Visiting the Vatican Museums with Disabilities: 10 Questions and Answers
The Vatican Museums are an accessible place for all and within reach of anyone willing to spend a few hours in the pursuit of culture. It is a vast and beautiful attraction that takes hours to visit and, despite this, you may have the impression that you have not seen it as you really wanted to: it is about going to visit one of the largest collections in the world, as well as one of the most beautiful in the world thanks to its real treasures. With this article we want to clarify and answer some of the most common questions you may have before visiting this wonderful place with a person with a disability.
1. How does admission to the Vatican Museums work for people with disabilities?
The Vatican Museums grant free admission to all visitors with disabilities who present a certificate attesting a disability greater than 74%.
2. Should a disabled person book his or her visit online?
No. These types of visits do not have to be booked online. To enter free of charge, just go directly to the counters with your disability document in the 'special permits' area or to the reception desk in the museum lobby. Without standing in line, you can enter and get a free ticket!
3. Is free access possible for the accompanying person?
Of course! If the person is not self-sufficient, entry to the Vatican Museums will also be free of charge for the accompanying person.
4. Are there wheelchairs available on site?
Did you know that the Vatican Museums offer a free wheelchair rental service? This means that you do not have to worry about bringing your wheelchair with you. In order to use the service, all you have to do is show your ID card.
5. Are the Vatican Museums accessible with electric scooters and electric wheelchairs?
Of course they do. It is important to know that access is not permitted in certain areasoften due to their size. In this case, the visitor will be asked to use a traditional electric chair instead of the electric chair that, as mentioned earlier, can be rented at the entrance.
Would you like to visit Rome in a wheelchair? Mia Medical Italia also offers wheelchair hire for tourists.
6. Are there special routes for the disabled in the Vatican Museums?
In order to make the experience of visiting the Vatican Museums unique also for people with motor or sensory disabilities, the organisation has come up with a Barrier-free visit itinerary. This makes access to points of interest and other services such as toilets easier and more accessible.
7. Is it possible to use a guided tour service for the disabled?
Unfortunately, the guided tours are not permitted for wheelchair users. The only solution is to be able to visit the 'Barrier-Free Vatican Gardens', an ad-hoc guided tour that is also accessible to wheelchair users and the mobility impaired.
8. Where are the Vatican Museums and how to get there?
Vatican City is located north of the city centre of Rome and can be reached from the historical centre and the Prati district.
The nearest metro station is Ottaviano about 10 minutes' walk from St Peter's, while by train you should get off at the stop St. Peterwhich is a little further away, i.e. a 20-minute walk from the Museums.
The Vatican Museums can also be reached by linea 64 and 40 of the buswhich connect Termini station with St Peter's.
9. What are the opening hours for visiting the Vatican Museums?
The museums are open from Monday to Saturday with different opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. (last access at 4 p.m.).
- Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- On the last Sunday of the month it is open from 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last admission 12.30 p.m.) and admission is free. The rest of Sundays it is closed.
- The museums are closed on 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 19 March, 12 and 13 April, 1 and 21 May, 29 June, 16 August, 8, 25 and 26 December.
10. Useful tips when visiting the Vatican Museums?
- We recommend using appropriate clothing otherwise you may be denied access: no shorts, tops, skirts that do not cover the knee, bare shoulders. If it is hot outside, it is better to carry a shawl in your bag to cover yourself once you enter the facilities and not have any problems.
- If time and your abilities permit, we recommend devoting a full day to the Vatican, combining the Vatican Museums with St Peter's Basilica. Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is free of charge and accessible to the disabled via a lift from the square level to the atrium of the Basilica. The naves and the terrace of the dome are also accessible by lift. Now that we have provided you with all this information, all you have to do is go to the Vatican Museums and enjoy your visit!