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Vatican Museum: Guided Tour or Alone?

Hi... We will be visiting the Vatican Museum (for the first time) in August 11 (it is a Monday but it is just what works best and we are planning to go after 1 or 2 pm to avoid the crowds). I am trying to decide whether to visit the museum by ourselves. In which case would you guys recommend to get there at 1, 2 or 3 pm? The other option is to book a group tour with Walks of Italy (starts at 2 pm and it lasts 2 hrs). The difference (tickets vs. tour) in price is 30 euros. Thanks, Lydia

Posted by
2829 posts

I'd visit the Vatican museum without a guide (unless it was a night special visit). Reasons for that: (1) the audioguide you can use is very good (2) they have plenty of restrictions on what guides can do with their groups, and they usually rush their groups through smaller rooms that are very interesting nonetheless
(3) the museum is huge, if you have 20min or so to spend before travelling there you can easily check their website and decide beforehand where to spend more time 2h guided tour must be a very rushed visit. You can easily stay there 4 hours and don't notice the passing of time.

Posted by
4152 posts

I prefer visiting on my own. I like to go at my own pace and visit rooms that are not usually on the tour routes. I would go at 2 or so in the afternoon and spend a few hours with the audio guide just wandering. Donna

Posted by
34 posts

Thanks for your responses. I really looking forward for this trip! I have a confirmed Scavi Tour for the same day at 11 am so 2pm this would work out perfectly! Thanks,
Lydia