See the Vatican as VIPs do – with this once-in-a-lifetime private Sistine Chapel viewing and tour of the Vatican Museum's secret rooms. This exclusive gives you unprecedented VIP access to the magnificent rooms that are usually off-limits to the public, allowing you to see a side of the Vatican that most never will. Be awed by secret rooms like the Niccoline Chapel and the Room of Gold, and see sights like Raphael’s Rooms.
Due to a new Vatican partnership, this tour provides VIP access through a reserved door, allowing you to skip all the lines – even the priority lines. End your tour with an after-hours private viewing of the Sistine Chapel, empty except for your group (average 10 people) and guide. Michelangelo's fresco in the Sistine Chapel – including The Creation of Adam – is considered the most influential fresco in the history of Western art. See it with no crowds, linger over every detail, and earn one-of-a-kind bragging rights for the rest of your life!
Due to a new Vatican partnership, this tour provides VIP access through a reserved door, allowing you to skip all the lines – even the priority lines. End your tour with an after-hours private viewing of the Sistine Chapel, empty except for your group (average 10 people) and guide. Michelangelo's fresco in the Sistine Chapel – including The Creation of Adam – is considered the most influential fresco in the history of Western art. See it with no crowds, linger over every detail, and earn one-of-a-kind bragging rights for the rest of your life!
Highlights
- 3-hour small-group VIP tour of the Vatican Museums including skip-the-line entry
- This tour includes exclusive access through a reserved entranceway and we guarantee you will not wait in any long lines
- Enjoy a rare, private tour of the Sistine Chapel after its doors are closed to the public
- Hear commentary from your guide inside the Sistine Chapel -- normally forbidden!
- Visit hidden corridors and secret Vatican rooms that are usually closed to the public, such as the Niccoline Chapel or the Bramante Staircase
- See top Vatican attractions like the Apollo Belvedere statue, Raphael’s Rooms, Gallery of the Candelabra and Gallery of the Tapestries
- Experience the Vatican as a VIP insider with this Viator exclusive
Recent Photos of this Tour
Viator VIP: Sistine Chapel Private Viewing and Small-Group Tour of the Vatican's Secret Rooms
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20120917_181107_IMG_1666bSistine Chapel - private timePhoto by: DAVID P
10 2012 -
IMG_1115Our guide, Anna, explaining this statue to our group.Photo by: SHS619
08 2012 -
My Daughter in the VaticanShe loved this tourPhoto by: Barrie S
USA, 06 2012 -
Religious MuralsIt almost looks real...Photo by: Barrie S
USA, 06 2012 -
All the GirlsIn the VaticanPhoto by: Barrie S
USA, 06 2012 -
Amazing CeilingsLook up everywhere you go in the Vatican!Photo by: Barrie S
USA, 06 2012 -
Statues galore!My daughter was actually interested in the art.Photo by: Barrie S
USA, 06 2012 -
Wow!Sistine Chapel without the crowds.Photo by: Jeffery H
USA, 04 2013 -
20120917_155241_IMG_1510_tonem ...Top of the Bramante StaircasePhoto by: DAVID P
10 2012 -
Nice Views!What a great experience together.Photo by: Rick W
USA, 08 2012 -
Great ViewsVatican City.Photo by: Rick W
USA, 08 2012 -
IMG_6458Just one of the beautiful sites along the tour.Photo by: SHS619
08 2012 -
VIP Access to Sistine Chapel!The private viewing was amazing!Photo by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
Inside the VaticanMore artPhoto by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
Bramante "Staircase"A long way downPhoto by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
VaticanHallwayPhoto by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
Sistine ChapelDoor to the Sistine Chapel - we got to be there on our own for 30 mintutesPhoto by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
Vatican Tour GuideHe was great. We learned a lot.Photo by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
Secret parts of the VaticanVaticanPhoto by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
One of the Private RoomsVaticanPhoto by: Rick W
USA, 06 2012 -
What You Can Expect
Admire the Art of the Vatican on your exclusive VIP tour!
Skip-the-line Vatican tours are so popular, even the priority lines are
long! But this tour includes exclusive access through a reserved
entranceway, ensuring that you will not wait in any long lines. Spend three hours here on a small-group tour, accompanied by a Vatican guard to unlock doors to secret rooms. You’ll discover the Vatican as only VIPs like presidents and royal families usually do.
