Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica schedule

Early morning is definitely a magical time in the Basilica. And being there a little bit before it opens is a great idea. Another wonderful experience, if you can work it into your schedule, is the view from the roof of the Basilica on a clear day. As you are facing the church, the stairs and the elevator are to the right. It will take you to the level that will allow you to walk around the base of the dome, which gives you a great view of the church interior, as well as walk out on the roof, which has amazing views of Rome.

Thanks Sherry. I will plan to do that - maybe later in the day, as I don't think there will be time before a 9:00am Museum appt.

Or, I plan to purchase the Roma Pass and on the day I am visiting the Borghese Gallery, I am going to Castel Saint' Angelo. Rick also mentions going to St. Peter's at 4:00pm. I could visit St. Peter's again and climb the dome at that time.

Thanks again,

Sharon

Are you joining an organized tour of the museums? I ask because you noted only 2 entry times for the museums.

It's best to climb the dome first thing in the morning, if you want to do that. Much of the climb is quite narrow (so you can only ascend as fast as the folks ahead of you) and there isn't much room in the dome once you get there so it can take some time to jockey for positions for viewing and photos. I got there not much after they had opened (it was February, so not so many people), and the security line was really fast, there was no line to start the climb up. The more physically fit climbers were obviously held back by the slower folks ahead of them - and again on the way down. I did linger and when I got back down a couple of hours later, the line for the dome was in the hundreds. It's the same security line, so you can visit start your visit in the basilica at 7 a.m. and head for the dome just before 8, when it opens. Then you can return to the basilica if you wish before leaving the secure area.

If you go to the basilica first, you should allow about 15 minutes to walk to the museums entrance. The museum tours end at the Sistine Chapel. If you are on a tour, I understand that you then exit directly into the secure area of the basilica - so you would not have to take the 10-15 minute walk back to the museums entrance and the 10-15 minute walk to the basilica and the line for the security check. That's if you choose to visit the museums first on a tour.

You will be on your feet for your entire visit to the Vatican complex, aside from a bit of a rest here and there (unless you are lucky and get a seat in the Sistine Chapel). Bearing in mind that standing is more tiring than walking, do you really want to plan several miles of walking after that?

Chani's description of the narrow climb is from the base of the dome to the cupola. There is (or was when I was last there) an elevator that will take you to the roof, where you start climbing inside the dome. You have a lot of walking planned, I just wanted to clarify that you don't have to walk up from the floor of the Basilica all the way to the very top. By the way, I found the view from the roof perfectly adequate, once I had climbed up to the cupola and back down, so it depends on how much climbing and walking you want to do.

In Trastevere, there are buses to take you to the Gianicolo. The Gianicolo is a large park so you'll have lots of walking there, too. You can use regular ATAC bus tickets (validate on the bus) or if you have a Roma Pass, buses, trams and the metro are covered.

Thank you.

I will not be going on a guided tour - with Rick's book, another guide and doing a VT before going, I think I will be fine. I know the guides have a plethora of information but I really like to go at my own pace.

I will be staying near the Pantheon - Piazza della Maddalena. I will check out #40 bus schedule or will take a taxi if it isn't too expensive. Since I want to be there by 6:45am at the latest, a taxi may be the best way to go.

Thank you Zoe. I will take the elevator and probably will not climb higher - never know when claustrophobia may kick in - and it seems not worth it. I will walk back down to see the marble plaques of famous visitors?

Which of the following will be less hectic? It is just so difficult to judge having never had the experience

7:00am - 8:00am St. Peters
8:00am - 8:30am Dome
8:30am - walk to Vatican museum
9:00am - 12:00pm Vatican appt 9:00am
Pizzarium - lunch
1:30pm walk back to St. Peters to wander around the Piazza, maybe go back into St. Peter's again to see it in a different light

OR

7:00am - 8:00am St. Peters
8:00am - 8:30am Dome
back down to St. Peter's - wander around the Piazza
11:00am - walk up to Pizzarium for lunch
1:00 or 2:00pm appt for Vatican Museum

I will probably go to the Park the next week. I have two days with nothing scheduled to just fill in with whatever...

Thanks again,

Sharon

Just to clarify, I did take the elevator - it costs all of €1 more than the stairs. The climb was "only" from the terrace up to the dome some 320 stairs.