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The Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel

When are the Vatican Museums free?

The Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of each month, except certain holidays. The next free date is 29 November, with opening hours of 9:00 to 14:00. Last entry is 12:30.

Updated Hours and rules Vatican Museums official site, read

Next free Sunday29 NovemberThe Sistine Chapel is included →Free Sunday last entry12:30The Museums close at 14:00 →Paid-day admission€20Full price at the door; €25 online →

Free Sunday includes the Sistine Chapel, but you have fewer visiting hours than on a paid day.

The answer

When is the free Sunday at the Vatican Museums?

The last Sunday of the month gives you free entry to the Museums. The Sistine Chapel is included. The next date is 29 November; the other Sundays are closed.

Free Sunday does not apply on Easter Sunday or 29 June. The same exception covers 25, 26 and 31 December. If your date falls on one of these holidays, choose another opening day.

You must enter by 12:30 on the free Sunday. The Museums close at 14:00, and you must leave the halls 30 minutes earlier. A paid day allows entry until 18:00.

What to do: If saving the admission price matters most, plan for the free Sunday from 9:00. Choose a paid day at €20 or €25 if you need the longer opening hours.

Calendar

Free and closed days at the Vatican Museums

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
2 Novopen
3 Novopen
4 Novopen
5 Novopen
6 Novopen
7 Novopen
8 Novclosed
9 Novopen
10 Novpart closed
11 Novopen
12 Novopen
13 Novopen
14 Novopen
15 Novclosed
16 Novopen
17 Novopen
18 Novopen
19 Novopen
20 Novopen
21 Novopen
22 Novclosed
23 Novopen
24 Novopen
25 Novopen
26 Novopen
27 Novopen
28 Novopen
29 Novfree
30 Novopen
1 Decopen
2 Decopen
3 Decopen
4 Decpart closed
5 Decopen
6 Decclosed
7 Decopen
8 Decclosed
9 Decopen
10 Decopen
11 Decopen
12 Decopen
13 Decclosed

Closed and open days from the official Museums ticket shop, read . St Peter's has its own hours and does not follow this calendar.

The Museums close on Sundays except the eligible last Sunday. Other closures include 1 and 6 January, 11 February and 19 March. Easter Monday, 1 May and 29 June are closed too.

Later holiday closures fall on 14 and 15 August and 1 November. December closures are 8, 25 and 26 December. Check your date before planning a Museums visit around another booking.

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.

Opening times

Vatican Museums free Sunday and weekday hours

7:009:0011:0013:0015:0017:0019:00

Museums, free Sunday9:00 to 14:00. Last Sunday of the month, last entry 12:30

Vatican Museums8:00 to 20:00. Monday to Saturday, last entry 18:00

open, you can enter open, last entry has passed

Free Sunday hours are 9:00 to 14:00, with last entry at 12:30. Paid opening days run from 8:00 to 20:00. On those days, the last admission is 18:00.

Other free entry

Who else enters the Vatican Museums free?

VisitorWhen entry is freeHow to enter
Children under 7Any opening dayFree admission
Visitors with certified disability of at least 67%Any opening dayShow certification at the entrance hall desks; these free tickets cannot be booked online
A companion when the visitor needs assistanceAny opening dayFree admission with the eligible visitor above

These free-entry categories also apply on paid days; official rules read

People also ask

Can I enter the Sistine Chapel for free?

Yes, free Museums entry on the last Sunday includes the Sistine Chapel. Holiday exceptions apply. The next free date is 29 November, with last entry at 12:30.

Are the Vatican Museums open on Sunday?

Yes, on the last Sunday of the month unless a listed holiday prevents opening. Hours are 9:00 to 14:00, with last entry at 12:30. Other Sundays are closed.

What is the cheapest day to visit the Vatican Museums?

The eligible last Sunday of the month is free. On paid days, full-price admission costs €20 at the door or €25 online. Those days have longer opening hours.

Are Vatican Museums tickets free for children?

Yes, children under 7 enter free on any opening day. Ages 7 to 18 qualify for reduced tickets at €10 at the door or €15 online.

Is St Peter's Basilica free on other days?

Yes, St Peter's Basilica is free whenever it is open. You do not need to wait for a free Museums Sunday. Its dome is paid separately at €17 by stairs or €22 with the lift.

Read next

Vatican Museums visit guides