About Rome
- Rome’s Carnival: From Ancient to Modern Times
16 February, 2023 - Rome's Budding Street Art Scene
25 January, 2023 - The Life and Reign of Emperor Claudius
19 January, 2023
Why Choose It?
- Venture immediately inside the Vatican and go straight inside the Sistine Chapel.
- Wander the Vatican Museum's fabled halls one hour before general opening.
- Hone in on the highlights of the Vatican's vast collection.
- Soak in the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Square without the crowds.
Tour Description
*A maximum of six participants are permitted for our Early Morning Vatican tour.
Step straight inside the Sistine Chapel on our Early Morning Vatican tour. Your priority entrance and knowledgeable, licensed guide will open the door to a whole new world of discovery. After this 3.5-hour Early Morning Vatican tour, you’ll feel that you have truly experienced the Vatican. Priceless art meets intriguing history to create this once-in-a-lifetime experience, all at your fingertips, all waiting to be explored.
Your Early Morning Vatican tour will start with a brief introduction of what you are about to experience. Then you’ll enter the Eternal City’s epicenter half an hour before general opening as your expert guide accompanies you on a journey through the Vatican Museums‘ expansive collection. Among the treasures you’ll encounter are Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, the beautifully detailed Flemish artworks of the Gallery of Tapestries, and the lifelike statues of the Gallery of the Candelabra.
Marvel at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Revere Michelangelo’s ultimate work, the Sistine Chapel, in the peace and introspective quiet it deserves with hardly any crowds. Your specialist licensed guide will bring the frescoes of the private papal chapel to life, shaping a once-in-a-lifetime experience amidst the world’s most stunning pieces of art.
Learn the story behind Michelangelo’s creation of the Last Judgement, identify key figures and scenes on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling – even see if you can spot Michelangelo himself who painted his self-portrait into the torso of Saint Peter.
Embark on an artistic odyssey through the Vatican Museums
Our Early Morning Vatican itinerary is specifically designed to lead you through the seemingly overwhelming amount of art in the Vatican Museums in a manner that allows you to appreciate each period—Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque—with comprehension and contemplation.
Every step through the Vatican Museums is a step-through history. Your expert guide will bring history to life with anecdotes about the artists, legends from the sculptures, tales about the paintings, and curiosities that line each gallery.
Meet the Laocoon – a statue exuding emotion
Discovered in 1506 and dating back around 1,500 years earlier, the Laocoon statue is one of the ancient world’s undisputed masterpieces. Mentioned by Pliny the Elder, a victim of Vesuvius in 79 AD, the statue depicts the famous scene from the Trojan War in which Laocoön, a Trojan priest, is punished for revealing the Greeks’ trickery to his fellow Trojans warning them not to let their wooden horse into the city.
Claimed by a sea serpent along with his two sons, the statue powerfully captures Laocoon’s agony – a desperate father struggling in vain to save his children. But this isn’t the only statue from antiquity in the Vatican Museums; lose yourself among the busts of the emperors who ruled Rome and the pantheon of gods they worshiped.
Explore the Vatican Museums’ famed galleries
Your Early Morning Vatican tour grants you exclusive access to the Vatican’s most prized highlights, some of which are off the museum’s beaten path. Surround yourself with the stunning statues of the Gallery of the Candelabra. Nourish yourself with the knowledge of how geographers once understood their world in the immersive Gallery of Maps.
Lose yourself in the intricate, immaculate Flemish fabrics that adorn the wall of the Gallery of Tapestries. Then make your way to marvel at the masterful frescoes of the Raphael Rooms which many say rival those of Michelangelo. And when you come face to face with Michelangelo’s Last Judgement, you can be the one who has the last say.
Finish your adventure in Saint Peter’s Basilica
Your tour finishes in Saint Peter’s Square, where the Pope holds his audiences. Here in the shadow of the Vatican’s ancient Egyptian obelisk – brought to Rome by the emperor Caligula – you can take time to reflect on an incredible morning of exploring all the Vatican has to offer.
The Vatican Early Morning Tour is regarded as “one of the best experiences in Rome.”
*Please note, shoulders and knees need to be covered during the tour. No vests, shorts, or skirts above the knee will be allowed inside the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.*
-
Itinerary:Sistine ChapelVatican MuseumsRaphael RoomsGallery of the CandelabraGallery of MapsGallery of TapestriesSaint Peter's BasilicaSaint Peter's Square
-
Included:8:00 a.m. priority entrance ticketsExpert, licensed guide
-
Wheelchair accessible:Not for small group tours. Guests with limited mobility are encouraged to visit our private tour page.
-
Meeting Point:Vatican Museums entrance (under the statue of Michelangelo and Raphael)
Show on Map
excellent guides
Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for the inspiring cultural heritage of our Italian cities. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!
Terrific Trastevere Food Tour with Luca! Luca took my wife and myself on a wonderful food tour through Trastevere. The things we saw and ate and learned were excellent. The best part was Luca's friendly nature.... read more
-
A must do experience This cooking class was a highlight of our trip. We got to meet a young chef, Sara. She had us decide what to cook. Then we walked through... read more
-
Best Food Tour We Took! My fiance and I capped off our first full day in Rome with this lovely food tour. Luca was friendly, excited, and knowledgeable. We got to try a ton of... read more
-
Worth every penny. What an evening! This was without a doubt the highlight of my trip. A great evening with plenty of incredible local food and drink and a really good way to meet and... read more
-
Delicious food from fabulous foody Luca Boccia was PHENOMENAL!
His knowledge of Italian cuisine was exceptional, especially welcomed because it included more than just the well known dishes. He was funny and friendly, making our... read more -
A Must Do Tour of Sistine Chapel Amazing! This was my third time to the Vatican but this time I took my adult/teen children and wife and we used a tour guide. It was a... read more
-
Amazing evening activity in Rome Excellent night with Sara on her birthday!
We drank wine, ate amazing food and capped it with gelato!! -
Amazing walking food tour w Luca B My wife and I had an amazing walking food tour through the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere. Luca B was extremely informative and accommodating. Would absolutely recommend to anyone!
-
Best tour ever. Martha was our guide. She is the best. They way she explained all , answered our questions give us all the information in every place all was wonderful. It was... read more
-
Great Food Stroll with Luca We did the Trastevere Food Stroll with Luca B and he was great! Brought us to great authentic locations and provided his expert advice! We would highly recommend this tour... read more
