Exclusive Sistine Chapel After Hours Small Group Tour
Step inside the Vatican Museums after they close to the public for a once-in-a-lifetime experience
When the Vatican Museums close to the public, you step inside, with no crowds enjoying Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in perfect silence. On this rare after-hours tour, wander the Vatican’s galleries as they were meant to be seen, free from the chaos of the day. With a small group and expert guide, explore the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and the treasures of the Vatican as few ever will.
- Meet your guide near the Vatican Museums entrance
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- Gallery of Tapestries
- Gallery of Maps
- Raphael Rooms
- Sistine Chapel
- End your tour inside the Vatican Museums
Meet your guide across the street from the Vatican Museums entrance and prepare for an unforgettable evening inside this world-famous collection. With special after-hours access, experience the Vatican as few ever do, without the daytime crowds. In the Raphael Rooms, admire stunning frescoes before stepping into the crown jewel of the tour—the Sistine Chapel. Standing beneath Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment, you’ll soak in the beauty of this sacred space in the serenity of the evening.
Exclusive Vatican After Hours Small Group Tour Description
Your 2-hour tour includes:
After-hours entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Expert guide providing in-depth commentary
Terrace overlooking St.Peter's Basilica
The Pinecone Courtyard
Visit to the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and Upper Galleries
Pio-Clementino Museum (6:30pm option only)
Exclusive opening of the Sistine Chapel Door
Time to soak in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpieces
Explore the Vatican After Closing Time — Two Ways to Experience It
Choose between two exclusive start times for this epic adventure. With the 6:15pm option, you’ll enter the museums just after the last public entrance, and by 7pm, enjoy 90 minutes of near-total solitude.
Or, select the 7:15pm option for a truly private experience — two full hours with the Vatican to yourself, long after the crowds have gone.
During the day, the Vatican Museums are packed with thousands of visitors. Your expert guide will lead your small group through galleries filled with masterpieces, offering insights into the art, history, and papal legacy that shaped this collection. Here are the dates available in 2025 for the exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience:
Friday 16 May at 6.30 pm
Monday 23 June at 7.30 pm
Tuesday 1 July at 7.30 pm
Tuesday 8 July at 6.30 pm
Friday 26 September at 6.30 pm
Monday 29 September at 7.30 pm
Friday 3 October at 7.30 pm
Friday 10 October at 6.30 pm
Without the Crowds
Step onto the terrace overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica, where the world feels still and the view is yours alone. Only on this tour will you experience the Basilica’s vastness without a single crowd to block your gaze. It’s the perfect moment for breathtaking photos — the kind that become family treasures or grace Christmas cards for years to come.
Pio Clementino Museum ( only on 6.30pm tour)
Next, ascend to a series of rooms that, during the day, are packed shoulder to shoulder — but now, they’re yours alone to explore. Take your time with masterpieces of ancient sculpture, the very works that once stopped Michelangelo in his tracks. These statues shaped his vision, leaving a mark that would echo across his art, including the Sistine Chapel itself.
Enjoy ancient masterpieces like the Laocoön, the Belvedere Torso, and Nero’s massive bath carved from imperial marble — treasures once reserved for emperors themselves. Each piece carries the weight of centuries, a silent witness to the grandeur and ambition that shaped Rome. Standing before them now, in the quiet of the empty galleries, you’ll feel history almost breathing around you.
Galleries of History
With no crowds in sight, your guide will lead you through the Candelabra Gallery, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of Maps — empty halls that are now yours to explore. Admire ancient Roman and Greek statues, intricate Flemish tapestries crafted by Raphael’s students, and the vast, hand-painted maps commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII, all in complete silence.
Where thousands pass through during the day, you’ll have space to linger, reflect, and truly take in the beauty. As you move through the empty corridors, your guide will unveil the stories behind these masterpieces, making the Vatican feel like your own private world.
A Journey Through the Renaissance
Marvel at the frescoes of the Raphael Rooms, where the great artist’s The School of Athens stands as one of the Renaissance’s most celebrated works. In the Gallery of Maps, take in the intricate cartographic artistry that once guided popes through their vast territories.
The Sistine Chapel—A Rare, Crowd-Free Experience
The highlight of the evening awaits as you step into the Sistine Chapel with your small group. In the stillness of the night, admire Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment as they were meant to be seen—without the usual rush of daytime crowds. Your guide will share the stories behind these masterpieces, offering a deeper appreciation of their significance.
An Exclusive Vatican Experience Like No Other
Unlike standard tours, this after-hours visit offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the Vatican’s artistic treasures in near silence. Without the distractions of large crowds, you’ll have uninterrupted views of some of the world’s greatest masterpieces. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply seeking a more intimate encounter with the Vatican, this small group tour ensures a truly unforgettable evening.
The highlight of the evening awaits as you step into the Sistine Chapel with your small group. When you arrive, the doors to the Chapel will still be closed, and you’ll witness them open just for you, revealing a completely empty, sacred space. In the stillness of the night, admire Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment as they were meant to be seen—without the usual rush of daytime crowds. Your guide will share the stories behind these masterpieces, offering a deeper appreciation of their significance.
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
10 total reviews
Leave a reviewSPECTACULAR!!!!
Arturo Del Rio
I ent on the tour on April 22nd & all I can say is WOW. It was utterly breathtaking. I didn't imagine the Sistine Chapel could get any more beautiful but when you are there alone being able to to check out every seen one by one. It was an amazing experience.
WOW!!!
Craig Little
This evening tour made all the difference — I could actually enjoy the beauty of the Vatican Museum without constantly worrying about getting separated from the group. Having done the daytime tour before, I remember how crowded and rushed it felt. This was a much more relaxed, spacious, and enjoyable experience — definitely worth the extra cost!
A movie-like experience!
Alessia Petrucci
I took part in this tour on April 22nd, and it truly exceeded all my expectations. It was absolutely magical to have the time and space to immerse myself in the museum without the usual crowds. The warm light of the sunset streaming through the windows made the empty rooms feel incredibly welcoming, like stepping into a movie scene. I had all the time I needed to take photos, ask the guide questions, and lose myself in the beauty of the art. The Raphael Rooms are beyond words, and when the doors of the Sistine Chapel opened just for our group, it was simply unforgettable. We had the rare privilege of staying inside for a full half hour, soaking in every detail in total peace. There are truly no words to capture the beauty of this place. This tour alone is worth the trip to Rome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Comfortable walking shoes and a respectful outfit, as this is a religious site.
What to bring?
Comfortable walking shoes and a respectful outfit, as this is a religious site.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Vatican Museums are wheelchair accessible. Please notify us in advance so we can make accommodations.
Are photos allowed?
Yes, but photography is not permitted inside the Sistine Chapel.
Can I stay in the Vatican Museums after the tour?
No, as this is an after-hours tour, the museums close once the tour concludes.
What language is this available in?
This tour is immediately available in English. If you’re looking for another language, please book our Private After Hours Vatican Tour and we’ll work to accommodate you.
Is this tour truly crowd-free?
Yes! While there may be some lingering visitors in the Vatican at the start of your tour, since it closes to the publich at 6pm, you will have the Sistine Chapel completely to yourself!
What size will my tour group be?
Depending on which date your tour is, you will be in a group of either 20 or X.