Italian attractions you DON'T need to buy tickets in advance? - Rick Steves Travel Forum
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Italian attractions you DON'T need to buy tickets in advance?

I'm working through the list of places we want to see in Italy . . . I know we need to reserve a lot of places ahead of time (Accademia, Coliseum, Borghese Gallery, etc.). But I'm wondering if it's reasonable to buy tickets at the door for some of the attractions.

I have no problem buying tickets in advance if it makes sense, but if it isn't necessary, it would be nice to maintain the flexibility for last minute changes.

I've listed out some ofthe places we want to see - would you feel comfortable planning to buy entrance tickets at the door for these places without having to stand in a long line, or should I just schedule all of them in advance.

We're going the first two weeks in May, by the way.

Rome
Castel Sant Angelo (sometime Suday afternoon)
capitaline museum (Sunday or Friday, probably Friday)
trajan's forum
Museo Nazionale Romano (sometime Friday morning)

Florence
Duomo museum / Baptistery
bargello
palazo piti / boboli gardens
medici chapel
Santa Croce Church

Naples
cappella sanservo
Archeological Museum
pompei (entrance fee)

Venice
Bell Tower

Posted by
2502 posts

For Florence, I’d say you would be fine just buying tickets at the door for everything you’ve listed. For Venice, are you referring to the bell tower in the Piazza San Marco? You may want to consider visiting the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore, across the way - likely a lot less crowded. To get there, you can take a designated #2 vaporetto from S. Zaccaria ‘B’.

Posted by
8027 posts

As Insbig said, you should be fine getting tix at the door each place. Actually, we walked right in to the Colosseum, although that was in December 2012.

Just to be certain, the ancient Roman town buried centuries ago by Mt. Vesuvius is Pompeii (two i’s), while the living modern city nearby is Pompei (one i).

Even in 2012, the Borghese really needed an advance reservation!

Posted by
1297 posts

Venice - Bell Tower, aka the Campanile San Marco. A great alternative, take a vaporetto to San Giorgio and ascend the campanile there. Costs about 4 euro, there is no queue, and the view is better.

If you have time and make it to Torcello, you can climb the campanile there. It looks like a brick box from the outside, inside is a most elegant structure, artistry in brickwork.

Posted by
129 posts

Sorry, I should have been more specific - I was referring to the Bell Tower in St. Marks Square. It has the advantage of having an elevator, which my poor knees would be grateful for.

Thanks for the clarification on Pompeii - I had never noticed the one i vs two i distinction!

Posted by
129 posts

Really . . . ok, y'all may have talked me into going there. We have a full day in Venice with very few things planned . . . Going over to the other tower sounds like a great idea if they've got an elevator.

Posted by
2502 posts

Great! Also, the San Giorgio church (designed by Palladio) is very beautiful inside and out, and hosts revolving displays of modern art.

Posted by
257 posts

Of the 3 you mentioned in Rome, the Capitoline Museum will probably be the busiest because tour groups go there also. The other two should have very little wait if any to get in, especially the Museo Romano, an undervisited but good museum.

Posted by
129 posts

That's good to know. I think we plan to hit Capitoline Museum first that day, so it shouldn't be too much trouble to order that one in advance.