can i visit the vatican city

Visiting Vatican City in Rome – An Easy and Complete Guide

One of the most popular landmarks in Rome , visiting the Vatican City is a priority for most first-time travelers. The world’s smallest state, it’s located in the heart of the Italian capital and has been shrouded in mystery since its very inception. Small but boasting an overwhelming wealth of artwork, undertaking a complete tour of Vatican City can be intimidating.

Here is an extensive and complete guide to the Holy See, what to visit, opening hours, how to get there, how and where to buy the tickets and how to skip the lines. All are peppered with tales and anecdotes about what has been going on in the Vatican for centuries.

INSIDER’S TIP: Do you want to dig deeper into Christianity’s most important place? Check out the current prices for Take Walks’  private t our to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Crypt, and the Dome, and that will also make you skip the line .

Table of Contents

What to see and do in the Vatican in Rome

Visit saint peter’s basilica and crypt.

The main and most famous landmark in the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica is also one of the first places you will probably visit and one of the most famous churches in Rome .

Packed with artwork and boasting a fascinating history, here you can also visit several popes’ tombs. It’s roughly 190 meters long and can accommodate approximately 20,000 people.

Entrance is free of charge and very likely you will need to queue to enter. More so in the high seasons, mainly summer and close to Christmas. You will need to go through the metal detector and a police check but it goes pretty quickly. In summer, make sure you have a bottle of water, a hat and some sunscreen.

Admission: Free, audio guides can be rented at the entrance Cameras: Allowed, no flash Dress code: Modest, shoulders covered, no mini-skirts, no shorts that are too short, both men and women Visiting hours: The Basilica is open every day 7 am-7 pm from April to September, 7 am-6 pm from October to March Location: Piazza San Pietro, inside the Vatican City How to get to St. Peter’s Basilica:  The nearest metro station is Ottaviano, line A (red). Buses that get close are 64 and 40 from Termini Station which goes through the main places in the city center. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, some 15 minutes walking from the Vatican or two stops with the 64 bus.

READ MORE: To know more, check out our article on the most interesting facts about St. Peter’s Basilica and what you need to know to visit.

Go down to Saint Peter’s Tomb and ancient Roman Cemetery

When visiting Vatican City, trust me, you don’t want to miss this. Located underneath the main basilica, some 11 meters beneath today’s street level, there is Nero’s Circus where Saint Peter Apostle was martyred and next to it an ancient Roman cemetery .

To visit this ancient graveyard, you need to book in advance by getting in touch with the Ufficio Scavi (Excavations Office). This is hands-down one of the most beguiling places you can visit in the Vatican and one of Rome’s top archaeological sites but you can only book via the official website. Otherwise, you can also book a tour with a certified professional guide to visit the grottoes below the Renaissance basilica.

Admission:  13€ per person includes a guide from the Vatican Cameras: Not allowed to take pictures in the ancient necropolis. Dress code: Modest, it’s still a graveyard and where is Saint Peter’s tomb. Men should wear long trousers, women long skirts or trousers, all covering the shoulders. Visiting hours: The Ufficio Scavi is open every day except Sunday and holidays 9 am-5 pm. The last entry is at 3.30 pm (4.15 pm from April through September). How to book: By fax (+39 06 69873017) or directly at the ticket booth on the left side of Bernini’s Colonnade. You can also try to book before you arrive by email writing to [email protected] or [email protected]. The booking must be made directly by the person who is actually taking part in the tour, if someone else books for you, they need to provide your details. In order to book, these are the required info: – Exact number of participants; – Names of the participants; – Language required during the visit; – Range of available days (month to be written in letters), the ticket office can arrange your visit, timings decided by the office; – The way you would like to be reached (email, fax, phone, house address). Location: Piazza San Pietro, entrance on the left of the Colonnade, access from Via Paolo VI. How to access the visit: Visitors need to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the arranged visit time. Show the Swiss Guards the confirmation of your booking or the email received from the Ufficio Scavi with the time of your visit. Items not allowed items: large bags, backpacks, and cameras. A deposit area free of charge for these objects is available to the right of the façade of the Basilica on the ground floor level of the Basilica’s premises. How to get there:  The nearest metro station is Ottaviano, line A (red). Buses that get close are 64 and 40 from Termini Station which goes through the main places in the city center. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, some 15 minutes walking from the Vatican or two stops with the 64 bus.

Climb Saint Peter’s Dome (Cupola di San Pietro)

The dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica stands 136 meters tall and can be spotted from afar, making it always an iconic photography subject.

Once you visit the basilica, you have the option to climb up to its Cupola (Dome) and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city center. You can go either with the lift from the ground level to the terrace or climb all the way up (551 steps).

Even if you take the lift, you still need to walk 320 narrow steps to the top of the Dome because the lift gets only to the terrace. Here, you will find toilets and a cafeteria to freshen up and refuel before enjoying a view of the interior of the basilica. If you feel like it, climb the extra 320 steps and go to the top to admire the astonishing view of the city and St. Peter’s Piazza.

Admission fee: 8€ with the lift and then you climb 320 steps or 6€ all the way up to 551 steps. Camera: allowed without extra charge. Opening hours: Every day from 7.30 am to 6 pm April through September; from 7.30 am to 5 pm October through March. The last admission for climbing on foot is an hour before closing time. Note : I recommend you not to do the 331 narrow stairs if you are not in good shape, scared of heights, or have heart issues because once you start the stairs, you will have to go all the way to the top of the dome. Location: Piazza San Pietro, inside Vatican City. The entrance is at the portico of the Basilica How to get to St. Peter’s Basilica: The nearest metro station is Ottaviano, line A (red). Buses that get close are 64 and 40 from Termini Station which goes through the main places in the city center. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, some 15 minutes walking from the Vatican or two stops with the 64 bus.

READ MORE: To delve deeper into the Holy See’s history and art, check out our guide to the best tours to the Vatican .

Visit Saint Peter’s Square

Saint Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro) is an astonishing 17th-century piazza designed by Italian sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1656 and 1667 under the rule of Pope Alexander VII.

One of the most famous squares in Italy , the piazza is huge: 320 meters deep, 240 meters in diameter and surrounded by four rows of 284 columns and 88 pillars. The impressive balustrade garnishing the columns is crowned all along by 140 3.20-meter-tall statues representing the saints, completed around 1670 by Bernini’s pupils.

Right in the middle of the elliptic part of the piazza stands tall an ancient Roman obelisk dating back to the first century BC. Originally, the obelisk was in the Circus of Caligula where the martyrdom of Peter took place and where the basilica was built, and it was moved by Domenico Fontana in 1585 at the behest of Pope Sixtus V.

Located on the sides of the central obelisk are two fountains, one by Bernini (1675) and one by Maderno (1614), while at the bottom of the wide staircase, there are the statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul as if to welcome pilgrims and worshippers.

From the piazza, you can better admire the beautiful facade of the basilica, a masterpiece of Italian architect Carlo Maderno who built it in 1614.

114.69 meters wide and 48 meters tall, the facade displays a series of columns and Corinthian lesenes on which a massive frame is crowned by thirteen 6-meter-tall sculptures with the Redeemer in the middle and an inscription to acknowledge that the work had been made under the rule of Pope Paul V Borghese.

The lower part counts five entrances on top of which are nine windows, three complete with balconies. The window in the middle is the so-called “Loggia of the Blessings”, from where the pope grants the Urbi et Orbi blessing right after his nomination and for the celebrations of Christmas and Easter.

Admission: Free. Address: Piazza San Pietro. How to get there: Bus 64 from Termini (stop in front of Borgo Santo Spirito Hospital then walk down Via della Conciliazione), Stazione San Pietro train station then bus 64 for two stops, Ottaviano metro station, tram 19 (stop at Piazza Risorgimento).

Visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

Visiting the Vatican City is by no means complete without a tour of the Vatican Museums . On display are some five centuries of artwork commissioned by the popes or received as gifts from kings, presidents, and leaders from all over the world.

Within the Vatican Museums, there are many important monuments such as the Chapel of Beato Angelico, sometimes spelled Fra Angelico, Raphael’s Loggia, the Borgia Apartments, and the world-famous Sistine Chapel, ordered by Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere. Here you will admire Michelangelo’s fresco all over the ceiling realized between 1508 and 1512, and his stunning Universal Judgement painting on the main wall completed between 1536 and 1541.

The Vatican Museums get super crowded. If you want to fully enjoy the artworks and the Sistine Chapel in silence and take your time, you should book a private tour . For early birds, Take Walks organizes a great tour early morning with access to the museums before opening hours, while if you don’t feel like waking up too early, you can take part in their tour to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel where you can skip the line or their fascinating night tour to the museums and the Sistine Chapel after closing time .

Admission fee: 20€ for adults, 8€ for children (6 to 18 years old), 8€ for students (19 to 26 years old). If you book online to skip the link, there is an extra 5€. Audio guides can be rented at the entrance. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9 am-6 pm (last entrance 4 pm). From January 1st, 2024, visiting time will be from 8 am to 7 pm, adding two extra hours. From the beginning of March, on Fridays and Saturdays, the museums will be open until 8 pm. On Sundays, the Vatican Museums are closed except the last Sunday of the month, when they can be visited free of charge from 9 am to 2 pm (last entrance 12.30 pm). Photos:  Allowed in the Museums but not in the Sistine Chapel. Address:  Viale Vaticano. How to get there: Metro stations Cipro-Musei Vaticani or Ottaviano  (line A). Bus 49 (stop in front of the museum’s square), 32/81/982 (stop in Piazza Risorgimento), 492/990 (stop in Via Leone IV and Via degli Scipioni). Tram 19 stops in Piazza Risorgimento. Contacts: Phone numbers +39 06 6988 4676; +39 06 6988 3145. Email [email protected]; help desk for online booking [email protected]

See the Vatican Gardens

If you are thinking about visiting Vatican City, do reserve some time for the beautiful gardens. Vatican Gardens have been a place of peace and meditation for the popes since 1279 when Nicholas III (Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, 1277-1280) moved his residence back here from the Lateran Palace. Larger and more recent gardens have been planted, covering, together with the original garden, about half of the 44 hectares of Vatican City State.

The Vatican Gardens can be visited only through guided tours organized by the Guided Tours of Vatican Museums. Tours depart from the Vatican Museums.

Admission fee: From 32€ depending on the tour. Opening hours:  Daily except for Wednesdays and Sundays. How to book: Tours of the Vatican Gardens are available in English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German. You can request another language when booking. Bookings can be made by fax (+39 06 6988 5100), by email ([email protected] or [email protected]), through the online form on the Vatican website at least two days in advance, or by phone (+39 06 6988 3145 or +39 06 6988 4676). Please note: show up on time, not too early nor late. Cameras: Allowed. Vatican Garden dress code: Modest like in all other areas.

READ MORE: See our post to discover more beautiful and least-visited churches in Rome .

Appointments with the Pope

When visiting the Vatican City, you might get the chance to see the pope: he comes out in public twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday.

The Papal Audience takes place every Wednesday in Saint Peter’s Square in the summer and in the Audience Hall during winter. The audience starts at 10.30 am, but to secure a good seat you need to arrive early, the security check for the square starts at 8 am. The audience normally lasts between 1 to 2 hours.

A ticket is required, even if always free of charge, and you can request it by phone (+39.06.69883114 or +39.06.69884631), or by fax (+39.06.69885863). Tickets are issued by the Papal Prefecture at the Bronze Door on Monday 9 am-1 pm or Tuesday 9 am-6 pm.

You can also see the Pope on Sunday at noon. He appears from the window of his apartment, greets the crowds in various languages, and gives a short speech and blessings to the people. It normally lasts around 20-30 minutes. No charge.

Gift shopping in the Vatican

When visiting Vatican City, you might want to do some shopping. Close to the basilica, you will find a couple of shops selling souvenirs such as rosaries, postcards, calendars, photos, t-shirts, crucifixes, medals, posters and obviously, photos of the popes.

Inside the Vatican Museums, you will also find some shops selling books and religious souvenirs.

All around the Vatican, Borgo Pio quarter, Via della Conciliazione and the streets towards Piazza Risorgimento, you will find plenty of shops with religious souvenirs, themed jewelry, calendars, books, posters, etc.

Visiting the Vatican – FAQ

When is the best time to visit the vatican.

Weather-wise, it’s always a great time to visit the Vatican. Rome boasts a pretty mild climate, and even if you happen on a rainy day, most places to visit in the Vatican are indoors.

Date-wise, the best time to visit the Vatican really depends on your preferences and religious needs. For example, if you are a fervent believer and practicing Catholic, you might want to go to the Vatican during important days in the Catholic calendar such as Christmas, Easter, or even the spectacular Via Crucis performed by the Pope usually at the Colosseum.

Clock-wise, the best time to visit the Vatican is probably early morning or late afternoon, even though you always need to check the closing time and in the afternoon you might only have the time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.

For sure, visiting the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel before opening hours or after closing time to enjoy them without being surrounded by the crowds is an absolutely unforgettable experience. You can do this with Walks of Italy’s Early-Entry Sistine Chapel Tour where you can access the Sistine Chapel 30 minutes before they open to everyone, and Vatican Museums Night Tour , where you access the Vatican Museums at 7.30 pm.

Can you visit the Vatican without a tour?

Absolutely yes. You don’t need a tour to visit any of the Vatican highlights, except for the ancient necropolis underneath St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Gardens. Both these sights can be visited only accompanied by guides working in the Vatican and needs booking.

All other highlights can be visited on your own, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica of Saint Peter. I recommend taking a tour if you are short on time and need to speed things up. Private tours, in fact, include skip-the-line entrance and a tour leader who takes you to the most important sights saving you the time to look for them.

What are the rules for visiting the Vatican?

• Dress code. The Vatican dress code applies to both men and women. Covering knees and shoulders is a must for men and women. Men need to take off their hats while women can enter with their heads covered.
• Prior booking. Vatican Gardens and the ancient Roman cemetery below the Vatican Basilica need prior booking. Also if you want to attend an official celebration in the Vatican, you need to book your spot except for the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square every Sunday.
• Check Mass times. When there are official functions and holy mass, the Vatican Basilica is closed to cultural visitors and tours.
• Photography rules. Inside the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Necropolis, it’s not allowed to take pictures.

Can you walk into Vatican City for free?

Located in the heart of Rome, you can always cross the Vatican City for free. For example, if you are coming from either San Pietro train station towards the river or Via della Conciliazione towards the station or Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, you are likely going to cross Saint Peter’s Square and that’s obviously free of charge.

In fact, two of the major landmarks in the Vatican, Saint Peter’s Square and Saint Peter’s Basilica, are free to enter, while the others are ticketed monuments.

Does the Vatican take a whole day?

It’s really up to you how long you want to spend visiting Vatican City.

If you are thinking about visiting the Vatican and want a full-immersion experience, I suggest you carve out a whole day of your Roman trip. This is going to be difficult if you are in Rome for only a day or two , but if you are staying longer, planning a full day to visit Vatican City is definitely worth it.

Consider that only in the Vatican Museums you are going to spend two to three hours if you are hitting only the main masterpieces or up to five hours for a more complete experience. Saint Peter’s Square and Basilica will also take a couple of hours, and if in the middle you want to have lunch, a day will easily pass. You are likely to finish your Vatican visit early in the afternoon so for the rest of the evening, you can hit the city center or the quaint Trastevere neighborhood .

Where to stay near the Vatican

Staying immediately close to the Vatican might be a little more expensive but it’s obviously handier as you don’t need to take public transport to get to Saint Peter’s Basilica.

• Hotel Emmaus . This is a no-frill 3-star accommodation in Via delle Fornaci 25. Very close to the Vatican and Stazione San Pietro, it offers basic facilities such as free WIFI, 24h room service, reception, and a bar.
• San Peter’s Corner . This is a lovely bed and breakfast near Vatican City in Via delle Fornaci 1. Rooms have free WiFi, a private bathroom with a hairdryer and complimentary courtesy set, and an Italian-style breakfast every morning.
• Le Scalette al Vaticano B&B . Another favorite B&B near the Vatican Museums and Cipro metro station on line A. This B&B offers free WiFi, Smart TV, air conditioning, and in some rooms also a terrace.

READ MORE: If you want to stay in the area, check out our guide to the best hotels near the Vatican .

Where to eat near the Vatican

If you are looking for a place where to eat near the Vatican , my best tip is to go a little far from the Vatican itself to quarters like Trionfale and Prati .

Visiting the Vatican takes some time because there are several sights so you are likely to stay around for the main part of your day. This is especially true if you are staying in Rome for 4 days or a week and want to explore Vatican City in depth.

This is why we are giving you some suggestions of great restaurants in the area where locals go so where you won’t find tourist menus and quality.

• Pizzarium (Via della Meloria 43). Bonci is the king of pizza in Rome , truly one of my favorite places for pizza by the slice street food style . Unfortunately, it seems like everybody knows that and the queue is a constant there. Unsurprisingly so, given the light and easy-to-digest dough and the high-quality, seasonal ingredients used for the frequently-changing toppings.
• Romanè (Via Cipro 106). This is a delicious restaurant to hit for traditional Roman dishes. One of the best carbonaras in Rome , here you can enjoy other known fares like amatriciana , pollo alla cacciatora, and tripes Roman style.
• I Quattro Mori Hostaria (Via Santa Maria delle Fornaci 8). Good fish and seafood dishes and affordable prices, plus a stone’s throw away from the Holy See. If you go on Wednesday or weekends, you might need to book to find a table: phone +39 06 639 0195.
• Porto Fish & Chips (Via Crescenzio 56). Fish restaurant decorated as if on a ship serving traditional dishes with a contemporary twist and new recipes. On weekdays, you can choose between menu à la carte or buffet all-you-can-eat, while on weekends, only menu à la carte.

READ MORE: Learn more about some fascinating and interesting facts about the Vatican !

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How to visit the Vatican: What to See, Ticket Prices, and More

Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting Vatican City

If you’re planning a trip to Rome, there’s one destination that you simply can’t miss: Vatican City . As the smallest country in the world and the seat of the Holy See , the Vatican attracts millions of visitors from across the globe every year.

