from

$7,249

Vatican
Tour group admiring The Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel with The Tour Guy

Alone at the Vatican: Private After Hours Tour

Free CancellationSkip the Line

Experience the Sistine Chapel and famous galleries completely empty on a once in a lifetime tour

Free CancellationSkip the Line

5.0

(9)

2 h

from$7,248.84

Base Price $7,190.84

+ $58.00/adults

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This ultra-exclusive evening tour opens the doors to a completely empty Vatican City for your private group. Start with included luxury pickup then head to explore the Pinecone Courtyard and brilliant Raphael Rooms without the daytime crowds. Guided by a charismatic storyteller, you’ll uncover the secrets behind ancient sculptures and papal apartments, see the masterpieces of the Vatican in complete serenity, and end with an intimate, uninterrupted viewing of the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.

What's included

Included:

Absorb masterpieces in absolute silence

Included:

Expert English-speaking guide

Included:

Exclusive after-hours admission tickets to the Vatican Museums

Included:

After-hours access to the Sistine Chapel

Included:

Private luxury round-trip transportation from Rome accommodation

Included:

Tailored private tour itinerary

Included:

Private group experience

Not included:

Guide tips

Not included:

St. Peter's Basilica entry

Itinerary

Your tour begins with luxury hotel pickup

Your tour begins with a luxury pickup at your Rome accommodation before driving to the Vatican Museums entrance. Pass through a brief security screening and meet your expert art historian guide to enter the quiet, empty galleries.

Stroll the Pinecone Courtyard

Explore the vast outdoor space designed by Donato Bramante in the 16th century. You will view the giant bronze pinecone, look up at the illuminated dome of St. Peter's Basilica, and examine Arnaldo Pomodoro's fractured sphere sculpture.

Admire classical antiquities in the Pio-Clementino Museum

Enter the Pio-Clementino Museum to view three of the most famous marble statues in the world. Your guide will share the ancient myths behind the Apollo Belvedere, the detailed Laocoön and His Sons, and the powerful Belvedere Torso.

Walk the Vatican Museums historic galleries

Follow your guide down the peaceful, silent corridors of the Candelabra Gallery and the Gallery of the Tapestries. Next, marvel at the 400-year-old topographical depictions of Italy lining the walls of the magnificent Gallery of the Maps.

Discover the Raphael Rooms

Step into the private apartments decorated for Pope Julius II by Renaissance master Raphael. You will learn the history behind his grand frescoes, including the famous School of Athens which features a clever hidden self-portrait of the artist.

Step inside the Borgia Apartments

Explore the colorful suite of rooms adapted for personal use by the controversial Pope Alexander VI. You will admire the vibrant frescoes by Pinturicchio, which were hidden behind black crepe for centuries by bitter papal successors.

Descend the Bramante Staircase

Walk down the legendary double spiral staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932. You will learn how the innovative architecture was inspired by Bramante's original 16th-century design to allow ascending and descending traffic to pass seamlessly.

Your tour ends inside an empty Sistine Chapel

Your tour finishes in the sacred Sistine Chapel, where you will enjoy an intimate, silent viewing of Michelangelo's magnificent ceiling frescoes. After marveling at The Last Judgement, you will meet your private driver outside for a smooth return to your hotel.

For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change

Meeting and drop-off point

Your private driver picks you up directly from your central Rome accommodation in the early evening. The guided portion of the experience begins at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, and your tour finishes back at your hotel or a central restaurant of your choice.

Important Details

Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.

Good to know:

  • Dress Code: As the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are deeply religious sites, everyone must cover their knees, shoulders, and toes. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry by security officials. No hats or flip flops please.

  • Accessibility: This tour can be wheelchair accessible. Please contact us in advance to make the necessary arrangements.

  • Scheduling: After-hours access often needs to be arranged months in advance. Please contact us if you're interested in booking and we will contact the Vatican for availability.

  • Bag Policy: Camera tripods and large backpacks are not allowed in the museums, so please leave them at your hotel.

  • Please note: While the Vatican Museums occasionally permit a few other ultra-exclusive private groups inside the complex at the same time as your tour, the galleries are completely empty of the general public, ensuring a silent and intimate viewing experience.

