from
$77
Vatican at Closing Time with Sistine Chapel
Experience the Vatican Museums in the early evening with pre-reserved tickets and an expert guide
What's included
Evening exploration of the world's most extensive art collection
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed entry Vatican Museum tickets
Guided tour of the Vatican Museums
Viewing of the Sistine Chapel
Guide tips
St. Peter's Basilica
Itinerary
Skip the Line
Meet your guide at Caffè Vaticano
Your tour begins near the Vatican Museums entrance
Meet your guide near the Vatican Museums entrance. Look for the exact location on your booking voucher. After a quick rundown of what you’re about to see, you’ll slip into the Vatican Museums just as they’re settling into their early evening hours.
Walk the Pinecone Courtyard and see an evening view of St. Peter’s Basilica
Step into the tranquil Pinecone Courtyard, glowing in soft evening light. Your guide points out key artworks and shares how this outdoor space fits into the Vatican’s history. Enjoy a serene view of St. Peter’s Basilica before heading indoors.
Enter the Pio-Clementino Museum to view iconic statues
Explore the Pio-Clementino Museum, home to masterpieces like the Apollo Belvedere, Laocoön and His Sons, and the Belvedere Torso. You’ll hear the fascinating myths tied to each statue and see Nero’s massive ancient bathtub up close.
Explore the Vatican Galleries
Walk through the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps. Your guide highlights ancient sculptures, rich Flemish textiles, and Renaissance-era topographical maps of Italy, bringing each hallway to life with context and stories.
Pause in the Raphael Rooms
Enter the famed Raphael Rooms, four galleries filled with extraordinary frescoes. Your guide explains how Raphael created these works for Pope Julius II, including the celebrated School of Athens, and how these rooms helped shape the High Renaissance.
Step inside the Sistine Chapel at night
Finally, reach the Sistine Chapel, where your guide gives you the full story before you enter—since silence is required inside. It’s a rare chance to take it all in without the daytime crowds.
Your tour finishes at the Sistine Chapel
The guided portion of your tour concludes before you enter the chapel, and afterward you’re free to continue exploring the Vatican Museums on your own. Linger in your favorite galleries or wander through the halls at your own pace.
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 24 hours 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 and shoulders. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry by security officials. No hats or flip flops please.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. A foldable umbrella stroller can be utilized in the Vatican Museums, but a soft baby carrier is recommended.
Lines: This tour grants you group access to the Vatican Museums. While you'll bypass the long line for independent visitors, there may still be a wait to get through security.
Bag Policy: Camera tripods and large backpacks are not allowed in the museums, so please leave them at your hotel.
Please note: Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is not included in this tour. The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so visitors are not allowed to speak inside the chapel. Your guide will explain what you'll see in advance and provide you with a map or handout for reference before you enter.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Guided tour of the Vatican Museums
Timed entry Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel tickets
See the Raphael Rooms and School of Athens
Viewing of the Sistine Chapel
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Water bottle
Clothing that covers knees and shoulders
Camera
See what people are saying
4.92
745 Ratings
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Fantastic Experience!
Paul C.
September 22, 2026
Gaby was so great! Since we were the evening tour, it was quick, but extremely thorough. Gaby is very passionate about the history, knowledgeable, and was witty / funny too! 10/10 highly recommend!
Vatican Closing time tour
KIMBERLY M.
September 19, 2026
We did this tour after an overnight flight and it was so facinating we didn't even know we were tired! Our guide was extremely knowlegeable and interesting. I would definately recommend!
Katrina V.
September 18, 2026
Guide was extremely knowledgeable.
Great tour
Ryan K.
September 17, 2026
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Our group size was good and we had plenty of time.
Fabi is FANTASTIC!!!
Theresa A.
September 17, 2026
If you want to go through the Vatican look no further, this is the tour for you!! Well informed, nice pace, made the artwork come alive!! I am sure all of the guides are fine. But, Fabi is FANTASTIC!!! She was very helpful to my elderly mother.
Letitia M.
September 13, 2026
Great Tour
Jo C.
September 13, 2026
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour at closing time. Our guide was well informed and easy to listen to. She made it fun and interesting
Keirh
Keith G.
September 12, 2026
Nora was very good tour leader. Concise, informative and very clear explanations. Job well done team Tour Guy
Excellent Experience!!!
Susan H.
September 08, 2026
We are not ones for guided tours but this one was amazing. Our guide had so much knowledge of the art and the stories we were captivated. Highly recommend!
Vatican at Closing Time with Sistine Chapel
Sue B.
September 08, 2026
Great tour with less crowds. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and she really enjoyed telling us all about the Vatican and very proud that it is part of Rome. I'd recommend this tour to everyone. We could stay in the Sistine Chapel as long as we wanted and everyone actually got a seat along the wall to just take it all in.
Amazing
Vanessa M.
September 08, 2026
Our guide was fun, informative and charming
Rhonda R.
August 29, 2026
Great tour!
Rhonda F.
August 27, 2026
Very informative and interesting. Just so sweltering hot. Our tour guide was amazing! She made the tour fun
Bryan P.
August 27, 2026
Very informative
Susan K.
August 27, 2026
We really enjoyed our tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, and this was a great time of day for the tour. There is a great deal to see in the Vatican museums, and we would have missed so much without the information provided by our tour guide.
Richard B.
August 21, 2026
Vatican and Sistine Chapel
Melissa I.
August 21, 2026
Wonderful tour. Very informative and interesting. Our tour guide was amazing and she was professional and nice.
Very good tour
Patricia T.
August 19, 2026
It was our first time and it was great to have a guide with so much information
Vatican at closing
Christopher C.
August 14, 2026
The Vatican tour at closing with Sistine chapel was a highlight of our trip, our tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining, would highly recommend!
jodie L.
August 13, 2026
Frank B.
August 12, 2026
Joseph R.
August 07, 2026
Great tour!
Victoria P.
August 04, 2026
Loved this tour. Our guide was so well informed and clearly loved the history of the Vatican. Our family got so much from the two hour tour. At times I was deeply moved as our guide explained the wonder of the art and cultural artefacts held at the Vatican. I am very glad we chose the later time as it was much less crowded than during the peak of the day.
Great Tour
Julia S.
July 31, 2026
Mikhail did a wonderful job explaining some of the art in the galleys and also briefing us on the Sistine Chapel.
Felicia B.
July 27, 2026