Vatican Museums Night Tours

Ever since the Vatican Museums were established, they have been a pilgrimage site for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

The Museums are home to the elegant and awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, and countless other treasures from ancient Egypt and the Etruscan era.

This immense collection gathered by the popes over the last six centuries always finds an audience throughout the year.

Visiting the Vatican Museums during the day can be overwhelming, thanks to the sheer volume of tourists entering and exiting this attraction.

This is why a Vatican Museums night tour makes for a better experience, as you get more time and space to enjoy each exhibit without the rush.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Vatican Museums night tour.

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Why Opt for a Vatican Museums Night Tour?

Which of the two—a night tour or a regular morning tour—makes for a better visit? Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the best:

Feature	Regular Morning Tour	Vatican Night Tour
Crowd Size	Morning tours are typically packed with tourists from around the world, thus implying congested spaces and long lines at the Museums	Vatican night tours attract fewer visitors than regular tours due to their higher ticket prices. However, they do provide a more intimate experience with less crowding and easier movement.
Atmosphere	Crowds mean noise, and noise levels at the Museums are always high. Moreover, the bustling and energetic atmosphere here can detach you from the experience	Night tours offer a more tranquil and serene environment. It allows you to peacefully contemplate the artwork, thereby enhancing the overall quality of your visit
Temperature	Morning tours can be uncomfortable due to higher temperatures and humidity during the Summer months	Rome’s evenings are relatively cooler, and that makes a night tour of the Vatican Museums all the more enjoyable and pleasant
Ambiance	The daylight illumination provides a standard viewing experience, which can sometimes feel ordinary, given the crowds	Nighttime lighting creates a magical ambiance, adding a new dimension to the artworks, enhancing their visual appeal
Photography	With so many people around, you’re never going to get the perfect snap. And in a place as marvelous as the Museums with so much to see and be enthralled with, this is a huge letdown	The reduced crowds allow for better photography opportunities, capturing the art and architecture without interruptions. Looking for some memorable selfies? Opt for this tour
Booking	Advance booking is often recommended due to high demand, and there are more slots available throughout the day	Here, advance booking becomes crucial as there are either one or two slots at night, and even these sell out quickly due to their exclusive nature

Vatican Museums Night Tour Tickets

Here are four tickets to help you experience one of the world’s most renowned art collections in a serene and intimate setting, away from the daytime crowds.

Skip-the-Line Night Tour Ticket

The cheapest ticket of the lot, this Vatican Museums ticket offers you skip-the-line access to all the galleries and rooms, including the Sistine Chapel. 

Visit some of the Museums’ most priced possessions, like the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Raphael Rooms, and the Pinecone Courtyard, which are usually teeming with crowds in the morning hours.

Exploring the Vatican Museums after hours truly makes for a unique experience, as the artwork looks extraordinary in the evening illumination. 

There are four time slots available for this experience: you can choose the 3.30 pm, 3.45 pm, 4 pm, or 4.30 pm entry ticket. 

Please note that this is not a guided tour, and you won’t be provided with an audio guide.

Ticket details

• Adult (18+ years): €55
• Youth (6 to 17 years): €38

Free entry

• Infants aged 5 years and younger
• Visitors with certified disabilities and their carers

Cancellation policy

This ticket is not applicable for a refund or rescheduling, even if you cancel your ticket in advance.

Guided Night Tour Ticket

The Vatican night tour ticket is ideal for those seeking a more personal and ethereal experience. It starts at 5.30 pm and offers exclusive access to areas typically off-limits to regular visitors. 

The tour includes an expert guide who will lead you through the Museums, which take on a resplendent and magical quality under the soft glow of evening lights.

Before entering the Museums, take a moment to turn around and revel in the breathtaking panoramic nighttime view of St. Peter’s Dome and the Vatican. This stunning vista, illuminated against the night sky, sets the perfect tone for the unforgettable journey ahead.

A highlight of this tour is the precious time you get to spend at the Sistine Chapel, which also serves as the Pope’s private chapel. This sacred space is the venue for the Conclave that selects the next Pope and a masterpiece of Renaissance art.

Other must-see attractions on the night tour include Nero’s Bathtub, a massive porphyry basin once part of the ancient Roman baths; the Raphael Rooms, adorned with frescoes by Raphael and his students; Laocoön and His Sons, a striking ancient sculpture depicting a Trojan priest and his sons entangled by sea serpents; and the Belvedere Torso, a celebrated fragment of a Greek statue that has inspired artists for centuries. 

