This may be obvious, but I'm getting confused by reading too many webpages/books! We have a Scavi tour reserved for 9:30am on a Wednesday. We'd also like to tour the museums and St. Peters later that day (including climbing the Cupola). How does this work logistically? I know we meet on the left side of St. Peters for the Scavi tour and I've heard we exit in St. Peters. Can we then tour there and do the Cupola? And then, if we want to see the Museums, do we have to walk back around to the entrance to those and get tickets and enter there (or preferably reserve tickets and enter there?) Thanks!
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Yes, for the Scavi tour, you'll need to tell the Swiss Guard on the left of the basillica why you're there and he'll let you through. When I last did the Scavi tour, it ended in the upper level under the basillica, where popes and other key figures are buried (which I found quite beautiful). However, we weren't able to get directly from there to the main level of the basillica; we needed to exit and enter through the normal entrance. Perhaps others have different experiences. You don't say when you are going, but if the Pope is in residence, Wednesday is the day for audiences. That markedly impacts tourist flow, with lots of folks hitting the basillica and museums after... I'd avoid those days. He typically is not in Rome for much of the summer, so if you are going soon, that may not be an issue. You can check his schedule for audiences on the Vatican website (vatican.va, if I remember correctly). Definitely make reservations for the museums. Depending on your interests/tolerance for art/architecture/museums/etc, you might want to schedule the museum for right after the Scavi tour. However, it is typically less crowded near the end of the day. In the museums, you PROBABLY can exit from the Sistine Chapel into the basillica (see RS guide for details). As an alternative, after leaving the Scavi tour, you could check the lines for the cupola (on the right of the basillica) and the basillica itself. Pick the shortest line and do that; then double back for the other; and make the museum reservations for later in the day. If you take this approach, you'll need to exit the basillica and follow the wall of Vatican City for a few blocks to reach of the museum entrance. (With your back to the basillica, you'll exit the plaza on your left, and then follow the walls.)
Posted by
OP
Lyndhurst, OH - Ohio, USA
3 posts
If we chose to see St. Peter's and then went back around to tour the Museums - how does the entry fee work? Is there a entrance charge to St. Peters? I know there is one to go up to the Cupola and obviously to get into the Museums at that entrance... but if we were going to St. Peter's from the Scavi tour, would we pay to get into the Basilica itself?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11338 posts
There is no fee to enter the Basilica, Crystal. After the Scavi tour, you can enjoy the Basilica to your satisfaction. You do have to walk outside back to the Museum entrance to experience the museums. It's about a 10-15 minute walk. If on a tour, you will exit into the Basilica, in all likelihood but never guaranteed).