At the heart of the Vatican is St. Peter’s Basilica , one of the world’s largest church and a true architectural wonder. But there’s so much more to see and experience within the walls of this tiny country, from the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel to the treasures of the Vatican Museums .

In this guide you’ll find out everything you need to know about visiting the Vatican, including what to see , opening hours and ticket prices , what to wear , and how to get there . So, whether you’re a devout Catholic or simply a lover of art and history, join us as we explore the wonders of the Vatican!

History of Vatican City

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Understanding the rich history of the Vatican is key to appreciating its significance and the role it continues to play in shaping the world today.

While the modern independent state of Vatican City was only born in 1929, its beginnings as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church date back to the 4th century A.D, with the construction of a basilica over what was believed to be St. Peter’s grave.

Over time, the Vatican became a popular pilgrimage site and an important center of power in Europe, ruling over a large portion of the Italian peninsula known as the Papal States . Still, popes did not live in the Vatican itself but instead resided at the Lateran Palace and, later, the Quirinal Palace. During the Renaissance period, the Vatican became one of the most significant artistic hubs in Europe, with artists commissioned to create what still stand as some of the greatest masterpieces in history.

After the unification of Italy in 1870, the Papal States were dissolved, and the Italian government seized the church’s properties, including the Quirinal Palace. The pope refused to recognize the Italian king’s right to rule in Rome­­–Pope Pius IX, the last ruler of the Papal States, was referred to as a “prisoner in the Vatican”.

The Lateran Pacts of 1929 , signed between the Holy See and the Italian government, established Vatican City as a sovereign nation-state, granting it 44 hectares of land that would now be fully independent and governed by the pope. Today, the Vatican remains the home of the pope andthe spiritual center for the followers of the Catholic Church. With its rich history, iconic landmarks, and art collections, the Vatican draws millions of visitors every year.

What to see at Vatican City

The Vatican might be the smallest state in the world, but there’s lots to see ! When you’re visiting Vatican City , there are a few things you can’t miss.

The Vatican Museums are a true treasure trove of art and culture. Established in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the museums have been expanded and enriched over the centuries, resulting in a collection that spans ancient to contemporary times. One of the most renowned attractions of the Vatican Museums is the Pinacoteca Vaticana , home to celebrated works of art by Italian Renaissance masters such as Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello… The Palazzi Vaticani house many exclusive sites, including the Galleria degli Arazzi, known for its stunning tapestries, the Stanze di Raffaello, and the Borgia apartment. Here’s what not to miss at the Vatican Museums .

The most iconic attraction in the Vatican Museums is undoubtedly the Sistine Chapel . Visitors can marvel at the magnificent ceiling painted by Michelangelo , which depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis. Discover the secrets of the Sistine Chapel.

St. Peter’s Square is an awe-inspiring sight to behold–measuring an impressive 320 meters long and 240 meters wide, it is one of the largest and most beautiful squares in the world . Designed by the legendary architect Bernini , the square is encircled by a magnificent colonnade of four rows. Above the columns are 140 statues of saints crafted by the pupils of Bernini. The square is also home to the Vatican Obelisk , which was brought to Rome from Egypt by emperor Caligula, and two stunning fountains . Every Sunday at noon , the pope appears at the window of his apartment to recite the Angelus prayer and bless the crowd.

St. Peter’s Basilica is a marvel of Renaissance architecture , and its grandeur continues to inspire visitors from all over the world. The church is the largest in the world by interior measure and was designed by some of the most famous architects in history. When visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, you can marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà , Bernini’s Baldachin , Marchionni’s famous bronze statue of St. Peter , and the massive Porta Santa (Holy Door). Read about the best things to see at St Peter’s Basilica .

One of the most breathtaking parts of St. Peter’s Basilica is its famous dome , which offers visitors a stunning view of Saint Peter’s Square below. The climb to the top of the dome is divided into two parts. The first part involves either climbing 231 stairs or taking an elevator to reach the inside of Michelangelo’s dome, where you can look down into the basilica itself. For those feeling extra adventurous, you can tackle the second part of the climb–ascending another 320 stairs to the very top of the dome. Be prepared for a narrow staircase that spirals upwards!

Beneath the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica lies an underground world waiting to be explored–the Vatican Grottoes . Throughout history, many Popes and European royals have expressed a desire to be buried in the vicinity of St. Peter. Today, over 90 tombs of popes and other notable figures can be found in the Grottoes. Taking a stroll through this sacred space and learning about the fascinating lives of popes like Pius VI, Benedict XV, and John Paul I is an unforgettable experience.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ST. PETER’S BASILICA DOME + UNDERGROUND GROTTOES TOUR

If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Rome , look no further than the Vatican Gardens. Stretching out behind St. Peter’s Basilica and up the slopes of Vatican Hill, the gardens are a paradise of lush forests, monuments, and colorful floral extensions. As you explore the tranquil paths of the gardens, you’ll be treated to a trio of garden styles–Italian, English, and French, each with its own unique character. Just remember, to access this slice of heaven, you’ll need an official, accredited guide by your side .

Vatican Opening Hours, Tickets & Tours

There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere only to find out that you can’t get in! Here’s all the information you need to plan your visit to the Vatican, including opening times and ticket options .

The Vatican Museums are open from Monday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 6 PM , with the last entry at 4 PM. They’re closed on Sundays , except for the last Sunday of every month, when entry is free, and the museums are open from 9 AM to 2 PM. Keep in mind that this is the busiest day, so expect large crowds!

Want to visit the Vatican Museums at night ? As of 2023, from late April to October you can visit Vatican Museums after the usual closing hours on both Friday and Saturday nights. The museum’s closing time shifts to 10:30 PM on Fridays , with the last entry at 8:30 PM, and to 8 PM on Saturdays , with the last entry at 6 PM.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL AFTER HOURS TOUR

Admission tickets cost €17 for adults , and €8 for children aged 6 to 18, students, and members of the clergy. We recommended you book your tickets in advance, as lines can be very long.

And once you’re done visiting the Museums, you can get something to eat at these restaurants near the Vatican .

CLICK HERE TO BOOK VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL TOURS

St. Peter’s Basilica is completely free to visit ! However, note that a security line is in place for everyone’s safety. The line curves tends to grow longer as the day goes on, so plan accordingly. Once you reach the front, you’ll go through a metal detector and have your bags checked.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Vatican Grottoes once you’re inside the basilica, but keep in mind that a ticket is required to visit the Dome. St. Peter’s Basilica is open every day from 7 AM , except Wednesdays mornings, when it’s closed for the papal audience . Closing time varies depending on the season: 7 PM from April to September and 6:30 PM from October to March.

You can buy tickets to the Dome inside St. Peter’s Basilica. There are two ticket options available: a 1 0€ ticket that includes a partial elevator ride, or an 8€ ticket for those who are up for the challenge of climbing all 551 steps. If you’re unable to climb stairs or just prefer a more relaxed journey, the elevator is your best bet.

St. Peter’s Dome is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM , with the exception of Wednesday mornings when the Basilica is closed for the papal audience. From April to September, the Dome stays open an extra hour until 6 PM .

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ST.PETER’S BASILICA & DOME ENTRY TICKET & AUDIO TOUR

The Vatican Gardens are open on the same days and hours as the Vatican Museums , however, it is not possible to wander around the gardens on your own– you must be either on the bus tour or on a walking tour.

The Vatican offers several tours to its gardens, with most conducted in English and scheduled in the morning or early afternoon. So, we recommend booking your tour ahead of time and picking the one that works best for you. Keep in mind, walking tours aren’t available on Wednesdays because of the Papal audience, but bus tours are still running.

While the Vatican Gardens are part of the Vatican Museums, not all tickets to the Museums include access to the Gardens. If you want to explore the Gardens, you’ll need to book a ticket that specifically includes entry . Once you’re done with your tour, you’ll get to skip the line and head straight into the Vatican Museums.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK VATICAN GARDENS WITH MINIBUS TOUR & VATICAN MUSEUMS

If you’ve decided to visit the Vatican on your trip to Rome, remember that appropriate clothing is required to enter this sacred place (and any other church!). If you don’t follow the dress code, you might be denied access to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Women should cover their shoulders and avoid wearing shorts, short dresses, or skirts . Meanwhile, men should avoid sleeveless shirts and shorts . We know that Rome gets hot in the summer, so bring along a light scarf that you can drape over your shoulders when necessary.

Hats, food, and metal tools like knives and scissors are also not allowed. If you’re planning on bringing a bag, make sure it’s small enough to carry on your shoulder or by hand. Backpacks and large bags are not allowed inside the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica.

Read more on what to wear at the Vatican .

Getting to Vatican City is a breeze, with multiple transportation options to choose from. Whether you prefer taking the metro, a bus, a taxi or just walking, it’s easy to reach this iconic destination.

There are two metro stops close to the Vatican Museums entrance : Ottaviano and Cipro. These stops are located on the A-line (orange line), and the entrance to the Vatican Museums is just a 5-minute walk from either of them.

Alternatively, you can hop on one of Rome’s city buses that pass by or terminate next to the Vatican . Bus 49 stops right in front of the Vatican Museums. You can also take buses 40 and 64 , both departing from Roma Termini—bus 40 stops at Piazza Pia, while bus 64 stops at Terminal Gianicolo, each about 10 minutes away from St. Peter’s Square.

You can also board buses 32, 81, and 982, which stop at Piazza del Risorgimento, a five-minute walk to the Vatican.

If you’d rather be comfortable and take a taxi , the ride should cost no more than €20 if you’re staying in the center of Rome. Make sure you specify to the driver whether you want to be dropped off at St. Peter’s Square or at the Vatican Museums.

And if you’re up for a leisurely stroll, the Vatican Museums are only a pleasant 20-minute walk from Piazza Navona.

With these transportation options, you can easily get to Vatican City and explore all it has to offer!

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican: Tips, Tricks + FAQ!

Planning a trip to Vatican City and not quite sure where to start? Home to several incredible sights, a strict dress code, some of the most famous works of art on the planet, and enormous crowds, visiting the Vatican for the first time can be a bit overwhelming.

In other words, visiting the Vatican packs quite the punch considering that Vatican City is the smallest country in the world!

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Vatican, from the best way to enjoy the museums to when to go to exactly what to wear.

Table of Contents

What to See When Visiting the Vatican

Important tips for visiting the vatican museums, should you take a vatican museums tour, all about visiting st. peter’s basilica, how to get to vatican city, faq about visiting vatican city.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

When visitors talk about visiting the Vatican, they’re most commonly referring to visiting the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, but visiting Vatican City can easily extend beyond those popular sights.

Here are the parts of Vatican City to consider when planning your visit, from the incredibly popular to the fairly niche.

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square is the easiest part of the Vatican to visit–you can simply walk in and admire the beautiful oval square and exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica without any advance planning.

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are home to some of the most incredible works of art in the entire world, including Raphael’s most famous frescoes and the Sistine Chapel.

You will need a ticket or tour to visit, and when people talk about how long the lines are to get into the Vatican, they’re most commonly referring to the lines for the museums–we’ll cover more on that in the next section of this Vatican City blog post.

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, with its magnificent ceiling painted by Michelangelo, is one of the most well-known houses of worship on the planet.

It is accessed through the Vatican Museums and cannot be visited separately.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church on the planet, and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture (Michelangelo and Bernini both contributed to its design).

It is free to visit, but you will need to pass through a security checkpoint to enter, and the lines for that can get very long.

You can also visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica (unlike visiting the basilica itself, climbing the dome does require a ticket–more on that below), and from there you can admire incredible views of St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican Necropolis

The Vatican Necropolis (or “scavi”) lies below St. Peter’s Basilica–and even below the “grotto” area that is also under St. Peter’s Basilica.

This area was a cemetery dating back to the first century, and, most importantly to Christian history, it is the presumed resting place of St. Peter himself.

Tours are required and absolutely must be booked in advance. If you’d like to tour directly with the Vatican, there are directions for how to email them (yep, it’s done by email!) here . 

Alternatively, this well-reviewed tour will allow you to visit the Vatican Necropolis and is much more straightforward to arrange.

Check availability and book your Vatican Necropolis tour today!

The Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens are beautiful and exclusive–only a handful of reservations are accepted per day (so like the Necropolis, you absolutely must plan ahead), and therefore they are never crowded.

Like the Vatican Necropolis, the Vatican Gardens must be visited as part of a tour like this .

Book your Vatican Gardens tour today!

Papal Audience

When the Pope is at home in Vatican City, he gives an audience each Wednesday morning in St. Peter’s Square that is open to anyone who would like to join.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance .

The Vatican Museums house the largest private art collection in the world–and despite the enormous amount of art and historical artifacts displayed, only the tiniest sliver of the complete collection is on display to the public!

Beautiful, overwhelming, and one of the most highly sought-after art museums in the world, visiting the Vatican Museums can be a bit of an intense experience.

Here’s what to know before you go.

Don’t rush to the Sistine Chapel.

I know on our first visit to the Vatican Museums, we were highly anticipating the Sistine Chapel and always hoping it was coming up soon… but it’s one of the last things you see, so be sure to appreciate everything along the way!

Plan to spend at least two hours in the museums.

Three is even better, but it is hard to visit the Vatican Museums in less than two hours without simply making a beeline for the Sistine Chapel and not paying attention to much else.

Once you add in time to get there, security checks, potentially waiting in line, and maybe visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square, it’s best to consider visiting the Vatican at least a half-day commitment if you’re going to be touring the museums.

Strongly consider booking a guided tour.

Guided tours add so much context to a Vatican Museums visit, and offer the opportunity to learn so much about the history of the art in the museums. They also make visiting the Vatican far less stressful from start to finish.

We’ve visited the Vatican Museums both independently and with a guided tour, and after experiencing both, strongly recommend a tour.

This is the tour we took and loved, and this is another great option .

Book your Vatican Museums tour today!

… and at the very least, absolutely book skip-the-line tickets.

Absolutely don’t want to take a Vatican Museums tour, or just don’t have the budget for it?

That’s completely understandable. In that case, we recommend booking skip-the-line tickets (ideally these early-access ones , but skip-the-line tickets for the normal operating hours are very helpful as well).

I’m not exaggerating when I say that the lines to access the Vatican Museums are the worst we have ever seen at any museum in the world. 

During one of our longer trips to Rome, we stayed just beyond the Vatican Museums for a solid month and walked past the line for the museums almost every day–and as mid-October turned into mid-November, the lines remained incredibly overwhelming.

Grab your first-access skip-the-line tickets or general admission skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums now!

Keep in mind alternative hours.

The typical opening hours for the Vatican Museums are Monday – Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (with the last entry at 4:00 PM).

However, there are a few ways to access the Vatican Museums outside these hours if you’d like to mix up your visit!

Early Morning VIP Entry

With early-morning entry, either via pre-booked tickets for an independent visit or via a tour, you can enter the Vatican Museums as early as 7:30 AM, therefore avoiding the worst of the crowds (and during warm weather, the worst of the heat).

This incredibly popular tour a tried-and-true early morning option for touring the Vatican Museums!

Book your first-access Vatican Museums tour or skip-the-line tickets today!

Friday Nights Between April and October

For seven months out of the year, the Vatican Museums are open on Friday nights until 11:00 PM (last entry at 9:30 PM), and we can personally attest that visiting the Vatican Museums at night is an incredible experience (and far less crowded than general entry hours).

We took this amazing tour on a Friday night and loved it!

Book the Friday night Vatican Museums tour we loved today!

Last Sunday of the Month

The Vatican Museums are typically (and unsurprisingly) closed on Sundays, but on the last Sunday of the month, the museums are open until 2:00 PM (last entry at 12:30 PM).

Like many free museum days around the world, the general rule of thumb with visiting the Vatican Museums on a free Sunday is that it’s a great option for those on a strict budget, and a terrible one for those who want to avoid extremely heavy crowds.

Make sure to follow the dress code!

There is a dress code for visiting the Vatican Museums. Essentially, no shorts, no bare shoulders, no cleavage, and no hats. 

In our experience, this is most strongly enforced in the Sistine Chapel, but as a gesture of respect and to avoid the risk of being denied entry, you should absolutely follow the Vatican Museums’ dress code.

We recommend light, loose clothing that will allow you to stay both covered and   cool, because the museums can get very warm.

With limited exceptions, there is no air-conditioning in the museums.

Only a few rooms are air-conditioned, so as you can imagine, during Rome’s hot summer months it can be a bit blistering inside the Vatican Museums.

Avoiding the heat (which is, of course, made even worse due to the heavy crowds that are normally visiting the Vatican) is another good reason to book an early morning or Friday night Vatican tour–not only will there be fewer crowds, the museums will be much cooler!

Don’t take photos in the Sistine Chapel.

Despite this being obviously and clearly banned, complete with repeated announcements every few minutes from the security officers and strict enforcement, you’ll still see people trying to snap photos of the Sistine Chapel. Don’t be one of them!

The photos of the Sistine Chapel I’ve used in this Vatican blog post are stock photos for that reason.

Don’t plan to eat at the Vatican Museums if possible.

There is a cafeteria inside the museums selling basic meals and snacks if you get hungry, but with so much incredible food to eat in Rome, it’s best to plan your meals for before or after your Vatican Museums visit if at all possible.

You won’t see the famous spiral staircase isn’t until the very end of your visit.

It’s one of the absolute last things you’ll see in the Vatican Museums–even after the Sistine Chapel–so don’t expect to see it early on!

Yes, absolutely!

We think the Vatican Museums are one of the best places to splurge on a tour in Rome–even more than at the Colosseum.

The context gained is incredible, and having a tour guide also makes visiting the enormous museums much less stressful and overwhelming.

We’ve visited the Vatican both independently and with a tour, and absolutely preferred our visit with a tour.

We took this Friday evening tour and loved it, but this tour is another phenomenal option.

Shop excellent, well-reviewed Vatican Museums tours today!

Sprawling and stunning, St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and an absolute must-see sight when visiting the Vatican.

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter.

You do not need a ticket to enter St. Peter’s Basilica–it is completely free to visit!

… but you do have to go through a security line first.

This line follows the curve of St. Peter’s Square and tends to grow throughout the day, and is in place for security. You’ll pass through a metal detector and have your bags checked when you reach the front.

