Vatican at 6:00AM

Oh wow. A very good deal for early risers (we are)!

I'm throwing the pillow over my head, 🛌 ZZZ 🕖 Is early enough for me on vacation.

It hopefully thins out the crowds for the rest of the day.

Maybe the 'pristine Sistine' early entrance tours (7:30 am) were just getting so popular that people were complaining that they couldn't get tickets so they decided to do an even earlier one. The demand was probably there. I think it's great. The early risers can go and get their Sistine fix before breakfast, with very few other people (which is the best part), then go eat breakfast and relax.

What a unique opportunity! And to experience dawn/early morning in that space... yep, I totally earmarked this for future Rome trip ideas. Thanks for the heads up, Laurel!

Ooooh, that's good to know!

Wow. At the rate this is going, if I don't get back to Rome soon, I'll have to take a 4 AM tour just to see the Sistine Chapel!

Here's the information I got when I inquired about the 6:00 AM tour:

Good Morning Vatican
This is an exclusive private tour, is not a group tour, the client is alone inside the Vatican Museums without other visitors.
The special proposal of exclusive entry at 6.00 a.m. to perform with the “clavigero” or key keeper of the Museums the solemn rite of opening the doors and switching on the lights. The ancient iron keys will solemnly open, one after the other, the countless doors, from the monumental entrance to the sacred door to the Sistine Chapel. The visit will conclude with a hearty breakfast in the bistrot of the Courtyard of the Pinecone.
The tour is conducted by an educational guide authorized by Vatican City State.

Itinerary of “Out of hours” guided tour Good Morning Vatican Museums – Private: monumental entrance to the Museums (opening of the exit doors and entry), Atrium of the Four Gates, Simonetti Staircase, Pio Clementino Museum (opening of the doors), Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries (switching on of the lights), Gallery of the Geographical Maps, Raphael Rooms (opening of the doors to the first Room), Saint Pius V Staircase, Sistine Chapel (opening of the doors, switching on the lights, moment of contemplation and reflection), Courtyard of the Pinecone (breakfast).
Price:
· Extraordinary opening fixed tariff: € 3500.00 (up to 20 pax)
· Ticket per person: € 21.00
· Guide Service provided by the Vatican Museums: € 160.00
· Breakfast per person: € 17.00

N.B. The itinerary and access to the sectors indicated above may be subject to variations or cancellations due to unexpected activities or events of the Holy See or Vatican City State.