Vatican
3 hours
Varies
18

Highlights

  • Experience a peaceful visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel after the daytime crowds have left.
  • Hear fascinating stories of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel to prepare you for your visit.
  • Bypass the long lines at the Vatican Museums to spend more time exploring.
  • Marvel at legendary masterpieces such as the "Laocoön and His Son" and Gallery of the Maps.

Tour description

See the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without crowds.

Experience the Sistine Chapel and the highlights of the Vatican Museums at one of its quieter moments of the day. With afternoon entry three hours before closing time, you’ll enjoy a relaxing visit and avoid the large crowds that typically fill the halls in peak daytime hours.

Following a specially curated route, you'll see some of the most beautiful and fascinating works of art and architecture in the world on this afternoon Vatican tour. Not only does this tour cover the must-sees at the Vatican Museums, it also gives you an insider's perspective on the bigger picture: power and politics in Vatican City.

Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums.

In order to make the most of every moment on your afternoon Vatican tour, you'll have privileged entrance at the Vatican Museums. This means you'll skip the notoriously long general access line—which, during high season, often stretches for hours. Throughout your tour, your expert guide will bring the Vatican’s dramatic past to life. From the Pinecone Courtyard to the statue galleries and the unmissable Sistine Chapel, you'll see the best the Museums have to offer without jostling for space and while hearing the stories and context behind the art from your expert guide.

Small groups of 18 or fewer keep your Vatican tour casual and engaging.

Smaller and more intimate than many similar tours on the market, you'll have fantastic access to your expert guide to ask them all your burning questions with ease. All of our guides are knowledgeable, passionate storytellers who are specially trained to give you a real sense of the drama and power that has played out in these very halls.

This small group afternoon Vatican tour ensures that you avoid the crowds with strategically timed afternoon entry and eliminates waiting in line to see all the highlights of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel.

Please note that this description is an example and your experience may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have an excellent experience.

Sites visited

  • Vatican Museums
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Pinecone Courtyard
  • Belvedere Courtyard with Ancient Greek & Roman sculptures
  • Gallery of the Candelabra
  • Gallery of the Maps
  • Gallery of the Tapestries

Included

Verified guest reviews

4.4 / 5
1421 Customer Reviews
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Johan

Nov 22, 2024

The guide (Marta at our late afternoon visit) was very knowledgeable. It would have been interesting to hear more about the various exhibits. Unfortunately, the general crowdedness (and the sheer size of the Vatican museum exhibits) prevents more in-depth introductions and presentations. A bit pricey for a family of four, but efficient use of the time and minimal queing.

Norma

Nov 04, 2024

Paulo was a terrific guide, and extremely knowledgeable. The tour was exactly what we wanted, and we learned a lot!!

Ellen

Oct 30, 2024

Anna was an excellent guide! Very clear, very educational, answered all of our questions and did not feel rushed at all. This tour was worth every penny and for such an expansive tour I felt like I got to see most of everything.

Storm

Oct 30, 2024

Amazing tour. Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable and humorous. The Vatican and Sistine were sensational. Meeting point was easy to find and a few minutes walk from Cipro train station which was easily accessible to get to from Rome Termini. Wear comfortable shoes! Highly recommend.

Jay

Oct 29, 2024

It was truly a great and memorable tour! I highly recommend the Pristine Sistine at Closing Time: Late Entry Vatican Tour! Kylie, our guide was super smart and friendly. She was very detailed in every information and facts during the tour.

Know before you book

From $84
Free Cancellation