Family of 4 (2 kids ages 11/12) trying to plan. Should we book Sistine Chapel May 20 9:00 or later in afternoon? (it is my understanding it is closed 21 and 22) we could go on Sat. the 23 but have read Sat. is even busier.
Once we know the date do you recommend pre-booking tickets. I've read mixed reviews....but knowing specific day/dates, what do you think?
* we LOVE early morning, so should we do St> Peter's Basilica first?
Would viewing the Borghese the same afternoon be too much? The girls LOVE historical and beautiful. But I do want to be reasonable.
Thank you in advance.
Posted by
bergamo
401 posts
Doing the Vatican AND the Borghese in one day is a lot of museum to digest, IMO. I would recommend going early to the Sistine Chapel and seeing the whole Vatican museum while you are fresh, and then tackle the Borghese the next day. Just walking around Villa Borghese is wonderful, so do the museum, then head over to the Pincio and then down to Piazza del Popolo (where you should check out the two Caravaggio's in Santa Maria del Popolo) and along Via del Corso.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Typically the least crowds will be first thing in the morning. Late in the afternoon is usually less crowded but then you don't have time to see everything.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
I love the Borghese and the Vatican and art and history....don't do them in the same day. First, they aren't especially convenient to each other and both are among the slightly-harder-to-get-to parts of Rome. Not hard to get to, but just take a bit extra time. Secondly, that's a LOT of art to digest in one sitting. I was pretty worn out having just done Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel and I can't imagine trying to squeeze the Borghese in on top.
Since you are going in May, I would suggest doing the Vatican & St. Peter's in one day, starting in the morning (I recommend buying reserved tickets directly from the Vatican website), and perhaps finishing up somewhere around Trastevere or Piazza Navona, along the river. Then I would go to the Borghese a second day and perhaps spend some time in the park, which should be quite nice at that time of year.
Posted by
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
206 posts
We were in Rome summer 2007 with similar aged children. The hours/reservation system for the Vatican museum was more restrictive that summer, but we also got going in the morning, arrived at St. Peters between 8 and 8:30. We saw the inside and climbed the dome with very little crowd (no security wait at all). Very enjoyable. We then made our way to the museum for our 10:00 tour reservation (two hours). Afterward we went back to St. Peters and the crowds were way bigger (my kids were taken a back at the difference!). We went to the crypt then which we hadn't had time for in the morning. We finished the whole Vatican area about 2:00, so technically you could probably fit the Borghese in, but it would be a lot for one day. My kids did enjoy the Borghese, which is small as museums go, but they were done before our two hour time was up (however we went on our first jet-lagged day, which does reduce everyone's attention span!)
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
83 posts
Hi! It is not closed on 5/22. I already have my reservation for 0900. You can make them online up to 60 days in advance. I would definately recommend pre booking the tickets to avoid the line, esp since it will have been closed on Thur so Fri/Sat will be more busy I would assume.