Our family of 5 (our 3 kids are all teenagers) is traveling for the first time to Europe with our last stop in Rome. I am working on a Vatican Tour - I see that I can purchase a tour directly through the Vatican or with a local tour guide group. The Vatican Tour seems to be the same if I purchase directly through the Museum - and much less expensive. I would GREATLY appreciate any insight into the best way to proceed. We arrive on a Friday evening - so I am hoping to do a tour on Monday (we leave Tuesday) as I ideally don't want to get up Saturday morning and have to proceed to the Vatican after just arriving. Thank you for your travel insight and suggestions!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I am not that familiar with what each tour company offers, but if you have younger children in tow, you might look for a family-oriented tour. Plus, if you go during regular Museum hours, shorter folks can have a hard time seeing over/under/through the mob.
If you can get your group up early on Monday, the pre-opening tours meet up at 7:30 and your group will have a better chance of seeing some things.
Note that guides give narrative on the Sistine Chapel before entering the space, not while you are inside the Chapel.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15863 posts
Plus, if you go during regular Museum hours, shorter folks can have a
hard time seeing over/under/through the mob.
Zoe makes an EXCELLENT point here. I am 5' 1" or so and had a difficult time seeing over/around the crowds. It will be even more challenging for small children so those early-opening tours might be worth the $ if you have those in tow and/or are vertically challenged yourself.
Posted by
Chicago
8102 posts
I would never take young kids on a tour of the Vatican Museums and would think twice about taking them at all if they are young. Most kids are not well served by adult tours. You can get reserved entry tickets from the Vatican that will allow you to go at your own pace if you want to do it and skip the long lines. In any case, get them from the Vatican.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Our kids are all teenagers - middle school, high school and college age. I'm the shortest of the 5 of us at 5'2. I appreciate the feedback already this morning - thank you!
Posted by
Cincinnati
79 posts
After the tour take the elevator (it's on the side of the bacillica) up to the rooftop. After getting off the elevator you can look down into bacillica. We did not walk up the steps to the very top but went outside to the rooftop. The view of Rome is awesome, there is a cafe, store and restrooms also.
Posted by
8 posts
My husband and I traveled to Rome last April and booked 5 tours through Walks of Italy (incredible experience with every tour and guide, can't say enough good things about them!). We booked this one for the Vatican and felt it was money very well spent as we practically had the place to ourselves with the early entrance pass. https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour Best wishes for a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
230 posts
For our trip to Rome this summer, we decided to buy our entrance tickets directly through the Vatican website then hire a private (and licensed) tour guide. We will be two families with five teenagers (middle, high school and college.) We heard from other families that the private guides offer a more tailored experience especially when trying to capture (and keep) the attention of teens. :-) The cost was (overall) less than a guided tour through a tour company.
It is also important to note the days that it will be most crowded at the Vatican (Wednesdays and Sundays I believe) so plan accordingly. Also, keep in mind if you are going in summer, you will be competing not only with 'on the ground' tourists but cruise ship tours. We scheduled our tour first thing in the morning to (hopefully) minimize the crowds.
With that said, we will be using Walks of Italy (https://www.walksofitaly.com/)for a bunch of other tours while in Italy and have heard wonderful reviews about their services so it might be worth it for you to check them out.
Have a great time!