Due to the nature of this special-access tour, the itinerary changes each time. Access to the secret rooms varies and is based on availability, but most tours include the impressive Bramante Staircase (Scala del Bramante), which is actually a ramp on the corner of the Pope's Palace. You’ll also most likely visit the Room of Gold (Sala degli Ori), an opulent, rarely seen room that holds a dazzling collection of papal gold jewelry and precious Etruscan jewels.
The Niccoline Chapel (Cappella Niccolina) is another secret room most likely seen during your tour. Every bit as beautiful as the Sistine Chapel, this secret room is adorned with gold brought back from Christopher Columbus' travels, and frescoes by Fra Angelico, a Renaissance painter whose mesmerizing artwork pre-dates Michelangelo's.
In addition to the closed rooms, see many of the Vatican Museums’ classic attractions. As your expert guide entertains you with tales of Vatican art, power and treachery, admire Apollo Belvedere and other renowned monuments. Visit Raphael’s Rooms, the public part of the papal apartments in the Palace of the Vatican, and stroll through the Pinecone Courtyard.
Your tour ends on a high note with private access to the Sistine Chapel for your small group. After the doors close to the public, you'll have 30 minutes inside this incredible (and empty!) chapel. Speaking is typically forbidden, but during this private experience, your guide will explain Michelangelo's stunning ceiling fresco, which depicts scenes from Genesis, and his wall fresco, The Last Judgment.
Due to the nature of this special-access tour, the itinerary changes each time. Access to the secret rooms varies and is based on availability, but most tours include the impressive Bramante Staircase (Scala del Bramante), which is actually a ramp on the corner of the Pope's Palace. You’ll also most likely visit the Room of Gold (Sala degli Ori), an opulent, rarely seen room that holds a dazzling collection of papal gold jewelry and precious Etruscan jewels.
The Niccoline Chapel (Cappella Niccolina) is another secret room most likely seen during your tour. Every bit as beautiful as the Sistine Chapel, this secret room is adorned with gold brought back from Christopher Columbus' travels, and frescoes by Fra Angelico, a Renaissance painter whose mesmerizing artwork pre-dates Michelangelo's.
In addition to the closed rooms, see many of the Vatican Museums’ classic attractions. As your expert guide entertains you with tales of Vatican art, power and treachery, admire Apollo Belvedere and other renowned monuments. Visit Raphael’s Rooms, the public part of the papal apartments in the Palace of the Vatican, and stroll through the Pinecone Courtyard.
Your tour ends on a high note with private access to the Sistine Chapel for your small group. After the doors close to the public, you'll have 30 minutes inside this incredible (and empty!) chapel. Speaking is typically forbidden, but during this private experience, your guide will explain Michelangelo's stunning ceiling fresco, which depicts scenes from Genesis, and his wall fresco, The Last Judgment.
Itinerary
Classic Vatican Museums sites:
· Sistine Chapel, home to artwork by Michelangelo including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment
· Apollo Belvedere statue
· Lacoon statue
· Raphael's Rooms
· Pinecone Courtyard
· Gallery of Maps
· Gallery of the Candelabra
· Gallery of the Tapestries
· Chiaramonti Museum
Secret Rooms of the Vatican Museums (subject to change):
· Bramante Staircase (Scala del Bramante)
· Room of Gold (Sala degli Ori)
· Niccoline Chapel (Cappella Niccolina)
· Sistine Chapel, home to artwork by Michelangelo including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment
· Apollo Belvedere statue
· Lacoon statue
· Raphael's Rooms
· Pinecone Courtyard
· Gallery of Maps
· Gallery of the Candelabra
· Gallery of the Tapestries
· Chiaramonti Museum
Secret Rooms of the Vatican Museums (subject to change):
· Bramante Staircase (Scala del Bramante)
· Room of Gold (Sala degli Ori)
· Niccoline Chapel (Cappella Niccolina)
Customer Reviews
June 2013
A fascinating, educating, awe-inspiring tour made perfect by Rachel
June 2013
Outstanding tour! Going to locations not seen by the public and learning little known facts about the Vatican were very interesting. And then the highlight was our small group's alone time in the Sistine Chapel where our wonderful guide Tiffany provided a detailed explanation of the paintings. Totally exceeded our expectations!
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