Hi, planning a trip to Rome at the end of August and came across some information on Vatican tour that is available on select Fridays after the museum closes at 6 PM. It then re-opens for booked tours at 7:30 and stays open until 11 PM. People claim that it is much less crowded. Wondering if anybody has done it. Please share your experience.
Posted by
11 posts
Just returned from Rome (VFR tour) and we did the Friday night Vatican tour. Even with the tickets in hand we waited about 45 min. queued up at the door with a line around the wall further than we could see behind us. It was OK in the outdoor spaces, but I thought it was ridiculously packed inside. Of course I don't know what it's like during the day, and our guide did keep saying that it was nice that it wasn't so crowded but I'd hate to imagine it worse than that!! Maybe if you are going alone and not in a group the experience will be more pleasant, but I'd still say queue up early, and still anticipate a huge crowd. And DO NOT take a backpack!!!
Posted by
OP
NJ, USA
9 posts
Thanks a lot for the feedback. It's very helpful. We visited Vatican 10 years ago during regular hours and it was a zoo. I am not expecting us to be the only visitors after-hours or early morning at 7:30 am tour, which I am also considering. But would like to avoid heavy crowd as much as possible.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1069 posts
Last year I did the Friday night "happy hour" at the Vatican museums. It was wonderful, not crowded, relaxing, entertaining and on top of everything else I had the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. I already bought my ticket for this July. This is not a tour. You have choices when you book your ticket. I chose the 'happy hour' (a glass of wine) with a cold supper buffet (that was very tasty). And there was a concert. Whenever you wanted you can just meander through the museum and end up in the Chapel. My ticket is for a 7 o'clock entry (I remember it being right on time last year) and an 11 o'clock exit. By exit I mean they started moving people (from the Chapel) out but NOT rushing us at all. On the way out there were still a few halls to enjoy. Crowded? Not at all. The windows were open and the evening fresh air (at the end of July) made for a much more humane experience. I say: go for it!
Posted by
11 posts
how do we get tickets for this ???
Posted by
OP
NJ, USA
9 posts
Thank you, Robert, for the feedback. I like the night option better that the early morning one.
Here is the official Vatican museum site to get the tickets: