After Hours at the Vatican Museums | Exclusive Private Tour

Important Notice: Sistine Chapel Renovations
From January 12, 2026 through March 31, 2026, the Vatican Museums will be carrying out special conservation work on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment inside the Sistine Chapel. During this time, a scaffolding structure will cover the entire Last Judgment wall. The Sistine Chapel will remain open and fully accessible, but this specific artwork will not be visible during the restoration period. Thank you for your understanding as this masterpiece receives important care.

Experience an exclusive, expert-guided after hours visit to the Vatican Museums, allowing you to explore the renowned galleries after public hours. Walk through the Vatican’s historic halls, exquisite frescoed galleries in a private setting.

Enjoy the opportunity to view some of the world’s most celebrated sacred art in a tranquil and contemplative environment. Encounter masterpieces such as the Apollo Belvedere, the Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel, and appreciate Michelangelo’s extraordinary contributions to art and architecture.

• Explore the Vatican Museums alone after hours when the general public have left
• Enjoy an expert tour of the Vatican Museums
• Experience the superbly vibrant Raphael Rooms in peace and solitude
• Stand inside the empty Sistine Chapel and marvel at Michelangelo's frescoes

As evening descends over Rome and the crowds disperse, you will have the opportunity to experience an exclusive after-hours tour. Accompanied by your expert private guide, you will gain access to the Vatican Museums shortly after they have closed to the general public, allowing for a quiet, intimate exploration of this revered collection of artworks.

Once the daytime visitors have departed, you will enjoy a private guided visit to the Vatican, encountering some of the world’s most significant sacred art pieces. With the galleries emptied and the atmosphere at its most serene, you will have the exceptional opportunity to stand alone within the Sistine Chapel, normally crowded with over a thousand visitors at a time.

This is a rare and unique experience, thoughtfully reserved for you and your companions. By participating in this tour, you will gain exclusive after-hours access to the Vatican Museums, allowing you to explore in a tranquil, private setting.

Your journey will include the chance to explore the Vatican’s historic treasures through quiet frescoed galleries, ornate halls, and magnificent chambers, offering an intimate encounter with art and history. Highlights include the Renaissance masterpieces of Raphael and Michelangelo, the legacy of Pope Julius II, and significant antiquities from the ancient world.

The Vatican Museums, also known as the Apostolic Palaces, were historically the private residence of the popes, who held both spiritual and temporal authority as leaders of the Catholic Church and as figures of political influence throughout Europe. Originally conceived not only as a collection of art but also as a luxurious residence and royal palace, these spaces reflect the rich history and power of the papal office.

You will see Emperor Nero’s monumental marble bathtub and the mysterious Diana of Ephesus housed in the Gallery of the Candelabra. The Gallery of the Tapestries, crafted by Flemish artisans from Raphael’s designs, and the gilded Gallery of the Maps, with detailed frescoes of Italy from the 16th century, further enrich your experience.

Throughout history, successive popes have contributed to the Vatican’s extensive art collection. Notably, Pope Julius II, the so-called Warrior Pope, commissioned the renowned works of Raphael and Michelangelo: Raphael’s decoration of the papal apartments and Michelangelo’s masterpiece on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, created between 1508 and 1512 amidst rivalry and collaboration.

Finally, you will enter the Sistine Chapel, an architectural and artistic masterpiece. In the absence of crowds, you will be able to appreciate Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring frescoes in a contemplative and reverent environment. These extraordinary artworks depict scenes from the Creation to the Last Judgment, covering the span of human and divine experience and standing as enduring symbols of artistic achievement and spiritual insight.

This exclusive after-hours experience offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Vatican’s treasures in a setting of quiet reflection, away from the usual crowds, in celebration of art, history, and faith.

• After hours VIP access to the Vatican Museums
• Once in a lifetime experience
• Private tour with an expert guide
• Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms after hours
• Galleries of the Candelabra, Tapestries & Maps

• Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter
• There is no photography allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.
  
• Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum.
• Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
•  Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
• Guests with mobility concerns should contact us at booking@livtours.com as soon as possible, as the itinerary may need to be adjusted to accommodate specific needs.
• IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican.

When you book a LivTours Private Tour or Experience, you are guaranteed a dedicated, expert guide that allows you the flexibility to start your tour at a time which is convenient for you, making planning easy. Our private tours ensure that you will get a tailored experience to meet all your needs so we go at your pace, perfect for families with younger children, elderly, or individuals with accessibility needs. Please be advised that all private tours begin at a base price starting at two people*. Prices are inclusive of entry tickets where applicable. *Some Ferrari private experiences are inclusive of one person only.

Make your experience even more unique by upgrading your LivTours experience. Please note: add-ons are non refundable.

By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here.