E
Meaningful tour
Our guide was very knowledgeable. Enjoyed hearing the history of the Sistine chapel. Only issue was it was so crowded. The shop the line was very helpful.
Rome travel guide: tickets, best time & real costs
VIP Vatican Breakfast and Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel Access
+15 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Price from
- $136 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 · 1,912 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 20
- Cancellation
- See policy below
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- City Wonders Ltd
- Meeting point
- At the bottom of the steps across the street from the Vatican Museums entrance. The steps are located between on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi. The closest Metro stop is Line A (Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani). Our City Wonders coordinators wear blue City Wonders jacket or polo shirts.
Description
Embark on an extraordinary journey at the Vatican with this morning tour that includes an American-style breakfast inside the Vatican's Courtyard. You’ll explore the Vatican Museums before they open to the general public so you can admire famous sights like the Sistine Chapel in a more intimate atmosphere before finishing with skip-the-line access to St Peter’s Basilica through a reserved entrance.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 8:20 AM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 16
- Adult (ages 19+)
- $119
- Child (ages 7–18)
- $107
- Infant (ages 0–6)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 8 of the next 26 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Vatican City
With our Early Entrance into the Vatican, you’ll explore the Vatican Museums before they open to the general public so you can admire the Sistine Chapel in a more intimate atmosphere before finishing with skip-the-line access to St Peter’s Basilica through a reserved entrance.
Cortile della Pigna
Begin with an American-style breakfast in the Vatican's Courtyard among the majestic views of the Vatican with unparalleled serenity before the public is allowed inside.
Sphere within a Sphere
In the heart of the Vatican's Cortile della Pigna stands a notable bronze sculpture: Sfera con sfera (Sphere Within a Sphere) by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. This captivating artwork depicts two fractured orbs resembling intricate machine gears, symbolizing the intricate and fragile nature of the modern world. Pomodoro began creating similar sculptures in the early 1960s, exploring the theme of complexity.
Vatican Museums
Then join your expert guide for a semi-private tour of the Vatican Museums. Saunter along our carefully designed route to admire exquisite centuries old art collections and archeological wonders.
Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche
The Vatican Museums' Gallery of Maps is a mesmerizing display of intricate cartography, spanning centuries. Immerse yourself in history through vividly detailed maps, capturing the beauty of geography and artistry.
Sistine Chapel
From there, visit the Sistine Chapel – the Pope’s personal place of worship. Marvel at Michelangelo’s artistry as you immerse yourself within one of the world’s most significant landmarks.
St. Peter's Basilica
Finally, your guide will avoid long lines to get you into St. Peter’s Basilica to explore one of the pillars of the Catholic church. Remain in St. Peter’s Basilica after the tour to experience more of this amazing church at your leisure, or step back outside St. Peter’s Square to admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion and the basilica’s heavenly facade.
St. Peter's Square
St. Peter's Square, an iconic masterpiece in Rome, embraces visitors with its grandeur. Designed by Bernini, the vast elliptical space is encircled by a majestic colonnade, symbolizing the Church's embrace. The central obelisk and fountains add splendor, while the stunning façade of St. Peter's Basilica stands as a beacon of architectural brilliance, inviting pilgrims and tourists alike to marvel at the heart of Vatican City.
What's included
Included
Headsets to hear the guide clearly
Professional English-speaking guide
Priority Entrance to the Vatican Museums & St Peter's Basilica
Group of 20 people or less
Guided tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (Introduction)
Buffet breakfast inside the Vatican Museums
Not included
Gratuities
St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.5
1,912 reviews
How it compares in Rome
- Starting price $136 is 20% above the typical $113 for tours of similar length in Rome
Excurgo comparison of 8,082 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that this tour is only available up to 60 days in advance, due to the nature of the tickets. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment!
- Saint Peter’s Basilica is subject to last-minute closures for religious ceremonies. When this occurs, we're happy to offer customers an extended tour of the Vatican Museums. While we endeavour to tell tour groups ahead of time if there are any planned disruptions to the Basilica's opening hours, this is not always possible and in these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts.
