Pops’ Rome Travel Guide, Vatican Museum and St. Peters

I’ll get right to the point and start with a couple recommendations that will save you a lot of time. First, the Vatican Museum is one of the most popular sites in Rome. The line to get in can stretch for blocks. Go online before you leave for Rome and book your tickets. You will book for a date and time of entrance. When you get there you will be able to bypass the line and walk right in and up to a special kiosk where you can pick up your ticket. This alone will save you a lot of time that you could be using inside the Museum or in St. Peters. One other tip; book the Vatican Museum for in the afternoon. Cruise ships bus loads of tourists to Rome in the morning and they need to get back to their ships later in the day. In the afternoon it will be less crowded. Less crowded but it will still be crowded.

 

I have been to St. Peters and the Vatican Museum twice. My first time I went to St. Peters first and the second time the Vatican Museum first. The Vatican Museum is huge. The Sistine Chapel is near the end of the tour and is the jewel of the museum. There is no way of bypassing wings and going directly to the Sistine Chapel so with that you will be doing a lot of walking. I want to stress a lot of walking. By the time you get to the end you may be very tired and just want to relax. For that reason I found it better to visit St. Peters first. Both are a must see and you want to enjoy the beauty of both. Take your time seeing St. Peters, which doesn't require a ticket and then walk over to the Vatican Museum when your pre-booked time comes up. Pace yourself at the museum and take breaks at the café, etc. That way you can enjoy both.

 

I could describe the beauty of both St. Peters and the Vatican Museum but it wouldn't do them justice. You need to see them for yourself. This will be a very long day. After seeing both be prepared to head to a café for a drink and a bite to eat, or head back to your hotel to rest.