Visitor guide
Vatican Museums Opening Hours
The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday, with last entry two hours before closing. Most Sundays are closed, except the last Sunday of the month. Always check the official calendar for your date.
Regular hours: Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 20:00, last entry 18:00. Last Sunday of the month: 09:00 to 14:00, last entry 12:30, with exceptions. Other Sundays and some holidays: closed.
Regular opening hours
| Day | Opening | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 08:00 to 20:00 | 18:00 |
| Last Sunday of the month | 09:00 to 14:00 | 12:30 |
| Other Sundays | Closed | Not applicable |
Hours change for holidays, events and seasonal arrangements. The official calendar is the reference for your date.
Last entry and leaving the galleries
Last entry is the latest time you can go through the entrance. It is not the time the visit ends. According to the official information, visitors are asked to leave the galleries about 30 minutes before closing. If you enter near last entry, go to your priorities first, especially the Sistine Chapel, which comes near the end of the route.
The last Sunday of the month
On the last Sunday of each month the museums open from 09:00 to 14:00, with last entry at 12:30. According to the official information, admission on that day is free. Expect large crowds and long waits, and note that this opening does not take place when the last Sunday coincides with certain religious holidays, such as Easter Sunday, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June, and the Christmas period.
Closures
The museums close on Sundays other than the last one of the month and on a number of religious holidays. Closures and extraordinary openings are published on the official hours page (opens in a new tab). Check it before you book, and again a few days before your visit.
Individual rooms, including the Sistine Chapel, can also close temporarily for ceremonies, restoration or special events, even when the museums are open.
How opening hours relate to your ticket
Your ticket or tour has its own entry time, and you should arrive according to your booking instructions. Opening hours tell you when the museums operate overall. When choosing a slot, leave enough time to complete the route before the galleries close. As planning advice, around 3 hours suits most visitors.
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Frequently asked questions
What time do the Vatican Museums open?
The official regular hours are Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 18:00. Hours can change for holidays and special events, so check the official calendar for your date.
Are the Vatican Museums open on Sunday?
Usually not. The exception is the last Sunday of the month, when the museums open from 09:00 to 14:00 with last entry at 12:30, except when that Sunday falls on certain religious holidays.
When do I have to leave the galleries?
The official information asks visitors to leave the galleries about 30 minutes before closing. If you enter close to last entry, prioritise the Sistine Chapel and the rooms you most want to see.
Do opening hours affect my ticket time?
Your ticket shows your entry time. Opening hours tell you when the museums operate overall. Book a slot that leaves you enough time to see the route before the galleries close.
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