Alone at the Vatican: Private After Hours Tour
Experience the Sistine Chapel and famous galleries completely empty on a once in a lifetime tour
This ultra-exclusive evening tour opens the doors to a completely empty Vatican City for your private group. Start with included luxury pickup then head to explore the Pinecone Courtyard and brilliant Raphael Rooms without the daytime crowds. Guided by a charismatic storyteller, you’ll uncover the secrets behind ancient sculptures and papal apartments, see the masterpieces of the Vatican in complete serenity, and end with an intimate, uninterrupted viewing of the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
What You Get With This Tour
-
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
Tour Itinerary
-
1
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. -
2
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. -
3
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. -
4
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. -
5
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. -
6
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. -
7
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. -
8
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.
Additional Information
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
You might also like...
Exclusive Access Guided Tour
Exclusive After Hours or Dawn Access Sistine Chapel Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Private Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Guided Tour Skip the Line
Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums
Family Friendly Private Tour
Private Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Dome Climb Complete Tour
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Private Family-Friendly Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tour
Private Tour Skip the Line
Vatican at Closing Time Private Evening Tour with Sistine Chapel
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Rome Catacombs Tour and Capuchin Crypts with Transportation
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
The Quickest Direct Access Private Vatican Tour
Private Tour Skip the Line
Vatican Uncovered: A Private, Detailed Tour
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Private Early Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
Customer Reviews
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!
Although this tour has a hefty price tag, we truly had VIP treatment with exclusive access to the Museums and Sistine Chapel. It was just us in there and it was absolutely breathtaking! What I learned on the tour I'll have with me forever and the personalized attention really made my experience there above and beyond.
We were planning a trip for our anniversary and we're so glad we planned well ahead, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to do this tour. It was amazing. Definitely the most VIP experience we had while in Rome and easily the best tour we've ever been on.
Awesome private tour! So worth the money. So many amazing places are ruined by the crowds and this was an entirely different experience. The Vatican was the top of our list to visit and this experience was unique and unbelievable.
Able to move us through the crowds and very knowledgable. Worth every penny of the tour and more. Other companies have 20 or more in a group. Small was great and highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This tour involves walking through ancient ground, historical galleries, and navigating several sets of stone stairs. Because the Vatican Museums do not permit wheelchairs on this specific after-hours route, it is unfortunately not suitable for guests with significant mobility issues.
What are the chances my tour will be canceled or the Vatican will close something?
Although it is rare, sometimes part of the Vatican closes with little notice. If an area normally covered on a tour is closed, your guide will be sure to make up the time in other areas.
How much advance notice do you need in order to book?
We are granted special access to the Vatican Museums. However, 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.
Is photography allowed in the Sistine Chapel?
No, the Vatican requests that no photos or videos be taken inside the Sistine Chapel.
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this private tour is a fantastic option for families because the quiet, crowd-free environment allows children to see the artwork clearly without being overwhelmed. The tailored pace means your guide can adjust the stories to keep travelers of all ages engaged.
Does this tour include St. Peter's Basilica?
No, St. Peter’s Basilica is not included on this tour. Because this exclusive experience takes place after hours, the basilica is already closed for the evening. Your private tour focuses entirely on providing crowd-free access to the Vatican Museums, the papal galleries, and an intimate viewing of the Sistine Chapel.
Is this tour really completely private?
Yes, this experience is entirely private for your specific group. You will have your own dedicated art historian guide and a personal chauffeur for the evening transfers. While the Vatican Museums occasionally permit a few other ultra-exclusive private groups inside the complex at the same time, the galleries are completely empty of the general public, ensuring a silent and intimate viewing experience.
