Viator
4.8
600 reviews
Private Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica Early Bird Tour
★ 4.9 (1,086 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: CityEyes Private Tours
- 3 h on the listing; the time can vary by option
- Private, up to 10 per booking
- Live guide: German, French, English, Spanish
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Editor's take
CityEyes starts with your own guide at a 7:30 meeting. The Early Morning Basic Option is a private 3-hour visit through the Museums and Sistine Chapel, then St Peter's Basilica. Your Basic booking leaves you to arrange transport.
Comfort adds pickup and Luxury adds a return transfer. The Museums' published opening time is 8:00. Last-minute Basilica or Chapel closures bring no refund. Choose another tour if that risk does not suit your plans.
Which CityEyes early Vatican option includes transfers?
3 options. Prices are per adult for a party of two, the usual lowest price of each option. The booking page shows the price for your date.
| Option | When | Guide | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Morning Basic OptionTransfers not included: Private Walking Tour with meet and greet on site | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 07:30 | German, French, English, Spanish | €275 |
| Early Morning Comfort OptionPickup Included Pickup included | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 07:30 | German, French, English, Spanish | €355 |
| Early Morning Luxury OptionTransfers included: Private walking tour with private pick-up and drop-off service Pickup included | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 07:30 | German, French, English, Spanish | €440 |
What's included
Included
- 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)
- LUXURY Option - Meet and greet with the guide at your accommodation (if centrally located)
- Visit to the Sistine Chapel
- Tickets to the Vatican Museums
- Professional Licensed Blue Badge Tour Guide for A Private Walking Tour
- Shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Early Morning BASIC OPTION - Transfers not included
Tour or official ticket?
Basic starts from €275 per person against €25 for the official Museums ticket, with St Peter's entry free. You pay the extra for a private guide. If your party is happy to visit independently, the official ticket costs less.
Meeting point
For the EARLY MORNING BASIC OPTION, transfers are NOT INCLUDED. Guests will meet their guide at 7:30 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.
Itinerary
From the operator: CityEyes Private Tours's own description of the route.
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.
Courtyard of the Pinecone
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
The Basilica was originally built above the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, where the Pope visits every Christmas or Easter Time.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
From the operator: CityEyes Private Tours's own notes for this tour.
Tickets and ID
- Children under 18 require a valid passport or ID for age verification on the day of the tour.
What to wear
- 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.
- Comfortable footwear recommended for moderate walking during the tour.
Access and children
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please notify us of any mobility issues or disabilities.
- Museums partially accessible for visitors using wheelchairs; St. Peter's Basilica will not be included.
Route and closures
- Possible last-minute closures of St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel for religious ceremonies; no refunds for unplanned disruptions.
Good to know
- Timings and reservations subject to availability and administrative decisions; may undergo last-minute changes.
- Please review the confirmation message sent one day before the tour for final details.
- To ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, every reservation that includes minors (under 18) must be accompanied by at least one adult. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bookings made exclusively by unaccompanied minors.
Reviews
4.9 out of 5 from 1,086 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 96% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
4.9
486 reviews
As shown on Viator, read . The rating is for the whole listing, not for one option, and we do not have the review texts.
Photos
From the CityEyes Private Tours listing, 15 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: CityEyes Private Tours's own description of the tour.
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.
Read more
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!