The line can get excruciatingly long–if you’re not visiting St. Peter’s Basilica as part of a longer tour, we recommend arriving either very early in the morning (it opens at 7:00 AM every day except Wednesday) or in the early evening–the crowds often start to die off a couple hours before closing (6:00 PM or 7:00 PM depending on the time of year).

You should absolutely visit the dome.

The view overlooking St. Peter’s Square from the cupola is one of our favorite views in all of Rome–and the views of the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica from above are pretty phenomenal, too.

We absolutely recommend climbing the dome when visiting St. Peter’s Basilica unless 1) you have difficulty climbing large amounts of stairs (you must climb a minimum of 320 steps to access the dome), or 2) you’re uncomfortable in tight spaces–there are some very closed-in areas on the way up.

You can buy tickets inside St. Peter’s Basilica, and they’re currently 10 Euro for a ticket that involves a partial elevator ride, or 8 Euro if you’re willing to climb all 551 steps (the elevator ticket lets you bypass 200 or so steps).

The biggest benefit to the cheaper ticket, though, is not the lower price but the fact that it normally has a much shorter line than the elevator option!

Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome and is easily accessed by either foot, metro, or bus.

Keep in mind that unless you’re on a special tour that gives you a workaround (more on that in the FAQ section), it’s a 15-minute walk around the edge of the Vatican from St. Peter’s Square to the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

St. Peter’s Square is closer to Centro Storico, so if you’re approaching by foot, you’ll likely come across it first.

We absolutely love walking through Rome, and one of our favorite walks winds from Centro Storico all the way to St. Peter’s Square–in other words, the Vatican is absolutely accessible by foot!

For example, St. Peter’s Square is a 35-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and a 25-minute walk from the Pantheon.

Those times might sound long, but in addition to all the general beauty of Centro Storico, you’ll find some interesting highlights along the way such as Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo.

From St. Peter’s Square, it’s another 15 minutes by foot to the entrance to the Vatican Museums. 

There are two metro stops close-ish to the Vatican: Ottaviano and Cipro, which are each a short walk from the Vatican Museums entrance.

There are several bus lines that stop near Vatican City, with the most frequent being 40 and 64.

Have more questions about visiting the Vatican?

Here are the answers to some of the most common Vatican City FAQs!

Can you reach St. Peter’s Basilica from inside the Vatican Museums?

Yes… but only on a tour.

There is a semi-infamous door between the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica links the two together and makes it possible to go right from the museums into the basilica without taking a (long) walk and waiting in line again, but independent visitors cannot use it.

Some guided tours, though, like this one , do give you the opportunity to use this door.

Otherwise, you’ll need to wait in line to enter St. Peter’s .

What is the Vatican City dress code?

When in the Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s Basilica, or Sistine Chapel, you’ll want to avoid wearing anything sleeveless, any shorts, or showing cleavage.

Hats are also not allowed.

If you’re just visiting St. Peter’s Square, you don’t need to subscribe to the dress code.

You can see the official language of the dress code here .

Is Vatican City a country?

Yes, it is–it’s the smallest country in the world, covering only 0.2 miles of land area.

It’s also one of the only absolute monarchies in the world, with the Pope ruling it both as the Pope (overseeing The Holy See, aka the Catholic Church), and the King (overseeing the country of Vatican City).

Vatican City is not part of the UN, but The Holy See (aka the Catholic Church) is a permanent observer of the UN.

Do you need your passport to enter the Vatican?

Even though it is a country, there’s no need to bring your passport when visiting the Vatican.

Can you visit Vatican City for free?

If your goal is only to step inside the country of Vatican City, you can enter St. Peter’s Square (for free, and without waiting in line) and St. Peter’s Basilica (for free, but after waiting in line) to pay a quick visit to the country.

Can you get a Vatican City passport stamp?

No, Vatican City doesn’t offer passport stamps.

However, you can buy a postcard in the gift shop and mail it home from Vatican City! 

It will be processed through the Vatican’s mail system, and many people use it as a unique souvenir from their visit to the Vatican in lieu of a stamp.

Can you see the Pope when visiting the Vatican?

We covered this a bit above, but essentially, every Wednesday morning that the Pope is in Vatican City, he’ll give an audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Can you just visit the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City?

No, you can’t.

The Sistine Chapel is one of the final stops when touring the Vatican Museums and can’t be seen without visiting the museums.

Is St. Peter’s Basilica part of the Vatican Museums?

No, it’s not.

You can visit St. Peter’s Basilica separately from the museums.

Should you visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day?

You can, but be prepared for a long day, as you’ll have to enter both areas separately… unless you book a tour that includes both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, that is.

In that case, you’ll be able to seamlessly visit both without exiting the Vatican Museums and waiting in an additional line to access St. Peter’s Basilica.

This tour is a popular option that includes both!

Book your Vatican Museums + St. Peter’s Basilica tour today!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican: Tips, Tricks + FAQ!”

I am SOOO happy I followed your link for a tour to Vatican City and everything in it! We’re going there 1st week of April and all of the tours through their website were booked or super $$$! I went to your link for TakeWalks Tours and got a great price for the Chapel, Musuems and Basilica! I’m going to keep scouring your site for our perfect Italian vacation!

That is so wonderful to hear, thanks for sharing, Julie! I hope you guys have an incredible trip to Italy! :-)

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Visiting the Vatican: all you need to know to plan your day

Practical guide with all you need to know to visit the Vatican, by a Rome local. Tips for visiting Vatican City, practical information, best Vatican tickets, tours, must know dress-code and frequently asked questions. .

A visit to the Vatican City is often a highlight of a trip to Rome , regardless of personal background and beliefs.

The Vatican museums and Sistine chapel are a special treat for art lovers and St Peter’s dome, basilica and square are so beautiful and imposing to stop on their tracks the most jaded of travelers.

However, visiting the Vatican requires some planning.

Popular, vast and with special rules dictated by the important religious role of the institution, the Vatican can be tricky to navigate for first- timers.

This is why I have put together this guide: all my best tips and all you need to know when planning a visit to the Vatican. 

Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.

Table of Contents

Visiting the Vatican: overview, need to know

The Vatican, or Vatican City, is not one attraction. Instead, it is a small state with several, distinct things to see, some accessible for free and some accessible by pre-booked ticket only.

At a glance:

Address : Vatican city (inside the city of Rome).

Currency : Euro

Opening hours : you can visit the city and catch a view of the facade of St Peter basilica any time (it is wonderful in the evening , all lit up!). The basilica itself, the museums and the other attractions in Vatican City each follow specific opening times. Find them here

Access : despite being an independent State, there is no passport control at the border crossing

Security checks : due to the importance of the site, security checks are in place and bags will pass under security machines before being allowed into the basilica and/or museum. Everyone passes security checks, even with skip the line tickets.

Dress code : there is no dress code for St Peter’s square but a dress code is enforced in the basilica and museums (see below)

The best things to see in Vatican City

Vatican city comprises of several spaces and buildings, all worth seeing in their own right.

Usually, when visitors state their intentions to visit the Vatican, what they mean is that they want to visit the Vatican Museums and St Peters’s basilica.

These are indeed the most famous sites within the Vatican City however, there are also other parts of the St Peters’-Vatican Museums complex that are worth considering. Click each link for additional info:

St Peter square – Piazza San Pietro

St Peter Square (Piazza San Pietro) is the square right outside St Peter’s basilica and the masterpiece of architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who built it between 1660 and 1667.

The square is vast and is surrounded by a colonnade that frames the facade of the basilica in such a way to lead the eye of the visitor to St Peter’s basilica, the focal point of the area.

The square is wonderful and a place I recommend visiting even should you not have the time to enter the basilica or the museums.

Fun fact : In building the colonnade, Bernini applied the concept of forced perspective : if you stand on specific spots in the square (marked on the ground) an optical trick makes many of the columns disappear from sight!

It is one of the best free things to see in Rome and a wonderful introduction to the Vatican if you are visiting Rome with kids – they will love the optical trick and large spaces of the square.

Please note: Access to St Peter Square is free and there is no border control between the city of Rome and the Vatican State. Find all you can see in St Peter’s square here .

St Peter’s Basilica (including Michelangelo’s Pieta’)

St Peter’s basilica is one of the most beautiful and impressive churches in Rome and Italy and towers above Vatican City.

The basilica as we see it now is the result of the genius of several architects who, over the course of decades, built its elaborate naves, altar, facade and dome.

It is the first building you notice when approaching the Vatican from the river Tiber and by far the most impressive, at least from the outside, thanks to its incredible and gigantic dome and the stunning piazza it opens up onto.

The basilica is the center of Catholicism and is an important place for Christianity in general as it lies above the tomb of St Peter.

Its origins date back to the very beginning of the history of Christianity but it got the appearance we see now over the course of many centuries and many interventions by architects and artists, under the patronage of different Popes.

The first stone of the current basilica was laid is 1506 and the dome was added and finished towards the end of the same century.

The basilica is stunning inside and out: inside the most famous attraction is the Pieta’ by Michelangelo (statue) and the main altar, of stunning decor but really, there are infinite things to see here and each detail is a marvel it itself.

You can find my guide to visiting the inside of St Peter’s Basilica and my highlights here.

You can visit the basilica on your own but to really appreciate its value, I recommend you get at least an audioguide if not a full on guided tour.

You can see how the self guides tour with audioguide works and buy tickets here

Access to the ground floor of the basilica is free but suitable attire (see below) is mandatory.

The basilica is in use and is therefore closed on special occasions and for specific celebrations. You can check its official website for exact opening times and foreseen celebrations.

St Peter’s Dome

St Peter’s dome was designed by Michelangelo and finished by his disciples and other architects including Giacomo Della Porta, who completed the work but also slightly modified the original design and added the lantern that surmounts it.

It is one of the most distinctive sites in the whole of Rome and a truly magnificent one.

You can admire the cupola from below (or afar, it is visible from many viewpoints and belvedere terraces in Rome) or you can join the crowd of the fittest visitors and climb up.

If you decide to go, please be advised that the dome is accessible via over 300 steps and it is not for the faint of heart!

The climb up is steep and unsuitable for people who are afraid of heights or suffer from claustrophobia (the last part of the staircase up gets increasingly narrow): only part of the dome is accessible by lift so good mobility and ease on steps is a must.

If you can tackle it, however, the views over Rome from up there are unbelievable.

As well as the city, you get a glimpse of the wonderful layout of the Vatican Gardens, a true gem (and not just from above!).

Access to the dome is ticketed: you can find info, times and prices on the official Vatican site here .

From the dome of St. Peter’s one can see every notable object in Rome… He can see a panorama that is varied, extensive, beautiful to the eye, and more illustrious in history than any other in Europe.” – Mark Twain, writer Find more quotes about Rome here

Vatican Museums (with Sistine Chapel and Last Judgement)

The Vatican hosts the famous Vatican Museums, home of many masterpieces by masters of the past in the fields of sculpture, paintings and more.

The museums are vast and showcase art from different centuries and civilizations, from invaluable sculptures from the ancient world (like the Laocoon, my personal favorite) and the stunning ‘Raffaello’s rooms’ to the modern cars used by the Pope (my kids’ favorite)!

The jewel in the crown of the Vatican museums however is, for many, the Sistine chapel.

Designed by Michelangelo, the chapel is decorated with the incredible Last Judgment, a fresco of breathtaking beauty and staggering detailing.

The Sistine Chapel is part of the museums and tickets include access to it. You usually reach it at the end of the museum visit.

Need to know: the chapel is a sacred spot as well as a very touristy one and proper attire is mandatory. See below for what is and is not accepted according to the official Vatican rules.

Find here >>> Our complete guide to visiting the Sistine Chapel

The Bramante Staircase

Another interesting and beautiful things to see inside the Vatican is the Bramante Staircase.

The Bramante staircase is special in many respects: while originally meant to be just a functional staircase, Bramante made it unique adding to its centre a spiral shape that effectively gives the impression of the staircase infinitely spiraling onto itself in infinite motion!

It is a wonderful creation and one that truly tricks the eye.

The staircase is now closed to the general public and only accessible via special tours offered by the Vatican Museums themselves, the hidden Vatican tours – You can find them here .

Good to know! The Vatican Museums are also home to another staircase, the Momo Staircase: built-in 1932, the staircase follows a double helix shape and it is beautiful and impressive. Unlike the original Bramante staircase, the Momo Staircase is along the main visitors’ route in the Vatican Museum and is usually open to visitors.

Vatican gardens

The Vatican gardens lie hidden by the main basilica and are an absolute delight to visit as well as a wonderful place to admire the basilica from an unusual angle: the dome photo ops from here are plentiful!

The gardens are vast and are organized as a series of different styles: you can admire the English, French and Italian gardens, the rock garden, the Marian grottoes and the guide will make them come to life with tidbits about their history and the Popes that called them their backyard!

The gardens are open to visitors by guided tour only, by bus or on foot.

You can find our review of the tour and all the tips for visiting the Vatican Gardens here.

Vatican Necropolis and St Peter’s tomb (Scavi)

Below the current basilica lies the old Vatican necropolis, where St Peter is buried.

Special visits to the necropolis underneath the Basilica and St. Peter’s tomb are only possible following special rules.

Access is possible in small groups only, they need to be led by a Vatican travel guide and they have a maximum number of visitors allowed each day (250), to preserve the integrity of such a delicate environment.

 The access to St Peter’s tomb and Vatican necropolis is separate from that to the museums and must be planned separately. You can find all the info here

Considering the limited access to the tomb area, tickets are exceptionally hard to get and sending a request well in advance is mandatory.

Angels Unaware – the Migration monument

On the left-hand side of Piazza San Pietro stands a particular, interesting monument likely to catch your attention due to its distinctive traits, much different from anything else in this monumental complex.

This is a meaningful, beautiful monument to remind the tragedy of migrations and has been inaugurated by the Pope, who wanted to remember all those who have suffered and still suffer due to forced displacement.

There is no plaque on the monument, nor explanation, however, it is powerful and worth seeing.

The plan was to have in the square for a while and then move to the gardens however, it is still on the square as Pope Francis though it was too meaningful and current to be given a less dominant space.

Swiss guards

The Swiss guards are not an attraction, they are the guards that keep the Vatican safe but their uniforms are so distinctive they do attract the attention of visitors!

They are stationed North of St. Peter’s Square and beside the Vatican palace and their colorful presence is unmissable!

A special trip to see the Swiss Guards and their colorful uniforms is one of my favorite things to do when visiting the Vatican City with kids and one of my recommended activities for those who want to see the Vatican but do not feel like tackling the busy museums!

How to book a visit to the Vatican: best Vatican Museum tickets and tours for 2024

There are many ways to book tickets to the Vatican and they include the site of the Vatican Museums themselves and tour providers.

The best Vatican tickets (self-guided tours)

Tickets are necessary to visit the Vatican museums, St Peter’s dome, gardens and underground necropolis.

This is the list of ticket options:

• Buy timed entrance tickets from the Vatican Museum website – this is a good value option for self guided tours of the Vatican Museum. The tickets are non-refundable, one change to your reservation is allowed up to 1h before your visit.
• Buy skip the line tickets from GetYourGuide – MY TOP PICK – this is my recommended tickets for a self guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The slightly higher cost vs the one above comes with an excellent cancellation option (free cancellatio up to 24h before your visit)
• Buy Skip the line tickets from Tiqtets – ANOTHER TOP PICK use promo code MAMALOVESITALY to get a 5% dicount. This is an excellent option if you want flexible cancellation policy or are buying last minute, after the official website appears as sold out. The cost is marginally higher than if buying from the museums directly.
• Vatican gardens tickets are available on the Vatican official site
• Access to St peter’s necropolis can be booked here

Best Vatican tours (with guide)

You can choose between different types of tours of the Vatican museums and basilica, joining group tours of booking private tours for your own party.

Early entrance tours to the Vatican Museums

Early mornings are the best time to visit the Museums with reduced crowds.

This small-group Vatican early entrance tour is comprehensive and allows you to see the very best of the Vatican Museums as well as Raphael Rooms and St Peter’s Basilica (except Wednesdays, when the Basilica is in use for celebrations).

This is an excellent tour to enjoy the museum and maximize your time in Rome.

Express Early Viewing Sistine Chapel Tour | Semi-Private Tour a short yet comprehensive tour to show you Raphael’s frescoes and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in just 1.45h.

The tour stays informative despite the short duration thanks to the small group approach which allows the guide to have a direct and personal relationship with you and your group.

Private and semi private tours of the Vatican Museums

Semi private early morning Vatican tour by LibvTours, one of my favorite providers of tours in Rome in general and the Vatican in particular. This tour allows you to enter the museums before the official opening time, ensuring a quieter experience.

Private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine chapel and St Peter’s Basilica, including Michelangelo’s Pieta’ – this is a great tour if you want a bespoke experience catering exactly to your needs.

Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour | Semi-Private group with a maximum of 6 participants to see the museum’s highlights with a dedicated guide to only few participants

Family tours of the Vatican museum – recommended if visiting the Vatican Museums with young kids

• P rivate family experience Vatican Tour for kids – amazing if you have young kids who do well with a game approach (yet a very informatie one! )
• Vatican tour for kids by Mariaclaudia Tours , a fun and engaging tour for kids to see the Vatican with the aid of a private guide who puts your kids at the center of the experience (ask for Mariaclaudia herself and tell her you found her name on this site!)
• Skip the Line Fun Kids Vatican and Sistine Chapel tour – offered by ‘Private Tours of Rome’, this tour lasts 3 hours and covers highlights of the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel and a visit to St Peter’s Basilica.
• Tour of the Vatican museums for kids with treasure hunt – an excellent private tour of the Vatican Museums for kids, inlcuding the museum highlights and Sistine Chapel.

How to meet the Pope when visiting the Vatican

There are several opportunities to see or meet the Pope in Vatican City and for many, this is a huge highlight from their trip to Rome (If you have kids, join our Italy with kids group on Facebook : several families there met the Pope and it is lovely to hear their emotional reactions!)

You can see him on Sundays, Wednesdays and at Christmas when he says Mass. In particular:

Every Sunday at noon, you can see him addressing the crowds on St Peter’s square during the Angelus. On this occasion, he speaks from a window overlooking the square so you hear his voice and see him from afar. Access is free.

