I was looking online at that Vatican and Sistine Chapel tours and noticed that new this year they are offering a night tour, has anyone done this? Would you recommend it over doing a general day tour and does it include the Sistine Chapel?
http://mv.vatican.va/1_CommonFiles/pdf/aperture_notturne_2012_en.pdf
Posted by
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan, USA
78 posts
A night tour of the Vatican is something I have never heard of but would absolutely plan to do on my next trip. However, I would not recommend it OVER a day tour. You do not want to miss the Vatican during the day when you can see the play of the light as it comes in in beams. I recommend being in line to be first (or very nearly first) into the Vatican in the morning. This provides the best lighting and avoids the crowds of later in the day. I recommend taking both tours.
Posted by
San Jose, CA, United States
24 posts
I was tempted because it would have meant less crowd but we had Tivoli planned for Friday and did not want to do more. The tour is for the Vatican museum and not for the Vatican (St Peters).
The tour includes the Sistine chapel but not all the rooms of the museum. It is offered only on Fridays.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
They did the Friday nights at the Vatican last summer and it was a big hit. Not all of the rooms are open so read carefully to see if there's anything not open that you wish to see. The Sistine chapel will be open for the night visits. The crowds and the heat are less in the evenings but as stated, not all the rooms are open. If you have the night free and the rooms you wish to visit are open to you then I would suggest visiting on the Friday nights. Donna
Posted by
South Central, PA, USA
40 posts
Also, be certain you can get back home that night if there is a transportation strike in Rome.
There is a strike tomorrow.