Best Date for Vatican Museums?

Old Jul 26th, 2017, 11:09 AM
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Best Date for Vatican Museums?

Do you think it would be preferable to tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on Saturday, December 23, 2017 or Thursday, December 28, 2017? I'm wondering which day might have fewer tourists present? What is your opinion?
gracialynne is offline  
Old Jul 26th, 2017, 12:24 PM
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hmmm. Really a close call but I would probably put my bet on Dec 28, because if people are flocking to Rome for a Christmas mass, etc, they probably will arrive sooner and try to get into the Vatican museums before they close up for holidays. Fingers crossed that once Xmas is done they will have moved on to Florence or Venice.

But I would expect big crowds either day, in particular in the Sistine Chapel, where the guards allow the room to get packed like sardines. My inclination would be to go toward the end of the day, when most other tourists have given up and the group tours are over. If you have the flexibility to go after Jan 6, I toured the Vatican musuems after 3pm a couple of years ago in the 2d week of January and there were not many people there. At one point, there were no more than half a dozen other people and the guards with me in the map room.
massimop is offline  
Old Jul 26th, 2017, 01:13 PM
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I hate the Vatican Museum.

I would much rather tour the Villa Borghese Gallery or Villa Giulia Museum.

Another good, uncrowded museum is Palazzo Barberini. La Fornarina by Raphael is here.

The Vatican Museum is so crowded it is a nightmare! A horrible experience.

Thin aka White Chyna
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 12:02 PM
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Saturday is absolutely the worst day to visit the Vatican Museums. Because they're closed on Sundays, they get extra crowds on Saturday and Monday. Saturday is also not a work day, so that makes it even worse.

The Galleria Barberini has just been spruced up. We visited the last time we were in Rome. It has some wonderful art, but it's a bit of a labyrinth of small rooms, with little in the way of itinerary information, and no floor plan available.

Another of my favorites is the National Roman Museum, at the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 12:06 PM
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Be sure to purchase you tickets in advance. Also, consider using a private guide. We found that our guide was able to maneuver through the crowds. Made our experience much better.
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Old Jul 27th, 2017, 08:35 PM
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Do NOT get a guide with a glass eye!

You won't be able to tell if he is looking at you or a Caravaggio.

You are so welcome!

Thin aka White Chyna
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