Why choose this tour ?
Enter the Sistine Chapel at the most peaceful time of day to enjoy Michelangelo’s masterpiece in serenity and embark on a thorough guided tour of the Vatican Museums, ending at the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica. There's no better way to see the highlights of the Vatican without the crowds that descend upon the galleries later in the day. Not a morning person? Book the Afternoon Vatican Museums Tour with Sistine Chapel for a relaxed afternoon visit after the crowds have left for the day.
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What makes Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of the Sistine Chapel a unique experience ?
If you select the Early Vatican Museums Tour or Afternoon Vatican Museums Tour: Your guide will lead you on a full tour of the Vatican Museums, stopping to see all the most important works. Visiting either before or after the daytime crowds, you’ll appreciate the extra space and silence to appreciate the magnificent artwork in the Museums.
Guided tour & Photo Stop
If you select the Early Vatican Museums Tour or Afternoon Vatican Museums Tour: Inside the peaceful, Pinecone Courtyard you'll pass a spectacular bronze globe. It was designed for the Vatican by well-known Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro and copies of it can now be found all over the world, including Dublin, Tel Aviv and New York City.
If you select the Early Vatican Museums Tour: During the day, the Raphael Rooms are as busy as the Sistine Chapel. At this hour of the morning, however, when the Museums have just opened for the day, you'll have plenty of space to enjoy them peacefully. Your guide will point out where Raphael worked the faces of his contemporaries Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo into his frescoes.
Guided tour & Photo Stop
Guided tour & Photo Stop
If you select the Early Vatican Museums Tour or Afternoon Vatican Museums Tour: The Sistine Chapel wasn’t meant to be seen standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other people. Beat the crowds by entering first thing in the morning or in late afternoon to enjoy the incredible frescoes in relative peace.
If you select the Early Vatican Museums Tour: Last but certainly not least, you'll head straight to St. Peter's Basilica via a special secret passage, bypassing the long lines that are starting to form outside. End your morning with a full tour of the sacred space and gaze upon Michelangelo's moving Pietà, Bernini's grandiose altarpiece, and so much more as you learn the stories and legends behind them. Note: The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is subject to unexpected closures. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and is subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery.
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- Please note: starting December 2024, access to St. Peter's Basilica may be limited due to the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025, which includes special events and ceremonies. These closures are determined by the Vatican and are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
- All participants must provide their full names, dates of birth, and passport/nationality details at the time of booking. The information must exactly match what is listed on the ID or passport. Name changes are not allowed. Failure to supply this information will lead to the cancellation of your booking.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Closing Time Vatican Museums
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& Sistine Chapel without crowd: Discover the Vatican Museums highlights & Sistine Chapel on a skip-the-line, small group guided tour without typical crowds. - Early Access Vatican Museums
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& St. Peter's Basilica: Enter Sistine Chapel at the most peaceful time of day on expertly guided tour of the Vatican Museums & St. Peter's Basilica.
Early Vatican Museums Tour: The Best of the Sistine Chapel Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Guests can stay and enjoy time at their leisure after the tour finishes
- Small groups of 15 people or fewer
- Expertly guided tour of the Vatican
- Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
- Skip the line ticket for St. Peter's Basilica (AM Tour option only)
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by Walks - Italy & Spain.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Rome.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 867 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 14 Travelers is accepted for booking.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows. - All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour. - All participants must provide their full names, dates of birth, and passport/nationality details at the time of booking. The information must exactly match what is listed on the ID or passport. Name changes are not allowed. Failure to supply this information will lead to the cancellation of your booking. - All guests must pass through security. For useful information/restrictions about your tour in the Vatican Museum, visit https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en/visita-i-musei/consigli-utili.html - Only small backpacks and handbags are allowed inside the Vatican Museums. Storage is available but please note you must return (about a 20-minute walk) to the entrance to pick up your items at the end of the tour. - Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry. - No photography or filming is permitted in the Sistine Chapel. - The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and is subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinacoteca Gallery. - Please note: starting December 2024, access to St. Peter's Basilica may be limited due to the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025, which includes special events and ceremonies. These closures are determined by the Vatican and are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
