How late can one tour the Vatican (Sisteen Chapel and St. Peters?)? I will be in Rome around 6p on Day 1 and have to leave around 3p on Day 2. All I want to do there is see the Vatican. Any suggestions or tips on how best to fit this in the 18 hours that I am there? Also looking for a B&B there if anyone has any ideas.
Posted by
Ttown, United States
35 posts
St Peter's Square is accessible 24/7.
The Basilica opens about 7 AM, I don't know when the doors are closed for the night. I went at 7 AM and had the square and the church almost to myself. It was pretty cool being mostly alone.
The Vatican's Museum (need to go here to see the Sistine Chapel) is open Monday to Sunday: the Ticket Office is open from 9 to 4. The Museum closes at 6.
Obviously you'll have to go early the morning after you arrive. Depending on your luck, the lines to get into the museum may or may not be long. You might consider booking a timed entry with the Vatican so you won't waste time waiting. http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Although the official website for the Vatican Museum says that it is open "Monday to Sunday" the very next line on the same webpage says that they are closed on Sundays.
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Hi Faisal,
This is a convent-type place to stay very near the Vatican. We stayed here a few years ago--it's basic but very clean and breakfast is included.
Casa per Ferie Santa Maria alle Fornaci dei Padri Trinitari
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
The web page of the church for American Catholics, Ste Susanna, has a list of convents/monasteries that take guests, some of which are quite close to the Vatican. They are a simple, pleasant, and low cost option. (Although English is often not spoken.) I haven't stayed in convents near the Vatican, but this spring stayed at a great convent 1/2 block from Ste Maria Majiorre (sp?), my favorite of the papal bascilicas. This is their contact info:
Suore di S.Elisabetta
Via dell'Olmata, 9
00184 Roma
tel. +39/06/4888271
fax +39/06/4884066
[email protected]
A couple of suggestions:
--Context Rome is a great agency for walking tours. I went through the Vatican museums on one of their tours; they are limited to 6 guests/tour, and the tour I took was led by a guide who taught Baroque art at the university level and was also a practicing Catholic. She provided a wonderful perspective.
--You might also want to request tickets to the archeological area below St Peters; it takes you through the pre- and early-Christian burial ground under the bascilica, as well as to the tomb of St Peter. Tours must be reserved in advance. You can find the link by going to the Vatican web site (vatican.va, I think) and searching for "scavi".
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
53 posts
This is great. Thanks everyone!