Another tip I learned from Angel Castellanos…
Want to beat the lines when you’re in Rome, Florence, Sienna, Pairs, or any other city where there is a famous church or cathedral? You could buy tickets ahead of time, you could get them online, or you could beat all the crowds.
How?
Find out when their daily mass or their church service is and go to church. You’ll have a true experience of that church, without a bunch of tourists.
You’ll get the local flavor, you’ll probably be able to sit where you want, and no noisy tourists to deal with.