VIP Key Master's Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel
2 hours
Max 20
Why take this tour?
Highlights
- Join the Vatican's Key Master, opening the Vatican Museums for the day
- Spend two hours inside the museums alone with your small group
- Follow an official Vatican guide, sharing context in each of the galleries you visit
- Spend as much time as you desire inside the Vatican after your tour
- Sites Visited
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
- Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello)
- Belvedere Courtyard (Pinecone)
- Octagonal Courtyard (Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön)
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- Gallery of Maps
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Tour Includes
- Official English-speaking Vatican guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums
The most incredible Vatican experience ever imagined
Book Now
Total Customer Reviews: 296
Verified Ratings
4.8 /5
based on 271 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
Our guide was very knowledgable and personal..highly recommended!
Verified · Lawrence · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years · Apr 17, 2025
Excellent
Rose our tour guide was fantastic, passionate and full of knowledge which made this tour absolutely unforgettable. Definitely an asset!
However, the pretence of our booking was that it was a maximum of 20 people making it exclusive and intimate.
This wasn’t the case as there was a second group tour booked at the same time which took away from the experience especially as what you pay for the exclusivity.
More noise, another group guide talking at the same time etc wasn’t great at all. This came across as a money grab by the tour company.
Verified · Ray · Australia · Male · 55 to 64 years · Apr 08, 2025
Excellent
This is a unique tour, it was sensational being only a few to wander through the Vatican museums with the Key Masters unlocking doors then turning on the lights to witness their unsurpassed glory without the crowds. Worth every cent and highly recommended!
Verified · Susan · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years · Feb 28, 2025
Excellent
This is one of the best experiences we have had. It was fantastic to be the first ones in the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Wonderful experience!!
Verified · Jacque · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years · Nov 01, 2024
Great
It would have been nice to sit down on the benches in the Sistine Chapel to look at the frescoes while the guide talked.
Verified · Mary · USA · Female · 65 to 74 years · Nov 01, 2024
Reviews from our guests
VIP Key Master's Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel
of Walks customers highly recommend this tour to friends or family
Verified rating
4.8 /5
271 Walks’ customer ratings
Guide 4.6/5
Guest Support
4.6/5
Guest reviews
296
total guest reviews
Excellent 251 84.8%
Great 36 12.2%
Good 5 1.7%
Average 3 1%
Poor 1 0.3%
Latest reviews
Excellent
Our guide was very knowledgable and personal..highly recommended!
Verified · Lawrence · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years · Apr 17, 2025
Excellent
Rose our tour guide was fantastic, passionate and full of knowledge which made this tour absolutely unforgettable. Definitely an asset!
However, the pretence of our booking was that it was a maximum of 20 people making it exclusive and intimate.
This wasn’t the case as there was a second group tour booked at the same time which took away from the experience especially as what you pay for the exclusivity.
More noise, another group guide talking at the same time etc wasn’t great at all. This came across as a money grab by the tour company.
Verified · Ray · Australia · Male · 55 to 64 years · Apr 08, 2025
Excellent
This is a unique tour, it was sensational being only a few to wander through the Vatican museums with the Key Masters unlocking doors then turning on the lights to witness their unsurpassed glory without the crowds. Worth every cent and highly recommended!
Verified · Susan · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years · Feb 28, 2025
Excellent
This is one of the best experiences we have had. It was fantastic to be the first ones in the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Wonderful experience!!
Verified · Jacque · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years · Nov 01, 2024
Great
It would have been nice to sit down on the benches in the Sistine Chapel to look at the frescoes while the guide talked.
Verified · Mary · USA · Female · 65 to 74 years · Nov 01, 2024
Excellent
The best way to see the sistine chaple. Turn lights on,open doors with the keys. It's early but do not miss this tour!
Verified · Robert · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years · Oct 28, 2024
Excellent
It was so wonderful to see the Vatican Museums without all the crowds. Being the only people in there and helping unlock the doors was an awesome experience.
Verified · Leonie · Australia · Female · 65 to 74 years · Oct 26, 2024
Excellent
Great tour. Because it’s very early, it would be great if there was coffee available!
Verified · Anant · USA · Male · 35 to 44 years · Oct 24, 2024
Excellent
Being in the Vatican museum before it opens to the public was a magical experience - opening the doors and turning on the lights to the galleries with the Vatican keymaster was wonderful
Verified · Timothy · USA · Male · 55 to 64 years · Oct 22, 2024
Excellent
The Key Master Tour did not disappoint! Our guide, Barbara, gave us so much information as she and the Key Master guided us through The Vatican museum allowing us to unlock doors and turn on lights. To be able to experience everything in such an intimate setting was breathtaking!
Verified · Meredith · Bahamas · Female · 45 to 54 years · Oct 10, 2024
FAQs
Walks Tours is an Accredited Tour Operator at the Vatican Museums. What does that mean?
Walks Tours is proud to be an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
How many people will be inside the Vatican Museums on my Key Master tour?
Due to high demand, there may be up to two groups (approximately 40 guests total) entering the Vatican Museums at the same time. You’ll still enjoy your VIP tour with your own guide and a small group of max 20 people, and the Vatican Museums remain entirely closed to the general public during this special access — a privilege few will ever experience.
My preferred dates are sold out or unavailable – will you add more?
Our Key Master’s Tour is one of the rarest Vatican experiences, with extremely limited dates set by the Vatican. Unfortunately, we’re unable to add more on demand.
However, you can still experience the Vatican at its most exclusive hours. Our Alone in the Sistine Chapel Tour offers the same rare opportunity to explore the Sistine Chapel without the crowds—either at dawn before the doors open or after closing time. These spots fill quickly, so secure your place while you can!
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 us at [email protected] so we can arrange your visit.
You Can Also Experience These Similar Tours
Alone in the Sistine Chapel: VIP Entry at the Vatican’s Most Exclusive Hours
Visit the Sistine Chapel without the crowds and tour the Vatican Museums before or after opening hours on this exclusive tour.
287
2 h
20 max
The Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Vatican Museums followed by an exploration of St Peter's Basilica.
6141
3.5 h
20 max
Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center
See the best of Rome in one day on this epic tour through the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and historic center that hits all the major attractions.
4043
7.5 h
18 max