Every Wednesday the Pope holds a Papal audience. The audience happens at 10.30, you must get tickets in advance and is the best opportunity to see the Pope in person. You can find all the necessary info on the official site .

If you are in Rome at Christmas, you can see the Pope during mass at the Vatican. You can find official info on mass with the Pope here

Getting a private audience with the Pope is less straightforward and is always done on an ad hoc basis.

The best way to go about it is to make contact and put forward a personal request: there is no option of buying tickets for it as such.

Need to know : In summer, the pope is often in his residence in Castel Gandolfo rather than in Rome. You can check his schedule and plan accordingly here .

What to wear for visiting the Vatican: Vatican dress code

A visit to Vatican city required appropriate clothing.

The dress code is for the sacred areas of Vatican city and this includes the basilica itself and the Vatican Museums, mostly because they include the Sistine chapel which is a sacred space and still operational.

To visit the Vatican you need ‘modest’ attire and this is specified as:

• Skirts or trousers that cover the knees (both for men and women)
• Tops and shirts that cover the shoulders (no vests)
• Attire that keeps belly/back/cleavage covered
• Comfortable shoes
• The dress code is more lax for children although respectful clothing is recommended at all ages

Need to know : you may read on travel forums people being allowed into the museums in shorts and that the Vatican dress code is not always enforced. While it is possible for the rules to be occasionally overlooked, this is very much not the norm and many many people have been turned away because of unsuitable attire. I highly recommend you don’t chance it!

Visiting the Vatican with kids

Vatican City is a great place to visit with kids however, the museums are hard for them.

If you have very young children, I recommend you plan a visit to St Peter square and basilica but consider carefully before booking a museum stop.

You can read why and all our tips for a family visit here

If you think the museums may be too much for you and your kids, however, you don’t have to give up and skip the Vatican altogether. Many other attractions such as the square, the passetto and even the Basilica are easy enough to enjoy wt kids and can make for a wonderful day out sightseeing.

You can find my best tips on what to see in Vatican City with kids beside the museums here

How long do you need to visit the Vatican

How long it takes to visit Vatican city depends vastly on what you want to see.

The museums usually take a minimum of 3 hours, unless you purposely rush to the Sistine Chapel only.

The basilica can take as little as half an hour, depending on how much you enjoy it.

I do not recommend any other sightseeing or your day will become overly full.

The best time for visiting the Vatican

There are two special moments to visit the Vatican, in my experience: the early morning and the evening. I find at this time there are fewer visitors and the atmosphere is calmer and more subdued.

Most of the photos in this post are taken on a summer afternoon, right before sunset. Aren’t they beautiful?

However, since the Vatican is not one attraction but a cluster of different landmarks, things to see and museums, there is no such as thing as a best time to visit the Vatican but rather a best time to visit the piazza, the basilica, the museums etc.

In general:

The best time for the dome climb and a basilica visit is the very early morning, as soon as they open

The best time to visit the museums is early morning (pre-opening hour tours) or evening, by joining a late opening evening tour

The evening openings only happen in the good season and they are a treat: you can find the schedule and tickets here

How to get to the Vatican City

Vatican city is right inside Rome, one the far side of the river Tiber from the ancient city center.

St Peter square and basilica are at the end of Long Via della Conciliazione, a large monumental street connecting the river Tiber to the basilica, while the museums are a little detached from it, about 15 minutes from it on foot.

You can get there by metro, bus or on foot.

The closest metro station to the museum is Rome Ottaviano – San Pietro (metro A). Cipro is also an option.

Several buses serve this area, the nearest stops being those for buses 40 , 64, 62, 19 (tram), 49, 32, 982, 492, 990, 81.

New for cruisers ! If you are coming from Civitavecchia, the best way to get to the Vatican is the train. San Pietro has its own train station, about 10 minutes away from Vatican city, and since 2019 a new service has been linking the cruise port of Civitavecchia to it, making a day at the Vatican very easy for people reaching Rome on a cruise.

My go-to app for exact directions in Rome is Google Maps – make sure you specify if you are heading to the basilica or the museums for the most accurate results.

The walk between the entrance to the museums and the basilica takes about 15 minutes, so getting off at your exact destination goes a long way to preserve your feet – this is a day with a lot of walking, you don’t need to add any more!

You can find info on public transport in Rome here

Visiting the Vatican: frequently asked questions

Access to Vatican City itself is free, however, several of the attraction are ticketed and do have a cost. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, some parts of the Basilica/ dome, the gardens and the necropolis offer several ticketing options for individuals and groups.

You can buy tickets on the day however, the line at the entrance is so long I do not recommend it. The best way to get Vatican tickets is online, in advance. If you are not sure about your plans, you can opt for tours with free cancellation up to 24hours before or you can try book online on the day. I only recommend booking on the day if you are ok possibly missing out on the museums: the change of them being booked out it high

Tickets tend to come out 60 to 90 days in advance, depending on the type of ticket. I recommend booking tickets to the Vatican as soon as you know you are going to Rome and they become available Especially in high season they book out weeks in advance, especially the official and most reasonably priced ones.

Despite being an independent State, there is no passport control between Rome and Vatican City. However, tickets to the museums are personal so you will need to show your passport/ID to show you are the legitimate ticket holder. The checks that are in place to enter the Museums and the basilica are security checks, not border and customs ones. It is therefore not possible to get your passport stamped

Vatican City has several consecrated spaces and there is a dress code required to access them. While you do not need to dress up to go to the Vatican, the general rules is to dress conservatively: opt for covered shoulders (men and women), long trousers, below the knee skirts and avoid showing off cleavage or bare backs. You can wear sandals and sneakers: I do however recommend you do not wear flip flops, mostly for the safety of your feet in such a crowded space!

For safety reasons large backpacks are not allowed into the Vatican museums and Basilica and food is not allowed. Cafe and food options are available in the museums: just be prepared to queue!

What to see and what not to see depends on your interests and tolerance for crowds, but the main things to see in Vatican City are St Pater Square, St Peter basilica (altar, Pieta’, floor markings about its size) and the Vatican Museums, especially in my opinion the Laocoon, the Map Gallery, the Bramante staircase and the Sistine Chapel

how long to spend in the Vatican depends on what you see. You can see the square only in a matter of minutes and you need at least half a day for the museums. I recommend planning a full day for the area.

The Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican museums and tickets allow access to both. You usually get to the chapel at the end of the museum visit. Some early entrance tickets allow for going to the chapel first but check carefully the details given by each provider to make sure it is the case

You do not need a guide for a visit to the Vatican however, especially for the museums I do recommend you get one. The crowds are insane and guides are excellent and navigating them.

Yes, in 2022 it is mandatory to wear a FFP2 face mask to enter all Vatican Buildings and also to visit the Gardens. Temperature checks are also carried out at the entrance.

I hope you found this guide to visiting the Vatican useful. Safe Rome travels!

My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy.

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Visiting the Vatican in Rome 2024: A Detailed Guide to Help you Plan Your Visit

Last updated: March 25, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

If you are planning to visit Rome, then we think a trip to the Vatican is a must. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, and one we have been lucky enough to visit several times over the past 20 years.

There is a huge amount to see and do at the Vatican, as well as many options for visiting and purchasing tickets for the various attractions at the Vatican.

It can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to visit, as well as what to see and do when you visit the Vatican.

In this guide we’re going to share with you everything you need to know to plan your visit, from the best time to visit, to how to skip the lines, to the highlights you must not miss when you visit.

We’ll also tell you the best places to get Vatican tickets, share some of our favourite guided tours, share practical information for your visit, and much more. Once you’re finished reading, you’ll be fully prepared for your Vatican visit!

Let’s start with an overview of the Vatican.

Table of Contents:

What is the Vatican?

The Vatican, or Vatican City, is an independent city-state found within the city of Rome, Italy. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is home to and ruled by the Pope.

Vatican City is also the location of a number of popular attractions, including the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Sistine Chapel. It is both a pilgrimage site for Catholics as well as a place that appeals to all types of visitors interested in the architecture and world-class art that is found within the museums and churches here.

It’s worth noting that when people talk about “the Vatican”, they are normally referring to either Vatican City or the Vatican Museums within, which can be a bit confusing.

For clarity, this guide will cover all the attractions inside Vatican City which includes the Vatican Museums.

An Overview of the Vatican

The Vatican (formally the Vatican City State) was established in 1929 at the signing of the Lateran Treaty, which helped resolve a long-running issue concerning the power of the Pope in Italy.

It is named after Vatican Hill, where it is located, which is one of the traditional seven hills of Rome. The name “Vatican” dates back to Roman times.

Vatican City is 49 hectares (121 acres) in size, with a population of under 500 people.

The Vatican is ruled by and home to the Pope, who is both the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. The Pope lives in the Papal Apartments in the Apostolic Palace, also known as the Vatican Palace and the Palace of Sixtus V in honor of the Pope who oversaw the majority of its construction.

As well as the Papal Apartments, the huge Apostolic Palace is also home to the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Library, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, and the Borgia Apartments.

The other main sight in the Vatican is St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and an architectural masterpiece, and the square in front is also very impressive.

About half of Vatican City is taken up by the Vatican Gardens, a large private garden area which is home to a number of buildings such as the Vatican Radio building and the Palace of the Governorate.

Many areas of the Vatican, such as the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, are open to the public and can be visited. Other areas, such as the private apartments of the Pope, are not open to visitors. In this guide we’ll cover all the areas of the Vatican and your options for visiting them.

Where is the Vatican?

The Vatican, or Vatican City, is within the city of Rome, Italy. In fact, Rome entirely surrounds the Vatican City. It is located to the west of the Tiber River. You can see it on Google Maps here .

How to get to the Vatican

Found in Rome, the Vatican is relatively easy to get to. Just bear in mind that the Vatican covers an area of around 49 hectares (121 acres), so you will want to plan accordingly depending on which part of the Vatican you wish to visit.

For example, the access to the Vatican Museums is at the north side of Vatican City ( here on Google Maps ), whilst St. Peter’s Basilica is towards the south of the city ( here on Google Maps ).

There are a number of options for reaching the Vatican. These include walking, the metro, taking a public bus, taxi, or the hop on hop off sightseeing bus.

First, it is relatively easy to walk here. From Piazza Navona for example it is 20 minutes’ walk to St. Peter’s Basilica, or 30 minutes’ walk to the Vatican Museums entrance.

The closest metro station to the Vatican is Ottaviano, which is a 7-minute walk to the Vatican Museums entrance or a 10-minute walk to St. Peter’s Basilica. Ottaviano is on the red line, which connects you to locations such as the Spanish Steps and Rome’s Termini station (where you can transfer to the blue line for the Colosseum for example).

Numerous public bus routes also pass by the Vatican from all over the city. It is also easy to take a taxi or use a ride-sharing app to get to the Vatican. Just be sure to specify exactly where you intend to go in the Vatican so they can drop you at the closest drop-off point.

Finally, a number of hop on hop off buses in Rome include the Vatican as one of their stops, so if you are using one of these services this is also an option.

If you have an attraction pass such as the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card , many of these include either a public transit card or sightseeing bus that you could use to visit the Vatican.

Vatican Opening Times

The Vatican is a country but here are no gates or security controls to cross from Rome to Vatican City, and you probably won’t even notice when you do. So you can visit it whenever you want although most indoor attractions are only open during the daytime.

A number of the attractions within the city-state do have specific opening times, which are as follows.

Vatican Museum Opening Times

The Vatican Museum is usually open as follows:

• Monday – Saturday 8am – 7pm (last entry at 5pm)

From 1st March 2024, there are extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays, until 8pm (final entry 6pm).

The Vatican Museum is closed on Sundays with the exception of the last Sunday of the month when it is open from 9am – 2pm (last entry 12.30pm). On these days entry is free.

In addition, the Vatican Museum is also closed on the following days in 2024:

1st & 6th January, 19th March, 1st April, 1st May, 29th June, 14th & 15th August, 1st November, 8th, 25th and 26th December.

For more information on opening times and closing times, see the official website here . Note that there are multiple sites with information on the Vatican Museums, but the only official site is https://www.museivaticani.va/ .

St. Peter’s Basilica Opening Times

St. Peter’s Basilica is usually open as follows:

• 1st October – 31st March: 7am – 6.30pm
• 1st April – 30th September: 7am – 7pm

Note that this is a working church and mass is regularly celebrated here. Access is normally not restricted during these times but you should be aware when it is going on and behave respectfully.

In addition, when the Pope is in Rome there is normally a Papal Audience held on a Wednesday. This is normally held in St. Peter’s Square outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in the morning from around 9am. On these days, access to St. Peter’s Basilica is normally not allowed until the audience is complete. See more about attending a Papal Audience in that section of this guide.

For more information on opening times and visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, see the official webpage from the Vatican here .

What to see and do at the Vatican

There is a huge amount to see and do at the Vatican, at least enough to spend at least half a day here if not a whole day.

Here are the main sights you can take in when you visit Vatican City.

Vatican Museums

A definite highlight when visiting Vatican City are the Vatican Museums. These are found within the Apostolic Palace, and are the main public museum of the Vatican City.

The collection, which includes a rather staggering 70,000 pieces (of which around 20,000 are on display at any one time), was founded in the early 16th century.

Today, the collection spans seven kilometers across a number of galleries. and includes paintings, sculptures, religious artifacts, and tapestries. Art from some of the world’s greatest artists is on display, including Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini, Van Gogh, and Picasso. It’s one of the most visited museums in the world.

As you will have noticed, the Vatican Museums are plural. This is because this is not just one museum. In fact, there are 26 museums listed as being contained with the Vatican Museums complex.

However, as a visitor you will likely just feel like you are visiting one giant museum that spans numerous galleries rather than 26 museums. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and wondering what to see, see the section of this guide covering our highlights of the Vatican Museums.

The Vatican Museums require a ticket, and you can see more about buying a ticket in our guide to tickets for the Vatican City sights elsewhere in this guide. You can buy a ticket on site, but the lines are very long and we highly recommend booking a ticket in advance.

If you have a limited time or are wanting to see the highlights in around 3 hours or less, we highly recommend considering a guided tour such as this one or this one .

We took tours on our first two visits to the Vatican and found them very helpful in seeing and learning about the most important pieces and rooms without being too overwhelmed. They all include a visit to the Sistine Chapel as well.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, or Capella Sistina , is a chapel located within the Apostolic Palace. It was built in the 15th century and named after Pope Sixtus IV. It is best known for the frescoes within, notably those done by Michelangelo (the ceiling and Last Judgement above the altar), which are often considered to be some of the best artistic work to come out of the Renaissance period.

The Sistine Chapel is also known as being where Popes are selected, in a process known as the Papal Conclave.

The Sistine Chapel has been drawing visitors for over 500 years, since Michelangelo completed his masterpieces, and is still a major attraction today.

The Sistine Chapel is found within the Apostolic Palace, and can only be visited when you visit the Vatican Museums. So to all intents and purposes it is a part of the Vatican Museums. However, it is technically separate, hence why tickets are sold as being for both the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel. But all Vatican Museums tickets include entrance to both.

Entry to the Sistine Chapel is included as part of a Vatican Museums ticket, and you can also book tours which give you early access such as the Pristine Sistine tour and the more exclusive Key Master tour .

St. Peter’s Basilica

One of the most visually spectacular buildings in the Vatican is the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, more commonly known as St. Peter’s Basilica.

Its famous dome can be seen from around Rome, and a visit to this church is a must when visiting the Vatican.

Construction began in 1506, and the church was consecrated in 1626. It replaced the fourth century Old St. Peter’s Basilica, which was built by the Roman Emperor Constantine.

St. Peter’s Basilica is impressive for a number of reasons. First, for it’s incredible size. By volume, it is the largest church in the world and it has a footprint of almost six acres.

Second, its design. It was built during the Italian Renaissance period, with help from famous artists, designers, and architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. It is widely regarded as one of the foremost examples of Renaissance architecture in the world.

Third, the interior. This is filled with priceless artworks from Renaissance masters, including Bernini and Michelangelo.

Finally, St. Peter’s Basilica has enormous significance to members of the Catholic faith. Whilst it is not the mother church of the Catholic faith, it is still regarded as one of the most important of Catholic shrines. 91 popes are buried here, and it is widely believed to be the final resting place of Saint Peter himself, the head of the apostles.

Suffice to say, we think a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica is a must when you visit the Vatican. Entry is free and you do not need a ticket to visit, although you can book a tour like this or this .

There’s also the option to visit the dome for a small extra fee. As with any holy place in Italy, it is important to adhere to the dress code as otherwise entry may be denied.

See our sections in this guide on dress code, tickets and tours for more information. This guide also has a detailed section covering the highlights of St. Peter’s Basilica that you won’t want to miss when you visit.

• St. Peter’s Square

Directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica is St. Peter’s Square, a large plaza whose current design was created by Bernini in the mid 17th century.

The center of the plaza is dominated by a 25.5 meter (84ft) high ancient Egyptian obelisk which was brought from the city of Alexandria in Roman times and placed in its current location in 1586.

The plaza is surrounded and almost entirely enclosed by a series of massive Doric colonnades, four deep, with the design aiming to enclose and embrace visitors in the arms of the Mother Church.

There are also a pair of fountains in the plaza on either side of the obelisk, one designed by Bernini, and an earlier one designed by Maderno.

Overall, St. Peter’s Square is a hugely impressive foreground to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is also here where Papal Audiences are most regularly held, which was one of the reasons it was designed as it is, in order to hold large crowds and provide a good view of the Pope to visitors.

St. Peter’s Square is free to visit and open all the time. During Papal Audiences it can get very busy and some sections will be closed off.

• Vatican Gardens

Around half of the Vatican City is taken up by the Gardens of Vatican City, which date back to medieval times when the area was largely used for orchards and vineyards.

However, the more formal landscaped gardens that are visible today largely date to the beginning of the 16th century. Despite taking up a large part of the Vatican and being filled with beautiful sculptures and fountains, the gardens were not open to the public until 2014.

