All Rome Tours

Pristine Sistine Early Entrance Small Group Vatican Tour

10039 reviews

4 hours

Max 15

Enter the Vatican Museums before the crowds, on your way to the Sistine Chapel.

The Gallery of Maps, as you get to the Sistine Chapel at its quietest moment.

Gaze in silence and awe at the Michelangelo's masterwork, in pristine conditions.

Your guide is an expert and will point out many details and interesting stories.

Learn about the history of these amazing works and buildings.

Tour the Vatican Museums and marvel at the many works of art.

The New Wing, full of amazing sculptures.

View of St Peter's Basilica from outside.

Your guide is full of interesting stories and historical details.

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Why take this tour?

Highlights

Enter the Vatican Museums before the general public, visiting the Sistine Chapel before the daytime crowds
Visit the Raphael Rooms, thought by many to be as beautiful as the Sistine Chapel, before the Museums open to the public
Enjoy skip the line access into the Vatican Museums, saving hours of waiting
With small groups of 15 people or fewer, you'll find it easy to interact with your guide

Sites Visited
Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel
Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello)
Pinacoteca
Belvedere Courtyard
Pinecone Courtyard
Octagonal Courtyard
Gallery of the Maps
Gallery of the Tapestries
Gallery of the Candelabra

Tour Includes
Local English-speaking guide
Expertly guided walking tour
Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
Headset

Take a walk through the empty Vatican Museums

$98.88

Free Cancellation

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Verified guest reviews

10038

5 star reviews 8833
4 star reviews 915
3 star reviews 290
2 star reviews 0
1 star reviews 0

Latest Reviews

We had an incredible tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with Doriana, who brought so much knowledge and depth to everything we saw. She was so well informed and extremely passionate about the history she shared with us. While we did run into some audio issues with the headsets provided by the Vatican museums, Doriana made sure they were fixed as quickly as possible and even before then, she spoke up enough that it never caused a problem. Our group had a wonderful time and great experience and I wouldn't hesitate to book another tour though Walks after this one.

Andrea Jun 28, 2022

Doriana was our tour guide. She was excellent—lots of information and entertaining. I have been to the Vatican Museums twice before and thoroughly enjoyed this visit. It was early (7am) to meet, but really did save us from the crowds which emerged later in the morning. Excellent tour!

George Jun 27, 2022

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and personable. She made our experience truly memorable!

Pamela Jun 26, 2022

Sev and Illaria were great!

Peter Jun 26, 2022

We loved our Pristine Sistine Vatican tour. We even got to contain the to St Peter’s!!! Claudia is a fantastic and knowledgeable guide!

Maureen Jun 24, 2022

Meeting Point

Meeting Point
Bar l'Ottagono, Piazza del Risorgimento, 60, 00192 Roma, Italy

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

FAQs

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.

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 wheelchair please contact our customer service department and we will be happy to design a private tour for you. [email protected] We can then work out a suitable alternative.

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.

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.

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!

Can I use a wheelchair on this tour?

Yes, but we require advance notice in order to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. After booking, please contact us so that we can organize a private tour for you. If we cannot find a guide to lead you that day we'll offer you the same tour on the next avaialbe date or give you credit for another tour anywhere else in the world.

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.

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