What days should you avoid at the Vatican?

St Peter's is free to enter. Wednesday is busy because the Papal Audience usually takes place then. Sunday is busy around the Angelus at 12:00. Another day suits you if your main aim is time inside the Basilica.

The Museums cost €25 online or €20 at the door. They normally open Monday to Saturday. The last Sunday of the month usually has free entry, with the shorter hours of 9:00 to 14:00.

The Papal Audience has free tickets requested through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. It usually takes place on Wednesday unless the Pope has other commitments. Keep that day if attending the Audience is the reason for your visit.

The Museums close on 1 and 6 January and 11 February. They also close on 19 March and Easter Monday. Further closures fall on 1 May and 29 June.

Summer closures fall on 14 and 15 August. The remaining dates are 1 November and 8, 25 and 26 December. These are in addition to the usual Sunday rule.

The last Sunday is usually free. The exception covers Easter Sunday and 29 June. It also covers 25, 26 and 31 December when they fall on the last Sunday.

The next free Sunday is 29 November. Entry runs from 9:00 to 14:00, with last admission at 12:30. Your free visit includes the Sistine Chapel, and the halls empty 30 minutes before closing.

On 10 November all sectors open at 9:00. On 4 December and 18 December the Sistine Chapel closes at 18:00, with last entry at 17:30.

The Museums open from 8:00 to 20:00 on an ordinary Monday to Saturday. Last entry is 18:00. That gives you more choice of arrival time than the free Sunday, which stops admission at 12:30.

St Peter's normally opens daily from 7:00 to 19:00 in winter. Major services can limit access. Entry is free, and security queues can form on other days too.