How long to tour Vatican?
Is 5 hours sufficient time to see the Vatican including St. Peter's? I am planning to start about 1300, when I understand the crowds should be thinning. Allowing about 2 hours for the museum and Sistine Chapel, hoping for a Scavi Tour somewhere in the afternoon, and wrapping up with St. Peter's the last hour or so it is open. We are not prone to trying to see everything in the museum, prefering in situ art overall, but surely want to see the highlights. Also thinking we will hire a guide for this site. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks!
Laurel
Portland, OR 11/5/09
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Are you familiar with the required procedure for applying for a place on a Scavi tour?
Yes, thanks. Apply well in advance, they tell you when, etc. I will build the rest of the visit around the Scavi dictates.
Laurel, We just came back from Rome and normally we are very anti-tours (we like to explore on our own). Well after much research we decided to tour the Vatican with a company called Through Eternity and it was one of the best decisions. Our guide was Brandon Greene. He was fantastic. We took the 5 hour tour and were sad when it ended. Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor.com
I think 5 hours is good, we really like the tour, it lasted around 2-2.5 hour, that leaves enough time for St-Peters and the scavi tour, might be a bit short on time if you decide to climb the Cupola.