Away_we_go

We will be visiting the Vatican with a 4 year old in mid-August - no tour. I was planning on purchasing advance tickets but I see we need to specify the time as well as day. Any recommendations on a good time to visit (avoid scorching heat, lines, etc). I assume the museums are kept cool to preserve the art? Thanks in advance for any advice!

madamtrashheap

Visiting the Vatican at most times of the year means crowds and queues, but mid Summer means there is very little chance of avoiding any of these. One good thing is that if you are pre-booking your tickets, you won't have to get there super early to line up to get in (line starts between 7.30-8am and builds through the day until around 2pm). I'd be inclined to go first thing, or as close to it as possible for a number of reasons. Yes, the crowds will be filing in, but you can make your way through while everyone is getting their tickets and checking large day packs (take as little as you can get away with, or be prepared to check in bags bigger than a handbag - hard with a 4 y.o., but see what you can do). And I've always found that by 10am it's pretty packed in there and doesn't ease up until an hour before close at best.

It's not exactly cool in many parts of the museums, in fact the body heat generated from the sheer volume of people is amazing, combined with mid-August heat, will make it very warm. If it gets too crowded, the guards move groups through different sections of the museums, so if there is something specific you want to see, apart from the Sistine Chapel, then grab a floor plan inside the entrance (after the security check, opposite where you pick up your tickets) and make your way there, begging if it's closed off (or loiter with intend until the area is reopened!).

Dazedandconfused

Another boon of going very early in the day is that heat has not yet begun to build. Seriously, as people are in queue outside, if you happen by around noon, you can actually see waves of heat generated by all the people. Some parts of the Vatican Museum are cooler than others, but summer is pretty hot in Rome.

Alec

I don't know why you are taking a child that young into the Vatican Museums. He or she will get absolutely nothing out of it, will be hot, tired and very angry. There is nowhere your child can get a run around or play. It will be a lot better for all of you if you can get a sitter for your child, or each of you take it in turn to visit.

dreamon

I agree that I would hesitate to take a four year old because I think it may spoil it for you. I suggest, as Alec says, that you take turns and s/he gets to go to the park, shopping, buy a gelato. S/he may even enjoy visiting St Peters and climbing the cupola.

I'm a parent and I would relish the opportunity to see what I want to see without Junior in tow. There certainly may be things in the Vatican museum to interest him/her but almost certainly not the same things as you or for as long.

kybourbon

>>>I assume the museums are kept cool to preserve the art? <<<
Wrong assumption. Windows will be open in some rooms.

Klgallo

Ten years ago we took my son who was not quite 5. My husband would tell stories to my son regarding the paintings on the wall, point out certain areas of the ceiling (ie angels) and asked my son what he thinks the statues are thinking. I stll fight back tears remembering my son asking me "why is that mommy sad" referencing the Piete. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing Italy through the eyes of our five year old. We have such fond memories of our time in Italy with him 10 years ago that we are going back on this Sunday with our now 15 year old.

So my advice is go for it.

nytraveler

I think there are two issues:

How hot will it be and how does your child tolerate heat?

How crowded will ti be and how does your child tolerate staring at a bunch of knees for a couple of hours?

If the museums were fairly empty and the child could actually see anything it might be different. but when people are packed shoulder to shoulder someone so small will see nothing.

(Here in NYC the Museum of Natural History is a favorite of nannies with kids even smaller - but the museum is cool - and on most days empty enough that little kids can actually see the exhbitis- which many being animals and dinosaurs - they are more intrerested in.

janisj

I'm a short adult and even for me the crowds are overwhelming. Except for the ceiling, I end up mostly seeing arm pits and breasts. A poor 4 yo would be looking at lower body parts. It is hard to even imagine the crowds and August heat. If going separately isn't an option I'd sadly skip it.

Away_we_go

Wow - that's a lot to think about. I also found out that it's busier right before a holiday closure, which is when we were thinking about going (Ferragosto).

Thanks everyone for your advice.

madamtrashheap

That's correct about the Vatican Museums being busy before (and the day after) a public holiday. In 2011, they will be closed on 14 & 15 August (super-Ferragosto! Well, 14th is a Sunday). Either way, it will be busy when you're there as it's mid-Summer and the height of the visiting period (not that there's much of a quiet season at the Vatican these days). If you book your tickets ahead of time, then at least you know you're going it, and you could also consider a night visit if you think that would suit better, although these aren't always offered in the height of Summer from memory. Check www.vatican.va and click on Vatican Museums for ticket and tour info.