Hi - I know this topic has sort of previously addressed, but which would you go with: visiting the Vatican on the last Sunday of the month, or the next day - a Monday which also happens to be free since it is World Tourism Day? It sounds like both days would be crowded. We did want to see the papal blessing on Sunday at noon, though...
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Honestly, you couldn't pay me to go on ANY free day offered by the Vatican. It's so crowded that you just get pushed along and can't stop to see anything. If you can plan any other day I would do that. IF not, it makes no difference which day you choose as both will be unbearable.
Donna
Posted by
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
265 posts
I suppose your going to visit the Vatican Museum also. IF you do, the Vatican Museum closes on Sunday? If you don't get your tickets and appointment to get in, in advance, GOOD LUCK! When we went on Monday the third day of May, the line was five hours to buy the ticket and get in. Thank God I did everything in advance. Rick writes that the museum is huge, man is it huge. I think my feet haven't recovered yet ( just kidding ). We did the Basilica early, got a quick bite at a street vendor and at 11:30 am. stood in a much shorter line to go in @ 12:15 pm. I can't even imagine what a zoo that's going to be on a free Sunday Papal Blessing. I say go for it with an open mind, your a traveler, maybe it rains and your the only one there:-)
Posted by
St. Louis
49 posts
Though it seems counter-intuitive, as long as the VM are open, it's best to go in the afternoon. Tour buses arrive en masse in the a.m., but we arrived at about 2:00 the first Saturday in June and walked right in - no line at the ticket booth.
I think that if the papal blessing is important and meaningful to you, that's definitely when you should go -- he doesn't just pop out every day and chat. ;)