VIP Key Master's Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel

The VIP Key Master's Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel is the only tour of its kind. We are one of a select few tour operators Vatican City has invited to join their Key Master. As you pass through the Pope's palace, lights flicker on and illuminate works by Raphael, Michelangelo, and other Master artists. An official Vatican guide joins as well, adding color and character to these hallowed halls. Along the way, they will introduce you to famed frescos, marble sculptures, and artifacts of grandiose proportions. Void of the daily crowds, you will appreciate the time and space given in one of the world's most revered spaces.

A highlight, for sure, are the small wooden doors leading into the Sistine Chapel. It is here the Key Master graciously allows our guests a chance to turn the key and pry open the old doors, just as cardinals and popes have done for centuries. Beyond the doors the celestial figures of Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Perugino await your arrival.

Note: 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.