Pristine Sistine at Closing Time: Late Entry Vatican Tour

1308 reviews

3 hours

Max 15

Why take this tour?

Highlights

  • See the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without the crowds on a relaxing tour before closing time.
  • Visit the Vatican Museums with skip-the-line access.
  • Savor the splendor of the Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms.
  • Enjoy insightful commentary from your guide to make the most of your visit.
  • Sites Visited
  • Vatican Museums
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Raphael Rooms
  • Belvedere Courtyard with Ancient Greek & Roman sculptures
  • Gallery of the Candelabra
  • Gallery of the Maps
  • Gallery of the Tapestries
  • Tour Includes
  • Skip-the-line Vatican Museums tickets
  • Expert Walks tour guide
  • Headsets

Avoid the crowds on this peaceful afternoon Vatican and Sistine Chapel tour

Book Now

Total Customer Reviews: 1308

Verified Ratings
4.5 /5
based on 1308 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.6/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
Frank was very knowledgeable and engaging, great tour guide!
Verified · Joya · Oct 31, 2023 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
The Vatican tour was one we anticipated would be wonderful. Our tour guide, Sev, made it exceed our expectations. He was one of the best tour guides we have had. It was clear he loved the history and was a wealth of information. He also did a fantastic job of giving directions and keeping the group together. I highly recommend this tour, but be prepared for a taxing climb if you go up the dome. Definitely glad we did that part but it was a lot of steps up and many were tight and narrow. Sev was the perfect tour guide to guide us through the Vatican and all of its history.
Verified · Linda · Oct 27, 2023 · USA · Female · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Marco did amazing! His passion of history and art showed and made our tour all the more better and memorable!
Verified · Breanne · Oct 20, 2023 · USA · Female · 25 to 34 years
Great
Well-rounded tour that takes you through all the important spots in Vatican in a few hours. It could benefit from lasting a while longer, so we could have enough time to truly appreciate everythingespecially the Vatican Museums part, which is rather rushed. The guide is very knowledgeble and was worried about providing everyone with a good experience.
Verified · Caroline · Oct 17, 2023 · Brazil · Female · 25 to 34 years
Great
Really glad we did this tour, but were exhausted by the end. Unfortunately we were significantly delayed getting into St Peters as the security and elevator line ups were horribly slow. Made for a rush once we got off the elevator, and for the balance of the tour. Our guide, Jaber was excellent, and the most respectful of any of the guides we saw, adhering to silence when ever necessary.
Verified · Martin · Oct 17, 2023 · Canada · Male · 55 to 64 years

Meeting Point

Meeting Point Map ⟶

Meeting Point

Please meet your guide in the plaza outside of Antico Café Candia, Via Candia, 153, 00192 Roma RM, at the bottom of the stairs. The closest Metro station is Cipro. Your guide will be in the center of the plaza holding a green Walks sign.

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

FAQs

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.
I want to take a selfie in the Raphael Rooms, can I bring my selfie stick?
No. Selfie sticks are strictly forbidden inside the Vatican Museums, along with flash photography. However, visitors are allowed to take non-flash photographs anywhere besides the Sistine Chapel.
What items can I NOT take into the Vatican Museums
Knives, scissors, and other cutting tools must also be deposited in the cloakroom as a precaution against harming the artwork inside. No hammers, either, as one was once used to smash Michelangelo's Pietá. This probably goes without saying, but firearms are also strictly prohibited for visitors within the Vatican Museums and you can't check them in the cloakroom.
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.
IMPORTANT: Can I bring a bag into the Vatican Museums?
Yes, as long as it's within a certain size. You cannot bring any bag, backpack suitcase or container larger that 40cm x 35cm x 15cm into the Vatican Museums. In fact, size limits apply to all items; because of the sheer number of people that visit the Museums, space is at a premium. You can’t enter with medium to large umbrellas, any umbrellas with spiked tips, camera tripods, signage (apart from signs used by certified guides) or walking sticks – except those required by disabled visitors. All of these items can be left in the cloakroom, which is located at the entrance to the Museums. This means that you will need to walk 15 - 20 minutes back here after you finish your tour at St Peter's Basilica. On our afternoon tours you may need to leave the tour early to collect your bag before the cloakroom closes.
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.

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