Pristine Sistine Early Entrance Small Group Vatican Tour

12983 reviews

4 hours

Max 15

Why take this tour?

Highlights

  • Enter the Vatican Museums first thing in the morning, visiting the Sistine Chapel before the daytime crowds.
  • Visit the Raphael Rooms, thought by many to be as beautiful as the Sistine Chapel, and see where to spot Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo in the frescoes!
  • Enjoy skip the line access into the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, saving hours of waiting.
  • Experience an all-encompassing guided tour inside St. Peter's Basilica and see Michelangelo's Pietà.
  • Get unparalleled access to your art expert guide—the small size of your group will make it easy to ask them all your burning questions.
  • Sites Visited
  • Vatican Museums
  • Sistine Chapel
  • St. Peter's Basilica
  • St. Peter's Square
  • Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello)
  • Belvedere Courtyard
  • Pinecone Courtyard
  • Octagonal Courtyard
  • Gallery of the Maps
  • Gallery of the Tapestries
  • Gallery of the Candelabra
  • Tour Includes
  • Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
  • Skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Expertly guided walking tour
  • Headset

Relish the tranquility of the Vatican Museums in the early hours of the morning.

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Total Customer Reviews: 12983

Verified Ratings
4.7 /5
based on 12983 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.8/5
Guest Support
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
It was pouring buckets of rain the morning of our Vatican Tour, and we started off the day sopping wet, but luckily Elisa made the most of it for us. While we had to wait outside for a while in the rain, once we got inside and dried off things got better. Im very glad we chose the Early Entry tour - we were able to see certain areas (like the Hall of Maps) that are normally packed with people with a little more space. It was still busy, but it didnt feel much worse than other Roman sites. By the time the tour ended (a little before noon) I could tell it was much more busy in the area. Theres so much to take in throughout the Vatican, but Elisa got us through all the highlights with plenty of time to take it in, ask questions, and take photos. Definitely recommend this tour!
Verified · Kirstin · Nov 05, 2024 · USA · Female · 25 to 34 years
Excellent
Julia was a fantastic tour guide. She provided enough information with added enthusiasm and personality. We were one of the first groups through the door and enjoyed the relative empty space of the halls and chapel. Fantastic way to visit the Vatican for the first time. Highly recommend.
Verified · Theresa · Nov 02, 2024 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
We were amazed by our Walks Pristine Sistine Tour with tour guide Jeb! Everything was orchestrated to flow smothly and at an even pace that kept us moving throughout the massive and overwhelming complex that is the Vatican Museums. We cannot imagine trying to tackle a visit on our own. We were given so many details that enriched the whole experience, information that we would not have been able to gather on our own. Jeb was excellent! A wealth of information, smooth steady commentary with some fun observations, clearly enthusiastic about his role in sharing this amazing place. Overall, a wonderful experience! Thank you very much! Looking forward to our tour with Walks in Venice coming up.
Verified · Anne · Nov 01, 2024 · Canada · Female · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
Highly recommend. Our tour guide, Gigi, was not only knowledgeable, but hysterical.
Verified · Jade · Nov 01, 2024 · USA · Female · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
Our tour guide, Paolo, was outstanding. He quickly organized our group so that we would be one of the first groups into the Vatican and moved us along at a comfortable pace keeping us ahead of the crowds but still having enough time to see and enjoy the Vatican. Paolo was very knowledgeable and did a great job providing background on what we were seeing. His advance discussion of the Sistine Chapel really helped us appreciate it once we were in there. Great tour!
Verified · Patrick · Oct 30, 2024 · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years

