My first trip to Rome is coming up and I've been able to get tickets for the Scavi Tour for a 9:30 am tour. I've gone back through some recent posts but I'm still a bit confused what I can stay to see after the Scavi Tour. I see we end in the crypt and can visit the basilica but what about the Sistene Chapel and museums. Not being familiar with the Vatican at all, I have no idea and need some assistance. Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
What would I do? I would read these two webpages: http://www.roninrome.com/%20sites-and-attractions/vatican-museum-to-pre-book-or-not and http://www.roninrome.com/%20sites-and-attractions/20-tips-on-visiting-the-vatican-museums
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel are handled as one entity, completely separate from the Basilica and the Scavi Tour. To see the Sistine Chapel, you have to buy tickets to the Vatican Museum. No way around that. Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Toronto, ON, Canada
201 posts
Okay good to know. So now if the tour ends around 11 and after looking around the basilica it could easily be 12:00-12:30 when we're done. I've read on here that the afternoon isn't so bad with the lines so do you recommend trying to line up at that time or should I look at booking another tour to get back in without the line-up headache? Will there be some places to pick up a quick lunch before trying to head back in? It is the first of 3 days for us in Rome, but our first day is a Monday, so reading that most museums are closed, I'd think the lines would be longer. I guess going to see another area of town in the afternoon and coming back another day may not make sense with the closures? What would you do?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11344 posts
Hi Kathy: I'd say if you can get a tour for the afternoon, do it. Walks of Italy has a 2 hour highlights tour starting at 2:15 pm, Mon-Wed-Fri. http://www.walksofitaly.com/. We used them for the Pristine Sistine and based on that experience, highly recommend them. You should have time for lunch and then join the tour near the entrance to the Vatican Museums. Ciao!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
You don't need to be on a tour of the museums to skip any line there may be in the afternoon. You can buy timed entry tickets. This allows you to bypass the line. You can use an audio guide if you want more information or just do it on your own. You will easily be able to find a place for a quick bite. There are restaurants all around the vatican and you'll pass dozens on your way from the basilica to the museums entry. There is also a cafeteria inside the museums. Donna