Bramante Staircase Tour: access restricted areas of the Vatican Museum
The Bramante Staircase Tour combines a visit to the Vatican Museums with access to the restricted areas of the Bramante Staircase, the masterpiece designed by the architect Donato Bramante, and the Chapel of Nicholas V.

Highlights of this tour
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
- Bramante Staircase
- Chapel of Nicholas V
Availabilities
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
- Starting Time: 11:30 am – 2 pm
Duration
- approximately 3 Hours
Stroll through the Vatican Museums Galleries
First, reach the entrance to the Vatican Museum, where we will meet to start a journey through art and history!
Enter the site with skip-the-lines tickets, and start your stroll through the maze of galleries full of incredible masterpieces. Admire the impressive collection of artwork hidden inside the Pope’s Palace while you walk through the main galleries of the Vatican Museum:
- the Gallery of Tapestries
- the Gallery of Candelabra
- the Gallery of Maps
- Raphael’s Rooms
Access the Bramante Staircase
Then, head to the Bramante Staircase, which will be unlocked exclusively for you by a Vatican guard for a VIP experience!
Admire the unique double-helix Bramante Staircase, an impressive work by the Architect Donato Bramante, commissioned by Pope Julius II. You will learn that The Bramante Staircase was once an entrance to the Papal apartments, built in 1512 to accommodate horses. During your visit you will have time to admire the view of this helical stairway and take picture.
Discover the Chapel of Nicholas V
Then, reach the Chapel of Nicholas V, a private chapel of the Pope, which predates the Sistine Chapel. Adorned with stunning frescoes by Fra Beato Angelico, the Chapel of Nichola V went through restoration works from 2006 to 2009, and remained closed to the general public.
Marvel at the Sistine Chapel
Finally, end your Bramante Staircase Tour in the Sistine Chapel. Marvel at Michelangelo’s stunning work “The Last Judgment”. Take your time to admire and glimpse hidden details highlighted by your private tour guide.
Contact me!
General Information About This Tour
GENERAL INFO AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Bramante Staircase Tour lasts nearly 3 hours and covers:
- Upper Rooms and galleries (including the Galleries of Maps, the Galleries of Candelabra, the Raphael Rooms
- the Sistine Chapel
- special access to the Bramante Staircase and the Chapel of Nicholas V, which are usually closed to the public.
Vatican Museum Opening Hours:
9:00 am – 4:00pm (closing time 6:00pm);
Available Monday, Tue, Thu, Fri, and Saturday
Dress code is required inside the Vatican and Rome’s major Churches. Make sure that shoulders, abdomen, or knees are covered. Jeans, and capris are allowed.
We also Recommend comfortable footwear.
TICKETS
Special openings must be organized and booked in full advance. Availabilities depend on the Vatican schedule and calendar.
MEETING POINT
- Meet your tour guide easley in front of the entrance of the Vatican Museums. The exact meeting point will be sent to you during the reservation process.
- Alternatively, pick up service directly at your hotel downtown Rome is available on request.
COMBINE YOUR TOUR WITH
The Bramante Staircase Tour can be extended with the following options:
- Morning food tour
- Evening Food Tour
- Cooking Class
Testimonials
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