Reading through reviews and worried on the crowds and heat in July. Any suggestions on visiting the Vatican - early morning ? where to start from ? Do a tour ? Go in late afternoon
Posted by
Dartmouth, NS, Canada
213 posts
I have found that the best time to visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel is Friday evening. Some galleries, specifically the Pinoteca , are not open but the crowds throughout the rest of the museums are reduced significantly. Also the evening is somewhat cooler. My advice for St. Peter's Basilica is the opposite - get there early - 7 am. The security lines are "shorter" and the temperature is bearable.
Posted by
Charleston, SC, USA
927 posts
In July, the Vatican Museum will be crowded. You can purchase tickets in advance to skip the line, but the crowd will likely be large inside. I would go when it opens, or later in the afternoon. Tickets and tours can be found here:
https://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do
Walks of Italy offers a tour (recommended by many on this board) that begins at 7:30 and you get to see the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the general public. Here is a link in case you are interested.
https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16730 posts
I have found that the best time to visit the Vatican Museum and
Sistine Chapel is Friday evening.
I was going to suggest the same but a look back at their itinerary shows that they're not in Rome on a Friday.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/rome-itinerary-feedback-please