When Is the Best Time to Visit The Vatican?

Question

We're in Rome on Vacation. It seems that every time we pass the Vatican, there is a HUGE line circling the building. In this weather, I don't know if I can sit for five hours waiting in line. Is there a best time to visit so that the lines aren't too extreme? Thanks.

Answer 1

JULY-SEPTEMBER THE WEATHER IS GOOD FOR VISIT

Answer 2

The best way to visit the Vatican museums and avoid the huge line is to make a reservation.

You can do this directly with the Vatican -- go to their website www.vatican.va and follow the rules for reserving very carefully. It involves faxing and providing the names of everyone in your group etc. It also must be done a minimum of a week in advance. It is a little more costly because you must reserve a guided tour, but well worth avoiding the line outside.

Some tour groups also provide reservations and guided tours for the Vatican. I don't know any well enough to recommend but you could do some searches, ask a travel agent or check with your hotel.

And whatever you do, if you don't book in advance, avoid the last Sunday of the month when the museum is free but EVERYONE goes. The lines double at that point -- so you may not pay to get in, but you'll pay in your suffering during the wait.

****ADDED NOTE***** The Vatican museums are only open in the a.m., closing early afternoon.

Answer 3

I went twice to the Vatican..

Your best bet is going there early so that you do not have to wait  long in the queue.  Do not miss out on going up on the roof.. it is a 'long' flight of steps but worthed!!

For more travel tips and your travel needs such as bvooking hotels, flights visit :

http://iluvtotravel.blogspot.com

Answer 4

The earlier the better, especially in the summer.  If you go before 10:00 in the morning, the line is about half as short of any other time in the day.

Answer 5

Well I'm asuming that every day of every year lots and lots of people visit the vatican, so your best bet might be getting alot of rest during the day and seeing it way late at night.

Answer 6

vatican is always a touristic target, but i think you can enjoy it in october.

this period is famous in rome, because the weather is good, the tourist are usually comed back home and.. romans thinks this is a magic period to walk inside the city

:)

it is called 'ottobrate romane' (romans october journey or something like that)

:)