Everyone wants to visit the Vatican (and there’s no reason one shouldn’t!), but not everyone gets to experience it the ideal way i.e., with enough time to reflect on the art and connect with its spiritual atmosphere. Since the area is heavily regulated, you’ll likely spend over an hour waiting in line outside the Sistine Chapel and Museums. The good news? There’s a way to skip the crowds and soak in the serenity. A few special tours let you enter the Vatican before it opens to the public. Know more about these early morning Vatican tours and how you can make the best of it.
Here’s why early morning Vatican tour makes sense
You’ll be entering before the crowds
The Vatican opens to the public at 8am, but early morning tours start around 7:15 or 7:30am, giving you exclusive access to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums before the rush begins. You’ll have the rare chance to explore these spaces in peace and truly take in their beauty. The guided tour lasts about 3–4 hours, with optional add-ons like a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica Dome or a small-group experience for a more personal touch.
Better photo opportunities
It works in your favour for two reasons — one, the early hours offer a calm, uncrowded setting that makes for clean, distraction-free shots, and second, the soft morning light brings out the details of the Vatican’s architecture. Go for it! Stand at St. Peter’s Square as the sun rises, capture the golden glow over the Dome, and take photos you simply can’t get once the crowds pour in.
Opt for early morning tour with exclusive breakfast
Start your Vatican morning in the most exclusive way possible with a lavish American breakfast served in the Papal Courtyard. This premium early-access tour lets you enjoy a quiet meal surrounded by the charm of the Vatican, followed by a guided tour through the Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
