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Early morning vs Friday night visit to the Vatican Museums

I was wondering if a early morning visit( 1 hr before its open to the public) or the special Friday night visits are better to see the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican museums? As far as the crowds are concerned?
Is it better after having seen the Sistine Chapel, to go back to the very beginning and see the main exhibits? We're not planning on doing a guided tour, just the Rick Steves audio app, and I think he starts with the ancient sculptures ? Or see the SIstine Chapel and then Raphael rooms, basically work backwards with the audio tour?
How long is the walk from the entrance to the Sistine Chapel, presuming we do early entry with minimal crowds?
We're traveling in August.

Thank you

Nira

Posted by
4105 posts

Something to consider when planning.

By doing the evening entry, you free up at least a half day for other sites with more limited entry hours.

Posted by
62 posts

Thanks for your response, I had considered that an evening visit would leave our morning free, but I wanted to visit when it will be the least crowded, I had heard that Wednesday mornings are good options because of the papal audience. And it gets more crowded after that, by which time we'll hopefully leave. But the Friday evenings are less crowded on the whole, is that right?

Posted by
4105 posts

Typically yes. At least that was the case in 2016.