Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican before the crowds arrive on this once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience. In addition to an expertly guided tour of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's Basilica, you'll also enjoy a relaxing breakfast in one of the Vatican's picturesque courtyards. From the stunningly beautiful Raphael Rooms to Michelangelo's jaw-dropping Pietà and of course the magnificent ceiling of the Chapel itself, you'll experience these legendary masterpieces in a way that few others will.
Start your day at the Vatican early and skip the notoriously long ticket lines. Continue on to one of the Vatican's tranquil courtyards and sit down to enjoy a large buffet breakfast including hot and cold dishes, fruit juice, tea, and coffee.
Once you’ve eaten your fill, head into the museums for a tour of the most famous artefacts, including the Belvedere Torso, the Apollo Belvedere, the Laocoön Group, and the Raphael Rooms, widely considered to be among the most beautifully-frescoed interiors in the world. Visit the Gallery of the Candelabra with ancient Greek and Roman artworks. Learn about Raphael Sanzio at the Gallery of Tapestries, one of the most spectacular rooms in the museums.
Then, enter the Sistine Chapel before most of the crowd does and spend a peaceful half-hour soaking up Michelangelo’s masterpiece along with stunning frescoes by other important Renaissance artists.
To complete your experience, you'll head into St. Peter's Basilica via a special access tunnel straight from the Vatican Museums. There's no better place to cap off your morning at this sacred space.
Note: The special access passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and subject to other unexpected closures during special celebrations, including the Easter ceremonies. On such days we will instead explore the magnificent Pinoteca Gallery. Your guide will still give you an introduction to the church should you wish to visit this on your own at a later occasion. We are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
Sites Visited:
• Raphael Rooms
• Sistine Chapel
• Vatican Museums
• Belvedere Courtyard
• Pinecone Courtyard
• Gallery of the Candelabra
• Gallery of the Maps
• Gallery of the Tapestries
• St. Peter's Basilica
Guide: English