Christine

We will be arriving in Rome this Sunday afternoon (can't wait!) and will be there through Wednesday mid-day. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best day and time to visit the Vatican and Sistine Chapel without having to wait too long in line? We've been able to make reservations for other locations, such as the Borghese Gallery, but found that this does not exist for the Vatican. We're not big fans of tours, so we're interested in any tips or suggestions you have. Thanks!

Ryan Candee

It never hurts to get there early. That way, you can check out St. Peter's when you're done, and you can take time to see the Museum's picture gallery and enjoy the amazing art you see along the way to the Sistine Chapel. You may see a huge line no matter when you go, but it moves very fast. Also, the Vatican Museum's cafe may be the most reasonably priced museum eatery anywhere.

Marilyn

Either be there very early in the morning or go in the afternoon after lunch. M.

Janice

Christine, I visited the Vatican last<BR>October in mid morning hours and was in<BR>a crush of people. Apparently the tour<BR>buses all converge on Vatican City in<BR>the morning hours. Friends of mine recently visited after lunch and had a<BR>much better experience. You might want<BR>to consider a tour company that specializes in small groups - Odyssey Tours.

soy

we went to st. peters in the afternoon, about 4:00ish and no lines. it was great. however, the sistine chapel was closed. it's only open in the morning and closed on sunday. don't forget, no shorts or tanks for men, and no tanks for women..bring a shawl. hope this helps.

mary kay

The Vatican Museums should still be observing their "summer hours" which means they are open until 4:45 p.m. Don't wait too late in the day to arrive since we spent four hours there. IMHO you would be safe to let the early a.m. tour groups get in, then arrive about 11:00 a.m. Have lunch in the basement cafeteria (which is really quite pleasant and inexpensive) to break up your time on your feet. <BR><BR>Be aware that the Sistine Chapel itself is almost always packed with people! Some tour buses drop people off for just a short time and the tourists make a bee line for the Sistine Chapel, missing all the other beautiful exhibits in the Museums.<BR><BR>Do rent the audio CD. It gives great details on what you are seeing and you should not need a tour guide.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

Carol

Please be aware that there are new security regs at the Vatican Museums - we waited for 2.5 hrs to get in on a Monday in August. Get there very early as the Sistine Chapel was closing at 1:45 that day. We did a guided tour of St Peters and it was well worth it - you will see tour groups for the Vatican Museums ending just outside the entrance steps to the dome. Another guide will take over there and for about 5euros, it is great - took about 1.5 hours, lots of stories, legends, etc. Not being Catholic, we would have just wandered around without knowing all of the facts. all I can really stay is to get there as early as you can in the day.

Barb

We were there last Oct. We went early on a Wed. a.m. and unexpectedly saw the Pope. (10:00 a.m.)I guess if he is in town he speaks to the public every Wed. a.m. We then went immediately to Vatican Museum and there were maybe 10 people in front of us in line. When we came out 2 hrs. later, the line was very long.