Reviews
Early Vatican Tour, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s semi private tour up to 6 people
Intimate Vatican Journey: Skip the Crowds with Early Entry and Explore with Just 6 Guests
Itinerary Highlights
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Vatican Museums Highlights: Enjoy a focused exploration of the celebrated galleries, including:
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Pinecone Courtyard: Admire the monumental bronze Pinecone (Pigna) and the modern sculpture, the Sphere within a Sphere.
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Octagonal Courtyard: Visit the original home of some of the world’s most famous classical sculptures, including the iconic Laocoön Group.
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Round Room: Marvel at the immense monolithic porphyry basin and the colossal bronze statues ringing the hall.
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Gallery of Candelabra: Walk among beautiful Roman sculptures illuminated by ornate marble candelabra dating back to the 2nd Century AD.
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Gallery of Tapestries: View the stunning Renaissance tapestries, many based on designs by Raphael’s pupils, depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
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Gallery of Maps: Be captivated by one of the world’s most impressive geographical displays, featuring 40 detailed frescoed maps of Italy painted in the late 16th century.
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Sistine Chapel: Marvel at the sheer magnitude of Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgement.
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St. Peter’s Basilica: Explore the heart of Catholicism, witnessing iconic masterpieces such as:
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Michelangelo’s profound Pietà
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Bernini’s towering bronze Baldachin
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Bernini’s bronze Cathedra of St. Peter
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Why book this tour
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Ultimate Semi-Private Experience: Restricted to a maximum of 6 guests, guaranteeing personal attention, a relaxed pace and an intimate learning environment.
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Early Start Advantage: Enter the Vatican Museums right at the opening time to experience the Sistine Chapel with less congestion.
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Expert Licensed Guide: Immerse yourself in the art, history and the dramatic stories behind every masterpiece with a dedicated specialist.
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Comprehensive Highlights in 3 Hours: Efficiently cover the most celebrated sights of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Skip the line tickets: Maximize your valuable tour time
Description
Unlock the Vatican with an unparalleled level of access and intimacy. This exclusive 3-hour tour is restricted to only six participants, offering a truly personalized journey into the artistic heart of the Holy See.
Meeting your expert guide at 7:30 am, you will utilize your early start time to explore the legendary Vatican Museums—from the majestic Courtyards to the breathtaking Gallery of Maps—before the day’s main wave of visitors arrive. The pinnacle of the experience is the Sistine Chapel, which you will enter early in the morning, allowing you to fully appreciate the magnitude of Michelangelo’s work. Your guide will share fascinating insights into the creation of the frescoes.
Conclude your morning with a guided, seamless transition into the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will witness masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin. This semi-private format ensures a relaxed pace, personal engagement with your guide, and unforgettable memories of the Vatican.
Things to know before the tour
- Please note that, for disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%, the Vatican Museums offers free entry that is extended to a companion for visitors who are not self-sufficient. To benefit from this, make sure you mention it at the time of booking so that our staff may handle your request.
- Photography welcome – but no tripods or drones. It not possible to take pictures inside Sistine Chapel as this is a holy place.
- Please cover your knees and shoulders to enter Vatican
- Please note that large bags or backpacks are not permitted inside the Museums.
- As Sistine Chapel is a sacred space, absolute silence is required. All historical context and explanations from your guide will be provided before your entry, allowing you to contemplate the art peacefully once inside.
- Due to several steps and the nature of the planned route, this semi-private tour is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for guests with mobility issues. For guaranteed accessibility and suitable routing, we strongly recommend booking our private tour option instead.
Important information
We need the full names of all the participants because the entrance tickets are nominative. All the participants will have their own ticket with the full name on, they are not transferrable and cannot be changed nor refunded. You will need your IDs (minors and infants included) because they will be checked by the Vatican Museums guards at the entrance. If you don’t bring your IDs or if the names don’t match, you will be denied access. You don’t need the physical ID, even a copy or a picture is fine as long as it’s well visible.
Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter’s Basilica may experience unexpected closures or delays due to Papal or liturgical ceremonies. Should a closure occur, your expert guide will smoothly adjust the schedule, maximizing your time by providing an enriched and comprehensive exploration of the open sections of the Vatican Museums.
Cancellation policy
Cancel up to 3 days before the tour to get a 50% refund.
If you cancel less then 3 days before the activity, no refund will be issued.
Meeting point
Included
3 hours with an official guide
Tickets to Vatican Museums
Excluded
Tips
About the Tour
Offered in English
Duration
3 hours
Level
Easy
Access
Limited accessibility
Audio
Small Group Tour
Maximum group size of 20 people
Dates and departures
Everyday except on Wednesdays, Sundays and on public holidays.
Values
- Priority Access and Expert Guidance!
- Local Staff Support
- Encounter Ancient Treasures
- Unravel Hidden Meanings in the Artwork
— What you won’t miss
You Will See
St. Peter’s Basilica
Sistine Chapel
Vatican Museums
— About Us
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