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.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔  Headsets to hear the guide clearly
✔  Professional English-speaking guide
✔  Small groups of 20 people or fewer
✔  Priority Entrance to the Vatican Museums & St Peter's Basilica
✔  Guided tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (Introduction)
✔  Buffet breakfast inside the Vatican Museums
✖  Gratuities
✖  St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning
Departure & Return
Departure:  ,

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.

Itinerary
1
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.

Duration:  5 minutes

2
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.

Duration:  30 minutes

3
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.

Duration:  5 minutes

4
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.

Duration:  1.5 hours

5
Gallery of the Maps 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.

Duration:  10 minutes

6
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.

Duration:  15 minutes

7
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.

Duration:  15 minutes

8
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.

Duration:  10 minutes

Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
•  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 until 1pm
•  * Please note all participant names are required at the time of booking in order to enter the Vatican. If we do not receive the full customers names, 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.