When in Rome...
What's a trip to Rome without visiting the Vatican City? The powerful city-state lies in the city of Rome, a mere 109 hectares filled to the brim with illustrious museums, holy relics and buildings as ornates as the art pieces they house. It's a top attraction which means that its visited by millions each year, in other words, this means that the crowds of tourists eagerly waiting in line to be granted access to the Catholic headquarters includes long lines that snake around the exterior walls. Think hours of waiting in the hot sun 😰. But your trip to the Vatican doesn't need to be difficult, or as pricey as you might think. Read on for travel hacks by yours truly, for the best way to discover the wonders of the Vatican on one happy, stress-free day trip!
Best time to visit...
So when's the best time to avoid all those long touristy crowds? Well, in this case, you have two options. The first is to get a morning ticket, the doors open around 7:30am and there are some tour companies which allow you to explore the Sistine Chapel before it's opened to the general public.
Your second option is to enter the Vatican around 2pm when the crowds of the morning have slowly dispersed, as many tours usually finish up during this time. Just be sure to visit before 3pm to give yourself enough time to explore the many rooms of the museum.
...Vatican Dress Code
An important thing to remember is that you'll need to wear appropriate clothing to be granted entry to the Vatican. Remember that you're going to a holy space and so covering the shoulders, thighs and midriffs is a necessity.
For women, I recommend long airy dresses or skirts if you're heading there in summer, or pants for those colder months. If it's hot that day, bringing a shawl and tying it around your shoulders is another great option.
For men, t-shirts and long shorts will be fine.
Another note is that your best not to bring any larger bags as they will need to be stored in the cloakroom. All bags are checked by security so to ensure this process isn't a long one, pack light and only bring what's necessary.
Free Sunday Tickets = Busy Crowds...
The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays but are open on the last Sunday of every month where tickets are free. Now naturally, this means that crowds on this day are at its largest.
It's one of the days you'll want to avoid if you want a less hectic excursion, however, if the appeal of free Vatican tickets sounds too good to pass up, try to head there early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
On these Sunday's, the closing time is 4pm so be there around 1pm.
Other days you shouldn't necessarily visit on?
I'll start this off by telling you what days you shouldn't go:
Saturday's because it's the only day on the weekend that is opened and so it draws a crowd.
Wednesday's as this is the day when the Papal Audience occurs which sees thousands of people in St. Peter's Basilica waiting to see the Pope.
...Okay, but what's the best day to visit...
The best days to visit are actually Tuesday or Thursday, and the thing to remember is that every day will be busy however these days tend to be a little less crazy!
So with over 7 kilometres of museums to explore, there are some attractions that you won't want to miss
BRAMANTE STAIRCASE
While the original staircase (built in 1505) can only be visited on special tours, don't forget to visit the breathtaking 1932 modern version that is a copy of Donatello Bramante's original. Centuries before the discovery of DNA, Bramante created a double helix staircase that stunned visitors.
GALLERY OF MAPS
An Instagram worthy room if I've ever seen one, the Gallery of Maps features40 maps painted based on drawings from master geographer Ignazio Danti by1580-1585.
PINACOTECA
An art gallery that's often overlooked, this room houses paintings and sculptures by the likes of Raphael and Da Vinci.
SISTINE CHAPEL
An iconic landmark in the Catholic Church, this chapel is the Pope's personal chapel and is the site where Pope's are selected.
*INSIDER TIPS 😎
Ever wondered what the Vatican looks like after dark?
Well, why not explore the Vatican at Night.
In the months of April to October, Friday Night Openings includes guided tours to the museums and the Sistine Chapel, some upgrades even include happy hour!
Here's your chance to get photos that aren't filled with crowds!
Another great way to explore the Vatican is by jumping on a tour during the day!
Your tour guide will be a local who will navigate you through the crowds and take you to the best-rated rooms in the Vatican and give you some background knowledge of the history and art you'll encounter.
One company that does this is Sightseeing Tours Italy who has a great range of Vatican tours.
Link to their website: https://www.vaticancitytours.it/
About the Author
Carolina Burgio is a travel blogger based in the fantastic Melbourne. Carolina is the owner at Life Well Travelled.
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