Unfortunatly, the only day I will be able to visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel will be on June 28th which is the last Sunday of the month (free to the public and I understand VERY crowded) and it's also the day before Sts. Peter & Paul day when it will be closed. Has anyone suffered through this and still been successful at getting in? Suggestions???
Posted by
Lakeport
17 posts
My group tried to go on the last sunday of the month, and although it wasn't too crowded (we went in feb), we still ran into trouble. We were near the front of the line, and they closed the doors 30 minutes early and wouldn't let anyone else in. I hear that the last sunday is always bad, especially during the summer season. we ended up staying an extra day so that we could go the next day.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
We went on a free day in 2003. (It wasn't a Sunday, but some special day where everything was free...Colloseum, Vatican, Etc.) Anyway, go early. Maybe try to be there when it opens. You might be far back in line, but the line moves fairly fast since they are not selling tickets. (you do have to go through security, but it is faster than when you have to purchase a ticket.) Once in, know what you want to see...do some research. On the day we were there it was literally elbow to elbow people. I have claustrophobia and it was like my worst nightmare. We made it to the Sistine Chapel, which made it all worthwhile, but we were hardp ressed to see much of anything else. However, if we had had an idea of what we wanted to see and where it was, we would have been more successful. Have fun.
Posted by
St Louis
411 posts
Hi Nancy
Last May we were in Rome the last Sunday and I wanted to go back to the Vatican Museum just to see the Raphel Stanze and the Sistine again. I had the brilliant idea to get there 2 hours before the opening time and bring my breakfast and a book. At ten to seven the line was already past the sign that tells you you may not get in. The Vatican museums are amazing, but with only one day in Rome I can't recommend the investment of time getting in will take.
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia, USA
11 posts
Thanks. That's what I was afraid of. I've been but I'm taking several friends that have not and we can only be in Rome from about 3:00 on Saturday until we leave Tuesday morning to come back to the states. I wasn't aware of Sts. Peter and Paul day closing everything in Rome on Monday the 29th until recently and it's now too late to change our plans. So you were there 2 hours early and still didn't get in?!?!?