What is the busiest day at the Vatican?

The Vatican Museum is closed Sundays, except for the last Sunday of every month, when they are free. This is the most crowded day you can imagine for visiting the Vatican Museums. On Wednesdays (except for July, when the pope takes a break), the pope holds an audience at St Peter's Basilica.



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The best days to avoid are the weekends and Mondays. But Tuesday to Friday are your best days to go to avoid the crowds.

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The best time of day to visit the Vatican is as early as possible. See Vatican opening hours in “key info” on this page. Visiting the Vatican early in the morning gives you the chance to view the marvels of ancient and Renaissance Rome – and the peerless Sistine – without being shoved and crowded.

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Most tourist groups show up in the morning in hopes to beat the crowds, but it usually works against them. In fact, you can find the Vatican Museums a bit less crowded during the afternoon hours.

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Attending the Papal Mass on Sundays can be a unique and memorable experience for visitors to Rome. However, it's important to plan ahead and follow the dress code guidelines of the Vatican. In addition to St. Peter's Basilica, visitors can also explore the stunning Vatican Gardens on Sundays.

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Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.—when tour groups are lunching and cruise ship crowds are fewer (Mondays and Saturdays tend to be packed)—are good time slots. “I have been to the Sistine Chapel at 2 p.m. in September and been with only a few other people,” says Zac Cady, of Context Travel.

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In general, a Vatican tour can take anywhere from 2-3.5 hours, depending on how much you want to see, and how many people are in your group. For example, if you're in a small group, a guided tour of the Vatican museums (as well as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica) takes around 3.5 hours.

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The best ways to skip the lines at the Vatican
  1. Buy a skip-the-lines ticket with audio guide. ...
  2. Book a group guided tour. ...
  3. Use a Discount Card / Tourist Pass. ...
  4. Get a VIP early entrance and breakfast ticket. ...
  5. Buy a basic ticket online ahead of time.


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Vatican City is inside Rome and is the smallest country in the world. When you're staying in Rome, it's worth making a trip to see Vatican City. You will only need about a day to see the attractions at Vatican City. You can even see the main attractions in just half a day if you can't set aside a day!

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The dress code for the Vatican Museums is strict but easy to respect. Low-cut or sleeveless dresses, miniskirts, shorts and hats are not allowed. To cover knees and shoulders you can buy plastic cloaks to wrap around. Inside it is preferable to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.

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The Vatican has a dress code that some travellers might not be aware of when visiting. Luckily if you're planning on wearing jeans to the Vatican, you definitely can! When you plan to visit, it's best to keep your knees and shoulders covered. And for footwear, you will need flat shoes, not flip-flops or casual sandals.

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The Vatican City is free to enter, allowing you to meander the likes of St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square without dropping a dime. However, if you want to see the Vatican's starring attractions: the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums, you will have to pay around 15 Euros.

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Is the Sistine Chapel free to visit? Well, you can see it for free, but it's not necessarily the most convenient option. Although entry to the Vatican Museums is usually ticketed, there is one day every month when they offer free admission to all visitors.

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Vatican tickets typically go on sale about two months in advance on the official site. But tickets are often sold out by that time, so it may help to look out for them earlier from official partners.

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