Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are on everyone's essential sightseeing list for Rome, but that can be the reason a visit can be an unpleasant experience. Here there are sections of archeological finds, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and ancient tapestries and maps. Many Popes contributed money from their coffers to building these collections.

The Sistine Chapel, with its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, is the Pope's private chapel in the Vatican City and the focus point for tourists and groups, some of whom may be seeking a spiritual journey but most of whom are on a 'been there, done that' mission – so this gets stiflingly crowded. Go off season or late in the day when the tour groups have left, otherwise you can easily queue for two hours even before you get to the crush.