Today, it is only possible to visit the gardens as part of a guided tour. You can get a view of part of the gardens from various points whilst touring the Vatican Museums and from the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican Grottoes

The present-day St. Peter’s Basilica, as previously described, was built atop a fourth century building known as the Basilica of Constantine.

That basilica was in turn built upon a Roman-era cemetery, or Necropolis, which we will cover in a separate section as it is visited separately. Rome, as you will quickly learn when you visit, is a city of many layers!

Construction of the new St. Peter’s Basilica did not completely destroy the old Basilica, which can still be visited today.

The parts of the Constantine Basilica which can be visited are generally known as the Vatican Grottoes, or Vatican Caves. It’s not quite an accurate name because what you are actually visiting is the original basilica, but that’s the name that is used.

The Vatican Grottoes are also sometimes called the Vatican Crypt and Catacombs.

Within the Vatican Grottoes you can see the ancient basilica, complete with chapels, funerary monuments and artworks. This is also where a great many popes are buried , along with some European Royalty, as they wanted to be near the final resting place of St. Peter.

Just note that St. Peter’s tomb is not actually in the Vatican Grottoes, it is in the Vatican Necropolis, which is below the Grottoes and accessed separately on a special tour. See the next section for details of that.

Access to the Vatican Grottoes is free, although tours which include it are available, like this one . The entrance to the Vatican Grottoes is inside St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s near the high altar at the Pier of St. Andrew. Note that there may be a line to visit the grottoes, and photography is not allowed in the grottoes.

• Vatican Necropolis

The Vatican Necropolis (literally, city of the dead) dates from the Roman Empire, and was built here because Roman law at the time decreed that the dead must be buried outside the city walls.

Much of the Vatican City was built on top of the Roman Necropolis, and it can be accessed in a number of different ways, depending on what you want to see.

The two main parts of the Necropolis that will be of interest to visitors are the Necropolis containing the tomb of St. Peter, the the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis. We’ll cover visiting both of these.

Vatican Necropolis and The Tomb of St. Peter (Scavi)

In the 1940s, the Vatican set out to find the tomb of St. Peter, the apostle for whom St. Peter’s Basilica is named. He, along with many other Christians of the time, was martyred at the Circus of Nero.

This Circus was found essentially where the present-day St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are situated.

There was a widely held belief that St. Peter was buried near the location of his martyrdom, and so the Vatican set out to discover this grave.

A number of mausoleums were discovered as part of the extensive Necropolis which is buried beneath the Vatican, and in 1968 the Pope announced that the tomb of Saint Peter had officially been discovered directly beneath the Vatican Grottoes and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Today, the area of the Necropolis underneath St. Peter’s Basilica is now widely known as the Scavi , which means excavation in Italian. It can be visited as part of a special guided tour.

The tour takes you under the Basilica (and the grottoes) and essentially back in time to an ancient Roman cemetery where you see the old mausoleums, as well as what is believed to be the final resting place of St. Peter.

Normally, as you exit the tour you also go through the Vatican Grottoes and then up into St. Peter’s Basilica itself, which is handy as it skips what can be lengthy lines to get into the Basilica.

This tour has very limited availability, and needs to be booked in advance. See the ticket section of this guide for information on how to book Vatican Necropolis tickets.

It is definitely a unique experience if you have the extra time, however there are only 250 spaces per day so you will want to book as far in advance as you can if this is of interest. We really enjoyed this tour when we did it and think it is well worth doing.

Note that to get access to the Necropolis tour you need to go to the far left of St. Peter’s Basilica as you face it, the entrance is in the columns to the left. It’s approximately here on Google Maps .

You have to go through security and you will need a printed copy of your ticket. If in doubt, I advise arriving early and asking a Swiss Guard for directions.

Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis

The other Necropolis that you can visit in the Vatican City is the Necropolis of the Via Trimphalis , which was discovered in 2003 and only fully opened to visitors in November 2023.

Note this is different from the visit to the Vatican Necropolis below St. Peter’s Basilica, although it is likely part of the same ancient Necropolis site.

Visiting the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis requires a separate ticket purchase and they are not always available, check the official ticket site for options.

The entry to the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis can be found in the walls of the Vatican Museum as you walk up towards the Vatican Museum entry, near Piazza Risogimento. The exact location is here on Google Maps .

Attend a Papal Audience

As the Vatican is home to the Pope, one reason many people come to visit is to actually see him. The best way to do that is to attend a Papal Audience, also known as a General Audience.

This isn’t a mass, instead, it’s basically an audience with the Pope. He normally gives a speech and says some prayers, and often gives out blessings.

The Papal Audience is free to attend, and is held on Wednesdays when the Pope is in residence. It is held either in front of St. Peter’s Basilica (during warmer times of year), or in the Paul VI audience hall (normally in the winter months and in times of bad weather).

It is absolutely vital that you get a ticket for the Papal Audience, as you cannot just show up. Tickets are free, and we have a detailed guide to getting them in the ticketing section of this guide.

The Papal Audience starts at 9am, however you will have to go through security, and seating is on a first come first served basis. There are also capacity limits, so even if you have a ticket, once the venue is full admission is closed.

As such, we recommend arriving between 7am and 7.30am to be sure of a good seat. In the busier summer months, it is recommended to arrive even earlier if you want a good view.

Note, you can also catch a glimpse of the Pope during the Sunday Blessing, or Angelus. When the Pope is in Rome he appears at his Papal Palace window at noon for around 15 minutes to bless those in St. Peter’s Square.

All you have to do is show up, no tickets are required for this event. It will be quite busy and it’s going to be a brief, distant view, but it is an option as well.

Attend Mass

Another popular option when visiting the Vatican is to attend mass.

The best place to do so is at St. Peter’s Basilica, where services are held multiple times a day. You can see the full schedule of services on this page . These services do not require booking, you just need to show up at the Basilica.

Depending on when you visit Rome, there is also the possibility to attend a Papal Mass, which is a mass led by the Pope. These are also known as Liturgical Celebrations.

A Papal Mass is a less regular event than a Papal Audience, normally held to celebrate a special event such as Christmas or Easter. They are held either inside St. Peter’s Basilica or on St. Peter’s Square. They may also be held in one of the other basilicas in Rome (you can see a list of these here ).

As with a Papal Audience, you need a ticket for a Papal Mass. These are also free.

The procedure for booking a Papal Mass is the same as for booking a Papal Audience. You can check when there are Papal Masses on this Vatican page for 2024 .

Note this page is normally updated around a month in advance, however for particularly popular masses (Easter and Christmas specifically) you will want to book as far in advance as possible. The dates may not be shown on the calendar, but there is normally a mass held on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and on Christmas Eve.

Use the Post Office

The Vatican, as already mentioned, is a country unto itself. That means it has all the things you would expect to find in a country, including its own postal system .

There is a post office open to all found on St. Peter’s Square, and there is also one near the giftshop just before you exit the Vatican Museums.

If you are looking to send a postcard or mail from your trip, we think doing so from the Vatican post office is a great idea. Jess always send a postcard from the Vatican to her grandmother.

The stamps and postage mark are obviously unique, and in our experience anyway, the mail service is much more effective than the Italian postal system! Our international postcards mailed from the Vatican arrived weeks before the ones we mailed from Italy!

For everything you need to know about using the post office, including where to find them, buying stamps and more, see our detailed guide to the Vatican Post Office . You can find out more about the Vatican post office, including opening hours and tariffs, on the official website .

Highlights of the Vatican Museums

With 20,000 objects on display, you could literally spend weeks exploring the Vatican Museums collection. However, as you probably don’t have weeks, we’d recommend focusing on some of the highlights for your first visit.

Whilst there are countless highlights to choose from, and you can of course make your own selection, we’d recommend at least seeing the following when you visit. We would also recommend visiting the official site which has a list of masterpieces in each of the main museums.

We’d also honestly recommend taking a guided tour like one of these if you can, because there is so much to see and understand here, and a good guide can really bring what you are seeing to life.

See more on tours in the section on tours in this guide.

Below are some of our favourite parts of the Vatican Museums. These are all accessible with a standard ticket. There are other areas of the Vatican that we love that require a special ticket, like the Bramante staircase, but we wanted to focus on the general access areas for the highlights.

If you would like to plan a route before you visit, we suggest downloading the free Vatican Map from the official Vatican website here . This map is also available for free from the Vatican ticket office.

The Sistine Chapel is definitely one of the highlights of a visit to the Vatican Museums. This chapel, named for Pope Sixtux IV who had it commissioned, is world famous for its incredible frescoes.

The most famous of these frescoes are those painted on the ceiling, and the one above the altar. They were both created by the Renaissance master Michelangelo.

The frescoes on the ceiling depict the creation of Earth as told in the Book of Genesis. This story is told in nine panels, starting with The Separation of Light from Darkness and finishing with the Drunkenness of Noah . Perhaps the most famous of these is the Creation of Adam panel, which depicts God giving life to Adam.

The frescos above the altar depict the Last Judgement, essentially the Second Coming of Christ and the separation of sinners from the saved.

There is of course more to the Sistine Chapel than the incredible frescoes by Michaelangelo. The other walls are also all decorated, with artwork from Boticellii, Perugino and Ghirlandaio to name but a few. As you would expect, these also depict various religious scenes.

A visit to the Sistine Chapel is a must when visiting the Vatican. It is not a huge space but it does tend to get fairly crowded as the day goes on.

This is also one of the few places in the Vatican Museums where photography is strictly prohibited. We have seen people escorted out for violating this rule, so we’d suggest just enjoying the incredible art on display, and then if you want a memento, buy a postcard on your way out from the Vatican Gift Shop.

If you want a special experience of the Sistine Chapel with fewer people, then we recommend taking an early access tour.

We have done both the Pristine Sistine tour and the Key Master tour (see our Key Master Tour review here ), both of which get you into the Sistine Chapel earlier than normal for a more peaceful experience.

Gallery of Maps

One of my personal favourite attractions in the Vatican Museums is the Gallery of Maps , or Galleria delle carte geografiche.  This is located on the west side of the Belvedere Courtyard.

The Gallery of Maps is essentially a 120 metre long, six metre wide corridor. On the walls, 40 maps depict the main regions and cities of the Italian Peninsula.

These date from the 1580s and were painted by the friar and geographer Ignazio Dante at the request of Pope Gregory XIII.

He wanted to be able to “travel” to the different Italian states on the Italian peninsula (Italy was not a single country at that point) without actually have to leave the Vatican, and the incredibly detailed maps allowed him to do so.

A visit to the Gallery of Maps is always a highlight of our time in the Vatican Museums, and one we highly recommend.

The Borgia Apartment

The Borgia Apartment ( Appartamento Borgia ) is a series of six rooms in the Vatican Museums which were commissioned by Pope Alexander VI in the late 15th century. He was from the Borgia family, hence the name given to the apartments.

Alexander VI engaged the Italian painter Pinturicchio to decorate the six rooms with frescoes, which feature a range of subjects, from Old and New Testament scenes through to depictions of the planets.

Some of the frescoes also references notable events of the time, including what is believed to be one of the first depictions of a Native American in Europe. The frescoes were painted around the time that Columbus returned from the New World, and “The Resurrection” in the Room of Liberal Arts contains these depictions.

Alexander’s legacy as Pope was somewhat tarnished by his various affairs. In fact, the word Borgia became a common term for a lack of morals, corruption and nepotism.

After his fairly gruesome death (believed to be poisoning), the Borgia Apartments were sealed, and only re-opened and restored in the 19th century by Pope Leo XIII.

Today, the six apartments feature the original frescoes which have been restored. They also house part of the Vatican’s collection of contemporary art. They can now all be visited as part of a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Raphael’s Rooms

There are four rooms in the Vatican Museums which are together known as the Stanze di Raffaello , or Raphael’s Rooms .

These rooms were originally intended to be an apartment for Pope Julius II, with some suspecting the idea was to outdo the Borgia Apartment of Alexander VI.

Whatever the reason, he commissioned Raphael to create the frescoes in the early 16th century, starting with the library.

Unfortunately, Julius II died before they were completed, and in fact Raphael himself died in 1520 before all four rooms were completed in 1524.

However, Raphael did complete the majority of the work, with his students finishing the rest after his death.

Our favourite of the rooms was the first to be completed, which features “The School of Athens”, “The Parnassus” and the “Disputa”.

The School of Athens in particular is a highlight, and is widely regarded as one of Raphael’s best works. It has incredible perspective and there’s even a sneaky appearance by the artist himself, staring out at the viewer.

It’s definitely worth taking a tour like one of these to get the most from these paintings as there is a lot to unpack in just these four rooms!

The Pinacoteca / Vatican Art Gallery

The Pinacoteca , or Vatican Art Gallery, has been the home of some of the Vatican Museum’s most impressive art since it opened in 1932.

It’s essentially a mini art museum inside the Vatican, and you have to ensure you include it on a visit.

Across 18 rooms you will find over 400 works from some of Italy’s most well-known artists including Raphael, Caravaggio, Tiziano, Titian, and Da Vinci, to name but a few.

The museum was purpose-built to provide the best viewing conditions of the collection, whilst preserving them for future generations. It’s arranged chronologically, so as you move through the rooms you are essentially taking a tour through time from the 12th century Medieval period right up to the 19th century.

Obviously, 400 paintings are a lot, and you could honestly spend a big chunk of your time in the Vatican just exploring the Pinacoteca. But if you wanted to hone in on some highlights, consider:

• Giotto’s “ Stefaneschi Polyptych ” (Room II)
• Raphael’s “ The Transfiguration of Christ ” (Room VIII)
• “The Last Supper Tapestry” (Room VIII)
• Leonardo Da Vinci’s “ St. Jerome in the Desert ” (Room IX)
• Tiziano’s “ Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints ” (Room X)
• Caravaggio’s “ Deposition from the Cross ” (Room XII)

Of course, there are highlights in every room. The Vatican Museum websites list their highlights by room on the official Pinacoteca website here .

The Pio Clementino Museum

The Pio Clementine Museum (Museo Pio Clementino) is home to a collection of classical sculpture, and is where some of the first objects in the Vatican Museums were displayed. Pope Julius II used this area of the Vatican in the early 16th century to display a collection of antique sculptures.

There are many highlights in the Pio Clementino Museum, but some stand out rooms and sculptures not to miss include the following.

The Octagonal Court

The Octagonal Court is a stunning courtyard found in the Pio Clementino Museum. Many of the objects on display here are still in exactly the same place they were back in the early 1500s, including the Belvedere Apollo and the statue of Laocoön and His Sons.

The Belvedere Apollo is definitely not to be missed when you visit the Octagonal Court. Depicting the Greek god Apollo, it dates from around 120AD, and is widely regarded as being one of the greatest ancient sculptures.

The statue of Laocoön and His Sons is another must-see marble statue in the Octagonal Court. This one depicts the Trojan Priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents. It is believed to date from around 200BC, and was put on display in the Octagonal Courtyard in 1506.

The Round Hall

The Round Hall , also known as the Round Room, is, as the name suggests, a circular room. It was designed int he 18th century in homage to the circular Pantheon.

It’s hard to miss the highlight of this room, which is a massive red porphyry basin which dates to Imperial Rome. Around this enormous basin are niches displaying huge statues.

There is of course more to see in the Pio Clementino Museum, including the Gallery of Statues and the Hall of Busts, the Hall of Muses, and much more.

Gregorian Egyptian Museum

When you enter St. Peter’s Square, you will instantly notice the giant Ancient Egyptian Obelisk sitting at the centre. It’s fair to say that Imperial Rome was pretty obsessed with and influenced by Egypt.

To learn more about the relationship between Ancient Rome and Egypt, you’ll want to visit the Gregorian Egyptian Museum (Museo Gregoriano Egizio) in the Vatican. Spread across six rooms, this museum has everything from stone tablets to artefacts relating to death. Definitely worth a visit for those with an interest in Egyptology.

Carriage Pavilion

Founded in 1973, the Carriage Museum ( Padiglione delle Carrozze ) is one of the newer museums you can visit at the Vatican. It can also be a bit tricky to find, but it is marked on the map.

As the name suggests, it’s home to various modes of transport used by Popes from carriages to motorcars known as the Popemobiles. It’s not well-known and so makes for a welcome escape from the crowds!

Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase

Even the exit from the Vatican is going to be a highlight of your visit. Once you have finished with the gift shop you are going to head down the stunning double-helix staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932.

This is actually only one of two double-helix staircases in the Apostolic Palace. The other one was designed by Bramante in 1505. Both the original and the homage to the original by Momo are often referred to as the Bramante staircase, which can be a bit confusing.

The original Bramante staircase though is not normally open to the public.

Still, the 1932 version is absolutely stunning and you will definitely want to capture some images of it before and as you descend.

And now we are done with the highlights of the Vatican Museums! Let’s move on to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Highlights in St. Peter’s Basilica

As with the Vatican Museums, there is a lot to see and do in St. Peter’s Basilica. However, we do have some favourites that we recommend you include when you visit.

High Altar & Bernini’s Canopy (Baldachin)

The centrepiece of any church is normally the altar, and St. Peter’s Basilica is no exception. Whilst the basilica is home to at least 15 altars, the High Altar is naturally the most impressive.

This is situated directly underneath the dome of the basilica, and above what is said to be the resting place of St. Peter himself.

The most impressive part of the High Altar has to be the incredible sculpted bronze canopy (known as a Baldachin) designed by Bernini. This soars almost 100ft (30 metres) above the altar itself, with four helical columns presided over by four massive angels.

It’s hard to miss, and definitely something you will want to see in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Chair of St. Peter

The Chair of St. Peter, also known as the Throne of Saint Peter, is a wooden throne which is one of the more important relics in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The original wooden chair was believed to have belonged to St. Peter himself, and today it is displayed above the second major altar in the basilica, which is found in the apse of the basilica behind the main altar.

The chair is enclosed in a sculpted bronze encasing which was designed by Bernini, and which is itself an important artwork.

Michaelangelo’s Pietà

The Madonna della Pietà, often just referred to as La Pietà, is one of the many sculptures created by the Renaissance master Michaelangelo. It’s particularly noteworthy as it’s the only piece he ever signed.

It is also, of course, a masterpiece. The sculpture, which dates from the late 15th century, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus following his death. It is remarkably lifelike and beautifully detailed.

