Vatican on a Wed.???

[wheatley]

We have 1 day in Rome precruise and it's a Wed. Does anyone know about the papal audiences that are on Wed. Is this a good or bad time to tour the Vatican while this is happening? Thanks!

[sea-explorer]

It's a good time to tour the Vatican museums in the morning..not good for St. Peter's. However, if you time it right, you can finish in the museums & go directly to St. Peter's as the crowds are leaving.

[morey_board]

It's a good time to tour the Vatican museums in the morning..not good for St. Peter's. However, if you time it right, you can finish in the museums & go directly to St. Peter's as the crowds are leaving.

 

By timeing it right, what time do you think heading towards st peters would be best?

[pvmkmyer]

It's a good time to tour the Vatican museums in the morning..not good for St. Peter's. However, if you time it right, you can finish in the museums & go directly to St. Peter's as the crowds are leaving.

 

 

The papal audience is at 10:30 a.m., either in the audience hall or in St. Peter's Square, depending on the size of the crowd. The audience generally is over by Noon. There is no audience on July 16, 23, 30 or August 6. Lunchtime is generally a good time to visit St. Peter's. I also suggest bringing binoculars so you can see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel close up.

 

Also remember to dress appropriately for the Vatican or they may not let you in. Buy your tickets in advance on the Vatican website, http://www.vatican.va, so you avoid the wait for tickets. The line can get tremendously long and if you're going in summer it will get hot.

[ItaliaBella]

I've been in Rome during Papal Audiences during the summer. No matter what, it's going to be crowded. While most of the people are at the Papal Mass, go to the Museum instead and take your time there. It will be cooler inside and once you are finished with your tour of the Museums, head on over to the Basilica. Lines won't be so crowded at this time. I suspect a 15-20 minute wait as you go through security.

 

Since it is very hot in Rome during the summer months, I would recommend bring lots of bottled water (bring from ship) to keep you cool during the day. Maybe after your Museum tour, stop and grab something to eat before heading to the Basilica.

[ktpc2005]

We were in Rome on a Wednesday in October. We got into San Pietro station at about 10:15 and were walking by St Peter's Square at about 10:30. We saw the Pope going by in his pope mobile as we were walking toward the musuem. We had to wait wait about 20 minutes to get into the musuem and then took about 2 hours to go through the musuem. As we left and headed back to St Peter's Square, the place had cleared out and we were able to walk right into the Basilica and papal crypt.

[PatriciaF]

I concur with the recommendations if you are going to be there on a Wednesday while there is a papal mass.

 

The line for the Vatican Museum is NOT for purchasing tickets it is for security. Once you are inside, there are many lines open for purchasing tickets. If you have a large bag you are going to need to check it at the bag check. If you do not need to check a bag, when you get to the Sistine Chapel there is a shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica. There is a door in the back of the chapel on the right that is marked groups only. But if it is open you can just go through it and go to the basilica. If it isn't, you need to walk back to the entrance of the museum and walk to St. Peter's and then wait in line for the security check again. Or--if you have to check a bag, then you will have to go back to baggage check anyway.

 

The day we were in Rome (April) at the Vatican and St. Peters, the weather was cool and rainy, so dress code wasn't an issue. But there are signs posted, no shorts (men or women), no sleeveless tops (men or women)--so come prepared. If you are there when it is hot, you could take a scarf or shawl to wear over your shoulders to meet the dress code.