VIP Key Master's Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel
2 hours
Max 20
Why take this tour?
Highlights
- Join the Vatican's Key Master, opening the Vatican Museums for the day
- Spend two hours inside the museums alone with your small group
- Follow an official Vatican guide, sharing context in each of the galleries you visit
- Spend as much time as you desire inside the Vatican after your tour
- Sites Visited
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
- Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello)
- Belvedere Courtyard (Pinecone)
- Octagonal Courtyard (Apollo Belvedere & Laocoön)
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- Gallery of Maps
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Tour Includes
- Official English-speaking Vatican guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums
The most incredible Vatican experience ever imagined
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Verified Customer reviews
Verified ratings
4.8 /5
based on 261 Walks’ customer ratingsOverall rating
4.8 /5
261 reviewsRating summary by category
Latest reviews
Excellent
This tour was excellent! We had a total of 20 people that were broken down into 2 groups, each with a guide. Walking thru the empty halls and rooms was perfect as I was able to take in the whole feel/experience versus bumping into people.
Our guide, Rose was knowledgeable and provided just enough info without coming across as being in a boring history class. Rose was engaging with the group.
Verified · Maria · USA · Aug 06, 2025 Great
Having the Vatican Museum to a small group and no one else was fantastic. The guides were knowledgeable and tried to make the experience special for you.
2 things to note- not everyone gets to open the door with a key because 2 groups go on this tour simultaneously. A bit disappointed.
-people who are self serving can delay the whole group. Very frustrating!
Verified · Kelly · USA · Jul 31, 2025 Excellent
This is one of the best experiences we have had. It was fantastic to be the first ones in the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Wonderful experience!!
Verified · Jacque · USA · Female · Nov 01, 2024 Great
It would have been nice to sit down on the benches in the Sistine Chapel to look at the frescoes while the guide talked.
Verified · Mary · USA · Female · Nov 01, 2024 Excellent
The best way to see the sistine chaple. Turn lights on,open doors with the keys. It's early but do not miss this tour!
Verified · Robert · USA · Male · Oct 28, 2024FAQs
Walks Tours is an Accredited Tour Operator at the Vatican Museums. What does that mean?
Walks Tours is proud to be an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
How many people will be inside the Vatican Museums on my Key Master tour?
Due to high demand, there may be up to two groups (approximately 40 guests total) entering the Vatican Museums at the same time. You’ll still enjoy your VIP tour with your own guide and a small group of max 20 people, and the Vatican Museums remain entirely closed to the general public during this special access — a privilege few will ever experience.
My preferred dates are sold out or unavailable – will you add more?
Our Key Master’s Tour is one of the rarest Vatican experiences, with extremely limited dates set by the Vatican. Unfortunately, we’re unable to add more on demand.
However, you can still experience the Vatican at its most exclusive hours. Our Alone in the Sistine Chapel Tour offers the same rare opportunity to explore the Sistine Chapel without the crowds—either at dawn before the doors open or after closing time. These spots fill quickly, so secure your place while you can!
Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs, strollers or for those with mobility impairments?
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at [email protected] or call +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
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