I'm trying to figure out what time I should make a reservation for to see the Vatican museums. Our plan is to enter the museum at the 3:00 reservation time. View the museums and then (hopefully) use the tour group "back door" from the Sistine Chapel into St Peters. Then see St Peters and still have time to go up in the dome before closing. More background: We're planning on doing this on a Wednesday the first week of June; we're not big museum people but really enjoy beautiful churches and the frescoes and art in them. I'm going with the later afternoon reservation time to hopefully avoid the crowds as well as get some good afternoon lighting both in the basilica as well as of the city from the top of St Peters. I'd love some feedback on my plan and know if it's feasible before closing times.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
As far as I know, that "back door" stops being a possibility when either a) the last scheduled tour group goes through it, which may be well before you are ready to use it, and b) the guard on duty checks to see who is in the tour group.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
The guards check tickets to make sure you are on a tour so I doubt that you'll be able to use the "tour door". I would plan on not being able to use it and if it works out that you can then you're better off than you thought. Be sure to get there at about quarter til three since the last ticket entries are for three oclock and you don't want to be late. Donna