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Vatican Museums Opening Hours
- From Monday to Saturday: 09.00 AM- 06.00 PM. Last entry at 04.00 PM.
- From 22nd April to 29th October 2022: On Fridays and Saturdays, extended opening hours till 10.30 PM, with last entry at 08.30 PM.
- On every last Saturday of the month (provided it does not coincide with any of the designated closure days or Easter Sunday): 09.00 AM- 02.00 PM, with the last entry at 12.30 PM.
- Visitors are required to leave the hall at least 30 minute prior to the closing time.
Suggested Read: Best Time to Visit Vatican Museums
- All Sundays except the last Sundays of each month
- 1st and 6th January
- 11th February
- 19th March
- 18th April
- 29th June
- 15th August
- 1st November
- 8th and 26th December
Opening Days: Monday to Saturday: 09.00 AM- 06.00 PM, with final entry at 04.00 PM.
Closing Days: All Sundays, 1st November. 8th December, 26th December
Opening Days:
October to March: 8.00 AM - 5.00 PM
April to September: 7.00 AM - 7.00 PM
Opening Days:
October to March: 8.00 AM - 5.00 PM
April to September: 8.00 AM - 6.00 PM
Closing Days: On Wednesday mornings, when the Papal audience is held. However, the Basilica resumes admitting visitors around 01.00 PM on these days.
Opening Days: Monday to Saturday: 09.00 AM- 06.00 PM
Closure Days: Sundays and on December 8th, 25th and 26th, January 1st and 6th
Also Read: Vatican Gardens
Vatican Mass Timings
- Papal Basilica of Saint Peter: Weekdays Mass Schedule: 9.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 11.00 AM, 12.00 PM, 5.00 PM Sundays and Holiday Mass Schedule: 9.00 AM 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 1.00 PM, 14.00 PM, 5:30 PM
- Basilica of Saint John Lateran
- Winter Schedule: Weekdays: 7.00 AM, 8.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 11.00 AM, 12.00 PM, 5.00 PM Sunday: 5 PM, 6 PM
- Summer Schedule: All opening days: 7.00 AM, 8.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 11.00 AM, 12.00 PM, 6.00 PM
- Basilica of Saint Mary Major: Sunday: 7.00 AM, 8.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 11.00 AM, 12.00 PM, 6.00 PM Monday-Saturday: 7.00 AM, 8.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 12.00 PM, 6.00 PM
- Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls Weekday Winter Schedule: 6:45 AM, 8.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 10:30 AM, 5.00 PM
- Summer Schedule: Public holidays: 7.00 AM, 8.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12.00 PM, 6.00 PM Saturday and eve of public holidays: 6.00 PM
- Benedictine Abbey of Saint Paul Outside the Walls: Monday -Saturday: 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 4.00 PM, 7.00 PM
Best Time to Visit the Vatican
- Winter months at the Vatican are extremely harsh, drawing the least amount of tourist crowd throughout the year. Thus, if you’re looking to avoid the tourist rush, the months between November to February would be the best time to visit the Vatican Museum.
- If you’re planning to visit during the warmer months between April and October, it is best to plan one’s visit in the afternoon hours, when the crowds are comparatively lesser; weekdays are also less crowded than Sundays.
- If you’re visiting on a Wednesday, make sure you put St. Peter’s Basilica as the last item on your itinerary, for it remains closed on Wednesday morning when the Papal audience is held.
- If you’re planning to witness a Mass at the Basilica, it would also be wise to plan your visit to the Museums in consideration to the Vatican Mass timings
Suggested Read: Best Time to Visit Vatican Museums
FAQ's For Vatican Museum
What are Vatican Museum hours?
The Vatican Museum timings are between Monday to Saturday, 09.00 AM- 06.00 PM. It also remains open on the last Sundays of each month between 09.00 AM- 02.00 PM, unless the Sunday coincides with a scheduled holiday.
How much time do you need at the Vatican museum?
One should set aside at least 3-4 hours for a holistic tour of the Vatican Museum, and about 2 hours more for a visit to the St. Peter’s Basilica.
What is the best day of the week to visit the Vatican?
Weekdays would be ideal for a visit to the Vatican, as weekends gather more crowds. If possible, try to schedule your visit during the low tourist season between November and February.
What is the best time to visit the Vatican?
If you’re visiting during the high tourist season between April and October, the best time to visit Vatican Museum would be during the early morning or late afternoon hours. If you’re visiting in winter, try to keep your visit in the afternoon, when it is least cold.
What are St. Peter’s Basilica hours?
The Basilica remains open between 08.00 AM to 05.00 PM during winters, and between 07.00 AM and 07.00 PM during summers. It remains closed on Wednesday mornings when the Papal audience is held.
What are Sistine Chapelle hours?
The Sistine Chapel is open between Monday to Saturday, 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM.
What are the timings of mass at St Peter's Basilica?
The Vatican Mass timings vary on weekends and weekdays. 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
When are Vatican Museums closed?
The Vatican Museum timings generally vary with the season. The Vatican Museums are closed on all Sundays except the last Sunday of each month, as well as the scheduled closing days as listed above.
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