Please sign in to post.

Prime Experience - Vatican Museums

I did the Vatican Prime Experience tour today and have to say it was the best 63€ I've spent on this trip.

The only downside for me was getting up at 06:00 to get to the museum entrance at 7:15 for the 7:30 tour. This was for a two-hour guided tour of the museum before opening. Our guide was knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and hearded the cats with wit and aplomb. Given the size of the Vatican collections on display, the tour could only really hit the high points and point us to areas to explore later. We had 30 minutes in the Sistine Chapel virtually to ourselves, with only 3-4 other small groups as well. This meant the guide could give use detailed interpretation of the frescos and their history.

Also included was breakfast after the tour. I was expecting croissants and coffee, instead I was served coffee, croissants, eggs, potatoes, sausages, bacon, and side plate with cold cuts and cheese. There was more than I could eat!

After the breakfast I was free to wander the museum and spent another four hours, leaving only because my feet were killing me and I was exhausted. My exit took me through the Sistine Chapel again, which was utterly packed.

I am so glad I booked this tour some months ago!

Posted by
6553 posts

AlanJ, thank you for this! I've wondered if this tour was worth it; I'm bookmarking for our next trip to Rome.

Posted by
119 posts

Hey Alan,

My wife and I did the same tour in June and felt the same way. Some of the best tour money we spent on our whole trip