Viator
5.0
1 review
Wednesday Early Morning Sistine Chapel and Vatican I Max 6 People
★ 5.0 (35 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: LivTours
- 3 h on the listing; the time can vary by option
- Up to 6 people, up to 6 per booking
- Live guide: English
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Editor's take
The Pinacoteca is part of LivTours' Wednesday route through the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. You meet at 7:30 for 3 hours with an English guide and up to 6 people.
The route also takes you into the Raphael Rooms and Carriage Pavilion. You can stay in the Museums after the tour. St Peter's Basilica is left out of this tour. If you want a guide there, you need another route.
What does LivTours' Wednesday Vatican tour include?
1 option. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small group MAX 6 people | Wed 07:30 | English | €179 |
What's included
Included
- Raphael Rooms and Pinacoteca
- The Sistine Chapel
- Small Group tour of MAX 6 people
- Early Morning Access to the Vatican Museums
- Local Expert Guide
- Galleries of the Candelabra, Tapestries & Maps
- Pinecone Courtyard & Octagonal Courtyard
- Carriage Pavilion
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
Tour or official ticket?
From €179 against €25 for official Museums and Sistine Chapel entry, this tour adds English guiding. Your group is capped at 6. Buy the official ticket if you want a cheaper visit or a day other than Wednesday.
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.
Itinerary
From the operator: LivTours's own description of the route.
Vatican Museums
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 a small-group tour of maximum of 6 people, easily maneuver through the crowded museums at a comfortable pace.
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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
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.
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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.
Courtyard of the Pinecone
Stroll through the charming Pinecone Courtyard
Raphael Rooms
Marvel in front of Raphael's masterpieces.
Stop 5
Once you have finished admiring the Sistine Chapel, it's then time to continue to your last stop of the tour - the Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums. This special section has been a part of the museums since 1932, and houses amazing works from Renaissance masters such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Leonardo and Giotto.
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And here your tour concludes, as you bid farewell to your guide. You are welcome to stay inside the museums to further explore their vastness, or exit to explore what more the Eternal City has to offer.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
From the operator: LivTours's own notes for this tour.
Tickets and ID
- Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
What to wear
- 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.
Rules inside
- 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.
Access and children
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
Route and closures
- 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.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
Reviews
5.0 out of 5 from 35 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 100% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
5.0
34 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 LivTours listing, 5 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: LivTours's own description of the tour.
Wednesday's are a wonder - and 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.
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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! This tour is offered in a small group of maximum 6 people so you can interact directly with your guide and ask all the questions you like!
