The Vatican Museums:

Explore the attractions of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and lesser-known gems. The Pinecone Courtyard, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Candelabra, and the spectacular Raphael Rooms are all worth seeing.

The Sistine Chapel will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip. Consider Michelangelo’s boneless self-portrait, in which he declares to the world that he would rather be skinned alive than paint the Sistine Chapel again! His work is remarkable, but up close and after seeing what it takes to make a fresco, you’ll appreciate it even more.

When should you visit the Vatican museums?

Rome’s most visited tourist attraction is the Vatican. It draws visitors from all over the world at all times of the year, so you’re out of luck if you wanted to go when there were fewer people. On the other hand, most of the Vatican’s attractions see less visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you’re on a tight schedule, avoid Wednesdays and weekends because the city tends to be busier then.

Whatever you do, avoid visiting St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican Museums on a Saturday because this is when Rome receives the greatest number of visitors from all around Italy and Europe. With the exception of the final Sunday of each month, the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays. As a result, the Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of the month, so expect a large throng if you go.

When do the Vatican Museums open?

  • 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. (Museum access closes at 16:30 hrs.)
  • Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 22:30 p.m. (At 20:30 hrs. are the last access to Museums.)
  • Closed on Sundays

Closing Days of the Vatican Museums:

The Vatican Museums will be closed on the 1st and 6th of January, 11th of February, 19th of March, 18th of April, 29th of June, 15th of August, 1st of November, and 8th of December in 2022.

Is the Vatican open during the night?

The Vatican is open 24 hours a day, and you can visit St. Peter’s Square at any time. The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, on the other hand, have set hours, and there is only a limited time when you can view these sights at night in the Vatican.