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A new tour will get you full access—if you can make it to the museums by 6 a.m.

How to Get the Vatican Museums All to Yourself | Condé Nast Traveler Skip to main contentNewsletterSUBSCRIBESign InOpen Navigation MenuMenuInspirationDestinationsPlaces to StayNews & AdviceGOLD LISTShoppingCruiseWomen Who TravelVideoSALE: SUBSCRIBE AND GET 1 YEAR FOR $21.99 $5News & AdviceHow to Get the Vatican Museums All to YourselfNew "Good Morning Vatican Museums" tours make the case for waking up early.By Bridget HallinanApril 9, 2018FacebookTwitterEmailPinterestSave thisSave this for later.GettyFacebookTwitterEmailPinterestSave thisSave this for later.Calling all art history buffs: The Vatican Museumsare now running private early morning tours, and they're limited to groups of 20 people or less, according to the Associated Press. In other words? You'll see iconic art—like Michelangelo's The Sistine Chapelceiling and the Pio Clementino's sculpture collection—and practically have it all to yourself. Normally, the museums attract up to 25,000 visitors a day, which makes visiting the attractions a herculean task. We're talking hours waiting in line. But the new "Good Morning Vatican Museums" tours operate outside visiting hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and allow you to quite literally open the museums with staff. There's only one catch—tours start at 6 a.m.If you can manage it, the early wake-up call comes with a lot of perks. Per the Vatican Museums' website, the morning tour (available Monday through Saturday, subject to the Vatican calendar) follows the museums' clavigero, or key keeper, as he performs the "solemn rite of opening the doors and switching on the lights." From the museum entrance, visitors walk through the Atrium of the Four Gates, the Gallery of the Tapestries, the Raphael Rooms, and of course, the Sistine Chapel, as well as other attractions. The guided exploration takes about an hour total and costs €21 ($25) per person, plus a fixed group tariff of €3500 ($4148)—try to bring 19 of your closest friends, so you can split it. You can check out the full itinerary and book here. At the tour's conclusion in the Cortile della Pigna (Courtyard of the Pinecone), travelers enjoy a breakfast at the bistro for €17 ($20). However, if you want to continue exploring the museums, you can request a guided tour for an additional fee of €160 ($190).This isn't the first tour of its kind: Operators like Viator and City Wonders Rome also offer early morning trips through the museums, which start around 7:30 a.m. But the Vatican-led early-access tour starts earlier than the rest and doesn't last quite as long, so you'll get in and out long before anyone else arrives (unless you opt for the additional museum tour.)Watch ThisRoman Pizza Tour in New York: Part 1Once you've seen the Vatican Museums, there's still plenty to see in Vatican City. We've got a comprehensive guide so you can make the most of your visit. For starters, trade the official tour of St. Peter's Basilicafor a free one with English-speaking seminarians for a more intimate, insider's take. And if you want to hear the Pope speak (either Wednesday morning or Sunday midday), make sure to get there at least two hours early for good seats—in this instance, you won't be able to avoid large crowds.Recommended Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, VeniceSuper-attentive service, manicured greenery, and an air of sophistication combine into a pampered world all its own.Read full reviewKinloch LodgeA ray of sunshine on the Misty Isle.Read full reviewView All Europe Europe Travel GuideThe DailyOur most popular newsletter for destination inspiration, travel tips, trip itineraries, and everything else you need to be an expert traveler in this beautiful worldSign upBy subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement.More from Condé Nast TravelerA Guide to Bergamo and Brescia, Italy’s Capital of Culture Cities for 2023By Marianna CeriniWhy Village-to-Village Hikes Are One of the Best Ways to Explore EuropeBy Teddy MinfordWhere to Eat, Stay, and Play in Prati—Rome's Most Underrated NeighborhoodBy Chadner Navarro7 Best Cruises From New York City 2023: Voyages to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and EuropeBy Meena Thiruvengadam7 Train Routes That Are Even Better in Winter, From the Swiss Alps to AlaskaBy Marianna Cerini5 Scenic Trains for Exploring Scotland's Dramatic Highlands, Sparkling Lochs, and Coastal TownsBy Marisel SalazarPinterestFacebookSnapchatInstagramTwitterCondé Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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How to (Finally) Get the Vatican Museums All to Yourself