Vatican Museum's Audio Guide?

Question

For those of you that has been to the Vatican City and have rented one of the audio guides. Were they any good? Or am I better off without them?

Btw, can someone recommend a tour group to join to avoid the queue in the morning?

Many thanks!!

I've been to the Vatican Museum's official site and read the info. I want to get people's real opinions.

Answer 1

I didn't rent an audio tour, so can't comment on that. However, we had a good guidebook and found that to be really helpful in sussing out all the major artworks/buildings.

If you want to rent an audio tour in any of the places in Rome you have to leave ID (passport or ID card). We'd left ours in the hotel safe so couldn't do the tour in the vatican.

The tour guides that came up to us in the queue wanted 45 euros for the tour EACH. It only cost 9 euros for each of us to get into the Vatican. Granted we could have jumped the queue but in all honesty it wasn't that bad. We waited an hour but it flew in. We also got there later than planned. If you get there 8.30am/9am, I would imagine the queue would be much smaller and you wouldn't have to wait long at all.

I personally wouldn't do any tours anyway, as I like to do things at my own speed. Its nice to stop and enjoy a painting or sculpture without feeling rushed.

Another tip - to go to St Peters, you need to go out the right hand door at the back of the Sistine Chapel (even though it's marked for tour guides - we were told this by Vatican staff). We missed it the first time and had to go back through all the crowds queuing for the Sistine Chapel for 15 mins again to get there.

Also - if you go out the Vatican by St Peters square, there is a lovely ice cream shop about five minutes walk down on the right hand side of the road.

Castel Sant Angelo at the bottom of this road is well worth a visit. If you go up on the roof you get amazing views over Rome. Great picture opportunity and well worth the entrance.

Hope that helps. Enjoy your trip! :)

Answer 2

Vatican Museum Audio Guide

Answer 3

Hi,

Please visit this site;

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

Have Fun