The Pieta is easy to find in Saint Peter’s Basilica, it is in the first chapel to the right as you enter the church.

The Vatican Grottoes (not to be confused with the Vatican Necropolis, both of which are under St. Peter’s Basilica) are where you will find the remains of the original 4th century Basilica. This stood until the 15th century, when the new Basilica was built.

You can visit the Vatican Grottoes for free as part of your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, and it is well worth doing. This is where you can see sections of the original Basilica, as well as the graves of a great many Popes who were buried down here.

Access to the grottoes is near the high altar at the Pier of St. Andrew. Note that there may be a line to visit the grottoes, and photography is not allowed in the grottoes.

Pope Saint John Paul II’s grave

One of the most well-known Popes of the 20th century was Pope John Paul II, who because a Saint after his death. It is a popular place of pilgrimage, and can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Pope was originally buried in the Vatican Grottoes, however, following his canonization in 2011 his remains were moved to the Chapel of St. Sebastian.

This can be found on the right of the central nave in the basilica (as you are looking at the High Altar from the entrance), and is next to the niche where you will find Michelangelo’s Pieta.

Pope Saint John Paul II’s grave is under the altar in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, and there is a marble slab marking his grave with the inscription IOANNES PAVLVS PP. II.

Statue of Saint Peter

At many pilgrimage locations around the world you will find some sort of item that pilgrims wish to touch, usually in order to receive a blessing.

In St. Peter’s Basilica, that item is the 13th century Statue of Saint Peter. This bronze statue features St. Peter sitting on a marble chair, holding the keys of heaven in one hand and giving a blessing with the other hand.

Touching (or kissing) the feet of the Saint is a very popular tradition that has likely been going on for hundreds of years. It’s quite easy to find the Statue of St. Peter, it is by a pillar in the centre of the nave near the High Altar. There will also likely be a line of people queuing up to touch the foot of the statue.

Tomb of Pope Alexander VII

I think it is fair to say that Bernini did quite a lot of work in and around St. Peter’s Basilica! His last great work, designed when he was 80, is the monumental tomb of Pope Alexander VII.

This was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, who unfortunately died around 11 years before it was actually completed and unveiled in 1678.

The monument itself is created from marble and has six main figures, including Alexander himself. There are then four female statues representing four virtues, Charity, Truth, Prudence and Justice. The last statue features Death holding an hourglass to represent the passing of time and of course mortality.

The monument is found in the south transept of St. Peter’s Basilica.

My personal favourite activity at St. Peter’s Basilica is the climb to the top of the dome. This does have a small fee, which you can pay on site, but the experience is very much worth it.

The dome climb has you climbing from the bottom of St. Peter’s Basilica right to the very top of the dome, from where you will get excellent views across St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican, and most of Rome.

If you are not feeling fit enough to tackle the 500+ steps, you can pay a little bit more to take the elevator. However, this still requires climbing quite a few steps.

We actually prefer the steps over the elevator, not because of the sense of accomplishment, but because the route takes you up through some fascinating parts of the basilica that you otherwise wouldn’t get to see.

And yes, there is a definite sense of accomplishment when you see the view having done all the steps!

Note that you have to pay on site for the dome climb unless you book a tour like this which includes a dome climb. For a long time this was cash only, however the last time we visited they accepted cash and credit cards. When we visited it cost €8 to climb the steps and €10 to take the elevator. The entrance is to the left of the Basilica as you face the entrance, and is well signposted.

Planning your Vatican Visit

We’ll now cover some important information to help you plan you visit to the Vatican City attractions.

Options for how to visit the Vatican

You have a number of options for visiting the Vatican City attractions. These are as follows:

• Turn up on the day without any tickets and purchase tickets in person (not recommended except at the quietest times of year)
• Book tickets directly or via third-party sites like GetYourGuide or Tiqets
• Book a guided tour with a walking tour company
• Use a Rome attraction pass which includes some of the attractions in the Vatican City

How Long to Visit the Vatican For

As you have probably noted by now, there is a lot to do and see at the Vatican. We’d recommend spending at least four hours here, which will allow you to see the highlights of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as the main outdoor spaces like St. Peter’s Square.

However, there is plenty to see, so you could easily spend all day here, or even multiple days! But four hours would be our recommended minimum.

Most people do not have days to see everything within Vatican City. So here are some ideas for what to prioritize depending on how much time you have:

Suggested Half Day Vatican Itinerary

If you have half a day to visit the Vatican, we’d suggest the following highlights:

• St. Peter’s Basilica, including the High Altar, Pieta, Statue of St. Peter and Tomb of Pope Alexander VII
• Vatican Museums, to include the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of Maps, Borgia Apartment, Raphael Rooms, Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase, Sistine Chapel and Pinacoteca

We would recommend either booking a tour which includes the above attractions like this one  or  this one .

If you would prefer to be self-guided, then we recommend visiting St. Peter’s Basilica first at opening time, and then booking timed entry for the Vatican Museums at opening time. This will ensure you don’t get caught up in the lines for St. Peter’s Basilica, which get longer as the day progresses. You also won’t have to stand in the ticket line for the Vatican Museums.

Suggested Full Day Vatican Itinerary

If you have a full day to visit the Vatican sights then you can take your time and have more of a leisurely experience.

In this case we’d probably recommend something like the following:

• St. Peter’s Basilica, including the High Altar, Pieta, Statue of St. Peter, Tomb of Pope Alexander VII, the Grottes and Dome. You may also consider advance booking a Necropolis Tour.
• Break for lunch / coffee
• Vatican Museum, to include the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of Maps, Borgia Apartment, Raphael Rooms, Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase, Vatican Historical Museum, Sistine Chapel and Pinacoteca

Again, you could look at booking tours of both of these attractions. Timing wise, this will depend a little on the time of year you visit. In the summer months the Vatican Museums can get very hot, so you might want to do this in the morning and then visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the afternoon.

Tips for Pilgrims & Seeing the Religious Highlights

If you are visiting the Vatican as a pilgrim, then you will likely want to prioritize the religious highlights of the Vatican City.

Our recommended activities would be:

• Attending mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
• Attending a Papal Audience or Sunday Blessing if the Pope is in residence
• Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, including the Necropolis where St. Peter is buried
• Visiting the religious highlights in the Vatican Musuems, including the Vatican Historical Museum
• Visiting the museum gift shop which offers a number of religious items including rosaries and crucifixes.

You may also consider booking a specific tour which focuses more on the religious highlights and history of the Vatican attractions.

Can you Visit the Papal Apartments at the Vatican?

You cannot visit the private Papal Apartments where the current Pope lives. However, previous Popes have lived in different areas of the Apostolic Palace, and some of these areas can be visited as part of a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Two stand out locations in the Vatican Museum which were former Papal Apartments are the Raphael Rooms and the Borgia Apartments. These can both be visited as part of your Vatican Museums ticket.

Can You See the Pope at the Vatican?

When the Pope is in residence, it is possible to actually see him if you plan ahead.

The best option to see the Pope at the Vatican is to attend either a Papal Audience or a Papal Mass. These are free events, you just need to book a ticket.

You can also catch a glimpse of the Pope during the Sunday Blessing, or Angelus. When the Pope is in Rome he appears at his Papal Palace window at noon on a Sunday for around 15 minutes to bless those in St. Peter’s Square.

Where is Castel Gandolfo?

You may have heard of Castel Gandolfo, or the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo to give it its more formal name. This was long used as the Pope’s summer residence, but it is not found in Vatican City. It’s actually 16 miles (25 km) southeast of Rome, overlooking Lake Albano.

The Palace is a 135-acre complex of buildings and gardens, found in the town of Castel Gandolfo. The current Pope does not use it as his summer residence, but many previous Popes have.

The good news is that you can actually visit Castel Gandolfo and tour the Papal Palace and Gardens. You can either do this yourself, or you can book a tour from Rome which includes transport and access to the gardens and palace.

The Vatican Museums sell tickets for a tour which includes a tour of the Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, a return train trip and a tour of the Palace and Gardens. Other companies also do tours, including this tour with Take Walks and these options on GetYourGuide.

Vatican Ticket Information

Below we’re going to cover everything you need to know regarding getting tickets for the Vatican City attractions. This will cover which attractions you need tickets for, how much tickets cost, where to get them and more!

Do You Need a Ticket for the Vatican?

You do not need a ticket to visit the Vatican City State.

However, many of attractions and activities do require visitors to have a ticket or to be part of a tour, which includes:

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Papal Audience / Papal Mass
• St. Peter’s Basilica Dome

We recommend booking tickets in advance where possible to avoid disappointment.

How Much does it Cost to Visit the Vatican?

Prices for the attractions inside the Vatican City vary depending on exactly what you want to see. However, you can see an idea of prices for the attractions as follows.

Prices are correct as of January 2024.

Vatican Museums Ticket Price

There is an entry fee for the Vatican Museums. This is as follows:

• €20 if booked in person at the ticket office (not recommended due to the length of the lines!)
• €20 + €5 booking fee (€25 total) if booked on the official Vatican tickets website ( recommended option )
• From around €31 via a third-party site such as GetYourGuide ( check prices here ) or Tiqets ( see prices here ). Recommended option if the official site is sold out.

Note that if you buy a ticket from a third-party site our experience is that it is normally a voucher that needs to be exchanged for an actual ticket on entry. Instructions will be provided on purchase and there should be a specific entry line for holders of these tickets.

St. Peter’s Basilica Ticket Price

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to visit, although there are some passes which include fast-track entry such as the Rome Tourist Card . Alternatively, you can book a guided tour which includes fast-track entry.

In busier months these can definitely be worth it as the lines for entry can be very long.

You can also pay for additional activities as follows:

• Sacristy & Treasury Museum of St. Peter’s Basilica (€5)
• Dome climb €8 (stairs), €10 (elevator)
• Official 1hr audioguide €5

Vatican Necropolis Ticket Price

The part of the Vatican Necropolis under St. Peter’s can only be visited on a guided tour. This costs €13 per person as of 2024. See the entry on the Vatican Necropolis for booking instructions.

Note the last time I booked this tour it included some discounts on St. Peter’s Basilica activities, including the museum, audio guide and dome entrance. These discounts were sent to me by e-mail after I booked the tour.

The Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis is a separate ticket. It includes a guided tour of the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis lasting around 90 minutes, and ticket prices are €20 for adults in 2024. Tickets can be purchased online in advance from the official Vatican ticket site here .

Papal Audience / Papal Mass Ticket Price

Tickets for the Papal Audience and Papal Masses are free and there is no booking fee. See the section on tickets for the Papal Audience and Papal Mass for booking instructions.

Where to Buy Vatican Tickets

As covered above, some of the attractions in the Vatican require tickets. There are various options for purchasing tickets for these attractions, as follows.

Where to Buy Vatican Museums Tickets

Normally the first place you should check for tickets for the Vatican Museums is on the official website here . These tend to be the best value tickets and the website has a range of ticket options including basic entry tickets, guided tours, and tickets which include locations like the Vatican Gardens.

We also recommend checking ticket options on third-party sites, and we specifically recommend either GetYourGuide ( check prices here ) or Tiqets ( see prices here ).

Whilst prices on third party sites can be higher, they sometimes have more availability as well as more flexible cancellation policies (depending on the ticket type). So they are definitely worth checking.

Vatican Museum Tickets Sold Out? You still have options to visit the Vatican!

The Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are a very popular attraction, and they do have capacity limits. That means tickets can sell out, especially at busier times of year.

The good news is that even when tickets have sold out on the official site you still have options. These will be slightly more expensive, but often come with additional features.

First, check other ticket types on the official site here . Whilst the standard entry ticket might have sold out, other ticket types such as guided tours or tickets with access to other areas of the Vatican may have availability.

Next, check the options for Vatican entry on GetYourGuide . There are a range of options, including guided tours like this one which includes St. Peter’s Basilica. This can be a good way to get last minute entry to the Vatican and get a tour as well, which is our recommended way of seeing the Vatican Museums. GetYourGuide tickets also have a specific entry line.

Finally, check these tickets on Tiqets . They are pre-purchased so they do often have availability even if the official site is sold out.

Speaking of tours, our favourite walking tour operator in Italy is Take Walks. We’ve done walks with them all over the world, including a number of tours in the Vatican. You can see their Vatican tours here . Again, these might have availability even when entry tickets are sold out.

We hope that one of the above options will allow you to visit the Vatican Museums, even if you are looking for tickets at the last minute.

Where to Buy St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets

St. Peter’s Basilica is free, so there is no need to purchase tickets.

In previous years, there was the option to purchase a skip the line ticket, which allowed you to skip the often very long lines and get into the Basilica more quickly for a fee. This was discontinued in 2022 (although many sites still talk about it).

This ticket type is supposed to return. However, in the meantime, the only option for skipping the lines is to book a tour like this one .

Another option is to book a Vatican tour like this one which also include St. Peter’s Basilica. Some of the Take Walks tours also include St. Peter’s Basilica. You can see all their Rome tours here .

Where to Buy Vatican Necropolis Tickets

The only way to book Vatican Necropolis tickets is to e-mail the Vatican Scavi office at [email protected].

In the e-mail you need to provide the exact number of participants, their full names, language of the tour, the dates you are available to visit and your full contact information.

There is more information on the official website here , but the last time we checked it was a little out of date as it mentions faxing, when e-mail is actually the preferred option. When we have booked the tour we have always gotten a response within a day or two via e-mail.

Where to Buy Papal Audience and Papal Mass Tickets

Papal Audience and Papal Mass tickets are free, however you do need to arrange them in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.

The tickets are usually easy to come by (except at popular times like Easter), and you have a few options for getting them.

First, you will want to check there is an audience or mass on the date you wish to attend, which you can do on this Vatican page for 2024 . Note this page is normally updated around a month in advance.

Next, for advance bookings (recommended) and groups over 10, you need to contact the Prefecture of the Papal Household, which you can do as follows:

• by e-mail at [email protected]
• by fax on (+39) 06 698 85863
• by mail at: Prefecture of the Papal Household, 00120 Vatican City State

Include the number of tickets required, the event you wish to participate in, the date you wish to visit, your first and last name, and your e-mail address. You can see this information here on the official Vatican website where there is also a form you can download to make things easier.

If you book in advance, you will still need to collect your tickets in person at the Bronze Door in the Vatican (found under the right-hand colonnade in St Peter’s Square, here on Google Maps ), either the day before the event between 3pm and 7pm. or on the day from 7am. We would recommend collecting them the day before if possible.

It is also possible to obtain tickets when you are in Rome, just by going up to the Bronze Door and asking the Swiss Guards. These are of course subject to availability.

For more information on how to reserve tickets and attend a papal ceremony, see this page of the official Vatican website.

Can you Skip the Lines at the Vatican?

The various attractions at the Vatican have slightly different systems in place for access.

All the Vatican attractions have a security line, which cannot be skipped. However, there are different options for skipping the ticket lines, so we will go through these.

Vatican Museum Skip the Line Access

The main line you can skip at the Vatican is the ticket line. This line can be incredibly long on a busy day, and is definitely one you will want to try and skip.

The good news is that the Vatican Museum ticket line is easy to skip. You can skip this line by purchasing an advance ticket or booking a tour. Both of these include your entry ticket so you can skip the ticket line.

St. Peter’s Basilica Skip the Line Access

As of 2024 there is no fast-track entry for St. Peter’s Basilica. The only line is for security, but this can take a while on a busy day. We’d suggest getting here as early as possible to avoid this line.

The good news is that there are a few options for getting faster entry. Currently, these all involve booking a tour.

First, you can book a combined tour of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica like this . Group tours are able to use a special access corridor that leads from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica, which entirely skips all the lines and saves you walking around the whole Vatican Museum building.

The disadvantage of this is that you don’t get the opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums at the end of your tour. Most tours which just cover the Vatican Museums end inside the Museum, so you can then go see any additional areas that the tour might have missed.

Another option is to just book a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica like this . Whilst these tours do still have to go through security, entry is normally quicker than the standard entry line.

Finally, you can book the Vatican Necropolis tour. This tour actually ends inside St. Peter’s Basilica, so you skip the main entry line.

Rome Passes that Include the Vatican

Another option for visiting the Vatican City attractions is to purchase an attraction pass which includes either entry or a guided tour of the attractions. There are a few to choose from, our suggestions to check out are:

• The Rome Tourist Card
• The Omnia Card
• The Omnia Vatican and Rome Card

The right card for you will depend on what other attractions you plan to visit during your time in Rome and the Vatican.

We’d recommend reading our guides to spending 1 day in Rome , 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome for some inspiration to help you decide what other attractions you would like to see.

When is the Vatican Free in 2024?

Visiting the Vatican City is always free. St. Peter’s Basilica is also free, although you can pay for a tour to skip the lines at busier times of year.

The Vatican Museums are normally free on the last Sunday of the month when it is open from 9am – 2pm (last entry 12.30pm). However, beware that the museums, which are normally busy anyway, can be super busy during free days.

Tours at the Vatican

We highly recommend taking a tour of the major Vatican attractions like the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. There is so much to see here, and having a guide can really help you navigate, see the major highlights, and really get a feel for what you are seeing.

Tours of the Vatican Museums

There are a lot of guided tours to choose from at the Vatican Museums. We’d recommend picking a tour that is at least 3 hours long as there is so much to see and a shorter tour might not cover enough.

We’ll go through some of our recommended tour options, although of course there are lots to choose from across a range of price points.

• The Pristine Sistine tour with Take Walks. It includes early entry, a smaller group, and it also includes St. Peter’s Basilica. We’ve done walks with Take Walks all around the world and always enjoyed their tours.
• Vatican Key Master Tour . Another tour with Take Walks, this is the most exclusive tour of the Vatican currently available. It basically has you walking through the Vatican and opening it up before anyone else is allowed inside. It’s an incredible experience, one of our favourite Vatican tours, but it’s not going to be for everyone. See our full Vatican Key Master Tour review to see if this tour might be right for you.
• This five hour tour covers many of the highlights of the Vatican Museums as well as St. Peter’s Basilica including the Dome.
• This is a shorter 3 hour tour which focuses on the highlights, and includes the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica
• This private tour includes the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, and has the option for hotel pickup as well.
• Visiting the Vatican Museums with kids? Check out this private kid-friendly Vatican Museums tour

Of course, there are many more tours to choose from. You can see all the Take Walks Vatican tours here , as well as Vatican tours on GetYourGuide here and Viator here .

