We have been confirmed for the Scavi Tour at noon on October 2 and want to see the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica that same day. In what order would you recommend we do the Museum and Basilica around the noon Scavi Tour? I have heard the lines are longest for the Vatican in the morning but if we reserve ahead of time, that would eliminate the lines. I have also heard that there are long lines for security checkpoints at St. Peter's. Need some help deciding how to set up our day!
Thanks!
Terry and Jeff
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
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Posted by
Fredericksburg
6 posts
Being a Friday, you are going to be ok. I stayed near the Vatican when I was there a few weeks ago, so we ended up in St. Peter's Square multiple times. We did the Scavi Tour at 1:45 on a Friday, went for some gelato afterwards and waited maybe 10 minutes to get into St. Peter's. We had to wait closer to 20 to 30 minutes on a Sunday morning to get into St. Peter's. The line was pretty long at that point, but we were very surprised by how quickly it moved. Unfortunately our only day for the Vatican Museum was on a Monday. They do not lie when they say Mondays are busy there, even after 1. My instinct would be to go to the Basilica first, which won't be far from your Scavi Tour spot, enjoy the Scavi Tour, grab a sandwich as you walk to the Museum and then enjoy the museum. You will be out of the Scavi Tour by 1:15 at the latest as you're only allowed about an hour in there with the guide. As far as the reservation went, we were glad we reserved the Museum on a Monday, but on a Friday afternoon, you should be ok without one. We found that sometimes we appreciated the reservations for ease of mind, but was a 50/50 shot if it saved us time. It's really what will make you feel best.
Posted by
OP
Smithtown, NY, USA
106 posts
Thanks for the info! I actually emailed Ron in Rome and he advised to do St. Peter's first, then the Scavi and then the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, with a stop for lunch after the Scavi tour! Sounds like a plan!