- On Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audiences, access to St Peter's Basilica is not possible in the morning.
- * Please note all participant names and date of birth are required at the time of booking in order to join this tour. If we do not receive this information, we will cancel the booking. Every customer is required to carry a valid ID that matches the name on the ticket, or an entry will be refused. Name changes are not permitted once the booking is confirmed.
- * Please be advised that this tour option is non-refundable, with no cancellations or date changes allowed due to pre-purchased tickets. It is mandatory to bring a valid ID or Passport for security checks, and entry will not be granted without proper documentation.
- A dress code is required to enter to the museums. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women.
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
0+ days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
VIP Vatican Breakfast and Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel Access lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $136 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 8:20 AM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 7–18 pay from $107, adults from $119. Infants go free.
Does this tour sell out?
It can: 8 of the next 26 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is At the bottom of the steps across the street from the Vatican Museums entrance. The steps are located between on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi. The closest Metro stop is Line A (Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani). Our City Wonders coordinators wear blue City Wonders jacket or polo shirts. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 1,912 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by City Wonders Ltd.
Reviews(1,912)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
Great guide, delicious breakfast, incredible experience!
Absolutely amazing! The entire experience was incredible! To start with, it was so special to skip the lines and also have an amazing breakfast. And then to see the sites of the Vatican Museum, Sistine, Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Basilica was just breathtaking. Most importantly, our tour guide Oksana was absolutely fantastic! Not only super knowledgeable, but also super fun! She made this experience perfect!
V
WOW - Vatican museum, Sistine Chapel
We started our tour with an amazing breakfast! Pastries, bread buns, scrambled eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, sausage. Sylvia was our guide and she was amazing! She was informative, friendly and funny. Her knowledge was fantastic and she was happy to answer any questions. One of our group got hurt and Sylvia was so calm and looked after her until the ambulance arrived,even exchanging phone numbers in case she was needed later. Would definitely recommend to do a guided tour with her as you learn so much.
D
Excellent Tour! Highly recommend!
Chaira was an excellent tour guide! So knowledgeable and kind. The breakfast was hearty and delicious.
S
Inspired and awed!
Just fantastic! Christian our guide was great. His knowledge was truly inspiring. Great way to experience The Chapel early without it being too crowded. Breakfast was great in the courtyard. We had an awesome tour. Thank you!
1
Money well spent. I hope you get Christian!
Aside from the fact that the Vatican was crowded to an insane degree, this tour was impeccable! The meeting point is easy to find and once you’ve moving they keep you moving all the way to the end (people traffic allowing). Breakfast at the courtyard was a treat and even though it’s only 30 minutes, it never felt rushed. They food was good and the coffee too! A special mention to Christian, our guide. He is a super hero. Not only does he know what he’s talking about but he’s also a master in navigating the sea of people that has become the Vatican. He was always kind, informative and on top of what needed to happen for us to have a smooth experience. Definitely recommend the experience and if you’re paired with Christian, you’ll have an extra good time!
X
Awesome guide, Christian, and worth booking early
Christian was our guide. He was AWESOME! Extremely knowledgeable and well spoken. He pointed out many "Easter eggs" through out the tour. He was an expert at navigating the areas we toured and the lines. We booked this tour in May for September, and I'm glad we did. The areas were not crowded as we went early. The food for breakfast was delicious. This tour was amazing!
C
Best way to experience the Vatican!
I highly recommend this tour. Our guide, Chiara, was so knowledgeable and really worked to make it a great experience for all in the group. The best parts: 1- Skipping the lines and being in the museums before most of the crowds (including the Sistine Chapel) 2- the guide- the connections made from the early art pieces to the paintings in the Sistine Chapel were amazing and the history of the basilica was also incredible. 3- breakfast! What tour also feeds you? 4- skipping the line into the basilica after the museum tour
C
Urso was the best!
Urso was such a great tour guide! We learned so much from him, he was kind and patient and answered all of our questions in the group. I would highly recommend booking any tours with him in Rome if you want a great experience!
D
Sabina best guide
Sabina was the best tour guide!!! Definitely the way to see the Vatican!
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from$136
4.5(1,912)