Private Early Bird Vatican Museums & St. Peter's Basilica Tour | 3 hours 30 minutes

842 Reviews | Rome
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 10 travelers in total.
Adult (18-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 10
2
Child (6-17) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10
0
Infant (0-5) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Early Morning Comfort Option
2 Adults x $766.44
$1,532.88
Approx Total
$1,532.88
Pickup Included
Pickup included
Early Morning Basic Option
2 Adults x $650.95
$1,301.90
Approx Total
$1,301.90
Transfers not included: Private Walking Tour with meet and greet on site
Early Morning Luxury Option
2 Adults x $976.42
$1,952.84
Approx Total
$1,952.84
Transfers included: Private walking tour with private pick-up and drop-off service
Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
  • LUXURY OPTION - Private hotel pick-up and drop-off service (from/to centrally located locations)
  • LUXURY/COMFORT Options - Private hotel pick-up service (from centrally located locations)
  • Tickets to the Vatican Museums
  • Professional Licensed Blue Badge Tour Guide for A Private Walking Tour
  • Shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica
  • LUXURY/COMFORT Options - Meet and greet with the guide at your accommodation (if centrally located)
  • Visit to the Sistine Chapel
  • Food and drinks
  • Early Morning BASIC OPTION - Transfers not included

Overview

Are you planning your once in a life time Vatican experience? This is hands down the best Vatican Tour! Our early bird tour options will allow you to enjoy the Vatican treasure before the crowd! After hotel pickup, travel to the Vatican. Enjoy a fascinating tour and an interactive experience with a passionate tour guide who will animate the history of the magnificent artwork and cater to your personal interests. During your visit, see one of the world’s finest collections of sculptures, carvings, frescoes, and paintings. The main attractions included in the tour will be the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica ( not available on Wednesday morning due to the Papal Audience). Don't waste your time, choose our Prime option and be among the first lucky ones to enter the Museums!

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

For the EARLY BIRD LUXURY OPTION pick-up, drop-off, and meet and greet with the guide at the accommodation are included in the tour cost. Guests should be at 7:45 AM down the lobby ready for the transfer. For the EARLY BIRD COMFORT OPTION pick-up and meet and greet with the guide at ... the accommodation are included in the tour cost. Guests should be at 7:45 AM down the lobby ready for the transfer. For the EARLY MORNING BASIC OPTION transfers are NOT INCLUDED. Guests will meet their guide at 8:00 AM directly on-site, at the designated meeting point. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE AGENCY FOR ANY CHANGE. Read more ▼

OR

Meeting points

For the EARLY MORNING BASIC OPTION transfers are NOT INCLUDED. Guests will meet their guide at 8:00 AM directly on-site, at Caffè Vaticano, Viale Vaticano 100 - located on the opposite side of the Museums' entrance. Your guide will be holding a sign with your last name on it.

End point

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For guests who booked the LUXURY OPTION the drop-off service is included.

Itinerary

  • 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 30 minutes

  • Cortile della Pigna (Pass By)

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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • St. Peter's Basilica

    The largest Basilica in the world is also home to worldwide masterpieces like the famous Pietà by Michelangelo! it even houses an underground crypt for Popes, of which can be visited ( not available on Wednesday morning due to the Papal Audience) The Basilica has a big influence from Michelangelo and you can see his art work throughout. The Basilica was originally built above the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, where the Pope visits every Christmas or Easter Time.

    30 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Dress code: Modest attire required for places of worship and selected museums; no shorts or sleeveless tops allowed, cover knees and shoulders for both men and women to avoid entry refusal.
  • St. Peter's Basilica excluded on Wednesdays due to the Papal Audience.
  • Allow at least 20 minutes for security checks at monuments/attractions.
  • Timings and reservations subject to availability and administrative decisions; may undergo last-minute changes.
  • Please notify us of any mobility issues or disabilities.
  • Museums partially accessible for visitors using wheelchairs; St. Peter's Basilica will not be included.
  • Comfortable footwear recommended for moderate walking during the tour.
  • Possible last-minute closures of St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel for religious ceremonies; no refunds for unplanned disruptions.
  • Children under 18 require a valid passport or ID for age verification on the day of the tour.
  • Please review the confirmation message sent one day before the tour for final details.
  • 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

Free Cancellation

June 18100% refund
June 19No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.8

842 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    777
  • 4 stars
    28
  • 3 stars
    21
  • 2 stars
    7
  • 1 star
    9

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 777 reviews with 5 stars

Great tour and guide.

Published on Jan, 2025

We had a fantastic time. Pamela our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Would highly recommend this tour.

Amazing!!!

Published on Jan, 2025

Amazing experience and our guide was fantastic! Well worth the money as we got right in before most of the crowds and skipped lines into the Sistine Chapel.

We had an excellent tour...

Published on Jan, 2025

We had an excellent tour with our guide Silvia. The early entry made for light crowds throughout the tour. And, Silvia’s knowledge of the history and art made the experience much more enriching. Would highly recommend.

Touring the Vatican with...

Published on Jan, 2025

Touring the Vatican with Mirta has been the highlight of our time in Rome. She brought the art, architecture and history to life, and kept us (including our teenage boys) engaged for 3 hours. Can’t say enough about how amazing she is…interesting, funny, witty, and full of knowledge! Thank you for making our visit so special & memorable!!

A very special visit to a very special place !

Published on Dec, 2024

A really excellent tour. Our guide Emmi was extremely well informed, enthusiastic and covered an immense amount of material brilliantly. The short cut routes on the private tour are invaluable when everything is crowded. It also really helps when your guide is knowledgeable and can focus on interesting pieces and stories. A phenomenal experience.

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