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
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Verified Customer reviews
Verified ratings
4.8 /5
based on 275 Walks’ customer ratingsOverall rating
4.8 /5
275 reviewsRating summary by category
Latest reviews
Great
This review is not a reflection of the Tour Guide. Rose was fabulous with lots of knowledge to impart and with just the right amount of humour. The super early start is worth the lack of lines and crowding and we did enjoy the tour.
The downside: we purchased this expensive and ‘exclusive’ MAX 20 people tour. There was almost double that. Couldn’t hear our tour guide at times over the other group. Tour advertised as participants opening the doors. We thought all would get a turn but only a handful did.
Company cashing in, so not an exclusive experience. Walks have apologised but after the fact leaves a bitter taste to what should have been excellent instead of just good.
Verified · Claire · Australia · Female · May 29, 2025 Excellent
Excellent opportunity to go before the public and beat the crowds. Felt a bit rushed in some spots and not everyone got to open a door since there was 2 tour groups for a total of about 35 people. A bit overpriced in my opinion since we were a family of 4, but to sit in the Sistine Chapel and admire the artwork was amazing with no crowds. Would definitely book again!
Verified · Jennifer · USA · Female · May 26, 2025 Excellent
Our guide was very knowledgable and personal..highly recommended!
Verified · Lawrence · USA · Male · 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 · 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 · Feb 28, 2025FAQs
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 the Guest Experience team at [email protected] or call +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
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