Wednesday Early Morning Sistine Chapel and Vatican Private Tour

5.0 (19 reviews) 3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

19 reviews

5.0

Wednesday Early Morning Sistine Chapel and Vatican Private Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Wednesday Early Morning Sistine Chapel and Vatican Private Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Wednesday's are wonderful - and they are the best day to experience the Vatican museums in all their glory! Since St Peter's Basilica is closed for the Papal Audience on Wednesday mornings, the museums are far emptier than on other days of the week. This, coupled with early morning access, gives you the ultimate advantage of seeing the museums with the fewest crowds possible! Explore the vast Vatican Museums with your expert guide and see incredible works from famous Renaissance masters such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Leonardo and Giotto. Stroll through the charming Pinecone Courtyard & Octagonal Courtyard as you hear stories and anecdotes from your guide. Then, behold Michelangelo's greatest masterpiece - the Sistine Chapel, all before the crowds pile in! On your fully private tour, easily maneuver through the museums and ask all the questions you like!

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At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: LivTours

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Pinacoteca
Included: Raphael Rooms
Included: Early Access to the Vatican Museums 1 hour before the public
Included: The Sistine Chapel
Included: Fully Private Tour with Local Expert Guide
Included: Galleries of the Candelabra, Tapestries & Maps
Included: Pinecone Courtyard & Octagonal Courtyard
Included: Carriage Pavilion

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

Vatican Museums

1 h 30 min Admission included

Discover some of the most famous paintings and sculptures from western civilization and listen to amusing anecdotes about the former popes and artists represented in the museums. With your very own private tour, easily maneuver through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace.

After a view of the terrace over the Vatican gardens, make your way across the beautiful early Renaissance courtyard to admire Hadrian's Pinecone, and then to the modern art piece of Arnaldo Pomodoro. You will then head to the magnificent Octagonal Courtyard which is one of the most remarkable collections of Roman and Greek artifacts. Admire the famous Belvedere Torso, learn about the mystery of the Laocoon Priest of Troy, and visit the Muses Room. Walk through the beautiful galleries to admire an abundance of candelabra, tapestries, and maps. Then head to the Julius II apartments and see the grandeur and the magnificent details of the Raphael Rooms.
Sistine Chapel

30 min Admission included

Next comes the highlight of the tour -Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Since you are forbidden to speak inside the chapel, your guide will prepare you with anecdotes and details before entering to see one of the most remarkable works of Renaissance art ever known. Then, enter through a tiny door to admire the majestic Sistine Chapel. Take in its grandeur in contemplative silence as you admire this 8,000 square foot wonder.

From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.
Stanze di Raffaello

20 min Admission included

Marvel in front of Raphael's masterpieces.
Cortile della Pigna

5 min Admission included

Stroll through the charming Pinecone Courtyard

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Outside Caffe Vaticano, on Viale Vaticano 100 which is directly across from the Vatican Museums entrance. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.

End point

Outside Caffe Vaticano, on Viale Vaticano 100 which is directly across from the Vatican Museums entrance. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.

Using your ticket

From January 12 through March 31, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.

Guests with mobility concerns should contact us at [email protected] as soon as possible, as the itinerary may need to be adjusted to accommodate specific needs.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
On Wednesday morning St. Peter’s Basilica is closed, which means less crowds, but also that you will not be able to access the Basilica until after the tour ends.
Vatican management maintains the right to delay the opening of the Sistine Chapel for religious reasons, in this case the guide will modify the itinerary and extend your visit of the museums to ensure you make the most of your time before access to the Sistine Chapel is permitted.
There is no photography allowed in the Sistine chapel, and all other artwork can only be photographed without flash.
Please be aware that the Sistine Chapel is a Holy Place and talking during your visit inside is strictly forbidden, therefore your guide will give you an explanation of the Sistine Chapel beforehand during your tour, in order to give you a comprehensive explanation before entering the chapel.
Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.