The Perfect Express Tour
If you’re tight on time but don’t want to compromise quality, this is the one. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve seen the heart of the Vatican.
- Tara JenkinsLivTours Express Early Morning Sistine Chapel Tour takes you into the Vatican Museums, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and Raphael’s Julius II Apartments before the rush of tourists in the early morning hours.
Enjoy the morning light streaming through the chapel windows, gently illuminating the frescoes and bringing out the lush color palette used by Michelangelo. Seeing the Sistine Chapel is a once in a lifetime experience—seeing it with the Raphael Rooms early in the morning is an exceptional experience. Your private expert guide will share with you anecdotes and stories which give meaning to works of art that have shaped countless interpretations over the past five centuries.
You have come this far to see one of the world’s greatest works of art, so maximize your time in Rome by letting LivTours guide you!
Exclusive private Tours and Experiences. Also offered in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Swedish and Russian
Our prices always include tickets and reservations fees (no waiting in lines!)
Our tour guides and staff are selected experts and speak perfect English
Easy to book and prepay your tours with our secure payment system
Eco-sustainable tourism, designed to respect and support local culture, art and traditions
Your LivTours Express Early Morning Sistine Chapel Tour starts in front of the Vatican Museums where you will be greeted by your private expert guide. Your tour starts immediately with a look into the life and genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti, the mastermind behind the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. You will even learn why this world renown fresco almost wasn’t painted!
Once inside the Museums, you will be given a brief tour of the collection. You will then make your way to the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, where you will marvel at Raphael and Michelangelo’s works an hour before the general public. Spanning just over 8611 square feet, the realistic depictions of important Biblical stories include the Creation of Adam, Original Sin, The Flood, The Last Judgement, and the second coming of Christ.
Afterwards, enjoy the apartments of Julius II and admire the marvelous fresco work; get close to the paintings and fully appreciate the intimacy of this work.
Once you are ready to move on from the Sistine Chapel, we encourage you to go on your own to St. Peter’s Basilica. This Renaissance church’s highlights include the 95 foot tall bronze decorative canopy which stands over the Papal Altar above St. Peter’s tomb. Another masterpiece you will not want to miss is Michelangelo’s only signed work La Pieta, made from Carrara marble. Known for its pristine beauty and portrayal of a suffering mother holding her deceased child – Jesus Christ – this piece is sure to move you.
LivTours’ group size of max 6 participants is and always has been based on sustainable travel, and we are proud to be at the forefront of change and innovation in the industry. LivTours is committed to providing travelers with truly sustainable tours with the lowest possible environmental impact, all while supporting the local industries and people of each unique destination. To learn more about how you can actively support sustainable tourism and how LivTours is contributing, click here.
When you book a LivTours Private Tour or Experience, you are guaranteed a dedicated, expert guide that allows you the flexibility to start your tour at a time which is convenient for you, making planning easy. Our private tours ensure that you will get a tailored experience to meet all your needs so we go at your pace, perfect for families with younger children, elderly, or individuals with accessibility needs. Please be advised that all private tours begin at a base price starting at two people*. Prices are inclusive of entry tickets where applicable. *Some Ferrari private experiences are inclusive of one person only.
Make your experience even more unique by upgrading your LivTours experience. Please note: add-ons are non refundable.
By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here.