The Vatican at opening
Walk the Vatican Museums in the first quiet hour, ending beneath Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
Arrive as the doors open and see the Vatican Museums before the day gathers pace. Arranged by our concierge with a licensed guide, the route moves through the Pinecone Courtyard, the Gallery of Maps and the Raphael Rooms before reaching the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgement are best seen in relative calm. Your guide shapes the pace around what interests you, whether that is ancient sculpture, Renaissance painting or the stories behind the papal collections. Where the day allows, the visit continues into St Peter's Basilica. Early-entry tickets are released in limited numbers, so we suggest asking our concierge as soon as your dates are set.
- Early entry, subject to availability
- The Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms
- Gallery of Maps and Pinecone Courtyard
- A licensed Vatican guide
- St Peter's Basilica when open to visitors
- Early-entry Vatican Museums tickets
- Licensed guide for the full visit
- Reservation and confirmation by our concierge
- Shoulders and knees must be covered in the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's
- Meeting point near the Vatican Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano
- Changes and cancellations are handled by our concierge
