Vatican Museums for Teens? Or maximize St. Peter's Basilica?

Booking an early tour is an excellent decision. At this time of day, the Sistine Chapel is not overcrowded. And if it is well explained to the kids, they will love it. From your description, it sounds like the tour would use direct access to St. Peter's Basilica. That's a good way to save time and avoid the queues in St. Peter's Square.

Do your daughters like museums?

Simple reminder what you like may not be of any interest to your daughters. Ask them about their expectations on this trip.

I’d spend more time in the Basilica. Explaining that the art consists of incredible mosaics, sculptures and paintings.

Even as a lapsed Catholic I took Communion in St Peters then hit the gift shop to buy rosaries blessed by the Pontiff for gifts. Bill’s mother was so appreciative to receive a rosary that she’d tell me over and over again the prayers she said for both Bill and I daily. He’s gone, Nora’s gone but I always smile thinking how she prayed for us on that rosary.

Claudia,

I am glad the rosary you brought Nora was meaningful to her. Sound like it was the perfect gift.

In response to you question, I don't see my daughters/wife as having long patience for museums. I just wasn't sure if perhaps the Vatican Museums were in some way more captivating than most or perhaps the storytelling from our guide would make it rich enough to keep them engaged.

Kevin

I think the Sistine Chapel is one of those iconic things the kids have probably learned about in school, so they may relate to it in that way.

Also, unfortunately, some of your 2 hours will likely be spent just navigating through the museum itself. We spent some time up front looking at the diorama of Vatican City and our guide teaching us about the history and politics. So it will all go faster than you think, I’m guessing.

FWIW, we had a really long day (Colosseum morning, then Vatican afternoon, then St. Peter’s) and my teen still says St. Peter’s was a highlight for him.

If you have an actual tour guide, it will make it more palatable for them. We took our daughter there when she had just finished 6th grade and she talked about how much she liked the guide. You could also bribe them with gelato. I think they should see it and your wife needs to act enthusiastic about it. Personally, I find the Museums more interesting than the basilica. You might want to check out some library books about art and let the girls pick out things they want to see-like the Apollo Belvedere, the Raphael tapestries, the School of Athens that include portraits of some of the painters. They will enjoy it more if they know what they're looking at and why it was important. And spending time in the Museums should be seen by them as the price they pay for a trip to Italy. And I bet your wife will expect you to be patient with their shopping trips. You can consider this in the category of "they'll thank me later"

I did that exact schedule with my kids when they were 9, 12, and 14. They did not get bored, or at least, they didnt complain at all. It moves so fast and there is SO many amazing things to see. It felt really fast, and that was early, so after that we walked to the Spanish steps and Trevi fountain and on. Id say it depends on your kids. Mine were not museum buffs (too young, although the 14cyo probably appreciated it more), but the Vatican is just so monumental that I think even they could appreciate the scale of it. I wouldnt worry too much. Getting started early will obviate some of the tourist fatigue for that visit from the start.

Take the teens to the museum. They might get exhausted but they will not be bored.

2 hours in the Vatican Museum is already pretty rushed. It is a big place and getting from start at the entrance to the end in Sistine Chapel is a long way. To save any significant time, you would have to really pick up the pace and start skipping some highlights.

I always preferred the Basilica. The sheer size makes it seen less crowded. Plus it is usually cooler. Since your tour ends there, you can stay longer, relax and wander. Just give yourself some time before doing the tower.

One thing I’m not seeing mentioned (or not mentioned much) as I scrolled through is how crowded the Vatican Museums are. Been twice on two different RS tours, and there are so many people being ushered through, it’s tough to take it all in. It’s not like other art museums where you roam around and walk up to objects and paintings, it’s essentially lines of groups of people walking through. At least in St. Peter’s you can spread out a bit.

I’m not really answering your question, I know, but be aware of what the experience is like. Have your been inside the Palace of Versailles? In my experience, a similar volume of people.

I’d pick the basilica. Been to the museum twice and found the crowds unbearable and couldn’t remember any of the art. If you want art go to the Borghesi sp? Museum and wander through several other churches.

