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Visiting Vatican Museum
Vatican Museum Opening Hours
Opening Days:
- From Monday to Saturday: 09.00 AM- 06.00 PM. Last entry at 04.00 PM.
- From 22nd April to 29th October 2022: On Fridays and Saturdays, extended opening hours till 10.30 PM, with last entry at 08.30 PM.
- On every last Saturday of the month (provided it does not coincide with any of the designated closure days or Easter Sunday): 09.00 AM- 02.00 PM, with the last entry at 12.30 PM.
Closure Days: All Sundays except the last Sundays of each month1st and 6th January 11th February19th March18th April29th June15th August1st November 8th and 26th December.
Suggested Read: Vatican Museum Timings
What's the Best Time to Visit the Vatican Museums?
Best Season to visit the Vatican: Within Italy, there are three seasons: high, low, and shoulder. The prime season is from June through August, when vacationers arrive for their holidays. This is the summer season for much of Europe, so consider school vacations and summer vacations. Winter is the low season and the most peaceful time to visit Vatican City. Because most people choose to avoid the winter months and the Christmas season, you will be able to travel a lot more territory in a shorter length of time. If you don't like the cold, the shoulder seasons of September to November and March to April would be the best time to visit the Vatican Museums. The weather then remains milder than in winters, and the crowds lesser than in summers.
Best time of the day to visit the Vatican Museum: The best time to visit Vatican Museums would be early in the morning, right after the opening hours. It may be better to visit the Vatican early in the week, on a Monday or Tuesday, to avoid weekend traffic and the pilgrims or travellers that arrive in the area for the papal audience on Wednesdays. Always check online advance to ensure your visit does not conflict with a public event or holiday.
Suggested Read: Vatican Museums Collections
Know Before You Visit Vatican Museums
- Cloakroom: Visitors are free to use the cloakrooms.
- Audio Guides: Use an MP3 reader to accompany and guide you.
- Lost and Found: Things that have not been recovered will be kept at the Vatican Gendarmerie.
- Post Office: Located next to the Cuirasses Courtyard.
- Bookshops: There are several major and little bookshops throughout the Museum.
- First Aid:Staff are skilled in urgent cardio-protective care.
- Bathrooms: To find the restrooms, look for the signposts.
Suggested Read: Inside Vatican Museums
- All handicapped guests and non-self-sufficient visitors' companions are admitted free of charge. They will also receive priority skip-the-line entrance.
- You may rent a wheelchair at the cloakroom (subject to availability).
- Visitors using mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs can also enter the Museums. In sections with limited space, the visitor can move to a conventional wheelchair, which can be rented for free in the main hall.
- There are accessible restrooms throughout the museum.
Also Read: Famous Statues in Vatican Museums
- Strollers: Strollers are permitted. Families may easily visit museum rooms by using the custom lifts.
- Baby changing facilities: Some toilets provide baby changing services as well as a nursing room.
- Relaxation areas: Seats are placed around the museum to allow visitors to take a pause and rest.
- Children's menu: The Museums' Self-Service area has a particular cuisine and high seats for children.
- Pre-booked lunch: Families may pre-book their meal to guarantee a guaranteed table.
Suggested Read: Vatican Museums Galleries
- Those who are not suitably clothed will be denied access.
- Animals, with the exception of guiding dogs, will not be permitted admission.
- Except for the Sistine Chapel, photography is permitted in all places for personal use only.
- It is forbidden to touch the pieces of art.
- You must keep your phone on mute. The use of mobile phones is prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
- Smoking is prohibited.
Suggested Read: Vatican Museums Rules
- By Metro: From the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, or Roma Termini, take the metro. Line A will take you to the Ottaviano-S. Pietro station. St. Peter's Square is about a 5-minute walk away. You may also get out in Cipro (8 minutes) or Lepanto (16 minutes).
- By Bus: Bus 49 will make a stop in front of the Vatican Museums. Take the 32, 81, or 982 bus, which stops near Piazza del Risorgimento (7 mins). The buses 492 and 990 will make a stop in Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni (5 mins).
- By Tram: Take the 19th line from Piazza dei Gerani. The nearest station is Piazza del Risorgimento, which is located immediately outside the Vatican city walls. The Vatican Museum is about a 7-minute walk away.
Suggested Read: Highlights of Vatican Museums
FAQs
What are the Vatican opening hours?
The Vatican Museum opening hours are between 09.00 AM and 06.00 PM, with last entries at 04.00 PM. From April to October, the Vatican Museum opening hours on Friday and Saturday extend till 10.30 PM at night, with the last entry at 08.30 PM.
When is the Vatican closed?
The Vatican Museum remains closed on Sundays and designated Vatican Holidays.
When is the best time to visit the Vatican?
Plan your visit during early mornings and late afternoons on a weekday between October and March to avoid crowds. One of the best tips to visit the Vatican Museum would be to plan one’s visit in winter, when crowds remain thinnest.
Where are Vatican Museums located?
The Vatican Museums are located in Vatican City at 00120.
How do I get to the Vatican Museums?
The Vatican Museums may be reached by metro, bus, or tram.
Can I take photographs inside the Vatican Museums?
Except for the Sistine Chapel, photography for personal and domestic use is permitted throughout the Vatican Museums. The use of flash photography is absolutely prohibited.
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