Popular Art & Museums in Rome

Clear recommendation and real insider tip! The guided tour through Ostia Antica with the archaeologist Maria Rita was a highlight of my trip to Rome. Perfectly prepared and organized by here. One invests half a day and understands so much more about the connections by the example of this phantasticly preserved Roman settlement and receives a living picture of this epoch. Even with children very well suitable, because Maria Rita adapts wonderfully didactically to her guests and includes even child interests. She tells with heart and soul and great knowledge. Ostia is so easy to reach (only 35 minutes from Stazioni Porto San Paolo, not far from Colosseo, with a normal city ticket for 1.50!) There is a very nice café in the mids of the parc with delicious food where you can relax wonderfully. Getting off the train you can already smell the pine trees and the sea air. Ostia Antica is a place of peace. No pushing and shoving. A relaxing little escape from the hectic rome.

The skip the line ticket was a great recommendation from friends. We saved so much time and hassle by using this option. Even though it costs a little extra, I highly recommend it. If you don't like crowds then I highly suggest you don't go round these museums or go to the Sistine chapel. We did not go during peak season, but even so it was so busy that we were basically just pushed along the whole time. We somehow managed to get a few of the seats around the edge of the Sistine chapel and were glad of it so we could actually appreciate what we were seeing. You are otherwise made to stand in silence in the centre of the room, or ushered straight out. There was of course an overwhelming amount to see and it was a great (if claustrophobic) experience.

Definitely do the option to skip the queue, else you’ll waste the day stuck on the sun for hours. Beware of the tours trying hardest to make you buy additional tickets. You’re not told you can’t take photos of the Sistine chapel until you’re about to enter. After about 2hrs of a crowded line of cattle trying to get there through the museum, it’s disappointing not to be able to take photos! However, saying that, the Sistine chapel itself is actually awe inspiring. But the problem being so crowded, the security staff usher you through very quickly! Not ideal, so be prepared to be treated like cattle.

There is so much to see and so many people it does become overwhelming. The guide was great and informative. I noticed the sound system did not work as well the farther I was from him so I made sure I was close to him so I could hear everything. I heard a little tip that it's better to go on this tour later in the day (2pm etc) because there are not as many people and you still get the full tour. I would recommend doing that because we went earlier in the day and we felt like a herd of cattle plowing through the massive amounts of people.

The skip the line tour starts in a square near the Vatican. Allow plenty of time to find it. Be sure to cover your shoulders and knees. The Sistine Chapel is amazing, please respect it as a holy place, not just another place to visit.