I was in all three 2 years ago and only remember the Basilica. It impressed me so much. If and when I go back I will only go to the ,Basilica.

Basilica yes. Vatican Museums no. Borghese Gallery beats the Vatican Museums any day. Wandering through the Forum is even better. No need to go into the Colosseum but gazing at it from the Forum or the Capitoline hill is amazing

We ended up doing the tour because we wanted to see the Basilica and the security line at the Museum entrance at 7:30am (actually 8am entry) was very light. The museums were somewhat interesting but I think not highly memorable in the grand scheme of things. Unfortunately, the pope passed away as we were getting to Rome so the Basilica was closed. I enjoyed the museum and my teens tolerated it well.

So what would I recommend for others? The Basilica is the most amazing part of the Vatican (I have been before even though I missed this trip). I would focus on spending your time here. I think the climb is well worth it, but you don't need a guide for it. So, if I was to make up my perfect way of seeing it, I would do a small group tour of the basilica itself and then separately book the climb tickets to be right after the tour ends. If you are interested in the museum, the 7:30am early access tour which end in the Basilica is very good and again your would separately buy the climb tickets for maybe an hour after the end of the tour. This gives you some time to walk around the Basilica after the tour and also to get in line for the climb/lift (you don't need to go through security again).

I only got to see the Vatican Museums, no Sistine Chapel, and no Basilica, because of the timing of my trip. The Vatican Museums were all right. I barely remember anything except the tapestries and that there were some amazing ceilings near the end. Also that I was surprised by the Egyptian and Etruscan exhibits being there. Unless your kids are art lovers, I question how much they'll enjoy being in a stream of tourists going through the museums. I vote for the Basilica; it's one of my great regrets that I missed it.

I hope the tour goes directly to the Sistine Chapel. If so, it will not be crowded. We were scheduled to do the Museum/Sistine Chapel a few days ago, but unfortunately the chapel was not open - some church event going on, they said. So we decided that we really weren’t interested in the museum and forfeited our tickets.

I like your #2 suggestion

Stephen, as far as I know, there is no tour of the Vatican Museums that starts at the Sistine Chapel. It seems to be the last part of the tour.

When we took the Walks of Italy Pristine Sistine tour in 2018, it went to the chapel first

The Basilica was by far more impressive and memorable.

Yes the Sistine Chapel is a must see …but..is it? in retrospect it becomes just a “nice-to-see “ if you have to tolerate the crowds and the heat through the rest of the 2 hours in the Vatican Museums. If I were to give a recommendation, I would buy the Vatican Museums ticket directly for the 1st appointment in the morning and run (well, walk really quickly) directly to the Sistine Chapel. Then go to the basilica and stand in the entry line.

We also bought one of those expensive 3rd party combination tours because I felt it was worth the time savings to go directly from the Sistine to the basilica. Sadly, as of 12 May, the passageway from Sistine to Basilica had NOT yet reopened. We had to walk all around to the front of St. Peter’s anyway and guess what, there were no lines to enter! (This was an afternoon tour) I’m sure there are lines in the morning. Knowing what I know now, I’d book the earliest Vatican Museum ticket directly for a fraction of the tour price, and just go directly to the Sistine Chapel, split my visit and return to the Basilica in the late afternoon.

I am sorry to say that the rest of the Vatican Museums was definitely not worth the time.

Borghese Gallery - truly excellent and the highlight of the trip.

My son and his wife are taking their young teens to Italy in July with just two days in Rome on their itinerary. I already told them not to bother spending half a day of that in the Vatican Museum. I've been twice, which was one time too many. The Vatican to me is a one time Been There/Done That kind of thing. If it can't hold my interest for 2-3 hours as an adult, I can't imagine teens getting much out of it. I have to say, though, that the first time I went was with the early entry (breakfast included, then you got to enter the museum before the doors open to the public.). That time was okay, because we could move quickly through the museum to get to the Chapel.

The second time, my travel companion insisted on a guided tour and it took FOREVER, and all I wanted was for it to be over with. (Some people might like guided tours, but I prefer to move at my own pace so each to their own.)