Vatican opening hours at a glance
Official times as of October 2026. Religious celebrations and papal events can change them at short notice.
| Sight | Open | Last entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Peter's Square | Freely accessible | – | Sections fenced off during papal events |
| St. Peter's Basilica | Daily 7:00 am – 8:00 pm | around 7:15 pm | Parts or all of it during some celebrations |
| Dome, summer | Daily 7:00 am – 6:00 pm | by booked time slot | End of March to end of October |
| Dome, winter | Daily 7:30 am – 5:00 pm | by booked time slot | End of October to end of March |
| Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel | Mon–Sat 8:00 am – 8:00 pm | 6:00 pm | Sundays (except last Sunday) and holidays |
| Museums, last Sunday | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, free | 12:30 pm | Not on Easter, 29 June, 25, 26 and 31 December |
| Guided visits in the basilica | Mon–Sat 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Sun 1:30 – 3:30 pm | 5:00 pm / 3:00 pm | – |
St. Peter's Basilica opening hours
Since 1 June 2026, St. Peter's Basilica is open every day of the year from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Last entry is allowed until about 7:15 pm, depending on how long the security queue is. Entry is free.
The basilica is a working church, so Masses, papal liturgies and major feasts can close chapels, sections of the nave or the whole building for a few hours. At Christmas and Easter, access for visitors is limited around the main services. Guided groups, whether with a guide from the Fabbrica di San Pietro or with their own guide, can visit Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and on Sundays and Vatican holidays from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.
The quietest times are the first hour after opening and the early evening. Everything about the visit itself is in our guide how to visit St. Peter's Basilica.
Dome opening hours
The dome closes earlier than the basilica. In the summer period, from the end of March to the end of October, it is open daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. In the winter period, it opens from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. The switch follows the change between summer and winter time.
Dome tickets are booked online for a specific time slot and include entry to the basilica. The dome stays open in the rain but can close temporarily in extreme weather. Prices, the lift and the 551 steps are explained in our dome climbing guide.
Tours that fit your schedule
Early-morning, daytime and evening tours of the Vatican, with live prices and availability.
Vatican Museums opening hours
The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, with last entry at 6:00 pm. Visitors are asked to leave the halls 30 minutes before closing. On selected Friday evenings in the warmer months there are night openings that must be booked in advance.
On Sundays the museums are closed, except on the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (last entry 12:30 pm). That free Sunday is cancelled when it falls on Easter Sunday, 29 June, 25 or 26 December or 31 December.
Vatican Museums closing days
Besides Sundays, the museums are closed on 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 19 March, Easter Monday, 1 May, 29 June, 14 and 15 August, 1 November and 8, 25 and 26 December. Extraordinary closures are announced on the official website. Tickets and tips: Vatican Museums tickets.
Papal events that change the schedule
Plan around these weekly fixtures when the Pope is in Rome.
Wednesday general audience
Usually at 10:00 am in St. Peter's Square, in the basilica or the Paul VI Hall in some months. The square fills with pilgrims and security takes longer.
Papal audience guide →Sunday Angelus
At noon the Pope prays the Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace. No ticket needed, but the square is crowded around midday.
Papal Masses
Major feasts like Christmas, Easter and 29 June bring papal Masses in the basilica or on the square, with limited access for visitors.
Mass at St. Peter's →Conclave
Before and during the election of a new pope, the Sistine Chapel is closed to visitors.
Sistine Chapel →Opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does St. Peter's Basilica open?
At 7:00 am every day. It closes at 8:00 pm, with last entry around 7:15 pm.
Is St. Peter's Basilica open on Sundays?
Yes, every day including Sundays. During Masses some areas may be closed to visitors.
Are the Vatican Museums open on Sundays?
Only on the last Sunday of the month, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm with free entry. All other Sundays they are closed.
Is St. Peter's Basilica open on Wednesday mornings?
The basilica keeps its regular hours, but during the general audience on the square access is slower and some routes are closed. Afternoon visits are easier on Wednesdays.
What time does the dome close?
At 6:00 pm in the summer period and 5:00 pm in the winter period. Your booked time slot is what counts.