip the Line
Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens & Castel Gandolfo Day Trip
Travel to the Pope’s summer residence by train after an in-depth Vatican Gardens and museums tour
Skip the Line
Private Family-Friendly Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tour
Guided Treasure Hunt of the Vatican Museums with History and Stories for Children 4 - 10 years Old
Skip the Line
VIP Vatican Museums After-Hours Private Tour with Sistine Chapel
Exclusive After-Hours Vatican Tour
Skip the Line
Private Vatican Highlights Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Create a More Memorable Experience with a Knowledgeable Guide
Skip the Line
Vatican Highlights with Rome Walking Tour
Explore the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, then see Castel Sant'Angelo, the Pantheon, and more
Skip the Line
Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Local Trastevere Food Tour Combo
Save Money by Purchasing a Vatican Tour with our Trastevere Food Tour
