What are Vatican Museums opening hours?

Today

Closed

Vatican Museums

Mar 1 TO Dec 20 Timings Days (Mar 1 TO Dec 20)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Tuesday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Wednesday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Thursday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Friday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Saturday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Sunday (Today)	Closed

Dec 21 TO Dec 21 Timings Days (Dec 21 TO Dec 21)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	12:00–20:00	18:00
Tuesday	12:00–20:00	18:00
Wednesday	12:00–20:00	18:00
Thursday	12:00–20:00	18:00
Friday	12:00–20:00	18:00
Saturday	12:00–20:00	18:00
Sunday	Closed

Dec 22 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Dec 22 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Tuesday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Wednesday	08:00–15:00	13:00
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Sunday	Closed

Jan 1 TO Feb 28 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Feb 28)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Tuesday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Wednesday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Thursday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Friday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Saturday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Sunday	Closed

Visitors are required to leave the halls 30 minutes before closing.
The Museums offer free entry on the last Sunday of each month, from 9am to 2pm (final entry at 12:30pm), provided this does not coincide with holidays like Easter Sunday, June 29 (Sts. Peter and Paul), and Christmas Day.
In December, the Sunday opening with free admission will be exceptionally brought forward to the 24th to allow visitors to enjoy the Museums during the festive season.

St Peter's Basilica

7am - 7:10pm

Apr 1 TO Sep 30 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Sep 30)	TIMINGS
Monday	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday (Today)	07:00–19:10

Oct 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Oct 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

Closed on Wednesdays for the Papal audience held in the Square, but it reopens at around 12:30 pm.

Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Jul 1 TO Aug 11 Timings Days (Jul 1 TO Aug 11)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Sunday (Today)	10:00–18:30	17:00

Aug 12 TO Aug 18 Timings Days (Aug 12 TO Aug 18)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Tuesday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Saturday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Aug 19 TO Oct 31 Timings Days (Aug 19 TO Oct 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Nov 1 TO Nov 7 Timings Days (Nov 1 TO Nov 7)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	Closed
Saturday	09:00–17:30	16:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Nov 8 TO Dec 1 Timings Days (Nov 8 TO Dec 1)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–17:30	16:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Dec 2 TO Dec 8 Timings Days (Dec 2 TO Dec 8)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–17:30	16:00
Sunday	Closed

Dec 9 TO Dec 22 Timings Days (Dec 9 TO Dec 22)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–17:30	16:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Dec 23 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Dec 23 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–17:30	16:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Mar 26 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Mar 26 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–17:30	16:00
Sunday	Closed

Apr 1 TO Apr 7 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Apr 7)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Apr 8 TO Apr 24 Timings Days (Apr 8 TO Apr 24)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Apr 25 TO May 5 Timings Days (Apr 25 TO May 5)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Tuesday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Friday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Saturday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

May 6 TO Jun 23 Timings Days (May 6 TO Jun 23)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	09:00–18:30	17:00
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Jun 24 TO Jun 30 Timings Days (Jun 24 TO Jun 30)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Tuesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Wednesday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Thursday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Friday	09:00–14:30	13:00
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	10:00–18:30	17:00

Gardens of Vatican City

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	09:00–18:00
Tuesday	09:00–18:00
Wednesday	09:00–18:00
Thursday	09:00–18:00
Friday	09:00–18:00
Saturday	09:00–18:00
Sunday (Today)	Closed

The gardens remain closed on Sundays and on January 1 and 6, Easter Sunday and December 8, 25 and 26.

Sistine Chapel

Apr 5 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Apr 5 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Tuesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Wednesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Thursday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Friday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Saturday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Sunday (Today)	Closed

Jan 1 TO Feb 13 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Feb 13)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Tuesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Wednesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Thursday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Friday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Saturday	08:00–20:00	18:00
Sunday	Closed

Feb 14 TO Feb 14 Timings Days (Feb 14 TO Feb 14)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–17:30	11:30
Tuesday	08:00–17:30	11:30
Wednesday	08:00–17:30	11:30
Thursday	08:00–17:30	11:30
Friday	08:00–17:30	11:30
Saturday	08:00–17:30	11:30
Sunday	Closed

Feb 15 TO Mar 20 Timings Days (Feb 15 TO Mar 20)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Tuesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Wednesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Thursday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Friday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Saturday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Sunday	Closed

Mar 21 TO Mar 21 Timings Days (Mar 21 TO Mar 21)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Tuesday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Wednesday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Thursday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Friday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Saturday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Sunday	Closed

Mar 22 TO Mar 27 Timings Days (Mar 22 TO Mar 27)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Tuesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Wednesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Thursday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Friday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Saturday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Sunday	Closed

Mar 28 TO Mar 28 Timings Days (Mar 28 TO Mar 28)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–17:30	17:00
Tuesday	08:00–17:30	17:00
Wednesday	08:00–17:30	17:00
Thursday	08:00–17:30	17:00
Friday	08:00–17:30	17:00
Saturday	08:00–17:30	17:00
Sunday	Closed

Mar 29 TO Apr 3 Timings Days (Mar 29 TO Apr 3)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Tuesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Wednesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Thursday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Friday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Saturday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Sunday	Closed

Apr 4 TO Apr 4 Timings Days (Apr 4 TO Apr 4)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Tuesday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Wednesday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Thursday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Friday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Saturday	08:00–18:00	17:30
Sunday	Closed

The Sistine Chapel is closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month), as well as on January 1 and 6, March 19, April 1, May 1, June 29, August 15, November 1, and December 25 and 26.

