Early Morning Vatican Tour | Small Group
Enter half an hour before official opening on this complete Vatican tour
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€89.00
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For More Information
(0039) 334 7243374
Mon - Sat / 08:30 AM - 8:30 PM
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
*Minimum of two participants required 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 three-and-a-half-hour Early Morning Vatican tour, you’ll feel you’ve truly experienced the Vatican as 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 one 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 MuseumsRafael Rooms or Cabinet of MasksGallery 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)
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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!
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Wonderful Wine Tour My husband and I did the secret wine bar tour with Sara. She was an absolute delight—so easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable. She took us places we would... read moreMy husband and I did the secret wine bar tour with Sara. She was an absolute delight—so easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable. She took us places we would have never chosen on our own and they were all amazing!
My only warning is that you will be full by the end of this tour—which is a great thing! We weren’t sure how much food would be provided, so we made late dinner reservations that we ended up canceling because we had plenty to eat on the tour!!
I highly recommend this experience, and highly recommend requesting Sara as your guide! read less - 4/01/2022stevejnb
A great evening with Marcos. I always wanted to know how to make the perfect pizza and gelato. Here, Marco the expert will show you how. It was a great participation event with lots... read moreI always wanted to know how to make the perfect pizza and gelato. Here, Marco the expert will show you how. It was a great participation event with lots of laughs, and we all got to sit down together afterwards to eat our creations. This is a great event for adults and children alike. Narco and his team are a credit to the company. read less - 12/05/2021
JRSwimmerDC
Exceeding Expectations in Unexpected Location This is an essential tour. After many trips to Rome this is an excursion we were excited to take. Our expectations were exceeded. Sara was great and made the tour... read moreThis is an essential tour. After many trips to Rome this is an excursion we were excited to take. Our expectations were exceeded. Sara was great and made the tour special. She has a great personality and is engaging. The chef, assistant, and team at Castel Gandolfo were all terrific to work with.
If there is one thing to do when visiting Rome after the major sites and time around the city, take this trip. read less - 12/03/2021fundumper
Geeking out at The Vatican Rosi was our guide for the experience and she was A+. Not just knowledgeable but also passionate and a great story teller. She was patient w questions and made the... read moreRosi was our guide for the experience and she was A+. Not just knowledgeable but also passionate and a great story teller. She was patient w questions and made the overall experience incredibly fun. read less - 11/30/2021
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The 2 villas of Tivoli We did the Private tour of Villa D'Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli. The driver picked us up from the hotel in Rome and drove to the Villa Adriana, where... read moreWe did the Private tour of Villa D'Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli. The driver picked us up from the hotel in Rome and drove to the Villa Adriana, where our guide, Barbara, met us. Thoroughly versed in ancient history and art history, she was a lively and fascinating guide. Never exhausting or boring, always good company, Barbara clearly loves what she does, sharing her knowledge of Rome and environs and deepening the appreciation of discerning travelers who want to learn about what they see. She was a good sport, because it was a windy rainy day, not ideal for a long day outdoors! I would definitely hire her again. read less - 11/04/2021
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Gracious, Knowledgeable, Experienced Walk Inside Rome has the best, most informed guides and they never disappoint!
From the first inquiry through the tour they are also the most gracious and accommodating. Our most... read moreWalk Inside Rome has the best, most informed guides and they never disappoint!
From the first inquiry through the tour they are also the most gracious and accommodating. Our most recent guide at the Vatican was TEO, knowledgeable, friendly, and someone who clearly loves the city of Rome. The owner of WIR, Marilena is hands on, and considers you a friend after the first tour! read less - 11/02/2021drwu67
Great Guide and Tour Very impressed and happy - From booking to the tour, everything was very smooth. I had some questions about the tour before booking - sent an email with responses prompt... read moreVery impressed and happy - From booking to the tour, everything was very smooth. I had some questions about the tour before booking - sent an email with responses prompt and the relevant information. We did the early morning Vatican Tour with Walks Inside Rome with our guide Barbara, who was amazing. Spending the extra money was worth the experience of WIR, in depth knowledge of the guide, early access to the Vatican and the path/route to see the highlights and relevant areas of the Vatican. Would highly recommend for anyone to book this tour, and would consider them for other tours next time in Rome! Thanks to the team at WIR and special shout out to Barbara who was so very considerate (my Mom was 89 years old and visiting the Vatican for the first time, making sure my Mom was at the front and able to see everything even though she was a tiny bit slower than everyone else! Grazie Mille! read less - 10/12/2021
cyclefiend
Making Pizza & Gelato in Roma This was a fun, educational experience. I enjoy cooking, baking, etc so learning to make authentic Roman style pizza and a simple recipe for gelato is a skill I... read moreThis was a fun, educational experience. I enjoy cooking, baking, etc so learning to make authentic Roman style pizza and a simple recipe for gelato is a skill I can take home! Our chef/instructor, Marco, was enthusiastic and his experience shown through as he explained what and why following the recipes was important. The kitchen space was well equipped and the dining space magical. Next time we’re in Rome (yes we tossed coins in the Trevi Fountain) we will take another course from his organization. read less - 9/27/2021