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- Vatican Museums
- Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace
- Vatican Gardens
- Vatican Necropolis
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
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- Vatican Library
- Villa Barberini
- Castle Gondolfo
- Apostolic Palace
- Vatican Grottoes
- History
- Inside
- Nativity Scene
- Christmas Tree
- Papal Audience
- Secrets of Vatican
- Christmas
- Plan Your Visit
- Skip the Line Tours
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- Night Tours
- Timings
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- Rules
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Vatican Museums Opening & Closing Hours
Contents
A trip to Rome would not be complete without visiting Vatican City. However, it is probably best to plan your trip ahead of your visit. The opening hours of Vatican Museums, the Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as the Sistine Chapel are different. Read on to find out about the opening times of each of these attractions.
Vatican Museums Hours
Please Note: Entry to the museums is permitted by online ticket reservation only.
Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel
St. Peter's Basilica
Vatican Gardens
From Monday to Saturday
9 AM – 6 PM
The final entry is at 4 PM.
Every last Sunday of the month
9 AM to 2 PM
The final entry is at 12:30 PM.
The extraordinary openings of the last Sunday of the month are only applicable when the last Sunday of the month does not coincide with Easter Sunday, 29 June, 25 December, 26 December, or 31 December.
Extended opening hours
From 5 May to 28 October, the Museums will be open until 10.30 PM on Fridays, with final entry at 8:30 PM and until 8 PM on Saturdays, with final entry at 6 PM.
Days Closed: Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month), 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 10 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 16 August, 1 November, 8, 25, 26, and 31 December.
Monday to Saturday: 9 AM - 6 PM (Final entry is at 4 PM).
Days Closed: The Sistine Chapel is closed on Sundays, as well as 1 November, 8 December, and 25 December
1 Oct to 31 Mar
8 AM - 5 PM
1 Apr to 30 Sep
7 AM - 7 PM
St. Peter's Basilica Dome
October to March: 8 AM - 5 PM
April to September: 8 AM - 6 PM
Days Closed: St Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays as the Papal audience is held on these days. But it reopens again from around 12-1 PM.
St Peter's Basilica Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM.
Closed Days: Sundays and on December 8th, 25th and 26th, January 1st and 6th, and Easter Sunday.
All Your Questions About Vatican Museum Hours Answered
Q. What are Vatican Museum hours?
A. The Vatican Museums are open between 9 AM to 6 PM from Monday to Saturday. From 5 May to 28 October, the museums will be open until 10:30 PM on Fridays and until 8 PM on Saturdays. Every last Sunday of the month (provided this does not coincide with Easter Sunday, 29 June Sts. Peter and Paul, 25 December Christmas Day, 26 December Feast of St. Stephen and 31 December Feast of St. Sylvester), the museums will be open from 9 AM. to 2 PM.
Q. When are Vatican Museums closed?
A. Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of each month. Additionally, it is closed on 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 10 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 16 August, 1 November, 8, 25, 26 and 31 December
Q. What is the best time to visit the Vatican?
A. Plan a visit during early mornings and late afternoons on a weekday in the months between October to March (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s).
Q. How long does the visit to Vatican last?
A. Set aside at least 3-4 hours to entirely explore the Vatican Museums and about 1.5 hours to tour St Peter's Basilica.
Q. What are St. Peter’s Basilica hours?
A. St. Peter’s Basilica is open every day except for Wednesday from 8 AM to 5 PM between October to March and 7 AM to 7 PM between April to September. If there’s a mass on a Wednesday, St. Peter’s Basilica is open from 12:00 PM onwards.
Q. What are St. Peter’s Basilica Dome hours?
A. The St. Peter’s Basilica Dome is open from 8 AM - 5 PM from October to March and 8 AM - 6 PM between April to September. It is closed on Wednesdays.
Q. What are the timings of mass at St Peter's Basilica?
A. On weekdays, Holy Mass is held at 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM. On weekends and public holidays, Holy Mass is held at 9 AM 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12.:5 PM, 1:16 PM, 5.30 PM
Q. Is the Vatican open on Sunday?
A. Yes, you can visit the Vatican on Sunday. However, the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays.
Q. Is Entry to the Vatian free?
A. You don't need to pay a fee to enter Vatican City. You can even explore St Peter's Basilica and the St Peter's Square for free. However, you might have to wait in a long queue without a skip-the-line ticket to St Peter's Basilica. To visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, you need to purchase tickets.
Q. Is entry to the Vatican free on Sundays?
A. On the last Sunday of every month, visitors would be allowed free entry into the Vatican Museums. However, all extraordinary openings on the last Sunday have been suspended for the time being. You can enter the other attractions for free.
