Wednesday Early Morning Sistine Chapel and Vatican I Max 6 People
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
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. 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!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
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.
Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
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.
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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. 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. 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.
What‘s 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
Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)
Options
Small group MAX 6 people
Reviews
18 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Request Sabrina!
Q4319WRstephenk,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were very, very happy with Sabrina and impressed with her knowledge, her pacing or the tour, her demeanor and essentially everything about the experience with her. We have been on numerous tours on this trip and previous trips, but would definitely rate Sabrina our best tour guide ever. If you book this tour demand Sabrina.
Perfectly pitched tour of Vatican
Expat088,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Giovanni was excellent. Knowledgeable, fun and set the perfect pace. Made it an interesting, informative and very special experience for our family of five.
Beautiful visit to the Vatican!
LightPacker81831,,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. We visited with another family and it was great. Our guide was passionate and exciting. She was very patient and waiting for me to finish translating into French to my mother-in-law before continuing. Laura P. had answers to all our questions and made the visit very fun.
Don’t hesitate. EVVIVA MASSIMO!
nancydA3135CR,,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Easily the most engaging, informed and entertaining tour we have ever taken. Massimo knows every corner (and seemingly every employee) at the Vatican and worth every euro. Just amazing.
Fantastic Wednesday tour
W9224OOdavidr,,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Laura P. was a great guide, excellent explanations and insights. Very friendly and personable. She paced the tour well yet left us good time at the major pieces. All over well done.
Wednesday early morning tour
carolinedF1945TU,,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with Laura P! So informative and the early entry was definitely worth it. Laura gave information I never would have learned otherwise, and made it fun and enjoyable.
Morning at the Vatican
Wayne M,,Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing tour! Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his job! There was so much to see and Fabrizio did a great job telling a story of it all while we walked.
Outstanding! An absolute “must do” when visiting Rome
Terry L,,Jul 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Vatican tour was me and my wife’s highlight of our Rome trip thanks to Max! He did an outstanding job explaining details that would be impossible to know without being a scholar in Vatican history. His English was great, humor was a joy and his personality was so warm it made us feel like we’ve known him forever. Thanks Max. Thanks for a memorable time spent!
Impeccable experience!
680faridak,,Jun 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alessia was an extremely devoted tour guide with exceptional storytelling skills that captivated both adults and children! Thank you!
Rome June 2nd 2025
wes h,,Jun 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00LivTours did an excellent job providing us with Luisa. She was an awesome guide. You must do the small group tour of the Vatican.
Related Experiences
Operated by LivTours