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
4.6 /5
based on 26 Walks’ customer ratingsOverall rating
4.6 /5
26 reviewsRating summary by category
Latest reviews
Great
We were bummed that while this sounded like a small group of 20 only for this tour, there were actually two groups of us, so 40 people total, which was 20 too many in my opinion fort what we paid! You should mention this in your marketing!!!
Verified · Nicole · USA · Female · Oct 24, 2025 Great
The group was much larger than I anticipated. There were actually 2 groups, each one with maybe 20 people so 40 people total. Each group had their own tour guide but we were really all together for most of it. I think our group opened 4 doors? Was hoping for more people to get an opportunity. The best benefit of this tour is the early private access.
Verified · Darren · USA · Male · Oct 15, 2025 Great
The tour has two groups of 20 (40 people overall) instead of the 20 advertised. This increase in people took away from the experience as our guides were talking over each other at times and having to switch off positions in the hallways. Not everyone was able to open a door. This tour is advertised and priced as being small and exclusive. However, this is not the case. I believe the price should be adjusted to reflect a larger group experience. My family and I paid a large sum of money that was worth a small group experience, not whatever we just got on our tour yesterday.
Verified · Leslie · USA · Male · Sep 24, 2025 Great
Outstanding experience, my only concern was …. personally I was emotional when I entered the Sistine Chapel that I was unable to hear Mikaela and her noteworthy information on this beautiful chapel.
Lastly, this has nothing to do with the guide, but we were expecting Max 20 people and since there were 2 groups, perhaps the cost of each person could have significantly reduced aince there were 40 people now in the tour.
Overall, still a great experience and highly recommend!
Still hoping I can afford to bring a family of 5 next time
Verified · Valarie · USA · Female · Sep 14, 2025 Excellent
Absolutely the best tour and experience ever!
Verified · Irene · USA · Female · Aug 28, 2025FAQs
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 us at [email protected] so we can arrange your visit.
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