Pristine Sistine:
Early morning Vatican tour
Destination
Vatican, Italy
Duration
4 hours
Tour size
Max 18
Language
English
Overview
Unlock the rich stories of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica—before the daytime crowds.
- •Enter the Vatican Museums in a small group, right as the museum opens to the general public
- •Get close to the works and worlds of Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Van Gogh and more
- •Appreciate the masterpieces through the eyes of an art historian and master storyteller
- •Take the Pope’s passageway to St Peter’s Basilica and save hours of queueing (closed on Wednesdays)
What's included
- Skip-the-line ticket for Vatican Museums
- Skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica*
- Full handout for the Sistine Chapel
- Headset
You will visit
- Vatican Museum
- Sistine Chapel
- Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello)
- Belvedere Courtyard
- Pinecone Courtyard
- Octagonal Courtyard
- Gallery of the Maps
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- St Peter's Basilica
- St Peter's Square
Get a taste of Pristine Sistine
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What to expect
The Vatican Museums: immerse yourself in the masters
Enter the Vatican Museums as they open to the general public. Explore the almost empty museums with an art historian who’s brimming with stories, legends, and fun facts. They’ll bring the art and artists to life as you savor the treasures of the Gallery of Maps, Belvedere Courtyard, and the four Raphael rooms.
The Sistine Chapel: as it meets the new day
First, your guide will illuminate the Chapel’s history, share insights of what to look out for, and give you a detailed handout. And then it’s over to you. Step inside the silent chapel, open your senses, and be captivated by Michelangelo’s ceiling and altarpiece.
“I like to see who can spot where Raphael hid the faces of Da Vinci and Michelangelo, in his frescoes.”
Christina,
WalksDevour art historian
“The tunnel was an emergency escape for popes, but now it’s a shortcut only available to small groups like ours.”
Antonio,
WalksDevour archaeologist
Postcards from Vatican
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Pristine Sistine
Pristine Sistine
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Pristine Sistine
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Frequently asked questions
Our guides love answering your questions. Here are some things they’d like you to know before you arrive.
