I'm off to Italy the second week in March. I've been to Italy many times (but always in the fall) and I never get reservations for the Ufizzi, Accademia, Sistine, Vatican, etc. If you've been to Italy in March, is your experience that reservations aren't needed or is it close enough to the start of the tourist season that it's really necessary? My daughter-in-law and granddaughter are going and I don't want them to miss anything on their "must see" list.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11833 posts
I will speak to the Vatican Museums, which include the Sistine Chapel. There is always a line for tickets for those who do not plan ahead. To avoid time spent in line and save energy for the museums, at least buy timed entry tickets in advance if you do not take a tour.
Posted by
Chicago
2123 posts
Those timed entry tickets as Laurel reports are pretty sweet. And there's a little fudge room too, at least from my experience at the Accademia. We bought the tickets, had lunch, finished early, then walked in about 30 minutes in advance. No problem.
We've been to Florence & Rome 2nd week of March and it's my estimation there are far less tourists than in the fall--it's a great time to be there! That being said, you have to decide for yourself how much flexibility you want to have.
For the big stuff--Vatican, maybe Uffizi--I'd get tix in advance. Otherwise, I'm being spontaneous, and for a compulsive planner like myself that's saying something. Being there with few tourists is incredibly freeing, in that you have the luxury of sipping your morning coffee and deciding what to do that day.
Enjoy your planning!
Posted by
227 posts
Get any tickets or make reservations in advance.