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Do we now need to pre-order tickets to more sites?

From what I have seen on their websites, several of the museums, etc. seem to be requiring advanced tickets, when perhaps they had not in the "before times." I see, though, that St. Mark's Basilica and the Campanile are now (or at least for now) requiring purchase on site. (I cannot tell if this is seasonal or perhaps pandemic-related.) On another online Italy travel forum, a traveler has reported that folks in line for entry to several sites were told that they were not admitting anyone who didn't have prior reservations.
My trip isn't for a few months, so things could change in the meantime, but for those who are now traveling or have just recently traveled, what seems to be status of sites that generally aren't thought to be crowded? In other words, I will certainly plan to pre-order tickets/tours for the most visited/crowded sites (Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese, etc.). Should I also plan to pre-order tickets for other sites--in Florence, for instance, the Bargello, Medici Chapels, etc.? Are we needing to forego a bit of spontaneity and pre-purchase tickets to more sites than we would have, say, in 2019?

Thanks.

Posted by
15807 posts

On another online Italy travel forum, a traveler has reported that
folks in line for entry to several sites were told that they were not
admitting anyone who didn't have prior reservations.

Susan, can you provide a link to that site/report? It would be helpful to know what city they were in, and specifically which attractions were reported to be requiring reservations that the visitors didn't expect to need.

Posted by
4601 posts

I don't know about in Italy, but I'm leaving soon on a US trip and seemingly everywhere requires a reservation to limit visitor numbers. I've only found a few places where I can just show up. And several of the sites have required a health declaration, while others have required a COVID liability release.

It's taking a lot of additional planning - even compared to my usual. The guesswork on timing is a real challenge, although in some cases I could probably book with short notice.

Posted by
75 posts

We are headed to Italy in a few days and had to purchase tickets in advance to just about every place in Venice, Rome and Florence. We purchased a Walks of Italy tour for St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace to avoid the lines at St. Mark’s. It looks like there are a couple churches in Florence that we might be able to get into without advance reservations. Missing being able to buy a Firenze card and stopping at museums/churches at our own pace.

Posted by
15807 posts

To add, some attractions require reservations on weekends and holidays, when they expect to be busiest, and some others, such as Florence's cathedral dome, can book completely up for all available entry slots well in advance. That's why it would be helpful to know WHICH attractions, and where in Italy, the report was for.

Just FYI, a Sept. visitor to the Bargello noted, "...tickets are available at the front door so there's no real need to reserve in advance."
(Tripadvisor). I don't see anything on their website stating the need for advance reservations; same with the Medici Chapels, although advance tickets for both are timed entry.

http://www.bargellomusei.beniculturali.it/index.php?it/1/home

But I see that you're planning your trip for May/June? You'll definitely be edging into high season, plus who knows whether COVID precautions will ease or tighten up again. Attractions probably will be busier than they are right now, and reservation requirements could become more common. Oh, and special museum exhibits may require advance, timed-entry reservations as well.

Posted by
77 posts

I am in Rome right now and reservations are necessary for the Pantheon. Check online. We got ours at the site after waiting half an hour and then discovering the need for a reservation. First available for our group of 4 was about an hour later — just enough time for a cappuccino and cornet to at Tazza de Oro. I should point out this was the weekend. During the week reservations may not be necessary.