Vatican Tour- best day/time?

In all honesty, due to no ventilation and crowding in the Sistine Chapel, I'd opt for an AM tour. I've done it several times, and it's still hot in Sept. I've also done a night tour, but that's best in summer when you have natural light. The Sistine is not to be missed. I'll go every single time I go to Rome, even on my own now. Nothing like it in the world IMHO.

Christine, I took Walks of Italy "Pristine Sistine" tour last October, and it was excellent. It did involve getting up and out very early in the morning, especially if staying a distance from the Vatican, but that has its advantages too. Our small group gathered with our excellent and passionate guide about 7:15 am near the Vatican. We entered the Vatican Museum soon after, went through quickly with no one around, then entered the Sistine Chapel with almost no one else present. After some time inside, we went back through the Museum as it started to fill up, then moved directly into the Basilica for a tour of the interior. The tour ended and we could remain inside it we chose too. I myself exited around 12:30 pm. I recommend this tour, the guide was excellent, we avoided the lines and the crowds and the heat, and had the rest of the day free for other activities.

Thanks for the feedback.
I've had my eye on the Pristine Sistine Tour but am concerned about getting up- having bkft and getting there on time. It does have the most appeal and runs Thurs and Fri. Other Walks of Italy tour available only Friday am- not sure I can wait that long to see Vatican/Sistine!

So Wed afternoon tour is out.

We have Pristine Sistine booked for our trip this summer. We have kids with us and we need to see the Sistine Chapel with the least hassle, even if we have to get up super early. Heck, the kids are always up by 6 anyway! :)

The first time we took a tour of the Vatican it was on a summer weekday morning, not a Wednesday. It was extremely crowded, and the Sistine Chapel was packed and really uncomfortable. Months later, I saw a video of the spectacular FLOOR in the chapel, and was amazed, because we never even saw the floor. This time (late June) we are taking a morning tour that starts at 7:30, a full hour before the museums open to the public.. It begins in the Sistine Chapel, and there will be no more than 20 people in there! Then we will proceed to the museums well before the public is let in, so we can beat the crowds there, too. This is a "What a Life" tour, and costs more than other tours (E79pp), but It will be worth it to us to see the Sistine without the noisy mob. As for breakfast, we will be sure to have fruit and rolls in our rooms to eat while we get ready to go. By the way, they are quite strict about your attire -- no shorts or shoulders, etc. (women and men) -- to go into St. Peter's Basicilica.

Ciao!
Jan B

Very helpful Jan- I had not seen that specific tour.
I do like the idea of seeing Sistine Chapel first.