Group size

Max 20

Language

English

Duration

2 hrs

Start time

6:00 am

The Vatican Museums - open to our group only!

Even if you have already visited the Vatican Museums and you think this is just one of several tour options offered by agencies, you’re wrong! The Good Morning Vatican Museums tour is an option that cannot be compared with any other Vatican tour or experience. 

 

ROBERTA PERRONE PHOTO

The set of keys that opens all the doors of the Vatican

ROBERTA PERRONE PHOTO (3)

The lion's bite on the horse's neck, Room of the Animals

ROBERTA PERRONE PHOTO (4)

The Laocoön, displayed in Pio Clementino’s Museum

ROBERTA PERRONE PHOTO (1)

Statues in a gallery 

ROBERTA PERRONE PHOTO (2)

The dome of the Round Hall

ROBERTA PERRONE PHOTO (5)

Bramante Staircase 

Tour Overview

The start of this unique event is at 6am when the magnificent doors, under the sight of two statues of Raffaello and Michelangelo, will open and you will access the Vatican Museums hall.

An ancient elevator will bring you to the upper level, where the Clavigero will collect all the necessary keys for the opening of the Vatican Museums’ sections. In the meantime, at the Corrazze Atrium, you will admire the sunrise just behind the magnificent St. Peter’s Dome. After collecting the keys, that will give us access to all of the important sections of the Vatican Museums, you will visit the Pio Clementino Museum and Octagonal Courtyard with all the statues glancing at you from the darkness.

In the perfect silence you will have the impression of hearing footsteps, of all the inhabitants of the Popes’ apartments, who used to walk on those ancient pavements and though those long corridors.

With the help of flashlights we will then reach the entrance of the Vatican Galleries and, maybe, some of you will be offered a key that will open these sections for all the visitors that day. From there you will be allowed to open the covers on these historic windows from where the Popes in past centuries used to admire the Vatican Gardens.

After all of these sections, you will reach a small double wooden door. This will probably be the biggest excitement of the whole itinerary as this door will lead you inside the Sistine Chapel.

The Sistine Chapel will be opened only for our group and you will have a chance to access this marvelous place in silence and without any other visitors except for our small group.

Experience the unique feeling of being one in a million of people to access, to open and to walk alone among the most beautiful collection of art in the World.

Tour Itinerary

Meeting point

Hotel Pickup

Pio Clementino Museum

Chronologically this was the first section created inside what would become today, the Vatican Museums, and was created by two popes whose names entitle this section. The famous statue of Laocoön is displayed within Pio Clementino Museum and can be visited inside the Octagonal Courtyard.

Gallery of Candelabra

The first of three Upper Galleries is home to many Greek and Roman statues. The marble on the floor and the magnificent frescoes adorning the ceilings complete this rich and unique collection of antique art.

Gallery of Tapestries

This Gallery contains tapestries created by Raphael designs and planned to decorate the Sistine Chapel. The unique designs and delicate and meticulous work of Belgian tapestry masters make this Gallery an extraordinary collection of Raphael’s artistic legacy.

Gallery of Maps

You will have a chance to visit the collection of Maps realised in the 16th century. Maps, designed in detail, depict all Italian regions and some peculiar cities of the Italian peninsula. The artwork of Ignazio Danti, who created all the maps, is a result of detailed and very demanding geographical and historical studies of those times.

Sistine Chapel

This tour will allow you to open, and to be alone, inside the Sistine Chapel. You will be able to peacefully admire one of the most known historical and religious sites in the World. The Last Judgement and the ceiling painted both by Michelangelo will be illuminated by special lights only for this tour.

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Featured Highlight

The Last Judgement:

Inside the Sistine Chapel you will be completely alone with your small group and this is a unique chance to admire and appreciate the extraordinary work of the great Michelangelo.