Vatican Under the Stars Private Evening Tour with Sistine Chapel
An Evening Tour of the Vatican Museums
There's no better way to end your day in Rome than with a leisurely private guided tour through the Vatican Museums at sunset. The heat and stress of the daytime crowds slowly melt away as you only encounter only a tenth of the regular visitors.
Tour Details
- St. Peter's Basilica Views
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- Gallery of Tapestries
- Gallery of Maps
- Raphael Rooms
- Sistine Chapel
- Keep Exploring
- Pinecone Courtyard
- Pio-Clementine Collection
- Michelangelo's Ceiling
- Immaculate Conception
- Borgia Apartments
Are you looking for unusual things to do in Rome at night? Are you fascinated by the priceless works of art inside the Vatican Museums? On the this private Vatican night tour, visit the best highlights of the Vatican Museums after the sun sets. Led by a private Vatican guide, visit the incredible collections of the Vatican Museums minus the heat and the crowds. Accessing the Vatican Museums after normal closing hours is a surreal experience - don’t miss the opportunity to do something different on your trip to Rome. This private 2-hour tour includes:
- - After-hours access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- - A private English-speaking guide with expertise in art history
- - Access to the treasures inside the Vatican without the heat and crowds
Pinecone Courtyard
Named for the giant pinecone that adorns one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the Vatican Museums, the Pinecone Courtyard was designed by Donato Bramante. From here, catch an amazing view of St. Peter’s Dome. The courtyard where the pinecone stands was originally part of the Cortile del Belvedere that connected the palace of Pope Innocent VIII with the Sistine Chapel.
Octagonal Belvedere Courtyard
The Vatican’s Pio-Clementino Museum is an incredible collection of ancient Greek and Roman statues. In the octagonal Belvedere Courtyard, the Apollo Belvedere, Laocoön and His Sons and the Belvedere Torso statues take center stage. After learning the stories and mythology behind these famed works of art, visit the biggest and oldest bathtubs you’ll ever see. Nero’s Bathtub measures an incredible 25 ft in diameter. Take a close look at the red marble the bathtub is made of - it’s so rare the tub can never be recreated.
The Best Collections of the Vatican Museums
This private Vatican night tour includes the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Maps. A favorite collection of many Vatican visitors, the Gallery of the Maps features topographical maps of Italy painted by Dominican Italian friar Ignazio Danti. Providing insights into the way Renaissance Italians saw themselves and their surroundings, the maps predate a unified Italy by nearly 300 years. The collection extends for 120 meters and boasts one of the most impressive corridors in the Vatican Museums.
The Raphael Rooms and The School of Athens
Raphael was one of Rome’s most famous Renaissance artists. In constant competition with Michelangelo, he designed and frescoed multiple rooms connected to the Vatican Museums. Among other masterpieces, visit one of Raphael’s most famous works of art, The School of Athens. A depiction of philosophy, the painting represents all the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and scientists sharing ideas. In an early version of a selfie, Raphael included himself into the painting! Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, engaged in dialogue, take center stage in the masterpiece.
Pinturicchio and the Borgia Apartments
The Borgia Apartments are comprised of a suite of rooms in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. They were created for personal use by Pope Alexander VI (Rodrígo de Borgia, 1492-1503) and frescoed by early Renaissance artist Bernardino di Betto, nicknamed “Pinturicchio”. This apartment suite was closed off by Julius II, who refused to live in rooms formerly occupied by his despised predecessor. Until the rooms’ reopening at the end of the 19th century, the dynamic frescoes were obscured in black crepe.
The Sistine Chapel After Hours
If you want to avoid the normal Sistine Chapel crowds, going to the Vatican at night is the perfect solution. This private Vatican evening tour concludes in the Sistine Chapel, the place every Vatican visitor wants to see. Since the Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums, the entrance fee is included in the cost of this tour. Only when you enter the Sistine Chapel is it clear how high the ceiling is and how many frescos there are.
Important: Since the Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to a portion of your Vatican tour. We understand the summers in Rome are hot - a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
Free Time to Explore
If you wish to stay inside the Vatican Museums after the tour, no problem! The museums remain open another few hours after the tour finishes, giving you plenty of time to revisit your favorite works of art. If you’re hungry after taking in all of the beauty, ask your personal guide where to eat near the Vatican. You definitely deserve a pizza, plate of pasta, or both.
What you get with this tour

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Vatican night tour
The tour was Fantastic , great guide , informative , the tour wasn’t as crowded as the day time . We got in super fast even though the lines looked long . Our guide was fun and made our tour enjoyable while we learned so much history .
Lovely Evening
Going at night really afforded us the chance to savor the different parts of the Vatican Museums. We weren't rushed and our guide shared with us wonderful information about the history and art inside. The Sistine Chapel was so serene and after hearing horror stories about the daytime tours, I'm so happy we did the evening option! Highly recommend this tour and The Roman Guy!
Vatican Night Tour
This was such a great tour! We'd heard about crazy vatican crowds but the evening was nowhere near as bad. Our guide was so helpful and knowledgeable, and was happy to give us recommendations on where to eat afterwards. So amazing!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
What to bring?
Cover your knees and shoulders, there's no need to dress like the people who live in Vatican City, just avoid short pants, dresses and tank tops. If you're a woman and you are wearing something that bares your shoulders, bring a long a shall or sweater. Comfortable shoes are always recommended for walking tours.
What are the chances my tour will be canceled or the Vatican will close something?
Although it is rare, sometimes part of the Vatican City closes for special religious events. If an area normally covered on a tour is closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas from outside. Plus, we will show you an extra site or gallery to compensate.
What to bring?
Cover your knees and shoulders, there's no need to dress like the people who live in Vatican City, just avoid short pants, dresses and tank tops. If you're a woman and you are wearing something that bares your shoulders, bring a long a shall or sweater. Comfortable shoes are always recommended for walking tours.
Where to meet?
Between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano, at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
I have some doubts about my mobility. Is this tour right for me?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, a private Vatican tour like this is a good option. Private Vatican tours are easily customized to your specific needs.
Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?
We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you may be refused entry to religious sites and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
Does the tour go directly inside without waiting in any line?
As an accredited tour operator we do not have to wait in the ticket line, but we still may have to wait in a short security line.
Does this tour include St. Peter's Basilica?
St. Peter's is not included on this private evening Vatican Museums tour.