Viator VIP: Sixtinische Kapelle, private Führung in kleiner Gruppe durch die Geheimzimmer des Vatikans

Tour was terrific, guide was superb. Only negative and something to consider is that when going from secret room to secret room, you are with the general admission crowd and it is really congested, hot and slow! However, we were in the Sistine Chapel for about 20 minutes with just our tour....that was worth the cost.

This after hours tour was amazing. To avoid the crowds and stand in the Sistine Chapel with a small group was an absolutely incredible experience. Our guide was so knowledgeable and told us many stories about the paintings and artists. It may seem expensive but it is definitely worth it.

If you are looking for an expert guide to show you around the Vatican Museums, and take you to private and secret areas of the Vatican closed to the general public, then this is the tour for you. The depth of knowledge our guide possessed was incredible, and she pointed out so many interesting things that tied into my own knowledge of history, art, and religion. We were extremely fortunate that we were the only two who had booked the tour so we had a very personal private tour. We literally had the Sistine Chapel all to ourselves, which was breathtaking and I was near speechless. We ended the tour with a walk out of the Vatican, and we were the last 2 tourists (non-workers) inside the Vatican. Some items to note - you do not get a tour of the Basilica on this tour, we made that mistake. The tour begins while the Vatican is still open so there are still tourists, you are not alone, but the crowds are thinning. You gain access to roped off areas, private areas, and of course time alone in the Sistine Chapel. You won't see the entire Vatican, but the main highlights. You will not have the ability to purchase from the gift shop unless you do so prior to the tour. For me, this tour was worth the cost, but make sure you are interested in learning the facts and history, otherwise general admission might be better if you want to breeze through the museums.

Our guide, Leo, was very polite, easily understood, timely and knowledgeable. He kept our group together and we did see some amazing treasures- Rafael’s Rooms, Niccoline Chapel, Bastane Staircase, etc. We also did get to experience the Sistine Chapel with only our group of 15 or so people for about 15-20 min after hours. However, for the high price of this tour, the church should allow you to take at least one or two pictures in the Sistine Chapel without flash. Visitors are not holding anyone up when it is one of these costly after hours tours and no damage is being done to the art work without flash. I had read prior to going that sometimes the guards are more friendly and lenient and allow a few pictures. Ours did not. So do NOT count on it. In fact, many/most of the Vatican personnel that we encountered during our visit were pretty grumpy and unfriendly. During the rest of the tour there are others in the museum with you. It is the end of the day, so less then there would be at mid day, and our tour guide was good about explaining the pieces, especially some of the symbols in the paintings and importance of certain pieces. We certainly got to see the highlights of this vast museum and would recommend going. However, you will need to decide for yourself whether this “after hours” costly tour is really worth the money to you. If you go during high season, i think you could take an early in the morning guided tour when they first open or even use one of the Vatican’s audio guides and do about as well. Vatican City you need to rethink your rules and counsel your employees to at least be a bit more friendly. Off putting... Good luck!

The small group tour of “secret” rooms in the Vatican was wonderful and we were thrilled to see such things in a group of only 8 people. This was especially true for the Niccolini Chapel and the Raphael Room with the School of Athens. We would have counted ourselves fortunate even if it stopped there but the astounding part was surely the nearly 1/2 hour in the Sistine Chapel with only our little group. If you’ve ever been, you know how hard it is to see and appreciate the art in the usual crowd. Our guide Michaela was very knowledgeable and personable. She was exceptional! The support of the Vatican security officers in opening locked doors and their kindnesses also made this a wonderful memory. It was expensive but absolutely worth it.

While the cost was expensive I do not regret any of it, once in a lifetime. Our tour guide was great and gave a lot of good information. Our group was able to access certain parts that were off limits to the general public which was nice to get away from the masses. I highly recommend it, you will not be disappointed.

It was a breathtaking experience! One cannot imagine what a wonderful tour this is!!! Our more than excellent guide Gigi (Gianluigi) gave his best to present and explain on his divine way this piece of art and architecture!!!

There are no adjectives adequate to describe this tour. I have visited the museum and Sistine Chapel twice before but never have the emotions washed over me. The Chapel brought me to tears as the presence of God's gift to Michelangelo revealed itself in the quiet and soft light of late afternoon. Raphael's rooms, the Pope's private chapel, the animal rooms, Bramante's Staircase, and more all led up to the CHAPEL. With just 15, our guide and the gentleman who gave us access to each room we bypassed lines and crowds. The tour is 3 + hours long and not appropriate for young children. Our guide ( sorry to not have her name available)could not have been better. She was outstandingly knowledgeable, considerate of our needs, and willing to answer all questions from old and young, Do not miss this experience. The cost which seemed high at the beginning was so little for the life long memories it provided. We booked because of a friend's recommendation and I will do the same for all of our friends.

Our guide Doriana was very knowledgeable, and having time alone in the Sistine Chapel with the usual crowds was amazing!

It was wonderful being able to see the Sistine Chapel without all the crowds! This is a must for anyone wanting to see the Sistine Chapel without being herded through like cattle.

Our guide was fun and knowledgeable. She gave us a wonderful experience, and told us some unexpected stories about Michaelango.