The Vatican Museums, also known as Musei Vaticani (in Italian), open at 8 AM and close at 8 PM, with the last entry at 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. The Museum remains closed on regular Sundays except the last Sunday of every month, which is also known as the free Sunday.
On Free Sunday, the Museum’s opening hours are from 9 AM to 2 PM with the final entry at 12:30 PM. The entry to the Vatican Museums is free on the last Sunday of every month.
Let’s explore the Vatican Museum hours in detail, along with the timings of nearby attractions and other essential visitor information.
Check out our main ‘Vatican Tickets‘ page to explore more tickets and tour options for Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Grottoes and other attractions inside Vatican City.
| Day | Timings | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8 AM to 8 PM | 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM to 8 PM | 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM to 8 PM | 6 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM to 8 PM | 6 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM to 8 PM | 6 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM to 8 PM | 6 PM |
| Sunday (regular) | Closed | Closed |
| Last Sunday of the Month | 9 AM to 2 PM | 12:30 PM |
The Sistine Chapel is open Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with last admission at 6:00 PM. As the centerpiece of the Vatican Museums and one of its 54 galleries, the Sistine Chapel follows the same operating hours as the rest of the Museums.
- Monday to Saturday: 8 AM to 8 PM; Last Entry: 6 PM
- Last Sunday of the Month: 9 AM to 2 PM; Last Entry: 12:30 PM
- Visitors must exit galleries 30 minutes before the official closing time.
Closing Days at Vatican Museums
Apart from the regular Sunday holidays, the Vatican Museums will remain closed on the following dates in 2026:
| Date | Day of Week | Reason for Closure* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – public/holy day of obligation |
| 6 January | Tuesday | Epiphany – major Catholic feast day |
| 11 February | Wednesday | Vatican Museums listed holiday |
| 19 March | Thursday | Feast of St. Joseph – liturgical solemnity |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday (Pasquetta) |
| 1 May | Friday | International Workers’ Day (Festa del Lavoro) |
| 29 June* | Monday | Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul – major feast of the Holy See |
| 14 August | Friday | Extraordinary closure (linked to Assumption period) |
| 15 August | Saturday | Assumption of Mary (Ferragosto) – major Vatican/Italian feast |
| 1 November | Sunday | All Saints’ Day – Catholic solemnity |
| 8 December | Tuesday | Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Saturday | Feast of St. Stephen – public holiday in Italy |
Refer to the PDF below for the official 2026 Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel calendar, including opening hours, closing times, and scheduled closure days for easy planning.
Temporary Closure/Upcoming Closures at the Vatican Museum
These temporary closures affect specific sectors or time slots and are separate from regular holidays and Sunday closures.
| Sector | Date | Hours of Closure | Last Entrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pius-Christian Museum | 22 January, 2026 | 11.00 AM – 5.00 PM | 12:00 AM |
- Temporary closures at the Vatican Museums usually occur due to maintenance or preservation activities.
- This schedule is updated regularly, so we recommend checking it before your visit to ensure you don’t miss any major exhibits or sections.
St. Peter’s Basilica Timings
The St. Peter’s Basilica opens throughout the year, all seven days of the week, from 7 AM to 7:10 PM.
The basilica timings are subject to change based on the season. To get the accurate and updated timings of St. Peter’s Basilica, read our article on St. Peter’s Basilica Hours.
St. Peter’s Basilica Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 7 AM to 7:10 PM
Vatican Gardens Timings
The Vatican Gardens’ visiting hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Unlike the Vatican Museums, the Gardens remain closed on every Sunday, even on the free Sunday (the last Sunday of each month).
| Day | Opening Time | Closing Time |
| Monday | 9 AM | 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM | 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM | 6 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM | 6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM | 6 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM | 6 PM |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
Apostolic Palace Opening Hours
The Apostolic Palace is the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City, housing papal apartments, chapels, administrative offices, and some historically significant rooms, parts of which are accessible to the public via the Vatican Museums.
The Aposopic Palace opens daily at 8 am and closes at 7 PM, with the final entry at 5 PM.
| Day | Timings | Last Entry |
| Monday | 8 AM to 7 PM | 5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM to 7 PM | 5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM to 7 PM | 5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM to 7 PM | 5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM to 7 PM | 5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM to 7 PM | 5 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM to 7 PM | 5 PM |
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Please note that the Apostolic Palace is largely off-limits to the public, except for specific tours or private visits (very rare).
Best Time to Visit the Vatican Museums
The best time to visit the Vatican Museums is early in the morning, right after it opens at 8 AM. At this time, you can avoid long entrance queues and enjoy a minimal number of visitors inside. This allows you to admire the artwork at your own pace and take clean, crowd-free photographs. The museum tends to remain relatively quiet until 11 AM, after which large tour groups start arriving, and the galleries become much busier.
If you aren’t an early riser, the next best time to visit is after 3 PM, ideally around 4 PM. By then, many visitors and tour groups will have finished their tours, and the crowd inside the museum will be thinner. While it won’t be as empty as in the morning, you will still have enough space to move around and enjoy the masterpieces in relative peace. However, taking completely crowd-free photos may be more challenging.
Keep in mind that although the museum closes at 8 PM, the guards begin evacuating visitors 30 minutes before closing, at 7:30 PM. Plan your visit so you have enough time to complete your tour before the museum starts clearing out.
Weekday vs Weekend Visits
Try to avoid visiting the Vatican Museums on weekends, as they are particularly crowded. Not only do tourists flock in, but many locals also use the weekend to explore the museum’s history and art. Instead, aim for weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are generally the least crowded days.
Avoid Wednesdays (unless attending the Papal Audience)
Wednesdays can be exceptionally busy due to the Papal Audience, attracting both pilgrims and tourists. If your goal is a peaceful museum visit, it’s best to avoid Wednesdays unless you specifically want to attend this religious event.
