Things to Do in Vatican City in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Vatican City
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after the August tourist crush - you'll find hotel rates dropping 20-30% compared to peak summer, and the major museums are noticeably less packed, especially mid-morning after the tour buses arrive but before lunch crowds
- September weather is genuinely pleasant for walking the city - mornings are crisp at 15°C (59°F), perfect for the 5 km (3.1 miles) circuit around the walls without overheating, then warming to comfortable 26°C (79°F) afternoons that make outdoor dining at the Vatican Gardens actually enjoyable
- The Vatican Museums extend their Friday night openings through September (until September 26th typically), giving you those rare after-hours experiences when the Sistine Chapel has maybe 50 people instead of 500 - book these slots the moment they open in July
- Papal audiences resume after the August break, usually starting the second Wednesday of September, and the smaller September crowds mean better sight lines in St. Peter's Square without the shoulder-to-shoulder crush you get in spring
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days aren't predictable - September weather in Rome is genuinely variable, and you might get caught in a downpour while queuing for St. Peter's Basilica with nowhere to shelter except under the colonnade with 200 other people
- The Vatican Gardens close periodically in September for maintenance work (they've been doing this the last three years, usually mid-month for 4-7 days), and they don't announce the exact dates until August, which makes advance planning frustrating
- Early September still catches the tail end of Roman heat - that 70% humidity combines with 26°C (79°F) temperatures to create the kind of stickiness that makes the climb up the 551 steps to the Cupola dome genuinely uncomfortable, especially in the narrow upper sections with no air circulation
Best Activities in September
Vatican Museums Early Morning Reserved Entry
September mornings are perfect for the museums - you're dealing with 15-18°C (59-64°F) temperatures that make the long gallery walks comfortable, and the shoulder season means even the 9am entry slots have manageable crowds. The Raphael Rooms actually have space to step back and look at the frescoes properly. The variable September weather makes indoor cultural activities smarter than all-day outdoor plans anyway.
St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb
Do this first thing when the basilica opens at 7am - by 9am in September, that 26°C (79°F) temperature combined with body heat in the narrow spiral makes it genuinely unpleasant. Early morning also means clearer views across Rome before the afternoon haze builds. The 551 steps to the top take 25-35 minutes depending on your fitness and how often you stop in the cramped sections. September visibility is typically excellent in morning hours.
Papal Audience Experiences
September audiences restart after the August papal break, typically beginning the second Wednesday of the month. The crowds are substantially smaller than spring or October - you're looking at 8,000-12,000 people versus 20,000+ in peak months. The September morning weather is ideal for the outdoor audiences in St. Peter's Square, starting at 9:30am when temperatures are still comfortable. Worth noting that the Pope's schedule can change, so this requires flexibility in your planning.
Vatican Gardens Guided Tours
September is actually one of the better months for the gardens - the summer heat has passed but the plantings are still lush, and the 2-hour walking tour is comfortable in morning temperatures. The gardens cover 23 hectares (57 acres), so you're walking roughly 2.5 km (1.6 miles) on gravel paths. That said, check availability carefully - they close for maintenance mid-September most years without much advance notice.
Scavi Underground Necropolis Tour
The underground tour beneath St. Peter's is genuinely special and the September weather is irrelevant since you're 6-8 m (20-26 ft) underground the entire 90 minutes. The constant 15°C (59°F) temperature down there is actually a relief from September's variable surface weather. This is the original Roman necropolis where St. Peter was supposedly buried - the archaeological context is fascinating if you're into early Christian history. Groups are capped at 12 people, making it intimate compared to the masses above.
Castel Sant'Angelo Combined Visits
The 800 m (0.5 mile) walk from Vatican City along the Passetto di Borgo corridor to Castel Sant'Angelo makes a perfect September morning or late afternoon activity - you're outdoors but not for marathon stretches. The castle itself offers rooftop views that rival St. Peter's dome without the claustrophobic climb, and the September light in late afternoon (around 5-6pm) is genuinely beautiful for photography. The papal apartments inside stay cool even on warmer September days.
September Events & Festivals
Papal Audience Season Resumption
After the August break, general audiences restart typically the second Wednesday of September. This isn't a special event per se, but the first few audiences of the season have a different energy - smaller crowds, locals returning from vacation, and the Pope often references the new season beginning. If you're visiting early September, worth timing your trip to catch the Wednesday audience.
European Heritage Days
Usually the third weekend of September, when various Vatican administrative buildings and normally closed spaces occasionally open for special visits. The schedule varies year to year and isn't always heavily promoted, but in past years they've opened sections of the Vatican Library, the Apostolic Archive reading rooms, and restoration workshops. Check the Vatican's official site in August 2026 for confirmed openings.