Rome: Early Bird Vatican Museums Small Group Tour (MAX 6 People)

4.9
(67 reviews)

3 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

Experience the Vatican Museums like never before on this exclusive small group tour. With a maximum of 6 participants, you'll enjoy a more intimate and personal exploration of the Vatican's treasures. Your early morning access allows you to enter the museums one hour before they open to the general public, giving you a rare opportunity to admire the stunning art and architecture without the usual crowds.

Begin your tour with a knowledgeable guide who will lead you through the vast collection of the Vatican Museums, sharing fascinating insights into the history and significance of the artwork. Marvel at the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, with its iconic ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

Finally, enter St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world, and be amazed by its stunning interior and impressive collection of sacred art.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica in a more exclusive and relaxed setting.

What's Included

Visit to St. Peter's Basilica (Admission Ticket Free)
Guided Tour
Small-group Tour (max. 6 people)
First Access (8:00 AM)
Transfers from/to Hotel

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

You will meet your English Speaking guide at the Giuly's Café, located a few meters away from the Vatican Museums main entrance. The guide will be holding an "Eyes of Rome" sign.

End point
Saint Peter's Square

The tour will end in St. Peter's Square

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1
    Vatican Museums

    With our Prime Tour, we get you inside the Museums at its first access. Watch the Vatican Museum Galleries slowly come to life.

    1 hour 10 minutes Admission ticket included
  • Cortile della Pigna (Pass by)

    The Courtyard of the “Pigna”, created from the 16th-century area of the “Belvedere”

    Admission ticket free
  • Sphere within a Sphere (Pass by)

    The Sphere within a Sphere" by Arnaldo Pomodoro at the Vatican Museums is a striking sculptural masterpiece that graces the Cortile della Pigna. This captivating artwork features a large bronze sphere with a textured, fractured surface, revealing a smaller sphere within. The interplay of light and shadow on the intricate patterns adds to its mesmerizing allure. Symbolizing themes of complexity and inner depth, Pomodoro's sculpture at the Vatican Museums stands as a testament to the convergence of art, spirituality, and profound meaning in the heart of one of the world's most renowned cultural institutions.

    Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche

    The Gallery of Maps, inside the Vatican Museums, displays a stunning collection of topographical maps of Italy. Created in the 16th century under Pope Gregory XIII, these beautifully painted maps span 120 meters, offering a unique geographical snapshot of the Italy of the past.

    5 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Gallery of Tapestries

    The Vatican Museums' Gallery of Tapestries showcases stunning 15th and 16th-century tapestries, intricately woven with scenes from biblical and historical narratives. Inspired by designs from Raphael’s school, this gallery highlights the artistic sophistication and storytelling of the Renaissance.

    5 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 4
    Galleria dei Candelabri

    The Gallery of the Candelabra is a part of the Vatican Museums, showcasing a rich collection of Greek and Roman statues, sarcophagi, and reliefs. It is named for the grand marble candelabra that decorate it, dividing the gallery into thematic sections. Set up in the late 18th century, the gallery merges ancient art with stunning architectural details, providing visitors a journey through history and beauty.

    5 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 5
    Sistine Chapel

    The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. It is known throughout the world both for being the place where the conclave and other official ceremonies of the Pope are held (in the past also some papal coronations), and for being decorated with one of the most famous and celebrated works of art of artistic civilization the frescoes by Michelangelo.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 6
    St. Peter's Basilica

    Enjoy the breathtaking Saint Peter's Basilica, shrine of Christianity and Art. You will marvel at the Priceless Pietà, by Michelangelo, and stop by the venerable tomb of Saint John Paul II & Pope Karol Wojtyla. The Pietà (1498–1499) is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

    45 minutes Admission ticket free
  • La Pieta (Pass by)

    The Pietà is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères, who was a representative in Rome. The sculpture, in Carrara marble, was made for the cardinal's funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.

    Admission ticket free
  • 7
    St. Peter's Baldachin

    The Baldachin in St. Peter's Basilica is a breathtaking masterpiece of art and architecture. Designed by the renowned Baroque sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it stands as a magnificent bronze canopy over the high altar of the basilica. This ornate structure, adorned with intricate details and towering over 90 feet tall, serves as a symbol of the grandeur of the Catholic Church and a focal point of the basilica's interior. It is a true marvel that captivates visitors with its beauty and historical significance.

    5 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 8
    St. Peter's Square

    This monumental elliptical space, enclosed by 284 Doric columns four rows deep (196m wide and 148m long), is the masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who laid it out during the pontificates of Alexander VII and of Clement IX.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration or closed due to extraordinary celebrations. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes
Supplied by Eyes of Rome

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Tags

Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Likely to Sell Out
Seasonal
Small Group
Viator Plus
Excellent Quality
Best Conversion
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.9 Based on 67 67 reviews
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