There are also full day tours of Rome which cover more than just the Vatican. If that’s of interest, we recommend this 1 day Best of Rome tour from Take Walks which includes the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Vatican Museums.

When it comes to picking the right tour, we recommend reading recent reviews and of course picking a tour that matches your budget.

Tours of St. Peter’s Basilica

As with the Vatican Museums, there’s a lot to see in St. Peter’s Basilica, and a tour can be a great way to do that.

Many of our recommended Vatican tours (see above) also include St. Peter’s Basilica, which can be a good option for visiting both locations. However, there are also tours which only visit the Basilica, which is what we’ll focus on in this section to avoid repeating ourselves!

• This tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with Take Walks offers early entry, a dome climb and a visit to the crypt
• This tour of St. Peter’s Basilica includes the main areas of the Basilica as well as the Dome and Crypts
• This early morning tour of St. Peter’s Basilica will let you enjoy the Basilica with less crowds. It also includes a dome climb.

Again, there are plenty more tour options to choose from, including this selection on GetYourGuide and this selection on Viator .

Practicalities for Visiting the Vatican

Now we will go through some practicalities for visiting the Vatican, which covers all the things you need to think about when planning a visit.

Dress Code at the Vatican

Whilst the Vatican State does not have a dress code, the major attractions within it do. These are religious venues, and as such a dress code is strictly enforced.

We have seen many people turned away from entering these attractions because they didn’t dress appropriately. This is not unique to the Vatican, most religious sites across Rome & Italy have similar dress codes in place.

The good news is that the dress code is not hard to get right. Basically, everyone visiting the Vatican needs to have their knees covered and the shoulders, chest area, and upper arms covered. T-shirts are fine.

Men are also required to remove any hats. Women can continue to wear headwear.

Essentially, if you dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, you’ll be fine. You’ll want to avoid any short skirts, shorts, or dresses (they need to be knee length or longer). You’ll also want to avoid sleeveless tops, tank tops, crop tops, and low-cut shirts. Tops need to cover shoulders, cleavage, and midriff/belly. This applies for all visitors, including both men and women.

It is also worth noting that the dress code extends to include any visible personal objects or signs (including tattoos) that may offend Catholic morality, the Catholic religion, or common decency.

The Vatican is not specific about precisely what this means, but we’d advise against wearing any clothing which has explicit content, and if you feel you have body art which may offend, to consider covering it up.

You can learn more about the dress code requirements here .

We normally are appropriately dressed when travelling in Italy, but Jess always carries a travel wrap or travel scarf in her day bag just in case we forget or someone is being especially strict. A scarf or wrap is handy as it can be used to cover shoulders and chest or be tied around the waist.

Facilities at the Vatican

There are a number of toilets that are available for public use in the Vatican State. In St. Peter’s Square there are two toilets that are open to the public. There are also toilets inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

For food and drink, there are a number of food and drink options in the Vatican Museums, including self-service options and sit-down options.

You can bring your own snack food and soft drinks into the Vatican Museums, but be aware that you are not allowed to consume food or drink in the actual exhibition halls inside the Vatican Museum.

There are also a number of dining and cafe options around the Vatican area, including some of our favourite coffee shops in Rome and gelaterias in Rome .

Security at the Vatican

All the major attractions at the Vatican have security checks in place, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

There are fairly common-sense restrictions around what is not permitted inside. Items like knives, scissors and other metal tools are forbidden. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted inside. All these items can however be stored in the Vatican Museums cloakroom which is a free service.

Weapons and hazardous materials are not permitted in Vatican attractions, and these cannot be stored at the Vatican Museums Cloak Room.

Accessibility at the Vatican

Despite being found in some very old buildings, the majority of attractions in the Vatican are set up to be as accessible as possible. Just be aware that parts of the outside are quite uneven, especially St. Peter’s Square which is cobbled, so care will need to be taken.

The Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire for those with mobility issues. Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are also permitted in most areas (with some exceptions). There are also lifts and ramps for access to most areas. Accessible toilets are also available.

There is a suggested itinerary for those with mobility issues which allows visitors to access the majority of the museum. You can see this on the accessibility page here .

The Vatican Museums also have special services for hearing impaired and both blind and partially sighted visitors. More information on these services can be found on the accessibility page .

St. Peter’s Basilica is also accessible via ramps and an elevator and the interior of the Basilica is flat. There are also accessible toilets near the entrance. However, the grotto and necropolis cannot be accessed by wheelchair users. There is an elevator to the dome area, however there are still some steps to the top of the dome making this not accessible.

If you are visiting the Vatican as a wheelchair user, this company offers wheelchair hire as well as wheelchair friendly guided tours of the main Vatican attractions.

Luggage storage Near the Vatican

Large bags, including rucksacks, suitcases, packages and containers are not allowed in the Vatican attractions. This also includes tripods, selfie-sticks umbrellas and any banners or signs. Walking sticks are permitted.

The Vatican Museums have a free cloakroom where these items can be left. St. Peter’s Basilica does not have a cloakroom, however there are a number of luggage storage options near the Vatican.

Tips for Visiting the Vatican

We have been lucky enough to visit the Vatican a number of times over the years, both as part of guided tours and on our own. From our experiences, we wanted to share some tips for visiting.

Plan your day in advance

You will definitely have an improved experience at the Vatican if you plan your activities in advance. That means booking any tours or tickets in advance.

The Vatican attractions, and especially the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, are amongst the most popular visitor attractions in the world. That means the queues can be long, and they can sell out.

It’s also important to check that the attractions you want to visit are going to be open on the days you plan to visit, and that events like a Papal Audience are not going to impact your visit.

Overall, having a plan for what you want to see and when, and booking any tickets, tours or passes in advance of your visit is going to make for a much more pleasant visit.

Consider a Guided Tour or Audio Guide

We highly recommend taking a guided tour of the Vatican attractions when you visit. A guide will be able to lead you to the highlights and help give you context and information about what you are seeing.

We’ve taken a number of tours of the Vatican, and our favourite tours have all been with Take Walks. Their guides really know their stuff, and their passion always shines through. That said, there are lots of tour operators running Vatican tours, so you should be able to find something that meets your requirements.

If you decide not to take a guided tour, then we recommend at least getting an audio guide. Both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica offer audioguides which are available just near the entrance for a small fee. These are well worth it in our opinion.

Dress and Pack Accordingly

First, you are going to want to ensure you adhere to the dress code for your visit to the various Vatican attractions, as already outlined in this section on what to wear in the Vatican.

The next thing you are definitely going to want to bring is a pair of comfortable shoes. You will be walking a great deal as you explore the Vatican, and a good pair of shoes will ensure your feet are comfortable throughout the day. Check out our guides to the best travel shoes for men and the best travel shoes for women to help you find the right shoes.

You will also want to bring some drinking water so you can stay hydrated, we always travel with a reusuable water bottle. A camera is of course also a must!

It is also a good idea to leave items such as large bags, luggage, food and drinks, knives, laser pointers, tripods, scissors, video cameras, etc. at your hotel if you don’t need them that day. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait in line to check them at the Cloakroom as they are not permitted inside the Vatican Museums.

Be Wary of on-site Touts at the Vatican

When you arrive at the Vatican it is very likely that you will be approached by official looking individuals offering you tours or tickets which might include fast-track entry. They may even try to tell you that you need to book a tour or a ticket with them in order to get entry.

Normally these folks are not affiliated with the Vatican. Instead, they are trying to sell guided tours or pre-bought fast-track tickets. These will generally be at inflated prices.

If you don’t pre-book a ticket for the Vatican Museums and find yourself in the long ticket lines, they will also attempt to persuade you to purchase a fast-track ticket, which will likely be tempting if the ticket line is stretching out of sight around the building.

Our recommendation is to skip the touts entirely, and to plan your tickets in advance. That way, when you are approached, you can just politely refuse their services. If you do happen to turn up at the Vatican without a ticket, I’d suggest finding a coffee shop or similar location with free WiFi and either checking the official website, or using a service like GetYourGuide or Tiqets to book a same day ticket.

Skip the Free Days, or Arrive Very Early

As mentioned previously, the Vatican Museums are free on some days of the year. Whilst these days can be a good way to see the museums without spending any money, they are also incredibly popular. The queues stretch for hours on the free days.

If you really want to visit the Vatican Museums on a free day, then I would advise arriving as early as possible so you don’t have to queue for as long.

Arrive Early

Regardless of whether or not you are visiting on a free day, you will want to arrive early for both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

For St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to visit, this is because the line for security tends to just get longer as the day progresses. The Basilica opens early, so if you can be here at opening time you will be able to skip that lengthy wait.

For the Vatican Museums, if you pre-book your ticket, you will be visiting with timed entry. We suggest booking your entry for as early in the day as possible, especially in the warmer months.

This is because the majority of the Vatican Museums are not air-conditioned, and it gets progressively hotter as the day goes by. If you arrive early, you will be able to explore with fewer people and at more manageable temperatures.

If you are taking a a guided tour, then we suggest booking a tour with early entry for the same reasons, but also so you can experience the museums with even fewer people.

Escape the Crowds at the Vatican.

Almost any time of year that you visit the Vatican it is going to be crowded, and it just seems to get busier as the day goes on. Between giant tour groups and security guards ushering you on, it can become a bit of an overwhelming experience.

The good news is that there are far less popular areas of the Vatican that are well worth visiting, where you can take a break from the crowds. Whilst the Map Room, Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms are nearly always crowded, locations like the Pinacoteca and Carriage Pavillion receive far fewer visitors.

If you want to really escape the crowds, head to the basement level where you’ll find the coin and stamp collection ( Museo Filatelico e Numismatico ). Sure, it might not have quite the headline status of the Sistine Chapel, but it is almost guaranteed to be a more peaceful experience!

Attractions Near the Vatican

Vatican City is home to a great many attractions, so you definitely won’t run out of things to do. However, if you are planning your time in Rome and want to see some other sights on the same day you might be wondering what other attractions are near the Vatican. Here are some ideas for nearby attractions, ordered by distance.

• Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci – this small museum is dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci’s life and works. There are no original artworks but it is interesting nonetheless. 5 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square.
• Castel Sant’Angelo – a stunning 2nd century castle, 10 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Piazza Navona – one of Rome’s most famous squares, with a stunning Bernini waterfall as the centrepiece. 20 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Villa Farnesina – a beautiful Renaissance-era suburban villa, found in trendy Trastevere neighbourhood, 20 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Belvedere del Gianicolo – a popular viewpoint which overlooks the city of Rome. 25 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square.

There are of course more sights all around Rome that you can visit, but this should give you some ideas of nearby attractions to consider.

Where to Stay Near the Vatican

There are a lot of accommodation options in Rome, across a wide range of budget and styles. Here, we’ll share some options for accommodation near the Vatican. These are ordered approximately by distance. Prices do vary, so you will want to compare before booking.

We’d recommend booking a hotel with air-conditioning if visiting in the summer especially as Rome can get very hot.

• Residenza Paolo VI – this well-rated four star hotel set in a converted monastery is just moments away from St. Peter’s Basilica. There are lovely views of both the Basilica and St. Peter’s Square from the Terrace, and it’s only 15 minutes’ walk from the Vatican Museums.
• Palazzo Cardinal Cesi – another well-rated four-star hotel just 150 yards from Saint Peter’s Square. The 15th century building has a courtyard garden and a selection of comfortable rooms to choose from.
• Elle Boutique Hotel -this four-star boutique hotel is around 500 yards from St. Peter’s Basilica with views of the Dome.
• Starhotels Michelangelo Rome – another well-review four-star hotel just 500 yards from St. Peter’s Basilica offering classically decorated rooms. There’s also an on-site restaurant.
• Tmark Hotel Vaticano – this four-star hotel is moments from the entrance to the Vatican Museums and about a 10 minute walk to St. Peter’s Square.
• Best Western Plus Hotel Spring House – this well reviewed hotel is just three minutes’ walk from the Vatican Museums and around 10 minutes from St. Peter’s Square
• Hotel Silla – this 2-star hotels offers great value accommodation just eight minutes walk from the Vatican Museums and 13 minutes from St. Peter’s Square. It’s also right next to Ottaviano metro station, for easy access to sights around Rome.
• Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá – this luxury 5* hotel is abouta 15 minute walk from St. Peter’s Square or 25 minutes to the Vatican Museums entrance. It’s also just 10 minutes from the trendy Trastevere region.

Of course, there are many more options. See the listings for accommodation near the Vatican on Booking.com here .

How to Find More Information on Visiting the Vatican?

There are a great many websites with information on visiting the Vatican (including this one!).

I have endeavored to make this site as accurate as possible based on our personal experience and knowledge from multiple visits to the Vatican over many years.

There are of course official sites for the Vatican which I would also recommend reading. These are:

• https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html – the official Vatican website, which has information on opening times and visiting, attending Papal Audiences , visiting St Peter’s Basilica and more. I’ll be honest, this site can be difficult to navigate and pages are not always available, but it’s the best place to start
• https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/ – the official Vatican State website, which has information on services, live webcams and history. Currently only in Italian as far as we can tell.
• https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html – the official Vatican Museums website, where you can purchase tickets, learn about the collection, take virtual tours, and plan your visit. Well worth visiting in advance of your trip to get some ideas for what to see.

Personally, I would suggest starting with the above sites when looking for information on visiting the Vatican and purchasing tickets. You can also see a list of official Vatican websites here .

If you have any questions, we’re also happy to answer them in the comments below.

Further Reading for Visiting Rome

That’s it for our guide to visiting the Vatican. We also wanted to share some more guides we’ve put together for Rome, based on our many visits to the city.

We’ve also visited many other parts of Italy, and we’ve included some of these posts below as well, as well as some other resources we think you’ll find useful.

• We have a guide to spending  1 day in Rome , as well as guides for  2 days in Rome  and  3 days in Rome , which should help you plan your time effectively. We also have a guide to  things to do in Rome  in general.
• You can’t visit Rome without trying gelato – the Italian version of ice cream. See all our favourite places to find the  best gelato in Rome
• Another popular Italian pastime is drinking coffee, particularly espresso! See some of the  best cafes to drink coffee in Rome
• We’ve taken a number of other walking tours in Rome. See our guide to our favourite  walking tours of Rome here , and our favourite Rome food tours here .
• We also have a full review of the Vatican VIP Key Master’s tour , which is one of the most exclusive tours of the Vatican you can take.
• We have a detailed guide to  visiting the Borghese Gallery in Rome  which is one of our favorite art museums in Rome.
• We also have a  guide to visiting the Colosseum , which has everything you need to know to plan your visit to this remarkable attraction
• Beyond Rome, we have a  guide to Florence , suggested  things to do in Milan , and tips for  a day in Venice
• We also have a detailed  10 day Italy itinerary  to help you plan a trip in this wonderful country
• If you’re planning on visiting Rome in summer, read our  tips for visiting a European city in summer  to stay sane
• If you’re looking for a physical (or Kindle!) guidebook, we recommend the latest edition of  Rick Steves Rome guide , which has lots of practical information to help you make the most of your stay

And that’s the end of guide to visiting the Vatican City and its attractions. We hope you found it useful. As always, if you have any questions or feedback on this post, let us know in the comments below!

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Alexander says

25th March 2023 at 1:56 pm

All your photos are simply awesome and your posts are speaking a lot of useful information. Thank you for sharing this article.

Laurence Norah says

25th March 2023 at 5:11 pm

Thanks Alexander!

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Our Vatican Guide

Information on admission, tickets and our tips.

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In a nutshell: Our tips for your visit to the Vatican

• The Vatican is an absolute must-see among the sights in Rome .
• Admission to the Vatican is free . To enter the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums & Gardens and the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo you have to pay an entrance fee.
• If you go on a guided tour , you won’t have to wait in line to enter any of the Vatican highlights.
• Begin your visit to the Vatican at the impressive east entrance , which you can easily reach from the city center.

Do you want to be perfectly prepared for your visit to the Vatican? Then have a look below.

In our article we will give you all the information you need about Vatican entrance fees and sights you shouldn’t miss in the smallest state in the world.

Table of Contents

• Tickets & admission fees
• Vatican City map
• #1 St. Peter's Basilica
• #2 Dome of St. Peter's
• #3 St. Peter's Square
• #4 Vatican Museums
• #5 Vatican Gardens
• #6 Papal Palace
• Tips for your visit
• Getting to Vatican City
• Facts about Vatican City

Prices and tickets for visiting Vatican City

You can simply walk into Vatican City as if it’s any other part of Rome. The entrance is free of charge .

You only have to pay admission for the following Vatican sights:

• Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
• Vatican Museums & Gardens

Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo

A Rome city pass might also be a good option for you. Some of the city passes include free admission to selected highlights of Vatican City. In our pass comparison you find our more about the best city passes for Rome .

All Vatican sights and their admission fees are listed here:

Attractions of Vatican City on a map

To give you an overview of the Vatican and the location of its highlights, we’ve created a tourist map of Vatican City for you.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is huge. It can fit up to 20,000 people, making it one of the largest churches in the world . The dome on top of the basilica was designed by Michelangelo and has a diameter of 42 meters.

The inside is also simply gigantic, full of gilded stucco, colorful mosaics, statues and marble reliefs. Here you can also find the famous sculpture “Roman Pietà” by Michelangelo. You can see similar stunning interior in the St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most beautiful attractions in Venice .

Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica are the Vatican Grottoes, where more than 90 popes are buried. The grottoes are freely accessible.

The entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free . However, due to security checks, there is always a queue.

Dome of St. Peter's

The cantilevered dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is considered the largest brick structure in the world. At a height of 117 meters, there is a large observation deck from which you can enjoy a wonderful 360-degree view of all of Rome and Vatican City.

You can reach the dome either via a staircase with 551 steps, or by elevator . However, the elevator doesn’t save you from all the walking, because at the exit of the elevator there are still more than 300 steps to climb. The dome is therefore not barrier-free.

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica has a separate entrance . If you are standing in St. Peter’s Square and facing St. Peter’s Basilica, it is in the portico on your right.

