The Castel Sant'Angelo is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (last admission 6:00-6:30 pm), and is closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1, and December 25.
During the summer there is no shortage of extraordinary evening openings, while the first Sunday of the month admission is free of charge. The best time to visit is early in the morning or at sunset, when the castle provides a quieter atmosphere and breathtaking views of Rome.
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Opening hours of Castel Sant'Angelo
Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m..
Last admission is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (depending on arrangements), to allow for the gradual closure of the route and the safe exit of visitors.
The museum is closed on Mondays, as well as on some special holidays, which we will discuss later. We recommend that you arrive in the early morning hours when admissions are smoother and attendance is reduced.
Remember that the hours apply to both the permanent exhibition and any temporary exhibits, unless otherwise indicated.
| Day | Opening hours | Last entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | - | Weekly closing day |
| Tuesday | 9:00 - 19:30 | 18:00 / 18:30 | Entry allowed until half an hour before closing time |
| Wednesday | 9:00 - 19:30 | 18:00 / 18:30 | - |
| Thursday | 9:00 - 19:30 | 18:00 / 18:30 | - |
| Friday | 9:00 - 19:30 | 18:00 / 18:30 | - |
| Saturday | 9:00 - 19:30 | 18:00 / 18:30 | - |
| Sunday | 9:00 - 19:30 | 18:00 / 18:30 | - |
Closing holidays: January 1, May 1, December 25.
First Sunday of the month: free admission (without online reservation).
Closing days of the Castel Sant'Angelo
The Castel Sant'Angelo Is not open to visitors every day. The museum remains closed every Monday, a day dedicated to internal maintenance and management. In addition, it is not possible to visit the January 1, the May 1 and the December 25.
For all other holidays (such as Easter or August national holiday) the monument is usually open, but it is always best to check official notices In case of extraordinary openings or changes.
If you are planning to visit, keep in mind that on days when the museum is closed you can still walk on the Sant'Angelo Bridge, always accessible, and admire the majestic Mole Adriana from the outside.
Extraordinary evening openings
The Castel Sant'Angelo is not limited to normal visiting hours: on some special occasions it also opens in evening hours, giving a truly evocative experience.
During the summer, the castle hosts the festival "The Angel and the Moon", with events of dance, theater, circus and music. On these evenings you can visit the monument from the 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with last entry at 10:30 p.m..
The evening ticket often includes access to the Passetto di Borgo - upper level, an exclusive route connecting the Vatican to the castle, which can be visited from the 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.. Be careful, however: access is at limited number and is not recommended for people with mobility difficulties.
Evening openings are a unique opportunity to admire the panorama of Rome at sunset and at night, with a breathtaking view of St. Peter's Dome and the illuminated Tiber.
The first Sunday of the month
The Castel Sant'Angelo joins the national initiative "Sunday at the Museum", which allows you to enter free on the first Sunday of each month.
On these days, admission is free for all, regardless of age or residence. However, online reservations are not possible: tickets are distributed directly at the box office on the day.
Attendance is very high, especially in the middle hours. If you want to take advantage of the free admission, we recommend that you arrive at before opening hours (9:00 a.m.), so as to minimize waiting time.
Restaurant and in-house service hours
Within the Castel Sant'Angelo is located the cafeteria-restaurant The Terraces, open daily during the same hours as the museum, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Access is restricted exclusively to visitors in possession of an entrance ticket.
The restaurant offers the opportunity to take a break with Coffee, snacks, quick lunches or an aperitif with unique views of St. Peter's Dome and the Tiber River. It is one of the most popular spots for visitors because it combines relaxation with the charm of the view.
In addition to the restaurant, the castle features a bookstore, a information point and the restrooms, also accessible during museum opening hours.
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Castel Sant'Angelo: Entrance ticket + audio guide
Quick access and audioguide included: explore Castel Sant'Angelo and Roman Forum with one ticket.
