“Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the human being is a visitor, a pilgrim travelling along the road, making his way to the desired destination.”
– Pope Francis
Helpful Links for planning your visit to the Vatican
The Papal Calendar and the Pope’s teachings can be accessed directly through the Official Vatican Website.
On Purchasing Vatican Museum Tickets
Individual or Group tickets to tour the Vatican Museum, the Vatican Gardens, Castel Gandolfo and other Vatican properties, can be purchased through the Vatican Online Ticket Office.
Helpful Information for Planning Your Visit to the Vatican
PAPAL AUDIENCES
A ticket – always free of charge – is required for attending the General Audience on Wednesday mornings or other papal ceremonies. They are issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household reached by way of the Bronze Door. The office is open Mondays from 9:00 to 13:00 and Tuesdays from 9:00 to 18:00.
To request a ticket go to Tickets for Papal Audiences and Celebrations
You can write them at: Prefecture of the Papal Household, Vatican City 00120. Call Ph: + 39 06 6988 4857; or Fax: + 39 06 6988 5863
ST. PETER’S BASILICA
The Basilica is open every day. During the Summer period (1 April – 30 September) hours are 7.00 – 19.10 and the Winter period (1 October – 31 March) hours are 7.00 – 19.10. To preserve the sacred character of the church, groups consisting of more than five members and accompanied by a guide are kindly requested to use “audio-guides” which can be rented at the entrance to the Basilica. Proper dress is required for admission to the Basilica.
To rent “audio-guides”: telephone +39.06.69883229 or +39.06.69881898.
For St. Peter’s Basilica virtual tour, go HERE.
A CAFE is located after descending from the Dome, along with a shop with religious items. There is also a shop with religious items near the Treasury Museum.
HISTORICAL AND ARTISTIC MUSEUM (Treasury)
The Treasury Museum houses the Treasury of Saint Peter: a chest of liturgical and sacred furnishings once used for religious ceremonies in the Basilica, shining for their beauty and profound spiritual significance. The Treasury is open from 9.00 to 18:15, April to September and from 9.00 to 17.15, October to March. The entry to the Treasury Museum is found inside Saint Peter’s Basilica, by accessing the corridor of the vestry in the left transect of the Basilica.
VISIT TO THE DOME
The Dome is open daily from 7:30 to 17:30 (April to September) and until 17:00 (October to March). The entrance is at the portico of the Basilica. In the case of large numbers of people, closure may be around 30 minutes earlier depending on the queue. Tickets can also be purchased at the physical ticket counters located within the premises of St. Peter’s Basilica, and they are valid only for the immediate next entry to the Dome.
VATICAN GROTTOES
The Vatican Grottoes are open every day from 7.00 to 18.00, April to September and from 7.00 to 17.00, October to March. The entrance is at the transept of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican Grottoes are located on the lower level of Saint Peter’s Basilica, and consist of a system of vaults built between 1590 and 1591 to support the floor of the Renaissance building.
THE TOMB OF ST. PETER AND THE PRE-CONSTANTINIAN NECROPOLIS
The visit to the necropolis beneath the basilica, where the Tomb of Saint Peter is located, is a special privilege granted by the Fabbrica di San Pietro on a case-by-case basis, according to a designated schedule. As the preservation of this historical and archaeological site is a priority, only approximately 250 visitors are allowed per day. For visits to the tomb of St. Peter and the necropolis, go HERE to request reservations. You can contact the Ufficio Scavi (excavations office): tel. + 39.06 69 88 53 18; fax + 39.06 698 73017; e-mail: [email protected] . The office is open from 9.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday and reached by way of the Arch of the Bells.
VATICAN MUSEUMS
The hours are from Monday to Saturday 08.00 a.m. – 08.00 p.m. (final entry 06.00 p.m.).
On every last Sunday of the month (provided this does not coincide with Easter Sunday, 29* June Sts. Peter and Paul, 25 December Christmas Day, 26 December Feast of St. Stephen and 31 December Feast of St. Sylvester) 09.00 a.m. – 02.00 p.m. (final entry 12.30 p.m.).
Visitors are required to leave the halls 30 minutes before museum closing time.
Go to the Vatican Museum Website for the latest information on times and closures.
To arrange bookings for guided tours:
e-mail: [email protected] .
tel. +39.06.698.84676 (for individuals);
tel. +39.06.69883145 (for groups);
fax +39.06.69883578.
AUDIO GUIDES may be rented at the entrance to the Vatican Museums.
For information and reservations:
telephone +39.06.69883229 or +39.06.69881898.
VISITS TO THE VATICAN GARDENS
The Vatican Gardens can be visited only through guided tours organized by the Guided Tours Office of the Vatican Museums. Tours depart from the Vatican Museums. Entrance to the Gardens is denied to persons not properly dressed.
For information on booking a guided tour, go HERE:
Other contact information: telephone +39.06.69884676 (individuals) or +39.06.69883145 (groups). Bookings can be arranged by faxing +39.06.69885100 or by emailing: [email protected] .
SERVICES FOR PILGRIMS
Click on the following locations for services for pilgrims:
The Pontifical North American College
The Pilgrim and Tourist Office is an information office located in Saint Peter’s Square (left hand side of the Square facing the Basilica).
It is open to the public from Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 6:30 pm. It provides general information on everything related to the Vatican City State: visits, masses, etc. and directs you to the relevant offices if required. You can purchase entrance tickets for some Vatican monuments.
Contact details:
Tel: 06 69 88 23 50/2019
Fax: +39 06 69 88 16 94
e-mail: [email protected]
