Our eye-opening itinerary will of course include the Sistine Chapel (NOTE: the Sistine Chapel is ONLY accessed via the Vatican Museums), home of the conclave and recently restored to its original splendor. While everyone associates Michelangelo with the stunning decoration of the Sistine Chapel, you will learn about other eminent artists who had an important role, as well as some of the secret messages Michelangelo buried in the frescoed walls.
Recommended length 4 hours including a “tour guide only” shortcut to the magnificent Saint Peters Basilica, hovering closer to 4-5 hours if we include the exquisite Pinacoteca (painting gallery), and or the Raphael Rooms, where Popes Julius II and Leo X lived and worked in the 16th century.
For the Jubilee year the Vatican Museums are open every day from 8am til 8pm. (Not Sundays). Crowds can inhibit movement and even if you wish to “go quickly”, can lengthen tours. Tuesdays and Thursdays tend to be best. Morning tickets sell out first and are more crowded, though if we get 8 or 830 tix, it can help a bit, otherwise we can flip to 1pm or 2pm start, so that we have time to visit the Basilica before Mass.
Recommendation: Early bird gets the worm! You have the best chance of getting tix at a decent price if you book more than 60 days in advance. April, May and June have numerous Roman, Italian or Pan-European holidays - of which you are probably unaware - that add to the ticket pressure. Keep in mind that the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays so Saturdays and Mondays are particularly crowded. Wednesdays as well. Christmas is not as crowded as you might imagine, but unless you are extremely religious, avoid Easter.
Of course the tickets are “skip the line” though everyone must pass through security. With a licensed guide and advance tix, you will be in the shortest security line. I prefer to use the official site for tix or brokers with whom the Vatican has a legit relationship, not the myriad brokers out there who will surely lie to get your booking and then bait and switch. You do not need your passport but you will need valid photo id.
Dress code for the Basilica: No exposed knees or shoulders, men included! Guys: long shorts ok, Gals: In the summer it can get hot (even in the museum), so bring a shawl, scarf or cardigan and
put it on when necessary.
Cameras are ok. BUT best not to bring big rain or sun umbrellas or knapsacks as you will be required to check them, and it inhibits the flow of the tour (and takes forever!) to go back to get them.
After your tour there is the possibility to pay to go to the top of St. Peters for a breathtaking view, by elevator or foot. The Vatican also offers a paid tour under St. Peters to see the pre-Christian necropolis and Peter’s bones. Very limited avail and must be requested far in advance. Ages 15 & up. Ask me.
Wheelchair tours available. Tours can be geared to all religions, and all ages. Alternate itinerary
could be to add the major basilicas in Rome - Saint Paul Outside the Walls and/or Saint John in Lateran and/or Saint Mary Major, all stunning and part of the Holy Door circuit!
