The Vatican Museums remain open from 8 am to 7 pm, from Monday to Thursday. The last entry is scheduled for 5 pm on these days. Likewise, the Museums open at 8 am and close at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The last entry is at 6 pm. The attraction remains closed on the month’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays.

The best time of day to visit the Museums is when the attraction opens for the day. The second best time is in the late afternoons, as the crowds are less at these hours.

The best time of the week to visit the Museums is between Tuesdays and Fridays. Since the Museums are closed on Sundays, they tend to get extra crowded on Saturdays and Mondays. 

Likewise, the best time of the year to visit the Museums is during the colder months from October to December, when the crowds are less and the Christian festivities are just around the corner.

The second best time to visit the attraction would be the non-peak months from January to March. The Vatican witnesses its largest crowds from April to September.

From April to October, the Museums open on Friday nights from 7 pm to 11 pm, making it ideal for a night Vatican tour.

The Vatican Museums will remain closed on 29 June, 14 August, 15 August, 1 November, 25 December, and December 26. Apart from these dates, the Museums remain shut on the month’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays.

The Vatican Museums can be accessed for free on every last Sunday of the month. As you don’t need to pay an entry fee, there is no special access, and you must wait in line to enter the attraction. The Museums are open from 9 am to 2 pm on such occasions, with the last entry scheduled for 12.30 pm. It is best to avoid visiting the Museums on the last Sunday—unless you are on a budget—as it gets extremely crowded and by the time you enter, it would be close to the Museums’ closing hours!

The Museums’ Skip the Line tickets tend to be a few Euros costlier, but considering how they help you save up to two hours of waiting in the sun or rain, we say they are surely worth it.

Yes, you can buy tickets at the Museums’ ticket office. However, due to high demand and long queues, most popular time slots sell out quickly. Hence, it’s always best to book your tickets in advance.

Not really; you can show the e-ticket on your mobile device to the security guards at the entrance and walk in. Once you pass the security checks, you only need to scan your tickets at the entrance turnstiles and visit the museums and galleries.

No, you cannot change the time slot of your booked ticket due to the high demand for the Vatican Museums ticket. Nor can you pre- or postpone your ticket to any day of your choice once you have booked it.

Not all Vatican Museums tickets offer refunds. If they do, you need to cancel your ticket at least 24 hours before your booked date to receive a full refund.

Visitors of all ages are allowed free entry only on the last Sunday of the month. Children aged 7 years and under can enter the attraction for free on all days. Click here to know who else can enter the Vatican Museums for free.

Visitors between the ages of 7 and 17 years, and students up to 25 years with valid IDs, are eligible for a discount and pay a reduced fare to enter the attraction.

The Museums remain closed on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays of each month. They are also closed on the following dates: 1 and 6 January, 19 March, 1 April, 1 May, 29 June, 14 and 15 August, 1 November, and 25 and 26 December.

The Vatican follows a strict dress code for both men and women across all its attractions. You must always cover your knees and shoulders, and it’s best to avoid wearing sleeveless tops, low-cut tops that expose the midriff, miniskirts, shorts, and hats.

Signposted restrooms are available for both regular and disabled visitors, baby changing facilities, a nursing room, vending machines, and refreshment areas, as well as relaxation areas along the Museums’ itinerary.

The best time and day to visit the attraction would be mid-week when the Museums open for business. The second best time would be post-lunch when the crowds are fewer.

The Vatican Museums are an all-weather experience and remain open come rain or shine. All tickets are final and cannot be rescheduled to another date.

Several ticket options cater to different groups visiting the Vatican. If you are short on time, you could opt for the skip-the-line or last-minute ticket. If you want a more varied experience, you can buy a Vatican-guided or private tour ticket.

While we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to meet the Pope with a Vatican Museums ticket, there are specific tickets that assure you an audience with the Pope.

The Ottaviano-S. Pietro metro station is just a 7-minute walk to the Vatican Museums. Bus 49 also offers stops right in front of St. Peter’s Square. You can further board Tram 19 and alight at Piazza del Risorgimento, which is a 7-minute walk to the Museums.

If you buy a private tour ticket to the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s, and Gardens, you can visit all three attractions one after the other. You can also opt for the Vatican Museums + Vatican Gardens bus tour ticket if you want to skip the Basilica.

While the Roma Pass does not include entry to the Vatican Museums, you can also buy a 72-hour Roma Pass + Omnia Card that covers the Museums and Sistine Chapel.

A guided tour always entails an expert guide walking you through the Museums’ masterpieces and getting you access to sites unavailable with an audio-guided tour.

Latecomers are not allowed in the attraction, and no refund will be provided. Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled visit time.