General information
Program details
See the Vatican Museums in a new light, a pleasing low light as you enter after regular closing time on this Vatican night tour. For short periods during the year, the Vatican Museums are open late to the public, allowing lucky visitors to wander its corridors and stand in awe before precious artworks, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, at a slower pace and with smaller crowds.
Thanks to our exclusive tour, you’ll be escorted past the gathering lines and straight into the Vatican Museums one hour ahead of the general public. In the beautiful surrounding of the Pinecone Courtyard you’ll enjoy a delicious buffet dinner of local flavors and wine in a setting as priceless as the masterpieces you’ll be seeing. This dinner inside the Vatican Museums is an exclusive privilege we are eager to offer our most valued clients.
After your delicious and indulgent buffet dinner, you will be more than ready to savor the centuries-old artworks your expert, English-speaking guide brings to life through rich and entertaining commentary. At nine miles in length, it would take months (if not years) to see all the art in these hallowed halls, so we’ve tailored your journey to the best these museums have to offer, making sure you’ve seen the pieces people travel far and wide to witness.
But don’t let this description fool you. Your itinerary will be vast and diverse, from outdoor spaces like the Pinecone Courtyard and the open patio overlooking the Vatican Gardens, to standing beneath the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll get a taste of everything. Follow your guide through the endless corridors, filled with ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, while he entertains and educates you about life in Ancient Rome and men who commissioned these works.
Explore the Gallery of Maps and absorb how much our understanding of the world has changed. Immerse yourself within the Gallery of the Tapestries and the stunning handmade, needlepoint masterpieces housed there.
Besides the history of the Vatican itself and the popes who have taken residency here, one name you’ll hear a lot is that of Raphael. His four frescoed rooms are a highlight of our night tour. See how this game-changing painter honored the masters of his time, painting Michelangelo and da Vinci into his famous ‘School of Athens.’ Even Sylvester Stallone makes an early appearance! But you won’t find out how unless you take this tour.
Of course you’ll be introduced to the Vatican’s biggest star. No, not the Pontiff himself, a site perhaps even more well-known - the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will prepare you before you enter, that way you’ll know where to spot Michelangelo’s self-portrait and those of his enemies among the heathen.
With small groups of only 20 people or less and audio headsets for every guest, your Vatican night tour will be intimate and your guide easy to understand. Coupled with our early-entrance, expert English-speaking guide, exclusive dinner combination, and less crowds at the Vatican Museums, you can be sure that you’re treating yourself to the best Vatican adventure imaginable. And it is only offered by us.
Meeting/pick-up point:At the bottom of the wide steps across the street from the entrance of the Vatican Museums. The steps are located between Caffè Vaticano and Hotel Alimandi Vaticano, on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi. Our City Wonders coordinators will be wearing blue City Wonders polo shirts or jackets for easy recognition.
Duration: 3.5 hours.
Start/opening time: At 6pm.
End/closing time: At 9.30pm.
Opening days/period: Friday.
Languages: English.