Secure payment
Immediate confirmation
Cell phone ticket
Best time to visit the Castel Sant'Angelo
Choosing the right time can make all the difference. The best time to visit the Castel Sant'Angelo is the early morning, just after the opening at 9:00 a.m., when the turnout is reduced and you can enjoy the trail more leisurely.
If you love scenery, even the late afternoon is a good choice: from the terraces you will have spectacular views of the sunset illuminating St. Peter's Dome and the Tiber.
In the weekdays the atmosphere is generally quieter than on weekends and holidays, when lines are longer. In addition, the fall and winter months offer a more serene and intimate experience, away from the crowds of the peak season.
How long does a visit to the Castel Sant'Angelo last
On average, one visit to the Castel Sant'Angelo requires about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This time allows you to explore the different levels of the monument, from the papal apartments to the viewing terrace.
If you are short on time, you can focus on the main areas and complete the course in about one hour. On the contrary, if you are an art and history buff, you'd better devote half day, so you can dwell on the frescoed rooms, collections, and temporary exhibitions.
Those traveling with children often reduce the length of the visit to 45-60 minutes, focusing on the most scenic areas and the terrace. In any case, the pace depends a lot on your interests and the time of year.
Queues and waiting times
The Castel Sant'Angelo is one of the most visited attractions in Rome and, especially in high season, you can form long lines. On average, the wait at the ticket office is 20-30 minutes, but in the busiest periods it can reach as high as 1-2 hours.
To reduce the time, I recommend that you buy tickets online: this way you will be able to directly access the security checkpoints, avoiding the checkout line. Another solution is to choose less crowded times, such as early morning or late afternoon.
Remember that during the first Sunday of the month (free admission) lines are much longer than normal, so it is best to arrive well in advance.
Frequently asked questions
No. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, with continuous hours from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. The Monday is the weekly closing day, reserved for internal maintenance and management. If you plan a visit, remember to exclude Mondays so as not to risk finding the monument closed.
The castle is closed on three fixed days: January 1, May 1 and December 25. For all other holidays (such as Easter, August bank holiday, or December 8), opening is regular, but it is advisable to check for any official announcements in case of extraordinary openings or schedule changes.
L'last entry is expected among the 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., depending on the regulations in place. This allows at least one hour to complete the visit before the official closing at 7:30 pm. Keep in mind that half an hour before closing time, exit operations from the internal routes begin.
Not normally. The evening visit is possible only on the occasion of extraordinary openings, organized especially in summer with cultural events such as concerts, shows or the "The Angel and the Moon". On these occasions, the castle remains open until 23:30, with last entry at 22:30. Visiting the monument at night provides a unique atmosphere and breathtaking views of illuminated Rome.
The ideal time is the early morning, immediately after opening at 9:00 a.m., when groups have not yet arrived and tourist flows are low. Alternatively, also the late afternoon is a great time, especially if you want to admire the sunset from the viewing terrace. You will find less crowding on weekdays than on weekends, and in the fall and winter months, you can enjoy a quieter, more intimate experience.
Conclusions
Arrange to visit the Castel Sant'Angelo is simple if you are familiar with the opening and closing hours.
The museum is accessible from the Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with last entry around 6-6:30 pm. It remains closed every Monday And on three holidays: January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Throughout the year there is no shortage of extraordinary evening openings, which allow you to experience the castle in a unique atmosphere with cultural events and performances. In addition, the first Sunday of the month admission is free, although attendance is very high on those dates.
To get the most out of the experience, the advice is to plan the visit in the early morning or late afternoon, buying tickets online to save time and avoid long lines.
If you want more information, please read our article "Castel Sant'Angelo is worth a visit" with all the pros and cons of the visit.
The best-selling ever
Castel Sant'Angelo: Entrance ticket + audio guide
Quick access and audioguide included: explore Castel Sant'Angelo and Roman Forum with one ticket.
Secure payment
Immediate confirmation
Cell phone ticket
