Vatican Museums - Free Admission on the Last Sunday of the Month

Free admission for everyone, the last Sunday of the month

Every last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums waive the entrance fee and welcome all visitors for free. This is a historic and beloved initiative that allows everyone—locals, tourists, families, and students—to walk through the doors of one of the world's most visited and important museum complexes without spending a cent. The event takes place just steps from the center of Rome, within the State of Vatican City, and remains one of the most anticipated moments in the capital's cultural calendar.

What to see

Free admission grants access to the entire Vatican Museums route, an itinerary that spans millennia of art and civilization. Among the absolute masterpieces you can admire:

• The Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo's ceiling and The Last Judgment
• The Raphael Rooms, frescoed by the master from Urbino and his school
• The Vatican Pinacoteca, housing works by Giotto, Leonardo, Caravaggio, and Raphael
• The Pio-Clementino Museum and its vast collections of classical sculpture
• The Gallery of Maps, the Egyptian and Etruscan collections, the Borgia Apartment, and the Collection of Contemporary Art

Opening hours and access

On free admission days, the Vatican Museums are open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with the last entry at 12:30 PM. On these Sundays, online booking is not possible: access is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis by queuing at the Viale Vaticano entrance. Airport-style security checks are in place. Due to the free entry, these are some of the busiest days of the year; those who prefer to avoid the crowds can visit the Museums on other days with extended opening hours.

2026 Dates

In 2026, free admission is scheduled for the following Sundays: February 22, March 29, April 26, May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25, November 29, and December 27 (in addition to January 25, which has already passed). Free admission may be suspended if the last Sunday coincides with special holidays such as Easter, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29), Christmas, or St. Stephen's Day: it is always advisable to check the official calendar before planning your visit.

Tips for your visit

The secret is to arrive very early, well before the 9:00 AM opening, to minimize waiting times, which can become quite long on these days. It is helpful to plan your itinerary in advance, prioritizing the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms. Given the massive turnout, the visit requires patience but offers the thrill of admiring masterpieces for free that millions of people travel to see every year.

A heritage in the heart of Rome

Although located within the territory of the State of Vatican City, the Vatican Museums are effectively one of the cultural symbols of Rome and the Lazio region, embedded in the city's urban fabric and as easily accessible as any other major museum in the capital. The free admission initiative represents a rare example of world-class culture open to all and has established itself as an unmissable event for anyone visiting Rome on the last Sunday of the month.