Vatican Museums: free Sunday, hours, tickets and the best time to visit
Quick answer
The Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of each month, 9am–2pm (last entry 12:30). The rest of the year they open Monday to Saturday 8am–8pm, with last entry at 6pm. General admission is about €20 plus a €5 booking fee. The best time to avoid lines is opening time, 8am.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
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How the free last Sunday works
It is the only Sunday the museums open, and entry is free for everyone. It is also the busiest day of the month: the hours are short and the line can start forming well before 9am. You only have a few hours, so come with a route in mind.
- Last entry is 12:30; galleries are cleared before 2pm.
- Arrive well ahead of opening: it is the longest-line day of the month.
- There is no free entry if the last Sunday falls on Easter, 29 June, or 25, 26 or 31 December.
- If you can choose, a weekday with a paid timed ticket is usually a far more comfortable experience.
Best time to visit the Vatican Museums without lines
- 8am at opening, Tuesday to Thursday: the quietest slot.
- The late afternoon, around 4pm–5pm, also thins the crowd, though you'll have less time before the galleries are cleared.
- Avoid Wednesday mornings if they coincide with the papal audience, which draws crowds to the area.
- There are seasonal evening openings on some Fridays; check the official site to see whether any fall on your dates.
Where to buy tickets
The only official online ticket site is tickets.museivaticani.va. Many resale sites use similar names and designs and charge more; always check the address. The online ticket fixes an entry time and skips the box-office line. As an alternative to a rented audio guide, the AnyArt app recognises works with your camera and tells their story.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Vatican Museums free on Sundays?
Only on the last Sunday of each month, 9am to 2pm, unless it falls on Easter, 29 June, or 25, 26 or 31 December. All other Sundays they are closed.
How much is a Vatican Museums ticket?
General admission is around €20 plus a €5 online booking fee. Confirm the current price at tickets.museivaticani.va before you buy.
Do children pay at the Vatican Museums?
There is a reduced rate for under 18s and for students up to 26 with ID. Check the amount and conditions on the official site.
What time do the Vatican Museums close?
At 8pm Monday to Saturday, with last entry at 6pm. Visitors must leave the halls 30 minutes before closing.
Which days are the Vatican Museums closed?
Sundays (except the last of the month) and several Catholic holidays such as 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 29 June, 1 November or 25 December. The official calendar changes each year.