Easter in Rome?

Question

We are going to Rome for Easter and have been told that the queues for the Sistine Chapel will be horrific. Does anyone have any suggestions for finding a good tour to go on and can you recommend anything else that we must do? Thank you :-)

Answer 1

I was in Rome for Italy a couple of years ago.  Be warned the sistine chapel witll be closed for god friday, easter sunday and monday.....I missed out completely as I had booked a day to Pompeii on the saturday...the only day open while I was in Rome (which was good I have to say)!!!!

I was very disappointed.  You can go to the Vatican for Easter mass, which is fun to do (but you can't go in the St peters ....I went early on the monday (ie just as it was opening and I got straight in, when i came out there were really long queues to go in...so early is good!)

I suspect that other people who miss out will be flocking to it on the days it is open (A girl I had met in Venice and saw again in Rome said there were masses heading directly to the sistine chapel, but if you moved a few metres in direction off this "tragetory" its much much quieter in other parts of the museum).

Answer 2

You must see the Trevi Fountain in daylight and at night. Cheesy but quite stunning.

Be careful using the pedestrian crossings. The lights change as you get to the middle and you get stuck. The cars just drive straight at you. Get behind a local and stick with them. They know how to do it.

I used the train which was quite an experience. Don't eat close to any of the attractions, ie the Coliseum, the food's expensive and not very nice.  

Back street pizza places are cheap and quick. You choose a slice of what you fancy and, while it's being cooked, you pay.

Wear good shoes, as the cobbled streets can be a killer on your feet. I lost both little toenails. Don't bother with taxis. Everything is within walking or train distance and they just drive you round the block a few times to confuse you. There is a beautiful road (forgotten the name) with lights in the trees and restaurants in glass rooms on the pavements. There is a Hard Rock cafe there.

I loved Rome, it is a busy and exciting place.

Have fun

Answer 3

we went over last november and i kept saying to get up early, cos id been before and knew the way it would be but the rest didnt. it was about 8.30 when we got to the sistine chapel door and the queue was over a mile long. it was the whole way back to the vatican side entrance. so they got up early the next morning and we were down at about 7.15 and it was ok, there was only about 200 people in front of us and the line wasnt down to the first corner yet. we still had a good wait though cos it didnt open til 8.45 and theres not much to do standing in line except thank God you didnt bring the kids on this part of the holiday(husbands are handy sometimes) that guy who said get into the line at 5am is not messing. my advice would be to go down the night before so you know where to go and just get up and out the following morning without stopping for anything, when you are in the line, just take it in turns to go for breakfast.

there is also a queue for the cupola but its also worth it, you go right to the top of st peters dome and the views are great, theres something like 500 steps but theres a couple of places where you can stop for a rest if needed.

we saw the crypt of John Paul aswell but theres a guard herding you on so that you dont stop, the crowd has to keep moving.

the entire vatican area will probably be packed for the whole of easter. the pope says the angelus on sundays and you can see him in the little window, then he has an audience on a wednesday at 10.30 but you need to book the free tickets first.

then i suppose the other places are colosseum, trevi fountain, baths of caracalla, circus maximus, mouth of truth, theres just loads, depending on what youre into.

Answer 4

I fyou are in the centre of Rome don't go on a tour because everything is very close. I went and it was just after the Pope died and so the queus were really bad!! It is not overly hot (not like in summer) so it is OK to wait. You have to have your legs and arms covered. No strappy tops or shorts above the knees - I saw a man who had to wear a sarong around his legs because he didn't do his research! The chapel is a must see attraction even though there is not much there. Beautiful paintings - Go into one room to see a famous picture and they say NO PHOTOGRAPHS. We did, they just kept yelling 'No PHOTOS' with really thick Italian accents! You will have fun!!

Answer 5

See this link http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/M...

Red days the Chapel is closed- Green days entrance is free -

Blue days opening time is shorter- Yellow are working days for longlasting opening time.

To visit the Cappella Sistina I suggest you to go there in any working day (marked by yellow) around 2-2,30 pm.

Mostly of the tourist bus are bringing visitors in the morning while in the afternoon, even if I can't say it's absent, the queue is reasonable. Other tips are depending on how long it will last yr staying in Rome. You know for sure top highlights (Colosseo, Spanish Steps, Roman Forum, Caracalla's Termae,Trevi's Fountain, Pantheon, St.Peter's Church,etc.

What I can suggest you is either hop on a tourist bus making Rome's guided tour (there are many of them,easy to be found when you'll be there) or if you've more time use the subway Metro to move from one side to another.

Don't use taxis extremely expensive in Italy and...beware of the gipsyes (very clever pick- pockets).

Enjoy Rome.

Answer 6

Easter in Rome is really busy, thousands of pilgrims travel there just to hear the Pope's message, Urbi et Orbi (To the city and to the world).