Vatican Under the Stars Tour
with the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
with the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Indulge in the truly unique atmosphere of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel as night falls on our VIP Vatican after-hours tour. This intimate journey features all of the must-sees you would expect in the company an expert insider guide and a small group of only 12 guests or fewer when the doors have been closed to the general public.
*** The 2023 evening schedule has changed: starting from May, on Fridays, the tour starts at 7:00 pm, and on Saturdays at 5:30 pm due to the new opening hours of the Vatican Museums. ***
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| See the rare magic of the Vatican Museums in the evening when the doors are open to the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and more after the crowds have gone home. |
| Enjoy a perfect Vatican itinerary with near-empty halls, plenty of room to view the masterpieces, and captivating storytelling from a passionate expert guide. |
| You’ll get personalized attention from your guide in small groups of only 12 guests or fewer to satisfy your every curiosity and never feel like a number. |
When sightseeing in the Eternal City, it’s not unusual to find yourself wishing the day wouldn’t end, and luckily – it doesn’t have to! Seize this unique chance to see the Vatican’s world-famous art and architecture in the special ambiance that few visitors ever get to experience. Our Vatican After Hours Tour gives you the opportunity to take advantage of exclusive evening opening hours, so you’ll avoid the massive day-time crowds, making this starlit adventure inside its enchanting halls one of the most appealing ways to experience the masterpieces.
The Vatican will have already closed its general admission entrance a full three hours by the time you meet for your tour, and any stragglers are shown out more than an hour before. All this ensures that seeing globally acclaimed artwork like Raphael’s School of Athens, as well as the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s iconic Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment will be undisturbed. So, go beyond checking the Vatican off your ‘travel to’ list, and see the colorful mosaics shimmer, sculptures in realistic shadow, and romantic moonlit courtyards glow, while your guide provides a detailed narrative of these historic walls. From the Gallery of Maps to the Gallery of Tapestries, the Laocoön to the Belvedere Apollo we’ll ensure your night tour of the Vatican is nothing less than spectacular.
The brightest star on this evening tour is, without doubt, the Sistine Chapel, and entering it at a time that was once reserved for popes or the papal conclave is as inspiring as it gets. You will also see the brilliantly frescoed walls and ceiling under perfect viewing conditions with lighting that is designed to highlight every vibrant detail. Learn about all of Michelangelo’s trials and tribulations in creating one of humanity’s greatest creative achievements, as you gaze into the biblical and revelationary scenes. You will also be delighted to know that under the layers of paint lies the original star-studded ceiling, proof that the Pontiff’s private chapel was often used at night.
Our guides will offer you a fascinating glimpse into the rivalry and drama that unfolded between the creators of the Vatican’s most esteemed jewels. But aside from learning about the artists’ lives, you’ll also get insightful explanations on the processes behind the works themselves. We’ll witness and examine some of the most forward-thinking art techniques of the times, such as the speed at which frescos had to be painted, the innovative use of shadows in “chiaroscuro”, and the hidden messages and personalities that abound where you least expect it.
Tour Highlights
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Inclusions
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A dress code is enforced at some sites on this tour, namely the Sistine Chapel. Please make sure that both your shoulders and knees are covered.
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