Vatican at Closing Time Tour with Sistine Chapel
Explore the Vatican with fewer crowds in the late afternoon
When is the best time to visit the Vatican to avoid the mass of tourists? We recommend either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. If you aren't able to join an early morning tour due to time constraints, this Vatican tour at closing time is a great option. Your passionate English-speaking guide will lead you through the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel while telling compelling stories and anecdotes for all ages.
Tour Details
- Skip the Line Vatican Tour in the Late Afternoon
- Meet Your Guide and Enter the Vatican
- See the Great Works of the Vatican Museums
- The Gallery of the Candelabras
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Gallery of the Maps
- Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
- The Creation of Man
- The Last Judgement
- St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Pieta
This late afternoon start time allows you to visit the Vatican after the majority of tourists have already left. This is a great option if you have other morning tours and still want to enjoy time in the Vatican and Sistine Chapel without feeling too crowded. This 2-hour tour includes:
Skip-the-line Vatican entry
Visit to the Museum's three main galleries
Quieter visit to the Sistine Chapel
A fun, English-speaking guide
Highlights of the Vatican Museums
Enter at 3:30 pm after the majority of the crowds have left. Follow your guide through the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries and Gallery of Maps. Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy. You'll hear all about the best of these treasures from your expert guide as the Vatican secrets are slowly unveiled to you.
Sistine Chapel With Fewer Crowds
Tour the Sistine Chapel at its finest after most visitors have left. Take in the wonder of Michelangelo's masterpiece and examine the vivid depictions of biblical stories from Genesis to Revelations. Observe the Creation of Man and the Last Judgement and relax for up to 20 minutes in the serenity of the world's most famous chapel.
Please note that the Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, so 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, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/sweater to wrap around you when necessary.
See what people are saying
2 total reviews
Leave a reviewAthena Fleming
A great guide
Kati Niemi
We had a very nice and knowledgeable tour guide who told interesting stories and answered our questions. She kept even our teenage boys interested in historical events. Thank you for this good memory!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Meet your guide in front of Caffé Vaticano on Viale Vaticano, 100. This is across the street from the Vatican Museum entrance. Our friendly welcome staff will be there holding The Tour Guy signs.
What to bring?
Please be sure to meet Vatican dress code requirements by covering your knees and shoulders in the most sacred religious areas like the Sistine Chapel. You'll also want to wear comfortable shoes since this is a walking tour.
Where to meet?
Meet your guide in front of Caffé Vaticano on Viale Vaticano, 100. This is across the street from the Vatican Museum entrance. Our friendly welcome staff will be there holding The Tour Guy signs.
What to bring?
Please be sure to meet Vatican dress code requirements by covering your knees and shoulders in the most sacred religious areas like the Sistine Chapel. You'll also want to wear comfortable shoes since this is a walking tour.
Does the Vatican ever experience sudden closures?
During state visits or special religious events, parts of the Vatican may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice. If an area normally visited during a tour is suddenly closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas from outside. They will even show you another gallery to compensate for the lost time in the usual location.
Is there a way to see the Vatican without a guided tour?
Yes, you can purchase a ticket to see the Vatican Museums on your own. Click here for skip the line Vatican tickets.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
If you have any concerns about your mobility, we suggest taking a private Vatican tour so your needs can be better accommodated.
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