My wife, daughter, and myself want to visit the Vatican Museum on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2013. This day is FREE and I am not able to book an entry time. My question is do we just show-up and wait in line, and what is you recommendation for the least crowded time on that day? Thank you.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Get to the museums as early as you can or you won't get inside. They stop allowing entry at 12:30 so if you're not in line by 9am you don't stand a chance of getting in. This is the busiest day of the month for the museums and you won't find a time that it is not packed full of people. Just show up and get in line with everyone else. Donna
Posted by
west Chester, PA
372 posts
James, unless you have several extra hours to stand in line and don't mind lots of people bumping into you and your family, I would not go on the free day of the month. You could go onto the official website mv.vatican.va and get tickets very reasonably priced with just a 4 euro charge for the reservation. You go right in at your designated time from the tickets. Just download the tours onto your phones and bring headsets to listen and save the money there.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If you can possibly go on a non-free day, do it. I went in September on a non-free day, and it was too crowded to enjoy. And this was almost 20 years ago, so it's probably even more crowded now. You would have to pay ME - a lot - to go on the free day.
Posted by
Danbury, Ct, Usa
134 posts
James, Rome has so much to offer, going that day is crazy, the line for Vatican on pays days are crazy. If you need to go research private guided tours of Vatican, they skip the line, you have private guide but it will cost you. But you will see more than Sistene Chapel, and it will be a better experience, especially for your family.
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
572 posts
I agree with others. We went on a normal pay day and it was very crowded.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
I've only been in February (twice) and there were lots and lots of people. I can only imagine that it would be a most unpleasant experience on "free day." It would be hard to see much of anything except the other people. If that's your only day, then go to another museum in Rome - there are many good ones.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
James,
I just yesterday booked the Friday night tour, by the Vatican staff, on Friday night, September 27. Saturday is the 28th. I chose the 1900 starting time (first one available) and there are plenty of openings every 30 minutes until 2100. Check it out at mv.vatican.va and go to the night openings for 2013. All the reviews have been glowing for the small groups on night tours.