I am working out tentative plans for our one week visit to Rome in the fall. This will be essentially our first visit. We were there 3 years ago for just one day before departing on a cruise. Not even an appetizer - barely an amuse!
We will be making most of the "usual stops." Since most museums are closed Mondays, I am planning to make Monday our Vatican day. However, I'm wondering if everyone else will be having the same thought. I can't be the only one so clever! We'll be there the last week of October. I know there will be crowds, but if good scheduling can navigate around them a little, I'd love any input. I'm planning to pre-book a semi-private tour, thinking that will help us make the best use of our time. The only other spot I'm prearranging will be Galleria Borghese. Thanks for any advice

The Vatican Museums are more crowded on Monday for two reasons: because unlike most other museums they are closed on Sunday and because many people think as you do.

The worst crowds are in the morning. Try to plan for noon or later.

Zerlina says it at too well. Living next to the Vatican Museum, the lines are LONGEST on Free Sundays (don't ever do that!), followed by Mondays, then Saturdays, then Wednesdays. The best days to go - usually Tuesday, then Thursday, then Friday!

Of course, all this goes out the window if it's Holy Week, XMAS week, or if the Vatican Museum is closed for a day in the week due to a holiday. And as suggested, after lunch is the best time to avoid lines. I went twice last week, both times after 1 PM, and had NO LINES.

Yup, Mondays are horrible for visiting the Vatican Museum. We arived at 10:30 in the morning to be confronted with a 3-hour queue and tour buses disgorging hundreds more people. Gave up and went elsewhere for the day. Heading back later in the afternoon, it was much quieter.

Thanks so much for your responses. This helps a lot!Looks like Tuesday afternoon it is. I don't plan on flying through the city checking "must sees" off my list. I just want to make the best use of my time to spare plenty of time for just sitting and drinking it in. Can you believe more than one person has asked why we're staying a "whole week" in Rome? The more I read and plan the more I realize that this week also will be just an appetizer for hopefully many more...

We were there on Saturday two weeks ago and it was very crowded. We had a 10AM reservation. It got worse throughout the day.