Contents

Vatican Museums Opening & Closing Hours

Today

Open 8 AM - 7 PM

Last Admission

5 PM

Vatican Museums

Mar 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Mar 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday8:00 AM - 7:00 PM5:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 7:00 PM5:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 7:00 PM5:00 PM
Thursday (Today)8:00 AM - 7:00 PM5:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM - 8:00 PM6:00 PM
Saturday8:00 AM - 8:00 PM6:00 PM
SundayClosed
Vatican Museum hours
  • Visitors are required to leave the halls 30 minutes before closing.
  • The Vatican Museums will have a temporary closure on December 20, 2023, from 9 AM to 10 AM. On December 21, 2023, the Museums will operate from 9 AM to 12:30 PM.
  • The Sistine Chapel will have a special closure on January 5, 2024, from 2 PM to 6 PM, with the last entrance at 1:30 PM.
  • The Museums offer free entry on the last Sunday of each month, from 9 AM to 2 PM (final entry at 12:30 PM), 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

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Wednesday12:30 PM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Thursday (Today)7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Friday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Saturday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Sunday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM

Apr 1 TO Sep 30 Timings

Days (Apr 1 TO Sep 30)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday7:00 AM - 7:00 PM7:00 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM - 7:00 PM7:00 PM
Wednesday12:30 PM - 7:00 PM7:00 PM
Thursday7:00 AM - 7:00 PM7:00 PM
Friday7:00 AM - 7:00 PM7:00 PM
Saturday7:00 AM - 7:00 PM7:00 PM
Sunday7:00 AM - 7:00 PM7:00 PM

Oct 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Oct 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Wednesday12:30 PM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Thursday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Friday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Saturday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM
Sunday7:00 AM - 6:30 PM6:30 PM

Opening Hours of St Peter's Basilica

Summer (1 April - 30 September)

7 AM to 7 PM

Winter (1 October - 31 March)

7 AM to 6:30 PM

The ideal time of day to visit St. Peter’s Basilica would be during the early morning hours, between 7 AM to 9 AM as there is less crowd during this time. 

Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Mar 26 TO Mar 31 Timings

Days (Mar 26 TO Mar 31)

TIMINGSLast Admission
MondayClosed
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday (Today)9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM4:00 PM
SundayClosed

Apr 1 TO Apr 7 Timings

Days (Apr 1 TO Apr 7)

TIMINGSLast Admission
MondayClosed
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Apr 8 TO Apr 24 Timings

Days (Apr 8 TO Apr 24)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Apr 25 TO May 5 Timings

Days (Apr 25 TO May 5)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
WednesdayClosed
Thursday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

May 6 TO Jun 23 Timings

Days (May 6 TO Jun 23)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Jun 24 TO Jun 30 Timings

Days (Jun 24 TO Jun 30)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Jul 1 TO Aug 11 Timings

Days (Jul 1 TO Aug 11)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Aug 12 TO Aug 18 Timings

Days (Aug 12 TO Aug 18)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
WednesdayClosed
ThursdayClosed
Friday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Aug 19 TO Oct 31 Timings

Days (Aug 19 TO Oct 31)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Nov 1 TO Nov 7 Timings

Days (Nov 1 TO Nov 7)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
FridayClosed
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM4:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Nov 8 TO Dec 1 Timings

Days (Nov 8 TO Dec 1)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM4:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Dec 2 TO Dec 8 Timings

Days (Dec 2 TO Dec 8)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM4:00 PM
SundayClosed

Dec 9 TO Dec 22 Timings

Days (Dec 9 TO Dec 22)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM4:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Dec 23 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Dec 23 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
WednesdayClosed
ThursdayClosed
Friday9:00 AM - 2:30 PM1:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:30 PM4:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 6:30 PM5:00 PM

Gardens of Vatican City

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS
Monday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday (Today)9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
SundayClosed

Sistine Chapel

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGSLast Admission
Monday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM4:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM4:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM4:00 PM
Thursday (Today)9:00 AM - 6:00 PM4:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM4:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM4:00 PM
SundayClosed



Visiting Vatican Museums

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Best time to visit the Vatican Museums

Weekday vs Weekend

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Pleasant
Crowded
Very Crowded

Peak season vs Low season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season
Moderate Season
Peak Season

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
Vatican Museums Timings

From Monday to Saturday
8 AM – 7 PM
The final entry is at 5 PM.

Every last Sunday of the month
9 AM to 2 PM

The final entry is at 12:30 PM.

The openings of the last Sunday of the month are only applicable when the last Sunday of the month does not coincide with Easter Sunday, November 1, Christmas or New Year.

Extended opening hours

From 1 March onwards, to account for summer traffic, the Museums will be open until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with final entry at 6 PM.
Days Closed: 
Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month), 1 and 6 January, 19 March, 1 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 15 August, 1 November, 25, and 26 December.

Sistine Chapel, Vatican Timings

Monday to Saturday: 8 AM - 7 PM (Final entry is at 5 PM).

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

St Peters Basilica
Vatican Timings

Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM.

Closed Days: Sundays and on December 8th, 25th and 26th, January 1st and 6th, and Easter Sunday.

Vatican Mass Timings

Papal Basilica of Saint Peter

  • Weekdays Mass Schedule: 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM
  • Sundays and Holiday Mass Schedule: 9 AM 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 13 PM, 16 PM, 5:30 PM

Basilica of Saint John Lateran

  • Winter Schedule: 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM
    Sunday: 5 PM, 6 PM
  • Summer Schedule: 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM

Basilica of Saint Mary Major

  • Sunday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
  • Monday-Saturday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

  • Weekday Winter Schedule: 6:45 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 5 PM
  • Summer Schedule:
    Public holidays: 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
    Saturday and before public holidays: 6 PM

Benedictine Abbey of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

  • Monday -Saturday: 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 4 PM, 7 PM

Best Time to Visit the Vatican

  • The low visiting season in Vatican City and Rome is between November to February. However, avoid a visit during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s.
  • April to October is the high season, which means that the number of tourists is significantly higher. However, if you are choosing to visit during this time, it is best to plan your visit to the Vatican around afternoon hours when the crowds would be lesser.
  • The best time to visit the Vatican would be during the low season; you can expect lesser crowds, cold winter, and easier access to prime attractions.
  • The best days to visit would be Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Avoid visiting on Saturday as you would see the maximum crowd then. 
  • The Pope holds an audience at St. Peter’s Basilica every Wednesday of the month. If you choose to visit on a Wednesday, make your way to the Vatican Museums first and then make your way to the St Peter's Basilica by the time the crowd makes their way to the Museums.

Plan Your Visit to Vatican >

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.