When To Visit:  The Vatican Museum is open Monday through Saturday 9-4 and closed for holidays and special events.   St. Peter’s is open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 7 p.m. in the summer) but closed for mass and special events.  The Vatican website is:  http://mv.vatican.va/.

Tip:  On our small group tours to Italy, when we run them in the Fall, we try to visit the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel on special Friday night hours.   The place is EMPTY!   I also try to avoid visiting Vatican City altogether on Mondays, when the rest of the Rome attractions are mostly closed.  The crowds can be huge.
Getting there:   The most direct routes to get to the Vatican via public transportation are the 40, 64, and H busses.  Watch out for the pickpockets!  The metro stop is “Ottaviano”.

Best Time to Visit Without an Appointment:  Most people think they are going to be smart and get to the Vatican just when it opens.  Well, most people are thinking the same way and that’s when it is most crowded.   If going without an appointment, visit later in the afternoon for the shortest lines. 

Guided Tours:  On my small group tours to Italy, we always have a guided tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.   We don’t need to wait in line and the expert narrative is well worth the modest extra cost.

Scavi Tour:  Not too many people know about this.  The Scavi Tour is a “behind the scenes” guided tour under the basilica to explore the ongoing archaeological investigation.  For more info see:  http://goo.gl/etBCRZ
Through my small group tours to Italy, I have visited Vatican City many times.  If planned correctly it can be a thoroughly enjoyable tour.

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