We will be in Rome at the end of June. I'm planning a private tour of the Vatican as this is my first time there. I've read about the early morning tour, with the pre-general admission at 8AM, before the Vatican opens to the public. I'm comparing it to an afternoon private tour. The morning tour goes directly to the Sistene Chapel where you have a visit there before the Vatican "officially" opens, then see the rest with the general public. My question is, is it worth it, for I've heard that first thing in the morning is the most crowded, with the cruise ship tours adding to the crowds, does it negate the extra cost?
Posted by
partout
71 posts
I've visited the Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel twice-once with the general public and once on a private tour in the evening after it had officially closed. I strongly recommend visiting outside of the "official" hours, its so much more calm and peaceful. If you visit the Sistine Chapel during regular hours, it is crammed with hundreds of people talking and shoving each other. If you go outside of official hours, there will probably only be about 50 other people and you will be able to walk freely around. Its two completely different experiences.
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
153 posts
I agree. Were I to do it over again, I would go later, near closing or before it opened with a tour as you mention. We were there mid-day and the chapel was downright stressful. The murmur building up of 500 people for 20 seconds then to be scolded by the Vatican attendants "NO TALKY!!" "NO PHOTO!!" was just irritating. Of course, then it would become quieter, for 30 seconds, then more shouting from the attendants. Also being able to sit on a bench and/or move freely would be another great benefit.
The tour would give you and added benefit of an interpretation of what you are seeing, though I found RS guide to be more than ample for my needs.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11780 posts
Maureen: We took the 8AM Pristine Sistine tour that goes right to the Sistine Chapel. We were in there with about 3 dozen people to start. Our guide herded us along briskly, buzzing through the galleries without stopping to reach the chapel as soon as possible, while other tours took the traditional approach and viewed the other treasures on their way to the Sistine. We had about 45 minutes in the Sistine Chapel before the traditional tours caught up with us, and it was marvelous. Our guide was very knowledgable about the art. The downside is you will retrace your steps, going back through the museum to see the galleries you missed on your fastwalk. And they will be a little crowded. Then you will go back through the Sistine to get to the Basilica. Then you'll have the opportunity to see the Sistine with several hundred people crowded in. That alone made me so happy we took the early fastwalk tour! Hope that helps.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, USA
38 posts
I agree, do the morning. The cruise ship crowds go through between 10am-1pm because of travel time to and from the port. The early morning special tours can enter as early as 8am, and some companies do take you directly to the chapel, giving you a chance to be alone inside for a while before it starts to fill up. PLUS, the afternoon in the end of June is a nightmare, and the museums are hot and muggy regardless of how many people were there that day. Go early, and avoid the heat!! :-)