Peak Season vs Shoulder Season vs Non-Peak Season at the Vatican Museums
Peak Season (April to October)
The busiest time to visit the Vatican Museums is from April to October. During these months, European schools are on summer break, attracting large numbers of families and tourists.
Expect long queues, crowded galleries, and higher prices for nearby accommodations.
Visiting during peak season requires planning ahead, ideally booking tickets online in advance, to avoid long waits and make the most of your tour.
Shoulder Season (March & November)
The shoulder season occurs in March and November, when the weather is still pleasant, but the crowds are smaller compared to peak months.
This period offers a good balance between comfortable visitor numbers and enjoyable weather, making it an ideal time for travelers who want to experience the Vatican Museums without the overwhelming crowds of peak season.
Non-Peak Season (December to February)
The non-peak season, from December to February, sees the fewest tourists. Although the weather can be cooler, you will enjoy shorter queues, quieter galleries, and a more relaxed experience while exploring the museum’s masterpieces.
This is also the best time for photographers or visitors looking to experience the art in a calm environment.
How much time is required to fully explore the Vatican Museum?
The Vatican Museums are vast, consisting of 1,400 rooms spread across 54 individual galleries and museums. The collection houses over 70,000 artworks, although only about 20,000 pieces are on display at any given time. To truly appreciate such an extensive collection, a minimum of 4 hours is recommended.
If you’re short on time, you can still explore the Vatican Museums in 2–3 hours, though this will only provide a brief overview of the vast collections. It’s essential to set aside at least 30 minutes for the Sistine Chapel, allowing enough time to fully appreciate the beauty and detail of Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes.
If you plan to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, add an additional 30 minutes for the interior, exploring its key areas and appreciating the architecture. For those who want to climb to the top, visiting the Dome of St. Peter’s requires about 1 hour, giving you breathtaking panoramic views of Vatican City and Rome.
Overall, a complete visit including the museums, Sistine Chapel, Basilica, and Dome will take around 4 to 5 hours, depending on how much time you spend at each spot.
| Area/Activity | Recommended Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vatican Museums (general exploration) | 2-3 hours | Covers galleries, museums, and most major artworks. Quick walkthrough if pressed for time. |
| Sistine Chapel | 30 minutes | Time to admire Michelangelo’s frescoes without rushing. |
| St. Peter’s Basilica | 30 minutes | Includes walking through the interior and exploring key areas. |
| St. Peter’s Dome | 1 hour | Climbing to the top for panoramic views of Vatican City and Rome. |
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Vatican Museum Hours (FAQs)
1. How many hours does it take to visit the Vatican Museum?
A complete visit to the Vatican Museums, including the general galleries, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Dome, typically takes 4–5 hours. If short on time, a brief walkthrough is possible in 2–3 hours, while express guided tours cover the highlights efficiently in 2–3 hours.
2. What are the hours of the Vatican Museum?
The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM, with the last entry at 6 PM. On the last Sunday of each month, they are open from 9 AM to 2 PM, with the final entry at 12:30 PM. Regular Sundays are closed.
3. Is 2 hours enough for the Vatican Museum?
Two hours is sufficient only for a quick overview of the Vatican Museums. It allows you to walk through the main galleries and glimpse some highlights but won’t give enough time to appreciate artworks or visit the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, or the Dome properly.
4. What time should I go to the Vatican Museum?
The best time to visit is early in the morning at 8 AM to avoid crowds. If mornings aren’t possible, after 3 PM, ideally 4 PM, works well, as many visitors and tour groups will have finished, providing a quieter experience.
5. What time is the last entry to Sistine Chapel?
The last entry to the Sistine Chapel is 6 PM Monday through Saturday, and 12:30 PM on the last Sunday of the month. Since it is part of the Vatican Museums, it follows the same operating hours as the rest of the museum.
6. What days to avoid Vatican?
Avoid visiting on Wednesdays, due to the Papal Audience, and weekends, as both tourists and locals create large crowds. The least crowded days are generally Tuesdays and Thursdays, making them ideal for a peaceful and enjoyable visit.
7. What days are the Vatican Museums closed?
The Vatican Museums are closed on regular Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month. They also close on certain holidays in 2025, including 1 Jan, 6 Jan, 19 Mar, 21 Apr, 1 May, 29 Jun, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 1 Nov, 8 Dec, 25 Dec, and 26 Dec, along with occasional temporary closures.
8. Is 5 PM a good time to visit the Vatican?
Visiting at 5 PM is acceptable, but the museum starts evacuating visitors 30 minutes before closing, at 7:30 PM. While crowds are smaller than peak hours, late arrivals may not have sufficient time to explore all galleries, so plan accordingly to avoid rushing through exhibits.
9. How long is the wait to get into the Vatican Museum?
Wait times vary by season. During peak months (April–October) or weekends, queues can exceed 1–2 hours. Early morning entry at 8 AM or late afternoon around 4 PM reduces waiting time. Booking tickets online in advance is the most reliable way to avoid long lines.
10. How early do you need to go to the Vatican?
To maximize a peaceful visit, arrive at 8 AM, right when the Vatican Museums open. This ensures shorter queues, fewer crowds, and the ability to enjoy masterpieces without being rushed, especially in popular sections like the Sistine Chapel. Early arrival also allows for photography without obstructions.
11. Is it better to go to the Vatican at night or day?
Visiting during the day, especially early morning or late afternoon, is better, as the museum is open until 8 PM. Nighttime tours are limited. Early hours provide minimal crowds, while late afternoons after 3 PM offer quieter galleries than midday, although full crowd-free experience is not guaranteed.