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Vatican by Night Group Tour: Explore the Vatican Galleries under the Stars
3.9
7 Ratings
Roma
Experience the Vatican by night on a group tour. Explore the Vatican Galleries under the stars, with priority access and a knowledgeable guide. Discover the hidden stories behind the marble artworks and marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Vatican Museums - Raphael Rooms are part of Pope Julius II’s apartments, while the young Raphael was painting the Room of the “Signatura” Michelangelo was painting the Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel . The two artists were rivals but Raphael recognized Michelangelo’s talent in the “School of Athens”, you will see also the Parnassus and the Dispute over the Sacrament
- Vatican Museums - Modern art and contemporary galleries were created thanks to several donations in honor of Pope Paul VI, who during a special Speech inside the Sistine Chapel called back to the Church the modern and contemporary artists recreating the link between art and church. Many donations arrived from the United States and other countries. You will see Matisse, Chagall, Dalì, Bacon
- Pio-Clementine Museum - Pius and Clementine’s Museum
- Sistine Chapel - Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel with the Frescoes painted in the 1500s for the Pope Julius II and Paul III; Michelangelo first painted the Ceiling where he represented the Creation of the World, from the Genesis book, and stories of Noah’s life. The Renaissance “Genius” when he was 61 years old came back to paint in five years the Last Judgement on the wall behind the altar
What's Included
- Skip the long lines with fast-track access
- Engaging local guide for in-depth insights
- Comprehensive 2.5-hour guided tour with a professional
- Headsets provided for clear listening
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
Experience a Vatican tour beneath the starry night sky! Appreciate the exclusive ambiance as you leisurely explore the Vatican Galleries during the evening, without the daytime crowds, and enjoy priority entrance with the companionship of a friendly and well-informed guide. You’ll journey through the key attractions of the Vatican Museums and gain access to the Pinecone courtyard while marveling at the marble masterpieces such as the Apollo of Belvedere, the Laocoon, and the Torso. Your guide will offer insight into the lesser-known aspects hidden within these artworks. These marble sculptures have inspired great artists like Michelangelo and Raphael. You’ll be led through the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo’s most significant contribution, the Ceiling and the Last Judgement. During the 1500s, both Raphael and Michelangelo were employed by Pope Julius II, and your guide will share interesting tales behind the professional rivalry and distinct personalities of these two artists. As your shared tour comes to an end in the Sistine Chapel, you’ll have spare time to admire the astonishing frescoes on your own.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- For booking with kids please remember to bring with you an ID copy in order to prove the age of the kids.
- Please note that due regulations, this tour is not available for kids under the age of 6.
- 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.
Location
Via Vespasiano, 28
Via Vespasiano
Get off at “Ottaviano” Stop on Metro A line.From the station, walk on Via Ottaviano following the indication to St. Peter square.When you arrive across at Via Germanico, go to the right follow the street.After 100 mtr, Via Vespasiano will be on your left. At the number 28, you will find our office.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.9
(7 Ratings)
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Michael_f
Jul 24, 2023
Vatican by Night was a great experience! - The tour was great! Our guide, Benjamin, was an art history major who had a passion for the museums! He was a wealth of knowledge and explained enough to educate but did not overwhelm...it museums that can be very overwhelming!!
Also note that the staff at check-in did a great job as well. Other tourists had an issue and were pretty upset. The staff moved the tour along as to not encumber the others but apparently resolved their issue. Very professional.
Review provided by Viator
Dorried812
Jan 23, 2023
Brilliant - Despite the rain, it was a lovely tour, loads of history. Would use this company again, really enjoyed it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melika54
Jun 4, 2022
MAGICAL! Private tour is the way to go!! - WOW WOW WOW!!! Before I came to Italy someone told me that it would be worth every penny to do a private tour here, and that was some of the BEST advice I could've gotten. I can't even imagine trying to see and understand all of this on my own. The museums are just so massive and elaborate and I was so glad to have our wonderful guide there to lead us through it all.
Our guide, Rene, walked us in, got our tickets and handled everything. She was so incredibly knowledgeable and I felt like I came away with so many insights that I never would have gotten on my own. Our guide was so kind and helpful. She answered all our questions and was really an expert! I am so glad that we decided to do this do and not try to go it on our own. We would've missed SO much!
I had my husband, and our young adult kids with us as well as my 14 year old son. Each one of us has said that this tour was one of our favorite things we did on our entire trip.
One of my favorite parts was when she sat us down and gave us a print of the Sistine Chapel frescos to look at and discuss. They were numbered and she pointed out lots of things to look for. Little details that were interesting. Then, when we got inside the chapel we could each look up and have a better understanding of what we were seeing and the history and magnitude of it all. It was incredible! Our guide really taught us so much and it gave us all such an appreciation for what we were seeing.
If you're on the fence at all about a private tour, I'd say book this today! SO SO worth the money!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeannete_r
Jul 4, 2022
great - it was a very interesting visit and Renata is a great guide. My issue was with the earpiece, because was very hard to listen. Also the tour is very long, so you need to rest before go in it
Review provided by Viator
Lilacbloom52
May 1, 2022
Great! - The guide was very informative and engaging. The only issue with us was that niether I nor my kids are walkers. We had walked 6.6 miles the day before and were aching all over. My husband was fine. The tour was long but enjoyable. We had to carry my 7 years old daughter periodically because she just couldn’t walk, and was getting sleepy .
Not a fault of the tour, though. Older kids really enjoyed the paintings , statues, history, tapestries and other artwork.
Group was small maybe 20 ppl and quite easy to navigate. Audio was decent quality though my daughters radio kept falling of her ears.
It was after hours and the guide told us we would not have been able to get close to many things like we could now.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amylj
May 19, 2022
Too expensive - After spending €72 each on a VIP After Hours Vatican tour we were left disappointed and feeling totally ripped off by HeadOut/Italy Wonders. There were still thousands of people being admitted into Vatican as it is open until past 10pm on a Saturday! When our guide gave us our tickets they were clearly priced at just €17 each. Our guide was amazing but surely not worth the extra we paid. Vatican itself is beautiful and fascinating but don't waste your money on this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G1511djdarrent
Aug 27, 2022
Overcrowded disorganized and HOT HOT HOT - First it was advertised as 14 ppl max and there were nearly 30 in the group. Secondly while the guide was nice and pleasant and tried hard he was scattered and jumped around so much it was really hard to follow. We stopped and he talked in places where there was nothing and ran through places where there were interesting things to look at. The HEAT was the biggest topic, at 6;30 7:30 8:30 and even 9:30 it was hot hot hot and very humid inside in all but the remaining couple of rooms. This was the most surprising part, thousands upon thousands of pieces of priceless art and tapestries and no climate control, surely they can afford it. What a shame. Then to cap it off they trap you in a never ending maze to leave, you spend another hour just following the maze to get out through gift shop after gift shop trying to pull your last bit of money out. Skip the tour, skip the guide, go early morning, Take your time and split it up into 2 days. The cabbies will gouge you when you get out, walk a few blocks away to get a ride home. All said I’ll give it a 2 out of 10. False advertising on size of group and how crowded and no mention of the heat. Go get your own ticket it’s 1/2 the price, walk right in and buy it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