  • Check-in: Please contact us in advance regarding the name of your hotel, so we can arrange pick up and drop off.

Your tour includes:

  • Expert English-speaking guide

  • Exclusive after-hours admission tickets to the Vatican Museums

  • After-hours access to the Sistine Chapel

  • Private luxury round-trip transportation from Rome accommodation

  • Tailored private tour itinerary

  • Private group experience

What to bring:

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Government-issued ID

  • Water bottle

  • Clothing that covers knees and shoulders

  • Camera

See what people are saying

5

9 verified ratings

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Exceeded all expectations!!!

Christopher S.

·

Verified Review

·

April 04, 2023

Our Vatican tour today exceeded all expectations!!! Not only were we escorted by our guide, but also by 2 Vatican guards. These “keepers of the keys” allowed us to unlock all the doors of the Vatican museums. This process continued until it concluded with me unlocking the entrance to the Sistine Chapel!! I’m still getting emotional as I write this, Wow!! Even our guide was excited about this tour as she said she never had hosted an early tour before. She was happy to also be able to narrate to us inside the Sistine Chapel as speaking is always forbidden. I was initially hesitant about spending so much money for this tour, but now I almost feel like we got a bargain for what we paid. Thank you so much for arranging this!

Incredible! Best three hour tour around!

Verified Review

·

October 18, 2017

Raphella was an excellent tour guide! She was very knowledgable about the Vatican and other sites around Rome. We ended up having a tour with just the three of us (Raphella, me and my mom) which allowed us to ask questions and actually hear what she had to say (as opposed to the large groups where you feel like you're being herded around). She also offered to take pictures of the both of us around the Vatican! It was awesome feeling like a VIP!

Awesome private tour of the †Vatican‡

Verified Review

·

October 17, 2017

Brandon took 3 of us on a private tour of the Vatican. We had a lot of fun while learning our way through the vatican. Like... did you know that statues used to have eyes??? I would highly recommend The Roman Guy (Brandon) for your tour! Thanks for everything Brandon!

WOW

Sean S.

·

Verified Review

·

April 26, 2016

It is exactly what they describe. You go inside the Sistine Chapel and museums when they are closed. I've never been inside when they were open, but I could imagine its not as nice as this. We were 5 couples so it came out to be $1000 per couple for an experience of a life time. Not cheap but how many other people can say they've done it?

FAQs

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

This tour involves walking through ancient ground, historical galleries, and navigating several sets of stone stairs. Because the Vatican Museums do not permit wheelchairs on this specific after-hours route, it is unfortunately not suitable for guests with significant mobility issues.

What are the chances my tour will be canceled or the Vatican will close something?

Although it is rare, sometimes part of the Vatican closes with little notice. If an area normally covered on a tour is closed, your guide will be sure to make up the time in other areas.

How much advance notice do you need in order to book?

We are granted special access to the Vatican Museums. However, after-hours access often needs to be arranged months in advance. Please contact us if you're interested in booking and we will contact the Vatican for availability.

Where to meet?

Your private driver picks you up directly from your central Rome accommodation in the early evening. The guided portion of the experience begins at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, and your tour finishes back at your hotel or a central restaurant of your choice.

Is photography allowed in the Sistine Chapel?

No, the Vatican requests that no photos or videos be taken inside the Sistine Chapel.

Is this tour family friendly?

Yes, this private tour is a fantastic option for families because the quiet, crowd-free environment allows children to see the artwork clearly without being overwhelmed. The tailored pace means your guide can adjust the stories to keep travelers of all ages engaged.

Does this tour include St. Peter's Basilica?

No, St. Peter’s Basilica is not included on this tour. Because this exclusive experience takes place after hours, the basilica is already closed for the evening. Your private tour focuses entirely on providing crowd-free access to the Vatican Museums, the papal galleries, and an intimate viewing of the Sistine Chapel.

Is this tour really completely private?

Yes, this experience is entirely private for your specific group. You will have your own dedicated art historian guide and a personal chauffeur for the evening transfers. While the Vatican Museums occasionally permit a few other ultra-exclusive private groups inside the complex at the same time, the galleries are completely empty of the general public, ensuring a silent and intimate viewing experience.

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