We will be going to the Vatican/Sistine Chapel/St. Peter's Basilica the first week of November. We will reserve a ticket in advance for the Vatican but trying to decide on a time to reserve. Any tips on timing/order of how to see things? Thanks!
Posted by
Hood River, Oregon, USA
63 posts
We took the "Pristine Sistine" tour through with Walks of Italy.com and would highly recommend it. Check out their website and their offerings. We liked it because it offered early admission ahead of the crowds in the museum and the chapel and then we were on our own to explore basilica after the tour ended. We were finished by noon but could have easily stayed longer.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11751 posts
You cannot beat the Walks of Italy "Pristine Sistine" tour Scott recommends. I have taken it three times, thanks to visiting guests. Everyone loves the small group, and when you see the madness that develops about 10:00AM, you will be so grateful you paid for an early entry, small group tour. Splurge-worthy!
Posted by
133 posts
If you will be going through on your own, try to go early so as to avoid the many tour groups.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Pricey as it may seem, I would get a before-hours tour, like Pristine Sistine. I did not go to the Vatican Museums for nearly ten years (and part of that time I lived in Roma) because of the crowds inside the Sistine Chapel.
Another benefit to a tour like PS is that if you get the combined Vatican Museums-Saint Peter's Basilica tour, you can take a short-cut with your tour group and guide into the Basilica.
Posted by
381 posts
We took the Walks of Italy tour, "Pristine Sistine" and we were so glad we did. We met at 7:15 and walked over with our group and waiting for the chapel to open. Later in the tour we walked back to get to another part of the tour and we could barely move. It is well worth every penny of the price and our guide was wonderful. We also visited the museum and St. Peter's.
Posted by
Wisconsin
19 posts
Having just got back from Italy, I can speak from experience that even with a reserved ticket for 9:00 for the museum, the crowds were insane. If I could do it again, I would book something before the general public were allowed to visit.
Posted by
9 posts
Having also gone on a trip to Italy a couple of weeks ago, I agree with booking a tour that allows access before the general crowd. Otherwise, you won't get to appreciate its beauty as you would be in the midst of huge crowds "pushing" you forward all the time.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
For the Vatican Museum, you may want to do their Friday evening tour and have the Museum almost to yourselves.
https://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?do