FAQs

Will St. Peter's Basilica be open during the 2025 Jubilee?
St. Peter's Basilica will be open throughout 2025 and we aim to include it on our tours as much as possible. However, 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.
The Pristine Sistine tour is sold out on my preferred dates. What other tours do you recommend?
Most people only visit the Vatican once in a lifetime (if ever!). Our Pristine Sistine™ Chapel Tour guarantees that you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience while you're there. As it's one of our popular tours, we recommend that you book it early. If you find that it is sold out on your available dates, we have several other very similar tours which we recommend you check out. These include: [Pristine Sistine at Closing Time: Late Entry Vatican Tour](https://www.takewalks.com/rome-tours/vatican-museums-tour-highlights/), [The Complete Vatican Tour with Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica](https://www.takewalks.com/rome-tours/complete-vatican-tour/), and [VIP Vatican Key Master’s Tour: Unlock the Sistine Chapel](https://www.takewalks.com/rome-tours/key-masters-tour-vatican-museums/).
I am in a wheelchair/have a mobility impairment. Can I take this tour?
The Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair access, but they are not located on the group tour route. If you have a mobility impairment and/or use a wheelchair please contact our customer service department at [email protected] and we will be happy to work out a suitable alternative.
Does St. Peter's Basilica have a dress code?
Yes, although you aren't expected to dress as formally as if you were attending a mass. Unless you actually are attending a mass. The most important rule is NO SHORTS, that applies to both men and women. Shoulders must also be covered, so no tank tops. Small bags and umbrellas are permitted inside but large bags have to be checked at the entrance, next to the official audio-guides desk.
Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs, strollers or for those with mobility impairments?
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact us at [email protected] so we can arrange your visit.
What happens if St. Peter's Basilica is closed on my tour?
The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations/festivities, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinoteca Gallery. Your guide will still give you an introduction to the church should you wish to visit this on your own at a later occasion.
I want to take a selfie in the Raphael Rooms, can I bring my selfie stick?
No. Selfie sticks are strictly forbidden inside the Vatican Museums, along with flash photography. However, visitors are allowed to take non-flash photographs anywhere besides the Sistine Chapel.
What items can I NOT take into the Vatican Museums
Knives, scissors, and other cutting tools must also be deposited in the cloakroom as a precaution against harming the artwork inside. No hammers, either, as one was once used to smash Michelangelo's Pietá. This probably goes without saying, but firearms are also strictly prohibited for visitors within the Vatican Museums and you can't check them in the cloakroom.
I've heard the Vatican has a strict dress code. What should I wear?
It does, but it isn't anything too formal. The big rule is to make sure your shoulders and knees are covered - that applies to both men and women. Also remember that shorts of any length are not allowed at all in St. Peter's Basilica so if you are visiting both the Vatican Musuems and the Basilica, wear trousers or a long skirt. Occasionally visitors get away with wearing a bit less but it’s best not to risk it. Hats are also not allowed. Walks cannot be held responsible for guests who are refused entrance due to inappropriate dress so please remember to cover up.
IMPORTANT: Can I bring a bag into the Vatican Museums?
Yes, as long as it's within a certain size. You cannot bring any bag, backpack suitcase or container larger that 40cm x 35cm x 15cm into the Vatican Museums. In fact, size limits apply to all items; because of the sheer number of people that visit the Museums, space is at a premium. You can’t enter with medium to large umbrellas, any umbrellas with spiked tips, camera tripods, signage (apart from signs used by certified guides) or walking sticks – except those required by disabled visitors. All of these items can be left in the cloakroom, which is located at the entrance to the Museums. This means that you will need to walk 15 - 20 minutes back here after you finish your tour at St Peter's Basilica. On our afternoon tours you may need to leave the tour early to collect your bag before the cloakroom closes.
I'd like to climb to the top of the Dome of St. Peter's. Anything I should know?
The St. Peter's Dome climb requires separate tickets, one allows you to take the elevator up part of the way then climb a further 320 steps, while another permits you to climb the entire 551 steps. Either way the view from the top is worth it!
Why can't I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?
When the chapel was restored in 1990 the biggest donors to the project (donating a whopping $4.2 million) were a Japanese television network. In return, they received exclusive rights to photograph and film inside and quickly banned any professional photographers from taking pictures. Although they didn't mind if tourists took photos, the Vatican guards decided to enforce the rule on everyone because it was impractical to differentiate between a normal visitor and who was a professional photographer. The Japanese network's exclusive contract has expired now but the rule persists. If you try to take any images in the Chapel Vatican, security is authorized to make you delete them.

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