Vatican
2 hours
Varies
20

Highlights

  • A rare opportunity to have the Sistine Chapel to yourself – Experience one of the most coveted Vatican tours with VIP entry when the crowds are gone.
  • Step inside at the Vatican’s quietest hours – Whether at dawn or after dark, you’ll explore the Vatican when few others are allowed inside.
  • Michelangelo’s masterpiece without distractions – No crowds, no noise—just you, your expert guide, and the beauty of the Sistine Chapel.
  • A once-in-a-lifetime experience with limited dates – This tour runs on only a handful of days each year, making it one of the most exclusive ways to visit the Vatican.

Tour description

Enter the Vatican at its most exclusive hours—a tour few ever experience

Step inside the Vatican at a time when it’s nearly empty—a privilege reserved for a lucky few. Whether you arrive before the doors officially open or enter after they close to the public, you’ll enjoy a rare and intimate encounter with some of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

An empty Vatican awaits—explore its treasures without the crowds

From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice something extraordinary: silence. With special VIP entry, you’ll have the rare chance to walk through the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and other breathtaking halls without the usual throngs of tourists. Your expert guide will lead the way, sharing the hidden stories behind these Renaissance masterpieces.

The Sistine Chapel like you’ve never seen it

Most travelers see the Sistine Chapel shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of others. You won’t. Instead, you’ll stand beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece with almost no one else around, free to take in the breathtaking frescoes in near silence. It’s an experience that few can ever claim to have had.

Please note that this description is an example and your experience may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have an excellent experience.

Sites visited

  • Vatican Museums
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Raphael Rooms
  • Pinecone Courtyard
  • Gallery of the Candelabra
  • Gallery of the Maps
  • Gallery of the Tapestries
  • Octagonal Courtyard

Included

Verified guest reviews
4.3 / 5
64 Customer Reviews

  1. Excellent

    39

  2. Great

    13

  3. Good

    8

  4. Average

    1

  5. Poor

    3

Kevin

Oct 20, 2023

We were in a group of 10 with an official Vatican guide, which made a world of difference. His knowledge was exceptional on all of the art works. The wine with meat and cheese at the end was a nice finish to this tour.

Victoria

Oct 14, 2023

This was a truly incredible experience. Not only are you getting the guided tour, with an exceptionally knowledgable guide, but also the quiet access to the Sistine Chapel (less than 50 people in the room), but at the end you get a rather filling, multi-plate meal with you choice of wine. It is such a good value for the price. Our specific guide was I Believe Sylvia and she was so kind and patient with all of us, explaining the importance of each piece and really bringing the history to life. I highly recommend this trip for anyone who is considering it, let it be known, this was a highlight of our family's trip to Rome.

Angela

Oct 10, 2023

Fantastic from beginning to end! Less people with the ability to see everything without being rushed especially in the Sistine Chapel. Loved this tour and the tour guide!

Jan

Oct 07, 2023

This is a very good tour . You get private time in the Sistine Chapel and a food/wine experience in the Vatican courtyard which is cool .

Laurie

Oct 03, 2023

Our tour guide, Debora, was the best part about our visit to the Vatican. She is a wealth of information, and she LOVES sharing the Vatican with her groups. We had all ages in our group - 70's down to a 2 year old, and Debora was the tour guide that every single one of us needed. We were appreciative of her breadth of knowledge! She brought details to light that we would never have gotten in an audio tour. The pace of the tour was just right, although my husband became tired part of the way through. (She was so kind to periodically check on him.) In the Sistine Chapel Debora gave us about 15 minutes to reflect on what we were seeing. She knew that for each one of us our our hearts were full from all we had seen and learned - it meant so much to be able to sit amongst the masterpiece and soak it in. And one important aspect about Deborah to mention is her compassion. There was a couple in our group who mistakenly thought we would be seeing St. Peter's Basilica. When they realized it was not part of our tour, they were devastated. The next day they were flying out of Rome, so they only had that afternoon to see it. Debora went out of her way to set up a quick personal visit for them at the end of our tour, and she also escorted them there so that they would be sure to see it. The woman of the couple was so touched by Debora's willingness to orchestrate the visit that she was in tears. Debora was their superhero that day. I highly recommend this tour, and I hope you can get Debora as your guide!

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