With this exclusive opening, you will be alone inside the entire Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and this is the best way to get in touch with and to appreciate the huge collection of art that Vatican Museums are keeping within their walls.
Tour Overview
When approximately 30,000 visitors exit the Vatican Museums and a veil of quietness lays on the statues and paintings in the Galleries, the massive bronze doors of the Vatican Museums will be opened only for you.
Whether you choose to take a private tour or to join a group, you will still have a chance to appreciate the peacefulness and exclusiveness of this tour option. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel will be completely empty and available only for your exclusive exploration.
Your private driver will pick you up directly from your accommodation and accompany you to the Vatican Museums, where you will begin this incredible experience with professional, knowledgeable and licensed guide, who will lead you through the rooms of what once were Papal’s apartments and through the galleries where Michelangelo’s and Raphael’s footsteps were echoing.
The 2 hour visit will include the Gallery of Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries and Gallery of Maps. The Raphael Rooms, usually very crowded with visitors throughout the day, will be completely empty only for you and you will be able to admire, in the evening silence, well-known paintings, part of Raphael’s artistic legacy.
The apex of this exclusive entrance is the visit to the Sistine Chapel, where, in complete silence, you will almost feel the presence of the artists that centuries ago have worked inside this holy place.
This tour is available as a private option, small group tour (20 participants max) and it is also available for bigger corporate groups. It is subjected to availability.
Tour itinerary
Hotel Pick-Up & Transfer
Begin your experience with a hotel pick-up and private transfer for a seamless, stress-free arrival.
Gallery of Candelabra
Home to many Greek and Roman Statues, the Gallery of Candelabra is a rich collection of art amongst marble floors and magnificent frescos.
Gallery of Tapestries
Containing tapestries created using designs by Raphael, and originally planned to decorate the Sistine Chapel, these unique designs are the work of dedicated Belgian tapestry masters, and an extraordinary collection of Raphael’s legacy.
Gallery of Maps
This collection of Maps was created in the 16th century, designed in detail, depicting Italian regions and some distinctive cities of the Italian peninsula. The maps are a result of very demanding, detailed, historical and geographical studies, and were created by Ignazio Danti.
Raphael Rooms
Once known as the apartment of the Pope Julius II, the four rooms have been painted by Raphael and his scholars. The famous and remarkable School of Athens is to be found in the Room of the Segnatura.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is also known as Pope’s private chapel. By being completely alone inside, without the huge crowds entering everyday you will have almost the same feeling - to be in your own chapel! The Last Judgement and the ceiling, with the famous Creation, painted by Michelangelo, will just wait for you to admire them in all the peace and tranquillity of this evening tour.