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Rome: hidden Vatican sites - best tour?

Posted by (Brooklyn, NY) on

We are headed to Rome in late September. Our 3rd time. We are joyously booked to do the Scavi tour (2nd time! but 1st for my sister) at Vatican at 9am during our time there. We want to do the Scavi tour and then wander the Basillica and then go for lunch (close suggestions welcome - last time (a number of years ago) we were so tired we had a truly horrible meal that was shoveled out for masses of tourists - something simple but edible would be appreciated). THEN (and this is the piece of the puzzle I hope for help to achieve): we want to do an afternoon (or late afternoon) 'hidden' Vatican tour - I want, so much, to see the Bramonte staircase and room of Masks - and my sister wants to see the Sistine (which I will never turn down an opportunity to see).

Recommendations for a good guide or tour company that handles that? I can book it directly through the Vatican but it is WILDLY EXPENSIVE - we're talking upwards of 800-900 eu through their site and that is just not a possibility for us.

Thanks so so much.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season.

bean

Posted by
733 posts

Hi, I sent you a private message with a suggestion of a tour guide that may possibly work for you. Pat

Posted by
16662 posts

Is this what you're looking for?
https://www.italy-museum.com/vatican/vatican-museums-cabinet-mask-chapel-nicholas-private-guide

Sorry, have never heard of hidden Vatican sites and can't help you with dinner but maybe this is a start.

Editing to add: OK, I now see the special openings of non-public areas (Cabinet of Masks, staircase, etc.) on the Vatican's website. Yes, tickets are very expensive. That said, after actually doing a dummy booking on the site I linked above, it appears that bookings for 2 people would add up to € 772,00 so no big savings there. The main page info promising tickets for €65.50 is a little misleading.

Explanation of cost is this:
"There are fixed fees of 210.00 € for the guide service and of 500.00 € for the special opening of Hidden Vaticans. To this amount it has to be added 31.00 € per visitor, 22.00 € in case of children (6-17 years)."

So unfortunately, I don't think you're going to find any bargain-priced tickets for these areas. Pretty sure the Vatican wouldn't approve independent companies to undercut their own tours? No reason you can't go and enjoy the Sistine for a reasonable price, though. :O)

Posted by
1137 posts

The Sistine Chapel is part of the run-of-the-mill museum entrance, so no need to incur any special expense to see that.

Posted by
86 posts

PAT: thank you for your rec. Though I don't think that guide will work out, it's led to a lead for another guide and, just as good, a great lunch rec that will work perfectly for us!

Kathy (my sister's name! - and she's the one coming with for the 1st time!): I contacted the company - thanks for the link.

Keep the ideas for guides/tours coming - I am determined to make this work (and, as I miswrote in my original post - it's the Cabinet of Masks and (spelled correctly now) Bramante staircase.).

:)
bean

Posted by
16662 posts

Bean, if you find an affordable museum tour for the Bramante staircase + Cabinet of Masks + Sistine, etc. please come back and let us know who you booked with and how much it cost you? LOL, I saw this one...that STARTS at € 5,900 a couple.

https://www.romaexperience.com/vatican-city-unique-tours

This one is $865.33 per person, depending on group size. Random date turned up $1,730.66 ( $865.33 x 2) for two people. It's also booked through Viator; I'm not personally a fan of that 3rd party site.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Vatican-Hidden-Museums-Niccoline-Chapel-and-Bramante-Staircase-Private-Tour/d511-120696P108

Here's a museum tour that includes just the staircase (no mask room or Niccoline Chapel) + Sistine +the basilica for $461.50 a couple;

https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Skip-the-Line-Vatican-Museums-Extended-Art-Tour-Including-Bramante-Staircase/d511-3731EXTENDEDVATICAN

Anyway, I'm just not seeing anything out there for a price most travelers are willing/able to swing so i'm curious what turns up! 🧐

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