Vatican Museums Night Tour with Sistine Chapel

Welcome to the the Vatican's best-kept (non)secret: an after-hours visit that has been available for years but only attended by those in the know. You'll explore the galleries during a more peaceful, and cooler time of the day, with a local expert guide to help you decode the art and give you the stories behind the works.

On your Vatican at Night Tour you'll take in stunning old maps, medieval tapestries, and of course, one of the world's finest collections of statuary. As you admire statues like the Apollo Belvedere and Laocoön and His Sons, your guide will tell you rich histories of the works, how they were created and how they came to the Vatican (hint: there is often a lot of wheeling and dealing involved).

Next, we move on to the Raphael Rooms where you will be treated to a collection of the finest frescoes in Rome. These rooms are usually packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people and can be stifling hot during the height of summer, but they'll be quieter and cooler on your tour, allowing you to appreciate the works up close.

You won't want to leave, but we've saved the best for last: the Sistine Chapel, glowing in the last rays of the setting sun. Your guide will instruct you on all the can't-miss details of the works before you enter, so you'll take in much more than you would if you just saw it on your own.

With small groups of just 15 people or fewer and a local expert, plus headsets to make sure you never get lost and can always hear your guide clearly, this special-access Vatican at Night tour provides an unforgettable experience.