Apostolic Palace

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Tuesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Wednesday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Thursday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Friday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Saturday	08:00–19:00	17:00
Sunday (Today)	08:00–19:00	17:00

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets

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Best time to visit the Vatican Museums

Weekday vs Weekend

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday are optimal for visiting the Vatican, with fewer tourists. Mornings are generally quieter and recommended during the high season. Friday evenings can be busier due to the extended hours at the museum.
Visit the museums first if you are visiting Vatican on a Wednesday, as mornings might be busier, particularly because of the Papal audience, which draws larger crowds to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Weekends are the busiest, with Saturday facing extreme crowds. Arriving around 8am-9am is best on these days. Sundays are generally quieter, except for the last Sunday of the month when free entry to the Museums attracts large crowds.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Pleasant

Crowded

Very Crowded

Closed

Peak season vs low season

Peak Season (April to October) aligns with the European summer holidays. The weather is warm, making it ideal for exploring, but this is when the Vatican sees the highest influx of tourists, leading to longer waits. Afternoons are better for visits during this period, as the crowds tend to diminish.
Low Season (November to March) experiences fewer visitors, except for the Christmas and Easter periods. The weather is cooler and more comfortable for visiting, and the crowds are significantly less dense, making it a good time to enjoy the Vatican at a more leisurely pace.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season

Moderate Season

Peak Season

Vatican Mass Timings

Papal Basilica of Saint Peter

Weekdays Mass schedule: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 5pm
Sundays and Holiday Mass schedule: 9am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:15pm, 1pm, 4pm, 5:30pm

Basilica of Saint John Lateran

Winter schedule: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 5pm
Sunday: 5pm, 6pm
Summer schedule: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 6pm

Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Sunday: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 6pm
Monday-Saturday: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 12pm, 6pm

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Weekday Winter schedule: 6:45am, 8am, 9am, 10:30am, 5pm
Summer schedule:
Public holidays: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, 6pm
Saturday and before public holidays: 6pm

Benedictine Abbey of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Monday-Saturday: 8:30am, 12:30pm, 4pm, 7pm

Attend Vatican Mass

How much time do I need to explore the Vatican Museums?

To thoroughly explore the Vatican Museums, which is a vast and intricate attraction, you should allocate at least 4 hours. This duration allows you to appreciate the major galleries, including the Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and the various art, sculpture, and historical collections, without feeling rushed.

Given the extensive range of art and historical artifacts on display, covering everything in one visit can be challenging. If you have a strong interest in art or history, you might even consider spending a full day to delve deeper into the collections and enjoy the details.

For a more focused visit, targeting specific areas of interest like the Sistine Chapel and the Pinacoteca, 2 to 3 hours could suffice. However, keep in mind that the museums are vast, and there's a considerable amount of walking involved, so it’s wise to allow some extra time for rest and contemplation of the artworks.

Plan your visit

Is the Vatican still open after the Pope’s death?

Yes, the Vatican remains open to visitors; however, certain sites have adjusted schedules due to the recent passing of Pope Francis.

St. Peter’s Basilica: Open for public viewing of the Pope's body lying in state from Wednesday to Friday. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10am local time. Post-funeral access may be restricted; updates will follow.
Vatican Museums: Operating on regular schedules for now. They will be closed on Saturday, the day of the funeral. Further closures are possible; please check for updates.
Sistine Chapel: Expected to close during the conclave period, which begins between May 5 and 11.
Castel Gandolfo: Will be closed on Saturday, the day of the funeral.

Guide to visiting the Vatican during a time of mourning

If certain Vatican sites are closed or crowded, consider these alternatives:

Borghese Gallery: Home to a renowned collection of art, including works by Bernini and Caravaggio.
Roman Catacombs and Crypts: Explore the ancient underground burial sites and early Christian history.
Trastevere Neighborhood: Experience the charm of cobblestone streets, local eateries, and historic churches.
Santa Maria Maggiore: Visit the basilica where Pope Francis will be buried, offering a place for reflection.

Stay informed about any changes in schedules or closures by visiting official Vatican websites and local news outlets.
Arrive early as morning entry slots typically provide a calmer and less crowded experience.
Be flexible, as during major Vatican events, schedules can change with little notice.
Use alternative routes or entrances, such as the Viale Vaticano gate, to avoid congestion.
Ensure respectful attire when visiting religious sites—covering shoulders and knees is recommended.
Security measures may lead to longer entry times; plan accordingly.

Frequently asked questions about Vatican Museums timings

Is the Vatican City open on Sundays?

Vatican City is open on Sundays, but the Vatican Museums are closed except the last Sunday of each month when entry is free from 9 am to 2 pm. St. Peter's Basilica is open for mass.

Are there any specific days when the Vatican is closed?

The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month), January 1, December 25, and other specific Holy Days.

Do I need to make reservations for specific entry times?

Yes, it's highly recommended to make reservations for specific entry times to the Vatican Museums to ensure entry and reduce waiting time, especially during peak season.

Are there any discounts for visiting during specific times?

Discounts are typically not offered based on visitation times, but students and elderly visitors may receive discounted entry.

Can I visit the Vatican Museum at night?

Yes, the Vatican Museums offer night openings on select Fridays from April to October, requiring advance booking.

Are the St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums on the same schedule?

No, St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums have different operating hours; the Basilica usually opens earlier and closes later than the Museums.

What are St. Peter’s Basilica Dome hours?

The St. Peter’s Basilica Dome is open from 8am - 5pm from October to March and 8am - 6pm between April to September. It is closed on Wednesdays.

Is the Vatican open all day?

St. Peter's Basilica is open all day, but the Vatican Museums have specific opening and closing times.

How early should I arrive before my ticket time?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled ticket time to allow enough time for security checks.

Is there a time limit for my visit to the Vatican Museums?

There's no strict time limit, but the visit is typically bound by the closing hours of the Museums. Vistors are expected to exit the museums 30 minutes before closing time.