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Verified WriterIf you’re in Rome early this year and planning on visiting the Vatican, know that the Sistine Chapel is currently partially covered in scaffolding due to a major restoration project.
As of January 12th, 2026, Michelangelo’s Last Judgement has started undergoing preventative conservation works inside the Sistine Chapel. The plan is to have the works completed by Holy Week (March 29th). But since Italy is Italy, where deadlines are more like guidelines, you might want to factor in that these restorations might continue until April or May.
For roughly three months (January through March 2026), scaffolding will cover the entire wall as expert restorers work just feet away from one of the world’s most famous artworks.
Yes, the Sistine Chapel will remain open during the conservation work. However, the experience will look and feel very different from what most travellers expect.
As Paolo Violini, the man leading the restoration project, told Vatican News, “During these three months there will be scaffolding across the entire wall, formed of a dozen floors and with a lift running between them. This should reduce the time our team of restorers need while not compromising the view for the general public. At any one time, we can have 10-12 people working on the fresco”.
In a nutshell, visitors should therefore expect:
Some of this has been the case for years. As the Sistine Chapel is a holy place, the Pope’s personal chapel, those inside must remain silent — including tour guides. This means that when taking a Vatican tour, your guide will explain the history and iconography of the Sistine Chapel before entering inside, leaving you to admire its artworks in peace and (relative) quiet.
A preventive check-up of the Sistine Chapel’s artworks are necessary — and long overdue. Decades of record-breaking tourism have taken their toll on delicate Renaissance masterpieces, with the last major restorations dating from the 1980s and 1990s. But carrying out conservation works during last year’s Jubilee would have been a poorly planned and, as circumstances would have it, inauspicious time to restore the Pope’s private chapel, especially given that it was required for the papal conclave following the passing of Pope Francis in April last year.
Conservation can’t be postponed forever, and this work helps preserve Michelangelo’s art for future generations. But for travellers visiting Rome in early 2026, it’s understandable that many will feel disappointed arriving to find the masterpiece covered up.
Fortunately, the project is in good hands. Paolo Violini was also in charge of restoration works in the Vatican's Raphael Rooms, restoring the frescoes in the Room of the Segnatura in 2000 and Room of Heliodorus in 2012.
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Frescoes in the Room of the Segnatura in the Vatican Museums' Raphael Rooms
If this will be your only chance to see the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, it should still be worth going. But if you’re planning a trip and have flexibility, you may want to save your Vatican visit until next time and focus on seeing other sites.
Rome is full of unforgettable experiences beyond the Vatican. If you’re adjusting your plans, consider replacing your Vatican visit with:
At Carpe Diem Tours, we want your trip to feel exactly as incredible as you imagined — no surprises, no disappointment, just authentic experiences and unforgettable memories.
Explore our Rome tours & experiences and let’s plan something amazing.
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Rome, ItalyChannel your inner-Maximus as you step out onto the Colosseum Arena floor and access this recently reopened area of the world famous amphitheatre. Then, explore the rest of the heart of ancient Rome, with a friendly, expert guide and a small group of like-minded travellers!
Unlike regular tours of the Colosseum, our Colosseum Arena Tour gets you straight inside the ancient amphitheatre and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route the gladiators themselves took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the moment they left the gates, and were greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 bloodthirsty spectators.
Your expert guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when the Colosseum was constructed. These were times when Rome was ruled by all-powerful emperors (sometimes wise, sometimes wacky), the city was flooded with exotic riches from around the world, and the Colosseum acted as the city’s main stage for showing off the animals and people that Rome had conquered and captured.
After a short 30-minute break, we’ll head off on the next part of the tour…
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where the ancient city was founded. The Palatine Hill is a real archaeological wonder, home to settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Gaze upon such sites as the Hut of Romulus, Rome’s legendary founder, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming. Get your camera at the ready – you really can’t beat these views!
The final destination on our Colosseum Arena Tour is the Roman Forum. As the beating heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was once a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and more. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, where victorious triumphs paraded with the spoils of Roman conquests, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
When our tour is over, feel free to stay and explore the Roman Forum at your own pace.
