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Once in a lifetime Extended Tour of the Vatican
Visit Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Gain special access to the Niccoline Chapel and Bramante Staircase.
Itinerary Highlights
- Vatican Museums: Visit the key galleries and collections with expert commentary from your private guide.
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Niccoline Chapel (Restricted Access): View the stunning, rarely-seen private chapel adorned with masterpieces by Fra Angelico.
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Bramante Staircase (Restricted Access): Ascend the architecturally brilliant Renaissance double-helix staircase, usually closed to the public.
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Raphael Rooms: Explore the magnificent suite of reception rooms painted by Raphael and his workshop.
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Sistine Chapel: Admire Michelangelo’s incomparable frescoes and the site of the Papal Conclave.
Why book this tour
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Exclusive Restricted Access: Be among the few who enter the rarely-seen Niccoline Chapel and ascend the architectural masterpiece of the Bramante Staircase.
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Expert Official Guide: Be led by one of the Vatican’s best official guides, holding a degree in Art History or Archaeology, ensuring profound insight and knowledge.
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Skip-the-Line Priority: Bypass the monumental crowds with our pre-booked tickets, maximizing your time spent inside the museums.
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Comprehensive Vatican Highlights: In addition to the restricted areas, your tour includes all the must-see highlights, culminating in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms.
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Deep Historical Insight: Unravel the purpose and power behind Papal architecture, from the practical design of the double-helix staircase to the private devotion of Pope Nicholas V.
Description
The Vatican State is an essential stop on any Roman itinerary, but why settle for the ordinary when you can experience the extraordinary? Most visitors only see a fraction of the museums. This Once-in-a-Lifetime Extended Private Tour is your key to the Vatican’s most privileged spaces. Gain special, pre-booked access to priceless architectural and artistic wonders usually closed to the public, offering an intimate view into the Papal history that few ever witness.
Your Once in a Lifetime Extended tour of the Vatican will start just outside the entrance to the Vatican Museums. Here you will meet your private guide, one of the best official guides with a degree either in Art History or Archaeology. You will enter the Vatican Museums right away, thanks to our pre-booked skip-the-line tickets! Your visit will start off with the restricted areas of the Niccoline Chapel and Bramante Staircase, usually closed to the public and you will continue your visit to the other areas of the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms.
Your visit will begin with the restricted areas, starting with the exquisite Niccoline Chapel. This private chapel, built for Pope Nicholas V, will leave you breathless with the amazing frescoes by Fra Angelico, which depict scenes from the lives of St. Stephen and St. Laurence. Look up to admire the stunning vaulted ceiling, painted blue and decorated with stars.
Your Extended Tour then continues with special access to the exquisite Bramante Staircase. Centuries before DNA was discovered, the gifted artist created a staircase in the shape of a double-helix, something Bramante’s contemporaries had obviously never seen before. Although a marvel of Renaissance design, its original purpose was highly practical. The Bramante Staircase was once an entrance from street level to the Papal apartments and it was built to accommodate horses and mules carrying large items back and forth from the Papal Palaces.
Your tour will of course continue with the other highlight of the Vatican, Michelangelo’s masterpiece Sistine Chapel, where you can admire his beautiful frescoes.
Things to know before the tour
- Please note that in certain periods of summer time, or when the Vatican Museums reopen its doors after bank holidays, the museums might be busier than usual.
- Please note that, for disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%, the Vatican Museums offers free entry that is extended to a companion for visitors who are not self-sufficient. To benefit from this, make sure you mention it at the time of booking so that our staff may handle your request.
- Photography welcome – but no tripods or drones. It not possible to take pictures inside Sistine Chapel as this is a holy place.
- Please cover your knees and shoulders to enter Vatican
- You can bring a stroller inside but it is not recommended due to the constant presence of stairs.
Important information
We need the full names of all the participants because the entrance tickets are nominative. All the participants will have their own ticket with the full name on, they are not transferrable and cannot be changed nor refunded. You will need your IDs (minors and infants included) because they will be checked by the Vatican Museums guards at the entrance. If you don’t bring your IDs or if the names don’t match, you will be denied access. You don’t need the physical ID, even a copy or a picture is fine as long as it’s well visible.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations 4 days or earlier prior to the scheduled tour are subject to a penalty.
Please note Tickets and reservation are strictly not refundable. If you cancel 4 days or earlier prior to the tour we will refund you partially for the price of guide only.
No refund will be provided if you cancel your tour within 4 days prior to the scheduled tour.
Meeting point
Included
5 hours private guide
Tickets for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, including access to the restricted areas of the Niccoline Chapel and Bramante Staircase.
Excluded
Tips
About the Tour
Offered in English, Spanish, French or German
Duration
5 hours
Level
Moderate
Access
Audio
Private Tour
Dates and departures
Everyday except on Sundays and on public holidays
Values
- Priority Access and Expert Guidance!
- Local Staff Support
- Encounter Ancient Treasures
- Unravel Hidden Meanings in the Artwork
— What you won’t miss
You Will See
Bramante Staircase
Sistine Chapel
Vatican Museums
— About Us
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