Exclusive Sistine Chapel After Hours Small Group Tour
Step inside the Vatican Museums after they close to the public for a once-in-a-lifetime experience
5.00
(13)
2 h
Max 20 Guests
When the Vatican Museums close to the public, you step inside, with no crowds enjoying Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in perfect silence. On this rare after-hours tour, wander the Vatican’s galleries as they were meant to be seen, free from the chaos of the day. With a small group and expert guide, explore the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and the treasures of the Vatican as few ever will.
Meet your guide across the street from the Vatican Museums entrance and prepare for an unforgettable evening inside this world-famous collection. With special after-hours access, experience the Vatican as few ever do, without the daytime crowds. In the Raphael Rooms, admire stunning frescoes before stepping into the crown jewel of the tour—the Sistine Chapel. Standing beneath Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment, you’ll soak in the beauty of this sacred space in the serenity of the evening.
Select participants and date
Free cancellation up to 7 days in advance!
Passionate English-speaking guide
Exclusive after-hours Vatican entry
Crowd-free experience
Raphael Rooms
Exclusive Sistine Chapel entry
Max 20 pax
Guide gratuity
Hotel pick up
Meals
Meet your guide near the Vatican Museums entrance
Your after-hours Vatican adventure begins as you meet your expert guide outside the Vatican Museums, ready to step inside once the doors close to the public.
Gallery of the Candelabra
Marvel at towering marble columns, intricate sculptures, and golden candelabras that illuminate the gallery, a space once reserved for displaying the Vatican’s most prized antiquities.
Gallery of Tapestries
Admire handwoven masterpieces depicting biblical scenes in stunning detail. With lifelike expressions and optical illusions, these tapestries were designed to impress even the most distinguished visitors.
Gallery of Maps
Stretching an astonishing 120 meters (400 ft), this corridor is lined with vibrant, 16th-century maps illustrating Italy’s mountains, coastlines, and cities as they were known during the Renaissance.
Raphael Rooms
Enter the private chambers of Pope Julius II, where Raphael’s legendary frescoes, including The School of Athens, bring together history’s greatest philosophers and artists in a grand Renaissance composition.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Your guide will meet you near the Vatican Museums entrance. Full details will be provided upon booking.
Comfortable walking shoes and a respectful outfit, as this is a religious site.
5.00
13 Ratings
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A once in a lifetime experience
Brad Otton
May 24, 2025
Just an incredible night. Marsi (sp?) was a perfect guide. It seemed that she was just as honored to guide the tour as we felt to be on the tour.
once in a lifetime
TC COLLINS
May 24, 2025
This was a fantastic opportunity to see more details in a more private setting. The guards are a little overbearing but it was still a great experience !
Super AWESOME Guided Tour! Excellent Professional Guide!
WEI BING LEE
May 17, 2025
Marzia was our guide for this tour. We had visited the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel before, during the daytime, and it is always extremely overcrowded. This after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is the best tour in ALL OF ROME because you get to see the Sistine Chapel in all its glory with your guide explaining every detail of Micheangelo's paintings on the spot! In the daytime, the tour guides aren't allowed to talk inside the Sistine Chapel and neither are visitors! In the daytime, photography and videography are strictly prohibited and visitors are only allowed to spend 5 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel, along with thousands of other people! You could hardly walk through the space or even breathe! During this exclusive after-hours tour, we spent 35 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel. Our guide, Marzia, was PHENOMENAL! She is a historian, she knows every detail of every painting, sculpture and exhibit inside the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel! She even obtained the permission of the security guard for us to capture some photos INSIDE THE SISTINE CHAPEL!!!!! I highly recommend this exclusive tour to everyone who intends to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel!
SPECTACULAR!!!!
Arturo Del Rio
April 29, 2025
I ent on the tour on April 22nd & all I can say is WOW. It was utterly breathtaking. I didn't imagine the Sistine Chapel could get any more beautiful but when you are there alone being able to to check out every seen one by one. It was an amazing experience.
WOW!!!
Craig Little
April 29, 2025
This evening tour made all the difference — I could actually enjoy the beauty of the Vatican Museum without constantly worrying about getting separated from the group. Having done the daytime tour before, I remember how crowded and rushed it felt. This was a much more relaxed, spacious, and enjoyable experience — definitely worth the extra cost!
A movie-like experience!
Alessia Petrucci
April 29, 2025
I took part in this tour on April 22nd, and it truly exceeded all my expectations. It was absolutely magical to have the time and space to immerse myself in the museum without the usual crowds. The warm light of the sunset streaming through the windows made the empty rooms feel incredibly welcoming, like stepping into a movie scene. I had all the time I needed to take photos, ask the guide questions, and lose myself in the beauty of the art. The Raphael Rooms are beyond words, and when the doors of the Sistine Chapel opened just for our group, it was simply unforgettable. We had the rare privilege of staying inside for a full half hour, soaking in every detail in total peace. There are truly no words to capture the beauty of this place. This tour alone is worth the trip to Rome.
Breathtaking
Larissa Zuniga
April 29, 2025
When the tour began, the place was nearly empty, with just a few people trickling out. By the time we reached the inner rooms, it was only us. We had the Raphael Rooms all to ourselves, the museum custodian actually reopened them just for us! I truly felt the exclusivity and privilege of experiencing something so rare. Then stepping into the Sistine Chapel and finding it empty except for us… it's hard to put into words. It was absolutely breathtaking...truly one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had. Also can't forget about our guide, Marzia, who was phenomenal: incredibly knowledgeable and such an engaging speaker that we hung on to her every word. I really couldn’t be happier with this tour!
All to ourselves!!
Andy Lukus
April 29, 2025
OMG - It is the difference of Night and Day, I was really able to enjoy the viewing and not worry about losing track of the group. I have done the day time tour in the past and it can feel very cramped....Well worth the extra money to see!
A VIP Tour at the Vatican Museums
Eleonora Amoruso
April 29, 2025
This tour has exceeded my expectations, seeing the Vatican Museums reopening their doors just for us was incredible, an indescribable emotion being in the completely empty Sistine Chapel and having the chance to see every single detail with all the time needed. Our guide Marzia was fantastic, she could answer every question and keep the visit etusismante all the time. Thank you so much to The Tour Guy for making this possible.
In Absolute Awe!
Donald Soto
April 28, 2025
I honestly never thought I could be more impressed by the Sistine Chapel until I saw it after the crowds left. It was absolutely worth it!
The Vatican Like Never Before
Robert Turner
February 27, 2025
Seeing the Vatican Museums after hours was next-level amazing. No crowds, no noise—just pure art and history with an expert guide. Standing in the Sistine Chapel with so few people was unforgettable.