Guided tour

Vatican Small Group Morning Tour with Secret Room Access

Guided tour

Vatican Small Group Morning Tour with Secret Room Access

From US$ 172.42 per person

Discover the history and legends behind the most famous pieces of art in western civilization, on a small group tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica. Gain special access to a secret room called the Cabinet of the Masks.

About this activity

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Duration 3.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English
Small group
Limited to 6 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Visit the Vatican before official opening hours during an extensive tour
  • See an additional and exclusive Secret Room called the Cabinet of the Masks
  • Enjoy an intimate small group experience of only 6 people with an expert guide
  • Marvel at the stunning art and architecture inside St Peter's Basilica
  • Witness the beautiful painted ceilings in the Sistine Chapel
Full description

Meet your guide in front of Caffé Vaticano, just outside the Vatican Museums, and join a small group of no more than 6 people. In this intimate group, you can easily make your way through the museums and experience the sites and artifacts up-close. With the personalized attention of your guide, you are free to engage and ask all the questions you like.

Thanks to a new partnership in 2022, you can enjoy first entry into the Museums, reserved by only a handful of other tour operators. This special entry and tour are designed to guarantee you access and viewing of the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel 30 minutes before other operators and 1 hour before the general public. In the quiet of the morning, walk through and enjoy the Pinecone Courtyard and the Museo Clementino. Then make your way to the secret room – the Cabinet of the Masks, not open to the general public and only available on this tour. Beyond the velvet ropes, view the spectacular mosaic floors carefully brought over from Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, and view stunning depictions of Aphrodite and Nympha in various sculptures. Follow your guide through the Hall of Animals, Gallery of Statues, and Hall of Busts which also display masterpieces unseen to the public. With your expert guide, make your way along the Vatican Museums and stop in front of the breathtaking Belvedere Torso and take photos from only a few feet away. Walk through the Gallery of Tapestries where you can see the work of Raphael’s students, and continue through the Gallery of Maps which fill the entire hall leading up to the highlight of the tour – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Before entering, your guide will give you all the information you will need to know to truly appreciate this masterpiece. Your guide will then lead you into the chapel where you will have plenty of time to enjoy and study this beautiful work of art. The final stop of the tour will be the beautiful Basilica of St Peter’s, where you can admire the stunning architecture that is adorned by infamous art, such as Pietà by Michelangelo - crafted when he was just 25 years old - and the Baldacchino, the large bronze canopy sculpted by Bernini that frames the altar of the Basilica.

Includes
  • Skip-the-ticket-line access and tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica
  • Exclusive access to the Cabinet of the Masks
  • Small group of only 6 people
  • Professional local expert guide
  • Gratuities

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

In front of Caffe' Vaticano, directly across the street from the Museum's Entrance, Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Rome. Your guide will be holding a LivItaly Tours sign.

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Important information

Not allowed

  • Shorts
  • Luggage or large bags
  • Short skirts
  • Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

  •  All visitors must pass through airport-style security. During high season the wait at security may be up to 30 minutes.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 8 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Value for money
    4/5
  • Service
    5/5
  • Organization
    5/5

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Everything was perfect

February 24, 2023

February 22, 2023

Loved the tour and Julia the guide was amazing! Highly recommend Jules!

November 28, 2022

Product ID: 214665