We plan on visiting Vatican City on a Monday, the last week in April. I know Monday's not ideal but we are only in Rome Sunday and Monday. We already have tickets to the Scavi tour at 9:30 am. How would you arrange the rest of the day? We'd also like to see St. Peter's, Vatican museam, possible walking up the steps into the dome. I was in Rome 30 years ago, and clearly remember the "attempt" to see the Sistine Chapel. It was hot, humid, and very very crowded, and after shuffling slowly with the crowd, my friends and I "swam" upstream to get out of the museum (yes we were scolded...). My husband really wants to see the Sistine Chapel, and I still have that vision of a cattle car filled with people. So when's the best time to reserve tickets for the Vatican Museum? Immediately after the Scavi tour, then St. Peters? Or reserve the last tickets available for the day?
thanks again for any advice.
The Scavi Tour will end on the lower level of St Peter's Basilica. View the Basilica after the tour. The Scavi Tour takes 45min-1hr, allot the same amount of time to see St Peter's, more if you plan on climbing to the top of the dome. If it was me I would factor in lunch and book tickets for the Vatican Museum about 1:00/1:30.
Second the plan from Karen. Leaving St. Peters around 11:30 gives you time to walk to the museum and have lunch. RS book has 2 good recommendations for lunch near the vatican. We picked up sandwiches and ate in the park. It has some name with a temperature or heat indicator to it.