Vatican on "Free Day"

You cannot buy tickets for free Sunday as it's free and no tickets are required. You'll need to wait in the line along with everyone else who wants to get in for free. As for taking your time, I doubt that will be possible. The rooms are so crowded you are swept along with the tide of people. The museums are the most crowded on Free Sundays. You couldn't pay me to visit them at that time as they are not fun and you cannot get away from the horde of people. You don't need binoculars to view the chapel but can bring them if you wish. Donna

I was there last fall - not on a free day and booked a tour with a private company. The place was a zoo - almost too packed to see anything. I recall several years ago when I was there it was equally as crowded. I think it is one of the "must see" place in Rome and everyone goes. So I don't think there are any days when it is not crowded - but maybe later in the afternoons......I'll let one of the experts answer that.
I hope you enjoy your visit.

Yes, for the best view of the Sistine Chapel, bring binoculars. They're not "necessary," but I wish I had brought them. And I agree with Donna; you would have to pay ME - a lot - to go the Vatican on a free day. I went on a paid admission day, years ago, and it was still too crowded and frenetic to enjoy.

I was there last month and it was a zoo. I can't imagine it when it is free. This was one of the free places I didn't use Rick's Audio tour. I booked a group tour with Walks of Italy and we were able to be inside the Sistine Chapel before the general admission folks were allowed inside the museum. We entered the museums just before 8am and our guide took us straight to the Sistine Chapel. When we arrived there was only a couple other groups maybe 40 people. We were able to get a seat on a bench and we stayed in there for about 35-45 minutes. It was nice and peaceful except for the tourist who walked up in front of the last judgement and started taking pictures followed by the guards yelling "no photo". on the way to the chapel we walked thru many of the rooms and our guide let us take pictures as the rooms were empty which was his suggestion. After the chapel we went back to the front of the museums and went thru the rooms. I was glad he let us take pictures as the rooms were now packed and you couldn't get a good shot without people in your frame. We also went back to the sistine chapel on the way to St. Peters and it was now packed at this time with everyone in there. There was so many people you couldn't enjoy it. I was glad the tour took us there first and I would do that again.