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- Vatican Museums
- Apostolic Palace
- Vatican Grottoes
- Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace
- Sistine Chapel
- Vatican Gardens
- Villa Barberini
- Vatican Library
- Castle Gondolfo
- Vatican Archives
- History
- Inside
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Vatican Necropolis
- Christmas Tree
- Vatican City
- Nativity Scene
- Secrets of Vatican
- Vatican Easter Mass
- Christmas
- Plan Your Visit
- Skip the Line Tours
- Guided Tours
- Night Tours
- Timings
- Directions
- Rules
- Entrances
- Facts
- Map
- Omnia Card
- Papal Audience
- Vatican Mass
- Things to do in Vatican
- Dress Code
- Colosseum
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Castel Sant Angelo
- Rome Pantheon
- Borghese Gallery
- Roman Catacombs Tour
- Bioparco Rome
- Big Bus Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets
- Palazzo Barberini
- Musei Capitolini
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Trevi Fountain Tours
- Roman Baths of Caracalla
- Palazzo Merulana
- Altare della Patria
- Rome Underground Tours
Contents
What are Vatican Museums opening hours?
Today
Open 8am–8pm
Last Admission
6pm
Vatican TicketsTimings
Vatican Museums
Mar 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Mar 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Friday (Today) | 8:00am–8:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Saturday | 8:00am–8:00pm | 6:00pm |
| 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
Summer (1 April - 30 September): 7am to 7pm
Winter (1 October - 31 March): 7am to 6:30pm
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30pm–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Friday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Saturday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Sunday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
- Closed on Wednesdays for the Papal audience held in the Square, but it reopens at around 12:30 pm.
Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Mar 26 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Mar 26 TO Mar 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 9:00am–2:30pm | 1:00pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am–2:30pm | 1:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am–2:30pm | 1:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am–2:30pm | 1:00pm |
| Saturday | 9:00am–5:30pm | 4:00pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Gardens of Vatican City
Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Friday (Today) | 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Saturday | 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
- The gardens remain closed on Sundays and on January 1 and 6, Easter Sunday and December 8, 25 and 26.
Sistine Chapel
Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Friday (Today) | 8:00am–8:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Saturday | 8:00am–8:00pm | 6:00pm |
| 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.
Villa Barberini
Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Friday (Today) | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Saturday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
| Sunday | 8:00am–7:00pm | 5:00pm |
Visiting Vatican Museums
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
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
Frequently asked questions about Vatican Museums
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.