Sistine chapel bypass?
 

How much time should I alot for going to the vatican to just see the Sistine chappel and bypassing everything else in the vatican? Time is tight. It would be next week; how early do people line up there?

To get to tht Sistine Chapel rom the main entrance of the museum, you must follow a series of hallwyas and galleries, even on the most direct route. At this time of year, as long as it is not a weekend, you will probably be able to walk directly there without too many lines. I suggest you DO include the Stanza di Raffaello (Rafel rooms) which are quite close to the Chapel. Walking directly and without toom many people in the way, I think you could reach the chapel in 30 minutes. I have done quick visits at this time of year, heading only to the Rafael rooms and Sistine Chapel. We walked in the door at noon and exited the chapel at about 1:20pm, which was when the closing gong rung.

We went out the group exit on the right, which takes you directly to St Peter's and avoids the long walk and security line to the piazza. Do not check coats at the mueseum, or you will have to walk all the way back to the museum entrance to retrieve them.

Sorry, I should really check my typing.

Thank you!

Twice I have visited the chapel and bypassed everything. Expect to have at least a 20 minute walk to the chapel but probably longer if you get stuff behind the many tour groups. It is a long way to the chapel and you do have to follow the signs as you snake through galleries and hallways. Once you're there though, it's up to you how long you stay and if you have the audio guide you're bound to stay about an 45 min to an hour.

And if you have an audio guide, you will have to walk back to the museum entrance to return it.

The return of the audio guide is right on your way out. You do not have to backtrack to return it.

I meant that if you have an audioguide, you can not use the group exit shortcut to St Peter's.

I am hoping that someone can help me; If I do not want to do a tour of the Vatican museum, but want to see the Sistine Chapel; Do I need to take a tour with the Vatican so as not to have to wait in a long line for general addmission for the end of March? I will have a 12 yr. old with me that I don't think will be interested in a 2 hr. tour and then spend more time to see Sistine Chapel.

If I understand the Vatican web site when I purchase a general admission it is only valid the date of purchase?? So does that mean I cannot make a reservation?

I guess what I am asking; do I have to take a tour so if I do not want to wait more than a half an hour?

Do I have to stay with the tour the entire time?

Thanks

peterad:

It will take you about 20 minutes or less - I was there last week and there weren't too many people (except, of course, in the Sistine chappel itself!)

The best way to do this, since time is critical to you, is to show up at the ticket counter at 8:00 AM - the counter opens at 8:45 and the queue builds up real fast. Grab a coffee from across and wait it out. I'm told Thursday is best and Friday the worst (in terms of crowds).

Traveler2 :

You don't need to book a tour if all you want to see is the Sistine chappel. You'll find plenty of information on the net about the chappel that way, you're not bound to any group.

Closed on Sunday.
M

If all you want to see is the chapel, follow the old London Times' plan. Be among the first in line. When you enter, simply make a beeline for the chapel (follow the signs). There will only be a few people there when you arrive. Enjoy at leisure -- it will be some time before the crowds arrive.

When we did this the first time in the late Eighties, you could then simply wander the museum in reverse. Last time we did it, in 2002, there were one-way signs which appeared to make it impossible. This being Italy, however, the guards simply smiled and shrugged and waved us on when we asked permission to enter "the wrong way."

With the new entrance rules going into effect for 2007, you won't be able to enter until 10:00 unless you are part of a tour.

Traveler2:

Unless the opening hours of the Vatican Museums change drastically in 2007, at the end of March they are open until 4:45 p.m., last admission at 3:20 p.m.

If you go around lunch hour, there is generally very much less of a line, if any at all, to get in.

winter timings are shorter - I think the last entry is at 1:30 PM

Why not look at the actual source for opening hours:

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...fo_Orario.html

They still only have 2006 calendar up, but one can assume 2007 is similar.

rkkwan - The acutal source has not posted the schedules for 2007 yet. The changes that will take place will only allow tour groups in from opening until 10:00. Since this will be a new procedure, we don't know what it will do to lines and waiting times.
http://www.wantedinrome.com/articles...php?id_art=446

Everyone thank you so much for the info.
Kybourbon, after reading that last article you gave in your posting, I can see I may have no other choice but to make reservations through the Vatican for their tour! It may be the only way to insure our chance to see the Sistine Chapel. That article was a big help! Thanks

I would be interested in knowing if anyone has left the tour early (not completed a tour) to see the Sistine chapel?

Hi Traveler:

I realize time is tight but I found the paintings and rooms before the Sistine chapel just as interesting as the Sistine chapel itself.

In fact, I was a bit disappointed with the Sistine Chapel. It looked like an old gymnasium with beautiful pictures on the high ceilings. The walls themselves were painted as curtains. The huge blue painting above the alter didn't affect me at all. It was interesting to hear about the history behind it and how Michelangelo was instructed to paint it.

I did like looking at all the naked men on the ceiling. And that at the vatican!

Schuler, one of the more instructive things I learned when I toured the Vatican was that when a critic of Michelangelo complained to the Pope that there were too many naked men in the paintings of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo proceeded to paint the critic into the Last Judgment (the huge blue painting) with a snake wound around him and the snake's mouth over his crotch. This can be seen just over the door into the Sistine Chapel.