If you’re visiting Rome, a trip to the Vatican is a must! The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica welcome visitors every year in the millions. Still, if it’s your first time, you may not be aware of the planning required to make the most of your visit. Many visitors face long queues, miss their entry times, and encounter dress code issues, among other points of stress. Before you visit, prepare yourself by learning the most common mistakes made at the Vatican.
1. Not Booking Vatican Tickets Ahead of Time
The first mistake many first-time visitors make regarding the Vatican is neglecting to book the Vatican ahead of time. The Vatican Museum operates on a timed entry schedule that can sell out months ahead of time during the peak season from May to September.
If you attempt to visit the Vatican without a ticket, you’ll be subjected to a lengthy queue that can feel like an eternity in the hot Roman sun. On especially busy days, you may even miss out on entry as tickets sell out.
When you book ahead of time, not only will you avoid the queue for a much shorter entry wait, but you’ll also have your plans sorted and a timeslot secured.
2. Visiting at Peak Times
Rome in itself is a breathtaking city, and many travelers make the error of timing their Vatican visit during noon. However, many people enter the Vatican at its peak entry time, which coincides with opening time – this is a common routine among visitors who want to start their holiday by visiting attractions as early as they can.
If you’d like to beat the crowds, try timing your entry to the Vatican for early in the morning or in the afternoon if possible.
3. Underestimating the Time You Will Need in the Museums
Another common mistake that first-time visitors to the Vatican often make is underestimating how much time they will need to spend at the Vatican Museum. The Vatican Museum has kilometers of art pieces, exhibits, and museum rooms for visitors to explore, which can easily take you two to three hours to navigate.
You should be prepared with a comfortable pair of shoes because you’ll want to spend as much time here and at other attractions as you can manage.
4. Not Dressing Appropriately for the Dress Code
Many common mistakes in all religious cities that visitors make include not adhering to the dress code. The Vatican is strict about visitors having appropriate dress attire, knees and shoulders covered for entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
What many visitors forget is that this will apply during the sweltering summer days. If you’re caught without proper attire, consider draping a light scarf over your shoulders or purchasing an appropriate cover-up before entering these attractions.
5. Missing the Flow Between the Museums and Basilica
One of the major mistakes first-time visitors can make when navigating the Vatican is failing to locate a route from the Vatican Museum to St. Peter’s Basilica. Many visitors who exit the museums forget that there is a route leading from the Vatican Museum to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Depending on how you’ve purchased your ticket, this route may or may not always be open. However, if you do your homework on the ticket types when preparing to visit the Vatican, this won’t be a problem.
6. Not Allowing Time for Security Checks
Another mistake regarding planning for security is that many people believe that entry into St. Peter’s Basilica is free. Entry does not cost anything, but you still need to enter via security.
During busy periods in St. Peter’s Square, the queues can be long and stretch across the square. Always consider this while planning each attraction you would like to visit during your visit.
7. Expecting Silence In The Museums
While visitors have to maintain silence within the Sistine Chapel as it is a religious attraction, this will not be the case in the Vatican Museums, just because it is a revered museum.
The Museum is busy and filled with visitors, and there are several tours running throughout the day. If you’re prepared for this environment, you’ll be pleasantly surprised, and your experience won’t be dampened by loud crowds.
8. Skipping Advance Planning Resources
The last common mistake that many first-time Vatican visitors make is not planning their visit for practical travel planning aspects. Common mistakes first-time visitors have made include failing to review entry protocols for gender-specific dress code and properly identifying ticket types for different times of year and time slots throughout the day.
These mistakes can significantly hinder your experience throughout your journey, especially if you’re visiting during peak season with massive crowds trying to navigate their way through this museum.
Plan by using reputable websites like vaticanticketsonline.com to familiarize yourself with guided tours and entry schedules before you arrive at the museums.
This way, you’ll have time for other unexpected activities during your visit.
Conclusion
The Vatican can be one of the only places that give travelers access to breathtaking art, history, architecture, and works of commitment within a single complex religious city.
However, avoiding the most common first-time visitor mistakes can save you a lot of hassle throughout your visit.
Don’t miss out on awe-inspiring areas by planning and avoiding mistakes such as not booking tickets ahead of time, learning about the dress code, entering in sequence, and preparing for delays in security at each attraction you visit.
Plan your day well so that you spend less time stressed and more time thoroughly enjoying this remarkable destination.