Tour Details
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Raphael Rooms
Photos & Highlights
- Enjoy crowds-free access to the Vatican Museum collections
- The pinnacle of your Context Tour of Italy
Tour Description
Your after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums provides an opportunity to contemplate these exquisite galleries in peace, just as Popes throughout the ages have done. Accompanied by an art historian, we will enjoy a guided exploration of this enormous collection, pausing to take an up-close look at world-class sculptures, tapestries, and frescoes. Our tour finishes with a spectacular visit to the Sistine Chapel, which you'll have to yourselves.
Please note: These dates are by request with the Vatican, and can be difficult to secure. Please provide your alternate availability in the additional details section at checkout. We do our best to work with the Vatican's highly sought-after timeslots that are available before and after their open hours.
Over the centuries, papal patrons have commissioned renowned works, such as the magnificent frescoes by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, and those by Raphael in his Stanze. The Vatican is home to many of the most important sculptures from the ancient world – including the Laocoön and the Belvedere Torso. Led by a Context expert, you are able to view this collection as few ever have—without the crush of the crowds.
Together we will take our time learning about the masterpieces which adorn the Vatican Museum galleries. As we encounter paintings and sculptures brought to life by Italian masters, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, engage more closely with Vatican City’s unique historical narratives, and come away with unparalleled knowledge of Italy’s most iconic museum.
This was the high point of our time in Rome. We were able to visit the Sistine Chapel by ourselves. Also the guide showed us part of the Vatican Gardens, which were not part of the tour. It was remarkable and overwhelming. I was in tears. – Mark, a 2018 Context Traveler
Special Notes About this Experience:
- This tour is available by request only. Please share alternate availability when you place your order to maximize the opportunity of securing a date.
- Please note that the availability of certain galleries is subject to change due to unexpected activities or events hosted by Vatican City.
- Not all of the Vatican Museum galleries will be accessible during this after-hours visit, including the Pinacoteca and Egyptian collections. The Belvedere Courtyard is often closed after hours but will be included if possible. St. Peter’s Basilica will not be available.
- We normally spend a significant amount of time (35-40 minutes) inside the Sistine Chapel and divide the rest of our time between the Gallery of Maps, the Tapestry Gallery, and the Raphael Rooms, including other collections as time and security permits.
- Though this is an after-hours visit, there are a small number of other groups that may be in the museums at the same time, which means we may run into other visitors while in the museum. The number of people in the museums after-hours, however, is minuscule compared to daytime crowds.
- This tour meets promptly at 5:45 PM, or 6:45 AM (depending on your booking), so that we may maximize our available time in the galleries together. Meeting point details will be provided once your reservation has been confirmed by our team.
- To assist you in planning your trip to the Vatican, we have created an informative resources page on how to tour the Vatican.
- Visitors with disabilities may be entitled to free entry to the Vatican Museums. Please consult the Vatican Museums website for further information and please contact us to discuss if you qualify. Vatican Museums Accessibility Information.
You May Also Enjoy:
For those interested in taking their children to experience the magic of the Vatican City, check out our Kid-friendly Vatican Tour. We also offer a private Vatican and St Peter's Highlights Tour.
Learn about Vatican City before your trip with our upcoming online seminars and courses – led by your favorite Context guides.
Learn about Vatican City before your trip with our upcoming online seminars and courses – led by your favorite Context guides.
Where You'll Start
18 Reviews
–
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Was amazing visit the Vatican with Cecília without anyone else. An increrible experience.
Monique
Oct. 3, 2023
Our guide Elisa was amazing. So knowledgeable. Our tour was excellent!
Meg
Apr. 20, 2023
Alessandra was absolutely amazing. Her outstanding knowledge of the painters in the Vatican museums and the Sistine chapel was incredible. It was an unparalleled experience of the Sistine Chapel. If you could only spend a lot of money on one experience - and you love art - and Michelangelo and Raphael - This is the one to spend it on!
Julie
Sep. 1, 2022
After Hours Access to the Vatican Museums
Your keys to exclusive access with Context
Book Now