Each of these treasures is beautifully illuminated, offering a unique and captivating perspective that is distinct from the daytime experience.

Ticket details

• Adult (18+ years): €99
• Youth (6 to 17 years): €69

Free entry

• Infants aged 5 years and younger

Cancellation policy

You are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your ticket up to 24 hours in advance of your booked date.

Planning a visit to the Museums? Here’s all you need to know about the attraction’s dress code, its three entrance lines, opening and closing hours, the amenities within the Museums, how to reach the Vatican, and special tours like the Vatican Museums early morning and late evening tickets, Castle Gandolfo, and Vatican Grottoes & Necropolis tickets.

Group Night Tour Ticket

If you are looking for a more private Vatican Museums night tour experience with family and friends, this ticket is meant for you. It includes skip-the-line admission and an expert guide, ensuring a seamless and enriching visit.

With a maximum of just 11 members per group, this tour offers a personalized experience. Its highlights include visits to the Museums’ stunning Gallery of Maps, the exquisite Raphael’s Rooms, and the iconic Sistine Chapel—all without the usual crowds! 

This allows you to appreciate these masterpieces in a peaceful and uncrowded setting fully.

The meeting point is conveniently located in front of Caffè Vaticano, and your tour concludes at the same spot. To accommodate a variety of preferences, the guided tour is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese.

Choose from two convenient time slots—5:30 pm and 8 pm—to suit your schedule. If your group includes more than six participants, they will be provided with headsets to ensure everyone can hear the guide clearly.

Ticket details

• Group of 11 adults: €1,360 (€124 per person aged 15 years and above)

Free entry

• Children aged 14 years and younger can enter the attraction for free

Cancellation policy

This ticket is not applicable for a refund or rescheduling, even if you cancel your ticket in advance.

Private Night Tour Ticket

This private Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel night tour is available only on Fridays and Saturdays. It includes an English-speaking guide, private door-to-door transfers, and skip-the-line access.

Your ticket comes with luxury transportation and a private chauffeur who will drive you to the Museums and back to your hotel. This 4-hour tour allows you to immerse yourself fully in the wonders of the Vatican.

Once inside, your expert guide will lead you through the awe-inspiring Bernini sculptures, the magnificent Raphael’s Rooms, and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, ensuring you don’t miss any highlights.

With five convenient time slots—6 pm, 6:30 pm, 7 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8 pm—you can easily fit this exclusive tour around your dinner plans, making it a perfect addition to your evening.

Tickets for this unparalleled private Vatican Museums tour are priced at €547 for adults aged 15 and above. Youth aged 11 to 14 can join for a reduced price of €230, and children aged 4 to 10 for just €200. Infants aged 3 and under can enjoy the tour for free.

Ticket details

• Adult (15+ years): €500
• Youth (11 to 14 years): €230
• Children (4 to 10 years): 200

Free entry

• Infants aged 3 years and younger

Cancellation policy

This ticket is not applicable for a refund or rescheduling, even if you cancel your ticket in advance.

Tips for making the best of your tour

To make the most out of your Vatican night tour, here are some tips for you to consider:

• Since the Vatican night tours are popular and have limited slots, it is best to book your tickets well in advance so you won’t regret it later
• Make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time. This will allow you to go through security checks smoothly and give you time to soak in the atmosphere before the tour starts
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will need to walk and stand for several hours, so comfort is key to enjoying your visit
• Having your own guidebook or renting an audio guide can be beneficial even if you opt for a guided tour. It allows you to explore at your own pace and delve deeper into the history and details of the exhibits that interest you most
• The Vatican Museums offer unique photo opportunities at night with beautiful lighting and reduced crowds. However, avoid using flash in sensitive areas
• Don’t miss the chance to relax in the Vatican Museums’ courtyards, such as the Pinecone Courtyard, where you can enjoy the serene environment and the view of St. Peter’s Basilica illuminated at night
• The Vatican Museums are a sacred and historical site. Respect the environment by keeping noise to a minimum, not touching the artwork, and following the rules set by the museum authorities

Recommended Reading

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# Sistine Chapel ticket
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FAQs on Vatican Museums Night Tour

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Vatican Museums night tours.