The United Nations have announced that Thursday September 27 2012 will be World Tourism Day.
In accordance with World Tourism Day the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in Rome will give free entry. The Museums are open from 8.30 AM until 6.00 PM. Final entrance is at 4 PM. If you do not like crowds, it might be an idea to pick a different day for your visit: World Tourism Day falls in the middle of the high season so it will be very busy at the Vatican Museums.