Vatican Night Tour 2025
Crowd-free visit to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums | Skip-the-line
About the Vatican Night Tour
Enjoy an exclusive visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel at night! With this guided tour, you will have the opportunity to skip the lines and avoid the usual daytime crowds. Discover the world’s most famous art collections in peace. Also, learn about the lives of artists such as Raphael, Bernini, and Michelangelo.
The usual wait to enter Vatican Museums takes around 3 hours. With this tour, you'll skip the long lines and enter right away!
Visit the Vatican Museums after the crowds leave. It will be just you, the guide, and the art!
Explore 54 galleries filled with masterpieces. Admire works by Raphael, Giotto, Perugino, Caravaggio, and more.
Take a walk around the empty, beautifully illuminated St. Peter's Square at night.
Reserve your spot now with no payment required 24 hours before the tour! We also offer free cancellation if your plans change.
RESERVE NOW & PAY LATER!
Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot without any upfront payment!
It felt like we were the only people inside the Vatican Museums
Since we were visiting the Vatican by night, there was practically no one there except our group. We saw all the works of art in peace - and we were there in June! I don’t want to imagine what the crowds are like during the day! For me, the Vatican is best visited at night. Highly recommend you do the same!
The best tour I’ve been to!
The Vatican Museums has so much to offer in every aspect! Whatever art you enjoy, you’ll find exquisite examples in this museum. Our guide, Fabio, was excellent! He answered all the questions we asked during the tour. He also told us some interesting facts about Michelangelo's life. I didn’t know that he painted himself inside the Sistine Chapel! Overall, the tour was amazing, and most importantly, without the crowds!
DESCRIPTION
Vatican Night Tour
- Entry tickets to the Vatican Museums
- Tour guide
- Private tour (if option selected)
- English
ANCIENT ARTWORKS INSIDE THE VATICAN MUSEUM
Start the tour at the Octagonal and Pinecone courtyards. Those are two open spaces with unique sculptures. Next, you’ll explore the inside of the Vatican Museums. Since you’ll be there at night, there won't be other visitors, so you can enjoy the beautiful artwork up close in peace. You’ll see sculptures of the nine muses in the Hall of Muses. Afterward, you’ll head to the Round Room and see more statues of famous figures, e.g., the hero Hercules. A guide will show you many galleries, but the Greek Cross Room is a highlight. Its floor mosaic shows a shield with a detailed image of Athena, the goddess of war. You’ll also see the Raphael Rooms and Raphael’s gorgeous fresco sequence. These artworks are considered to be the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance.
SISTINE CHAPEL & MICHELANGELO’S ARTWORKS
Continue to the Sistine Chapel and admire its famous ceiling. It is special because of the highly detailed fresco by Michelangelo. The fresco displays many episodes from Catholic tradition, like "The Creation of Adam". Your guide will explain all the scenes in the painting and reveal the hidden messages. For example, the character Aminidab (who is thought to be Christ’s ancestor) had a yellow circle on his sleeve. This icon, marking him as a Jew, challenged prevailing norms and could be seen as heretical. Michelangelo most likely included it to condemn the Church’s treatment of Jews.
ST. PETER'S SQUARE & NIGHT ATMOSPHERE
After your Vatican Night Tour ends, take a short walk across St. Peter's Square. Admire the tranquil atmosphere of the Vatican at night.
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the tour starts!
Did you know that the Vatican Museums were once only accessible to the pope?
The Vatican Museums were founded by Pope Julius II in 1506. They were originally accessible to the current pope and his guests. However, that changed in 1771 when Pope Clement XIV opened the Vatican Museums to the public.
Today, the Vatican Museums has an average of 6 million visitors per year. This makes it one of the most popular museum complexes in the world.
Interestingly, many popes throughout history have influenced the Vatican’s art and culture, leaving a lasting legacy. If you’re curious about how travelers today view these spiritual leaders, explore our Best Pope in History survey based on thousands of real traveler votes.
Good to know before you go
- All customers must bring a form of photo ID (either an identity card or a passport)
- The Vatican Museums have a dress code. No shorts, skirts above the knees, or short-sleeve shirts are allowed.
- Your Vatican Museums ticket is also valid for the Sistine Chapel.
- It’s a good idea to book this Vatican Museums night tour in advance - they’re selling out fast!
Meeting Point
Meet your tour guide at the Gaudium Travel office, located at the address, Via Germanico 67.
MORE ART, LESS CROWDS!
Experience Vatican Museums at night!
FAQ - Vatican Night Tour
What is the difference between the Vatican night and day tour?
During the day, there’s huge crowds of visitors at the Vatican. However, night is a different story - the museum will be practically empty except for your tour group. This means you can truly take in the beautiful artwork in peace and quiet.Can I cancel the Vatican Night Tour if my plans change?
Yes! We offer free cancellation and are very flexible. As long as you cancel up to 24 hours in advance, you’ll receive a full refund.Can I book this tour on the same day of my visit?
We strongly recommend booking in advance. The Vatican is one of the most visited places in the world, and Vatican tickets – as well as all Vatican tours – are always in high demand. The Vatican Night Tour comes with even more limited capacity to maintain a calm and quiet atmosphere, so it’s best to secure your spot early to avoid disappointment.Does this tour include entry to the Sistine Chapel?
Yes! Your ticket includes access to the Vatican Museums and tickets to Sistine Chapel, so you don’t have to search or book separately, everything is ready for you to enjoy.What else should I see while visiting the Vatican?
Book a Vatican Scavi tour to explore the tomb of Catholic popes and the final resting place of Saint Peter. You can also go on a Vatican Gardens tour to discover the famous Italian, English, and French gardens, which are not accessible without a guided tour. If you're spending a few days in Rome and planning to visit the Vatican, it's worth considering one of the city passes that save both time and money – such as the Rome and Vatican Pass, or Roma Pass.Don’t wait! Book now!
- Expert tour guide
- Skip-the-line access
- Easy booking process