Book the complete ancient Roman experience today with our Colosseum Arena Tour!
4.98(1839)
Rome, ItalyFeed your curiosity as you please your palate on this indulgent Rome Food Tour! There's a reason our tour is multi-award-winning, and it's because we give you an all-access pass to savouring the Eternal City, stress-free. With everything pre-arranged, you’ll bypass the crowds as you taste your way through Rome; no queues, no guesswork—just authentic Roman cuisine. This fun (and filling) food tour gives you and a group of fellow foodies a taste of the city's culinary treasures, from local delicatessens and pizzerias to traditional trattorias and restaurants, you'll try all the authentic spots that the locals keep to themselves but your guide will reveal to you.
Our award-winning Rome food tour takes place in Trastevere, Rome's most traditional medieval neighbourhood. While the area is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and world-class cuisine, just like the rest of Rome, this neighbourhood also has its fair share of tourist traps. That's why we have teamed up with the places that keep to traditions and serve food for locals.
Because holidays are too short to eat badly, right?
This food tour in Rome will treat your tastebuds to at least 10 different tastings (vegetarian options available!) perfectly paired with a selection of local wines or non-alcoholic beverages for sober travellers. Try crispy Roman-style pizza by the slice, savoury supplì, and the best gelato in the city. Experience is more than just simply trying local cuisine, it's a glimpse inside the Roman kitchen—discovering the delicacies, the diet and the cultural dos and don’ts.
While you taste your way through the capital on this food tour; Rome will fully open up as you’ll also discover the process, meet the makers, and truly understand why Italian cuisine is considered the best in the world. So book your spot on our Rome Food Tour today and get ready for a true taste of the capital!
Please note: the places that we visit and the food that we try depend on the season.
Looking for a more intimate local experience with no strangers? We now offer an exclusive semi-private Rome food tour for groups of 6 or fewer.
This is a sustainable tour, meaning part of its profits go towards reforestation and other sustainable projects. We also ask all of our guests to bring a reusable water bottle to refill at one of the water fountains along our route to stay hydrated and help us reduce waste.
**Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate a gluten-free or vegan diet, but we hope to be able to in the future. While we can cater to vegetarians, we ask that you let us know about dietary requirements in advance so we can best suit your needs.**
4.96(3203)
Rome, ItalyLearn to cook like an Italian in this small group pasta & tiramisù cooking class that gives you mastery over the country’s best-loved classics. Over the course of three fun-filled hours, you’ll enjoy the expert guidance of our fluent professional chef and get hands on recreating real Roman recipes, culminating in a well-deserved dinner and dessert.
Situated in our centrally situated air-conditioned cooking school, your interactive class will give you the true sense of an Italian nonna’s loving kitchen. Led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable English-speaking chef, our cooking masterclass is perfect for kids and adults, beginners and experts.
Savoiardi (ladyfingers) are gently dipped in rich coffee before being layered with dollops of delicately mixed eggs and panna (cream). Finished off with a sprinkle of cocoa, these delicious desserts are set aside to rest in time for an after-dinner energy boost. In fact, the espresso within a tiramisù is what gives it a name that translates literally as “pick me up”!
Rolling up our sleeves, here is where we channel our inner nonna. Mixing, kneading, rolling, and shaping our fresh pasta from scratch will work up a sweat but result in elegant end products. We will then combine these carefully crafted creations with the flavours of the season and locality; be it twangy cacio e pepe or creamy carbonara.
How else to conclude your cooking class than by fully indulging in your culinary creations! Celebrate your accomplishment with family-friendly company, a gorgeous setting, and a glass of local wine or prosecco.
Whether returning a culinary maestro or a self-proclaimed novice, you’ll be sure to take the memories home with you and ruling your dinner parties back home!
4.96(1852)
Rome, ItalyExplore the wonders of the Eternal City on our Wonders of Rome Walking Tour! As you get your bearings around Rome’s cobbled historic centre, your expert storyteller will bring Rome’s most must-see sites to life, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Take photos, make memories, and most importantly, get the most out of your time in the Italian capital!
