from
$7,436
Alone at the Vatican: Private After Hours Tour
Experience the Sistine Chapel and famous galleries completely empty on a once in a lifetime tour
What's included
Absorb masterpieces in absolute silence
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
Guide tips
St. Peter's Basilica entry
Itinerary
Skip the Line
Skip the Line
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
Select participants and date
Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 60 days in advance!
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
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
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9 Ratings
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Exceeded all expectations!!!
Christopher S.
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!
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
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.
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?