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Rome Tickets Vatican Museums Opening Hours

Vatican Museums Opening Hours: Days, Last Entry, and Closures

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel keep the same hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., last entry 6:00 p.m. Most Sundays they're closed, with one exception each month.

Vatican Museums Opening Hours

The Apostolic Palace, where the Vatican Museums visit takes place

Monday to Saturday

Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the last visitors are let in at 6:00 p.m. Anyone already inside can stay on, but staff start clearing the galleries around 7:30 p.m., half an hour before closing.

The Sistine Chapel is the final stop on the museum route, so it keeps the same timetable. Enter close to 6:00 p.m. and you'll have time for the chapel and a few highlights, not the whole collection.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel: Skip Ticket

Highlights

Skip the usual long queues with fast-track access.

Enjoy a self-paced visit through the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Listen to detailed commentary available in English and seven additional languages.

Discover masterpieces by renowned artists like Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, and Caravaggio.

Use a downloadable audio guide app that can be accessed offline.

Guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica

Highlights

Skip long queues with fast-track entry.

Explore the extensive Vatican Museums and marvel at the Sistine Chapel.

Enjoy VIP access to the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica.

Benefit from a knowledgeable live English-speaking guide.

Hear the commentary clearly using a provided headset.

Small groups with a maximum of 20 participants ensure a personal experience.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel + St. Peter's Square

Highlights

Avoid long queues with fast-track entry.

Join a tour limited to 20 participants.

Explore iconic sites like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Last Judgement.

Includes guided visits to Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Listen clearly to commentary through modern headsets in English.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Mamertine Prison: Reserved Entrance

Highlights

Skip the lengthy queues with priority entry.

Discover the magnificent Renaissance artworks housed in the Vatican Museums.

Marvel at Michelangelo’s iconic Sistine Chapel ceiling, including the famous Creation of Adam.

Explore Raphael’s School of Athens and other renowned galleries such as the Hall of Tapestries and Map Room.

Experience a video-guided tour of the ancient Mamertine Prison located in the basement of San Pietro in Carcere church.

Big Bus Rome: Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Highlights

Enjoy panoramic views from the upper deck of a double-decker bus.

Choose between 24, 48, or 72-hour tickets for flexible touring.

Benefit from free onboard WiFi for connectivity during the journey.

Learn about Rome’s landmarks with a multilingual audio guide.

Access free self-guided walking tours to explore the city on foot.

Track buses in real-time using the complimentary Big Bus app.

Best Time to Visit the Vatican Museums

Visitors on the Bramante Staircase in the Vatican Museums

To see the full route, arrive near opening time. With a 6:00 p.m. entry you get roughly 90 minutes before the rooms start clearing, which is enough for the Sistine Chapel but not much else.

Last-Sunday openings are short, morning-only days, so plan a quicker visit if that's the date you pick.

Check your date against the closure list above, especially if you're travelling around a religious holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vatican Museums Timings

What are the Vatican Museums opening hours?

Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with last entry at 6:00 p.m.

Are the Vatican Museums open on Sundays?

Usually not. The exception is the last Sunday of each month, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (last entry 12:30 p.m.), unless it falls on Easter Sunday, 29 June, 25 or 26 December, or 31 December.

What time is last entry?

6:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. on last-Sunday openings. If you're already inside you can stay on, but staff start clearing the galleries 30 minutes before closing.

Does the Sistine Chapel keep different hours?

No. The chapel is part of the museum route and keeps the same hours.

Which holidays are the museums closed?

1 and 6 January, 11 February, 19 March, 6 April, 1 May, 29 June, 14 and 15 August, 1 November, and 8, 25 and 26 December. They're also closed on Sundays, apart from the last Sunday of the month.

Are there Friday or Saturday evening hours?

Not at the moment. Fridays and Saturdays follow the regular 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. timetable, like the rest of the week.

What is the best time of day to go?

Opening time, if you want to see the whole route. A 6:00 p.m. entry leaves about 90 minutes before the rooms start clearing.

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