After braving the crowds of April 2018 at the Vatican Museums, I'm quite intrigued with doing the early morning 7:30 tour with breakfast (not the 5:00 opening tour) to beat the crowds and have a bit more leisure time to wander and enjoy. Or... there appears to be an evening tour, as well. I would love to see the museum again without 100's of thousands of people! I don't mind the extra expense, even adding a guide. Anyone here with experience with either of these tours? Guide or no guide? I'll be there October 5-9, 2019.
Posted by
Kansas
1174 posts
We found an evening tour of around 200 people on a Friday 1700 -1900. We had the Sistine Chapel practically to ourselves and listened on our Kindles to Rick Steves thoroughly describe the chapel ceiling panels. A second group of 200 entered at 1900 but we were allowed to stay for a total of 4 hours. This was a couple years ago and you might find something similar although it may not be offered on their website until maybe August, if at all. Worth a look. We also booked a Scavi tour of the tomb of St. Peter later that week. Both tours were beyond awesome.
Posted by
Michigan USA
342 posts
We did the Walks of Italy early morning tour. We went in March and lucked out that we were the only ones on the tour. We we're in the Sistine Chapel with only a handful of people. Awesome!
Posted by
7 posts
When we went it was also Oct. We went in the morning, like you and it was packed! By the time we were done it was lunchtime (maybe 1-2pm) and it was much more empty. Next time we go we will go in the afternoon.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA
4 posts
To Roxy, was this the standard (open hours) tour that was so packed? The Vatican Museum is offering a slightly more expensive entrance as early as 7:30 AM that I'm considering.