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Private Early Bird Vatican Tour
4.8
794 Ratings
Roma
Experience the best Vatican tour with our private early bird option. Explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica before the crowds. Book now!
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- 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.
- Cortile della Pigna - The Courtyard of the “Pigna”, created from the 16th century area of the “Belvedere”
- Sphere within a Sphere - 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.
- 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.
What's Included
- Private hotel pick-up service (centrally located) - LUXURY/COMFORT Options
- Private hotel pick-up and drop-off service (centrally located) - LUXURY Option
- Tickets to the Vatican Museums
- Professional Licensed Blue Badge Tour Guide for a Private Walking Tour
- Shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica
- Meet and greet with the guide at your accommodation (centrally located) - LUXURY/COMFORT Options
- Visit to the Sistine Chapel
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Early Morning BASIC OPTION - Transfers not included
Additional Information
Are you scheduling your once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Vatican? This is undoubtedly the best tour of the Vatican! Our early admission options allow you to delve into the Vatican’s riches before the masses. Following pickup at your hotel, you’ll be transported to the Vatican for an intriguing and interactive tour, featuring a knowledgeable guide passionate about bringing the history of the splendid art pieces to life and tailoring the tour to your unique interests. During the tour, you’ll observe some of the world’s finest sculptures, carvings, frescoes, and paintings. You’ll visit popular attractions, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica (unavailable on Wednesday mornings because of the Papal Audience). Don’t let a moment slip by: opt for our Prime tour to be among the first fortunate visitors to enter the Museums!
- 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.
- Notify us of any mobility issues or disabilities.
- Museums partially accessible for visitors using wheelchairs; Basilica not 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.
- Review the confirmation message sent one day before the tour for final details.
Location
Caffè Vaticano
Viale Vaticano
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 names.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(794 Ratings)
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Michael_c
Jul 30, 2024
Wonderful tour with great insights - Our guide, Marina, was VERY knowledgeable and provided insights into the Vatican complex and art work within that we would never have discovered on our own. She pointed out unique aspects of items in the exhibit halls and kept us at a great pace. We would definitely recommend her.
Review provided by Viator
Nicole_m
Jul 28, 2024
Excellent Tour - Our family really enjoyed the Vatican Museums tour and was a highlight of our trip. Our guide Siriki was so informative and had a wealth of knowledge about the Vatican, its art and history. There were still crowds at the Early Bird tour, however having the private guide made it easy to make our way through the museums.
Review provided by Viator
Jason_m
Jul 27, 2024
Amazing Experience! - Mali was incredible and extremely attentive to our family. Her knowledge was very impressive and she was wonderful answering all of our questions. We would absolutely use Eyes of Rome again!!
Review provided by Viator
Genevieveg973
Jul 25, 2024
Amazing tour for the family. - We had an amazing tour with Francesca. I would recommend her and this tour to anyone. Her knowledge of the Vatican sites and the pace of the tour was great. We would have never gotten this much out of it without her. Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natalie_j
Jul 15, 2024
Amazing! - Rafael was an amazing tour guide! She was so knowledgeable and we were able to skip a lot of lines. She went above and beyond giving us history and information of everything. Was definitely worth it to me
Review provided by Viator
Samuel_g
Jul 14, 2024
Early Morning Vatican Tour - Our guide was great. She was knowledgeable about all the parts of the tour. She provide terrific experience and would certainly recommend her and this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Odyssey22015196330
Jul 12, 2024
Well worth the money! - This experience was well worth the money in our opinion. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and also knew how to get us through the museum in a way that would allow us to see everything before the insane crowds of tourists rolled in. We learned so much about the history of the Vatican and the art work. If you aren’t able to see the Vatican first thing in the morning, it’s very difficult to appreciate the magnitude of the space and everything it contains. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you only plan to see the Vatican once. You won’t be disappointed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tommn5923tj
Jul 12, 2024
Nice family experience - Great tour guide. Picked us up at the apartment we were staying at. Went right to the front of the line. Very helpful. We did not see much of the museum as our time was limited and too much to fit in for 3 hours. We made the Sistine Chapel before the crowds arrived and was able to see St. Peter’s basilica. At the basilica there is a ton of renovation to get ready for the jubilee next year. So the over experience was a little muted. But in the 3 hours that we had with our guide, she was excellent and very engaged with our kids.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristen_m
Jul 13, 2024
Good guide-clarify exactly what you want - I felt that the guide wanted to change itinerary from start and said we wouldn't have time for everything. Based on what? I’m not sure. She did bring us through my original choices and having shorter time in sistine chapel was fine. The focus was more on history than art, which I guess I should have clarified before hand. If this is important to you ask for this when booking. She had excellent knowledge of history. she was. very kind and attentive and got us through the museum. She could not get headsets to join us in St Peters and did overview outside because the line was taking too long and wouldn't have had enough time inside. I understand the choice but feel that for the price we paid this really wasn’t acceptable to have to make this choice. Overall this tour got us inside early and through the walkway between the Sistine chapel and St Peters. I think that for the cost maybe book a tour that is less and has this option or go early on your own.
Review provided by Viator
Becky_h
Jul 9, 2024
Disappointing - Tour guide was friendly. But quite honestly was not worth the cost of the tour. Felt like we heard minimal information on our tour. I heard group tours around us that were getting way more information than we did. Would not recommend.
Review provided by Viator
