Alone in the Vatican Museums VIP Early Entry Tour with Key Master
Description
Walk alongside the Vatican’s Keeper of the Keys and witness the lights turn on throughout the galleries on this exclusive VIP Key Master semi-private tour. This once in a lifetime experience will allow you to hold in your hand and turn the keys that unlock the doors of the Vatican’s halls, galleries, and the Sistine Chapel itself—all completely alone. Once the private palace of the popes, the Vatican Museums welcomes 25,000 people every day. On this very special early morning tour, you will be able to enjoy the marbled halls, frescoed galleries, world-famous antiquities, and Renaissance masterpieces in almost total privacy. Experience the vibrant color and artistic genius of the Raphael Rooms alone. Bask in the awe-inspiring magnificence of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the empty Sistine Chapel. Then, enjoy a delicious breakfast in the grandeur of the Pinecone courtyard.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Be the first people to enter the hallowed portals of the Vatican an hour and a half before it opens to the general public. Enjoy a unique private tour with an expert guide completely alone in the Vatican. No other parties or groups. Just you. A unique, unparalleled opportunity.
Normally buzzing and bustling with hundreds of people, enjoy the peaceful solitude of Pope Julius II’s private apartments, frescoed by Raphael, the painter of sweetness and light. Admire the School of Athens and the Disputa – unparalleled works of art.
Marvel at the Flemish tapestries, created according to Raphael school designs and originally meant to insulate the Sistine Chapel. Admire the golden opulence and staggering accuracy of the 17th-century Gallery of Maps.
To enter the empty Sistine Chapel is an extraordinary and unforgettable moment. Stand alone beneath Michelangelo’s great masterpieces, the Creation of Man and the Last Judgment. Its magnificence and majesty is both moving and humbling. A once in a lifetime experience. From January 12 through March 31, 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.
Lastly enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet in the open-air grandeur of the Pinecone Courtyard.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
- Everyone in your group, regardless of age, needs a government issued ID to enter the Vatican Museums.
- IMPORTANT: Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican
- Due to the exceptional circumstances of this tour your group size will have a max of 20 people
Reviews(11)
An amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience to walk through the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with the Key Master himself and without the massive crowds (literally no-one else around). An intimate 2 hours where you can really absorb the surroundings and feel the rich history of the place. The tour was made extra special thanks to Chiara as our wonderful tour guide. A real VIP experience and well-worth the money (and the very early morning start!)
Great experience made all the better by our guide Valario. He was very knowledgable and took good care with our visit. Thanks to your company and in particular to Valario.
It was one of the most amazing yours that we have ever been on. There was a total of 6 people and we walked down the dark hall and entered the dark rooms. You personally turned on the lights and unlocked the doors. It was beyond amazing. You were allowed to take as many photos and it was pleasant not having people walk into your shots. Although you had to be there by 6 am it was worth it. We stayed overnight in a hotel right across the street. For one night it was fine n
Laura is fabulous. We all enjoyed her personality and in-depth knowledge of art and the Vatican and papal history. Bravo Laura!!
Being as my husband and I are not morning people, and we had to be at the meeting place by 5:45am, this was 100% worth it. Out guide was enthusiastic, informative, and friendly. We got to see so much of the museum with less than 20 people, opening doors, turning on lights, and having no crowd to fight through, it felt like a private tour. We enjoyed the fast pace. We had enough time to take in a hall as we walked through and see the highlights of the museum, without lingering too long. That is the pace for us. There is so much that could be seen, but for us it would have been an overload to take more time. The Sistine Chapel is everything you could think it would be and more, and to be able to look, walk around, take your time, and not be pushed in with a ton of people, was extraordinary. This was one of the highlights of our 15 day trip, and if I had to plan the trip all over again, I would keep this as a priority - worth every penny, and would consider this a once in a lifetime experience.
Francesco was a great tour guide, very knowledgable and handled our tour with ease. His communication skills are excellent and he moved us through the crowds confidently while giving us insightful information on the history of the Vatican.
This is a rare honor! What a great experience! Totally worth it. Our guide was wonderful and knowledgeable building excitement for each door we opened. Special tour.
Rosaria was the best guide! She was great at explaining things so our daughter could understand too and was so knowledgeable! Highly recommend going early in the day before it gets too hot and busy. We were extremely happy with our tour.
This was by far the best tour we’ve ever taken. It was phenomenal to be in a small group….especially with the heat. Our guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant.
We toured the Vatican with the Keymaster, a tour guide, our family of 5, and 12 other people. It was an incredible experience from start to finish. My son turned on the lights for the Gallery of Maps, and my daughter opened the door to the Sistine Chapel. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience, and hard to believe that something like this even exists. 1000% worth every penny. We will remember it for the rest of our lives.