Your guide will share the city’s secrets and narrate its story in a way that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time – from explaining how the stunningly intricate churches and palaces were erected, to how the grand fountains were used to channel water throughout the city.
After meeting your guide at Piazza d'Aracoeli, we'll head to the Piazza Venezia, the crossroads between the ancient city and the modern capital and one of the most scenic squares in Italy! We'll then admire Trajan’s Column, a second-century AD monument which portrays the bloody victory of the emperor Trajan in his Dacian wars in Eastern Europe.
After taking a moment to marvel at the imposing Altar of the Fatherland, we’ll make our way to the iconic Trevi Fountain. Toss a coin into the fountain, spend a moment soaking in its sounds and scenery (metaphorically, not literally!), and uncover the fascinating stories behind the fountain’s statues and symbols.
We’ll then make our way to the Pantheon where the spectacle of the 2000-year-old dome will blow you away. Marvel at one of the best-preserved buildings of the ancient world, hear the story behind the man who built it, and discover the shocking architectural secret behind how the dome is (or isn’t) supported!
The square is situated near some of Rome’s best and most vibrant bars and restaurants and your guide will be happy to recommend where to go.
Our Rome Walking Tour is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. You can expect this memorable experience to last about two hours, which leaves you with more than enough time to explore the city beyond. Make sure you don’t miss out.
Secure your spot today!
4.97(2485)
Rome, ItalyWith your Fun and Witty English Mother-Tongue guide, we will take you off the beaten path and bring ancient Roman society to life, telling the stories behind the art and architecture. Showing you the hidden masterpieces that you absolutely have to see before you leave Rome.
We will visit the Bones Capuchin Crypts. Six Crypts decorated with the Bones of almost 4000 monks. Art and symbols of Christianity made from Human Bones. You will see works by Caravaggio and Learn the intricacies of religious burial rights as we try to grasp that universal question.
Next we will walk past the Colosseum and the Ludas Magnus where the Gladiators trained before going 4 levels underground to the Basilica of S. Clemente – a 12th century Basilica built on top of a 4th century Basilica, built on top of a 2nd century Temple of Mythros, On top of a 1st century Roman Apartment block.
Starting with the 12th century Basilica we will learn about the relics of the 4th Pope. Continuing down to the 4th century Basilica where you will discover the early formation of the Christian Church and admire the frescoes and symbols within. See the earliest written vernacular Italian in the world. Moving down to a 2nd century Mithra temple and seeing a 1st century Apartment Block with its fountain that has been running for over 2000 years.
4.93(143)
Rome, ItalyReady to experience one of the most awe-inspiring cities on earth? Join us on our Christian Rome Walking Tour for a journey where history, faith, and beauty collide in a truly unforgettable way. 2025 marks the Holy Year of Jubilee—one of the most important events in the Catholic Church that happens once every fifty years, and there’s no better time to explore the Vatican than now.
Your local guide will immerse you and a group of fellow travellers in the world of the pilgrims who came to Rome in search of spiritual awakening. After learning about the fascinating history of the Jubilee you’ll walk a similar path to the pilgrims, visiting the most iconic sites in the Vatican.
Stand in awe of the majestic Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, wander through the stunning Piazza Navona, and discover Castel Sant’Angelo and its history as a fortress, papal refuge, and even a prison. By the end you’ll have a greater understanding of how faith has shaped Rome and you’ll see the monuments that have long symbolised the power of the Catholic Church.
The tour will finish in Piazza Pia, with a breathtaking view of Saint Peter’s Basilica. This location is fitting; you’ll be close to the Holy Door, a rare and sacred passageway that’s only open during the Jubilee, promising transformation for those who pass through it. When the tour is over you can decide what happens next. Walk through the Holy Door, visit Saint Peter’s Basilica, and reflect on the history of Catholicism in Rome.
You don’t have to be religious to get something out of this tour, it offers something for every traveller. Whether you’re a pilgrim on a quest for something holy or simply a curious traveller keen to dive into Rome’s rich history—the Christian Rome Walking Tour is the most unique way to experience the Eternal City.
4.94(202)