Alone In The Vatican: Exclusive VIP Access Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour
2 hours
Max 20
Why take this tour?
Highlights
- Join one of the most exclusive Vatican tours with super-special early and after-hours access.
- Relish in the serenity of the Vatican, spending two hours alone with your small group and expert guide wandering the silent and elegant halls.
- Marvel at one of the most iconic artistic masterpieces in the world—Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel—with almost nobody else around.
- Explore the Vatican Museums in-depth with an expert guide. You’ll have easy access to them, who can answer any question you have about this extraordinary destination.
- Sites Visited
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
- Raphael Rooms
- Pinecone Courtyard
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- Gallery of the Maps
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Octagonal Courtyard
- Tour Includes
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Skip-the-line ticket to the Vatican Museums
- VIP access to the Sistine Chapel
Embark on a guided journey through the Sistine Chapel that few people get to experience.
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Total Customer Reviews: 279
Verified Ratings
4.3 /5
based on 64 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
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.
Verified · Kevin · Oct 20, 2023 · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
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.
Verified · Victoria · Oct 14, 2023 · USA · Female · 25 to 34 years
Excellent
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!
Verified · Angela · Oct 10, 2023 · USA · Female · 45 to 54 years
Great
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 .
Verified · Jan · Oct 07, 2023 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
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!
Verified · Laurie · Oct 03, 2023 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
FAQs
I am in a wheelchair/have a mobility impairment. Can I take this tour?
The Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair access, but they are not located on the group tour route. If you have a mobility impairment and/or use a wheelchair please contact our customer service department at [email protected] and we will be happy to work out a suitable alternative.
Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs, strollers or for those with mobility impairments?
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at [email protected] or call +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
Can my dietary needs be accommodated on this tour?
This tour is adaptable for: Vegetarians, nut allergies, pescatarians, non-alcoholic options, pregnant women, and gluten free (not celiac disease). If you have a dietary requirement or food allergy, please note it when booking. This experience is not recommended for vegans and, due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination, this tour is not recommended for those with celiac disease.
I've heard the Vatican has a strict dress code. What should I wear?
It does, but it isn't anything too formal. The big rule is to make sure your shoulders and knees are covered - that applies to both men and women. Also remember that shorts of any length are not allowed at all in St. Peter's Basilica so if you are visiting both the Vatican Musuems and the Basilica, wear trousers or a long skirt. Occasionally visitors get away with wearing a bit less but it’s best not to risk it. Hats are also not allowed.
Walks cannot be held responsible for guests who are refused entrance due to inappropriate dress so please remember to cover up.
Why can't I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?
When the chapel was restored in 1990 the biggest donors to the project (donating a whopping $4.2 million) were a Japanese television network. In return, they received exclusive rights to photograph and film inside and quickly banned any professional photographers from taking pictures. Although they didn't mind if tourists took photos, the Vatican guards decided to enforce the rule on everyone because it was impractical to differentiate between a normal visitor and who was a professional photographer. The Japanese network's exclusive contract has expired now but the rule persists. If you try to take any images in the Chapel Vatican, security is authorized to make you delete them.
Can I check my bag in at the Vatican?
Unfortunatley the Vatican cloakroom is closed after-hours - and this tour takes place after closing time. You may bring a small bag or backpack, but any large bags or objects will not be allowed.
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