The queue can be quite long here as well, and unfortunately you can’t buy tickets for the dome in advance. The only way to get in faster is to take a guided tour .

To the tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with ascent of the dome

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican is impossible to miss and if you come through the east entrance, the square is the first highlight you see of the Vatican.

The square itself is huge and can hold over 100,000 people . St. Peter’s Basilica stands directly in the square. It is surrounded by two wide colonnades which form the state border with Italy .

In the middle of the square is a 25 meter high obelisk , which was brought to Rome from Egypt in ancient times.

St. Peter’s Square is always crowded , but on Wednesday mornings it is even busier than usual because that is when the Pope holds general audience . There are four huge screens in the square where visitors can watch the audience.

Attendance at the general audience is free, but you must register up to 10 days in advance.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are among the most important and largest museums in the world .

On display are works of art from all eras and continents : From ancient times to the Middle Ages to the 19th century, on over 55,000 square meters and 1,400 rooms.

Also included is the Sistine Chapel , located at the very end of the museums.

You should plan at least 3 hours for the visit of the Vatican Museums.

If you are traveling with kids in Rome , you can also book a special tour for families.

The admission fee on site is 21 euros per person. The queue to the museums can be very long, so it’s worth booking your ticket online in advance . This will give you priority access. It costs 5 euros more, but it’s definitely worth it.

To the skip-the-line-ticket for the Vatican Museums

Our insider tip : You can combine your visit to the Vatican Museums with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, as there is direct access to St. Peter’s Basilica from the Sistine Chapel. This is only for guided groups, but you can simply join a guided tour unnoticed and sneak into St. Peter’s Basilica. To do this, you have to go right, not left, at the exit from the Sistine Chapel. However, you will then miss the extraordinary spiral staircase.

Note : The entrance to the Vatican Museums is in the Piazza del Risorgimento, outside the Vatican. You cannot enter the museums from St. Peter’s Square.

Gardens of Vatican City

The Vatican Gardens are located behind the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Because of its 23 hectares, the gardens make up a large part of Vatican City .

The gardens are in Italian, English and French styles and consist of flower beds, orchards, meadows and a forest. There is a labyrinth, fountains, sculptures and grottoes , as well as Renaissance and Baroque monuments.

So it’s an absolute paradise for those looking for some peace and relaxation. However, you can visit the gardens only as part of a guided tour , combined with a visit of the museums.

Bus tour of the Vatican Gardens & Vatican Museums Walking tour of the Vatican Gardens & Vatican Museums

The Papal Palace is located 20 kilometers outside of Rome, in the mountain village of Castel Gandolfo, at about 400 meters above sea level.

From the village you have a fantastic view of the countryside and Lake Albano.

The Apostolic Palace was the traditional summer residence of the popes until 2016, when Pope Francis renounced it and opened it to visitors.

In the palace you can see personal belongings of the popes , the bedroom, a portrait gallery and religious artifacts. The tour also includes the Barberini Gardens , overlooking Lake Albano.

To the ticket for the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo

Tips for visiting Vatican City

In order for you to be best prepared for your visit to the Vatican, here is some important information.

Dress code at the Vatican

The Vatican has a strict dress code. You can walk in the streets or in St. Peter’s Square dressed normally, but inside St. Peter’s Basilica and on the dome your shoulders and knees must be covered .

During the summer, for example, you can simply take a light scarf to cover your shoulders when entering the religious buildings.

There are no restrictions for the Vatican Museums, but there are for the Sistine Chapel , which is located inside the museums.

Therefore, it is recommended to avoid shorts or short skirts here as well. Otherwise you will be denied access to the chapel.

Best days of the week to visit Vatican City

If you are flexible, you should avoid Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays .

Weekends are always particularly busy because, in addition to the already numerous tourists, many Italians come to Vatican City for a day too. Moreover, the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays .

On Wednesdays, the General Audience takes place at 9:30 am, with tens of thousands of pilgrims regularly attending. St. Peter’s Square is then filled with thousands of seats and you can only move around the edges of the square.

A good day is Monday , when many tourists have just left.

The best time to visit Vatican City

Vatican City is never deserted, no matter what time of day it is. It gets crowded early in the morning, as many tour operators start their tours as early as 8:00 or 9:00 o’clock.

The best time for a visit is in the late afternoon , when the tourists slowly head back to their hotels.

The same goes for St. Peter’s Basilica and the dome. The best time is late afternoon, when the tour groups have already finished their tours.

The Vatican Museums are equally busy. Many visitors arrive in the morning and are out to eat by lunchtime.

So weekdays between 1:00 and 3:00 pm is a good time to visit the museums with a little more quiet.

Book a guided Vatican tour

Taking a guided tour means you don’t have to wait in line and you can get into all the Vatican highlights in no time.

In addition, a Vatican guide also knows the hidden sights that you would otherwise most likely walk past.

We can recommend the following Vatican tours:

Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica & Dome Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica, without dome Tour of St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica

Are you interested in a guided tour of Rome? We show you 11 special tours for first-timers and real Rome connoisseurs.

11 Special Guided Tours in Rome

Eating and Drinking in the Vatican

There are no real restaurants within Vatican City limits, except for the cafeterias and a few snack machines inside the museums and the dome.

There is a supermarket, but only Vatican employees are allowed to shop there. If you want to have a real lunch, you’d better get out of the Vatican again and eat in a Roman trattoria outside the border.

Our tip: Bring a water bottle, especially if you visit the Vatican in the summer. The lines can be long and there are no street vendors in St. Peter’s Square.

Beware of pickpockets

Vatican City has the highest crime rate in the world .

That sounds a bit harsh, but it’s simply because crime is measured in relation to the number of inhabitants. And Vatican City only has about 850 inhabitants.

The crimes are mainly pickpocketing, which happens very frequently.

The most popular places for pickpockets are those where most people gather, that is, St. Peter’s Square and in front of the statue “Pietà” by Michelangelo, in St. Peter’s Basilica.

So take care of your wallet and camera!

How to get to Vatican City

The Vatican has several entrances, but only two are for tourists: the north entrance and the east entrance.

Vatican east entrance

The east entrance is much more impressive and leads directly to St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica via the magnificent Via della Conciliazione.

You can easily reach it on foot from the center of Rome.

Getting to the east entrance of Vatican City by public transport

The closest metro station is Ottaviano on line A, but it is about a 15 minute walk to the east entrance.

Alternatively, there are many city buses that take you to the area of the east entrance.

Bus lines 64 and 40 go directly from Termini Central Station right near Vatican City. Line 64 stops at Ospedale Generale Santo Spirito, while line 40 stops in Piazza Pia. Both are about 10 minutes from the east entrance on foot.

Vatican north entrance

The north entrance is worth it if you want to visit the Vatican Museums first and then the rest of Vatican City.

By bus & train to the north entrance of Vatican City

The closest metro station is Cipro, also on line A. It takes about 10 minutes from there to the north entrance and the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

Bus line 81 goes from the Colosseum or Piazza Venezia directly to the north entrance . The bus stop is in Piazza Risorgimento.

Getting to Vatican City by shuttle bus from Fiumicino Airport

If you’re staying at a hotel in Rome right near the Vatican and you land at Fiumicino Airport, it is worth taking a shuttle bus from the airport. It stops in Via Crescenzio, about 10 minutes walk from St. Peter’s Square.

The bus leaves every 30 to 40 minutes from terminal 3. The ticket costs 6 euros per person.

To the shuttle bus from Fiumicino airport to the Vatican

Unfortunately, there is no direct connection from Ciampino Airport to the Vatican. You would have to take a shuttle bus to Termini Station and from there take the subway or the city bus.

10 interesting facts about Vatican City

The Vatican is so special not only because of its cultural highlights, but also because of its history and political status.

To wrap up, here are 10 exciting facts about the Vatican that not everybody knows:

• The Vatican is the smallest state of the world , with a population of about 850 and an area of less than half a square kilometer.
• The Vatican is not part of the EU. Nevertheless, the Vatican is allowed to use euros and mints its own coins .
• At the ATM in the Vatican, you can choose Latin in addition to the usual languages like English, Italian, and German.
• If you live in Vatican City, you pay no income tax and no sales tax . So food is about 22% cheaper than in Italy. Electricity and telephone are also free and rent is only 4% of your income. Unfortunately, you can only live and shop in Vatican City as an employee of the Vatican.
• The Vatican has its own postal administration and prints its own stamps . The Vatican postal service is said to work much better than the Italian postal service.
• The Vatican is the only state in the world whose entire territory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
• According to legend, the bronze urn on the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square contains the ashes of Julius Caesar .
• The Vatican has a magnificent but little-used train station . From here, the train leaves once a week for the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo.
• The Swiss Guard , the papal military, numbers 135 men. To be a guardsman, you must be male, Catholic, from Switzerland, have military training and a high school diploma, be single and between 19 and 30 years old.
• The Vatican has the highest wine consumption in the world : a whopping 54 liters a year per capita.

These were our tips for visiting Vatican City!

A visit to the Vatican is one of the absolute must-sees in Rome. Do you have any questions about the Vatican or Vatican tickets? Then feel free to leave us a comment.

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Italy Travel Experts Tours and Vacations

How To Visit St Peter’s Basilica: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

Brandon Shaw Last Updated: August 28, 2023

Think St. Peter’s Basilica is only for religious visitors? Wrong! For art and history lovers, this is a major bucket-list stop in Rome. Not only does this massive and important church house great works of art, it is one! Its beauty and history will blow your mind. Here’s everything you need to know about how to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pro Tip:  Planning your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our  St. Peter’s Basilica guide  for more planning resources, our  top basilica tours  for a memorable trip, and  how to climb the dome .

Visit St. Peter’s Basilica: What We’ll Cover

When in Rome, you can’t miss the most important Catholic Church on Earth! As the most important of Rome’s four major basilicas, St. Peter’s Basilica has earned that title.

But you don’t have to be religious to visit. This Renaissance wonder of the world will blow your mind! It contains a great many works of art and has a fascinating story of its own to tell.

Check out some astonishing facts about St. Peters . In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, from tickets to tours and an itinerary of what to look for inside. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Opening hours and tickets
• How long to budget for your visit
• How to get there
• What to see at St. Peter’s Basilica
• Guided tour options
• St. Peter’s facts and history
• Where to eat nearby

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a St. Peter’s Dome climb is worth it .

St. Peter’s Basilica Hours and Tickets

Opening Hours:

• From April to September: 7 am to 7 pm
• From October to March: 7 am to 6:30 pm
• Closed Wednesday mornings for the papal audience

St. Peter’s Dome Climb Hours:

• From April to September: 7:30 am to 5 pm
• From October to March: 7:30 am to 5 pm

Tickets:  You can buy them directly at the entrance to the dome. Find out if a dome climb is worth it .

St Peter’s Basilica Tickets:

The Basilica of St. Peter is free to enter but does not include entry into the Sistine Chapel.

Climbing the dome costs €8 if you take the stairs or €10 by elevator. We recommend taking the elevator. Find out everything you need to know about how to climb St. Peter’s Dome .

St. Peter’s Dress Code:

To gain access, you’ll have to abide by the Vatican dress code. Cover your shoulders and avoid shorts, short dresses, and skirts. We know that Rome gets hot in the summer, so we suggest bringing a light scarf to wrap around yourself when you need to.

Hats, food, and metal tools like knives and scissors are also not allowed. The security check includes metal detectors.

Visiting the Vatican with kids:

If you want to visit the Vatican Museums with your kids, you’re in luck. The museums are happy to welcome families with children and strollers in tow.

As you explore the collections, there are also plenty of restrooms with changing tables and places to sit and rest. There’s even a private room for mothers to nurse in complete privacy. For a more private experience truly geared toward a younger audience, consider our  family-friendly Vatican tour .

How Long To Spend at St. Peter’s Basilica

Short Answer: 1-2 hours

Even if you’re not a religious person, once you walk inside the basilica, there’s a strong chance your jaw will drop just for a second. Yes, it is that amazing inside—even more so when you understand the dimensions.

The church is built so proportionally that you would never guess the ceiling right above you is 150 feet (50 meters) high. The itinerary is quite easy to follow since they put a barrier in the middle for crowd control. Start your itinerary in a counter-clockwise walk around the entire basilica.

Popular Rome Tours

Best-Selling Tour

Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Our “in a day” tour is best way to get your bearings all in one day. Visit the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and more with a licensed, fun English-speaking tour guide. They’ll add tons of insights and make the entire experience so much more memorable. Also, you’ll get a feel for the city, so it’s a great option on one of your first days in Rome. Bring your walking shoes and water bottle!

Best Price!

Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

One of our most popular Vatican tours since it is such an amazing value. Skip the line to get inside with a super-knowledgeable, English-speaking guide who will bring the museum to life with stories of the artists, popes, conspiracy, love, and even tragedy! This tour has start times throughout the day so you can choose when to visit based on your schedule!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Rome tours to take and why .

How To Get To Vatican City

Luckily, St. Peter’s Basilica is really easy to reach. It’s located in Piazza San Pietro of Vatican City. Depending on your preferences, you can take the metro, a bus, a cab, or just walk.

How To Take the Metro To the Vatican

About 20 minutes

The closest metro stop to St. Peter’s Basilica is Ottaviano. It is located on the A-line (orange line). So, if you jump on near the Spanish Steps (Spagna) or Termini Train Station, make sure you catch the A-line going towards Battistini and get off at Ottaviano.

The entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is a five-minute walk from the stop. Of course, you can also catch the A-line from many other stops, just check the Rome Metro schedule. You can buy tickets at the metro station or a corner store, but not from the driver.

Pro Tip:  Always budget an extra 10 to 20 minutes if you have a scheduled event like a Vatican Tour . This way you don’t have to rush and it gives you time for that quintessential morning espresso.  

How To Take the Bus To the Vatican

From Termini train station, head outside and get on bus number 64.

The bus ride will take about 20 minutes and your stop is the last one on the route: P.za Stazione S. Pietro. Getting to St. Peter’s Basilica is about a five-minute walk from the bus station.

You can also take the number 81 bus from the Colosseum area (the bus stop is located right outside of the metro station, B-line). The 81 bus route ends in Piazza Risorgimento, which is a five-minute walk to St. Peter’s Basilica.

How To Take a Taxi To the Vatican

Depends on the leaving point

 A taxi ride should cost no more than €20 if you’re staying in the historic center of Rome. When you get in, tell the driver to take you to St. Peter’s Basilica.

The most typical way to get a taxi in Rome is to go to a taxi stand. These are located near every major tourist attraction. If you aren’t located near one, you can always order a coffee and pastry at a café and ask the people working there to call you one.

Walking To the Vatican

You can walk if you’re staying near Piazza Navona or in Campo de’ Fiori and the weather’s right. Prati is also within walking distance to the Vatican.

You can walk to St. Peter’s Basilica from basically anywhere in Rome, as long as you’re up for quite a bit of exercise prior to being on your feet for more than 3 hours—it can be very exhausting. We recommend taking public transport. You’ll be on your feet plenty in Rome!

Pro Tip:  A neat trick for using your phone map is to set your course when you are in wifi on airplane mode. GPS will still show your location while on airplane mode. It won’t reroute you, but it will show you where you are. It’s the most useful way to get directions when traveling.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to do a St. Peter’s Dome climb .

17 Top Things To See at St. Peter’s Basilica

As you can imagine, there is a lot to see in Catholicism’s biggest church. For a more detailed list with descriptions, check out our guide to the top things to see in St. Peter’s Basilica .

Here’s a quick summary to guide you through the must-see sights in the basilica, in reverse order ending with the most important.

17. La Navicella Mosaic by Giotto 16. The Fountains in St. Peter’s Square 15. The Pillars 14. The Ceiling 13. St. Peter’s Square 12. The Dome 11. Statue of St. Peter 10. Tomb of Innocent XI 9. Holy Mass 8. St. Peter’s Throne 7. La Porta Santa (Holy Door) 6. The Paintings (or Mosaics) 5. The Obelisk 4. Loggia Delle Benedizioni (Loggia of the Blessings or Central Balcony) 3. Pietá 2. Baldacchino 1. High Altar (Tomb of St. Peter)

St. Peter’s Basilica Tour Options

A major advantage of a tour is that it provides you with special access to many sites like St. Peter’s Basilica, beyond the explanations and local insight. 

If you plan to visit on your own, you’ll have to exit the Vatican Museums from the same entrance where you came in to get to St. Peter’s basilica and that involves about a mile of additional walking.

Going with a guide gets you direct access from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica—both faster and better! Here are a few of our top Vatican tours with St. Peter’s Basilica.

Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb and Tour with Papal Crypts (2 hours)

On this tour, you’ll go from the very top of St. Peter’s Basilica right to the bottom. Meet your guide at the basilica and then head straight up to the dome before the large crowds arrive. After taking in the incredible view, you’ll go into the church for a guided visit. Then, descend into the Papal Crypts below.

See tour itinerary, price, and description

St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour (5.5 hours)

This tour begins by climbing up to St. Peter’s dome, followed by a tour of the church. Then, your guide will lead you to the Vatican Museums where you’ll see all its treasures, including the Sistine Chapel.

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Vatican Highlights Combo Tour (8 hours)

This tour is for the art-history buff, visiting the majority of the Vatican Museums including the Pinacoteca, Sistine Chapel, and more. You’ll even have time in the Cabinet of Masks, which is an area reserved specifically for guided tours. Your guide will share plenty of stories and information to engage and inspire even novice art lovers.

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel (3.5 hours)  

This is our most popular Vatican tour. It covers all the must-see sights for visitors including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s good for art lovers and anyone who wants to see a ton but doesn’t want to be too mentally exhausted by the end of the visit. A major benefit of this tour is that we have an 8 am entrance time, which is an hour prior to general admission and gets you in when it’s less crowded.

Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel (3 hours)  

This is a great low-price Vatican tour that covers most of the main attractions including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It features a large selection of start times throughout the day, so you can fit your visit into the rest of your plans. The price is also hard to beat from a top-quality tour company.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Vatican tours to take and why.

St. Peter’s Facts and History

St. Peter found himself in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero in A.D. 64 after the death of Christ. It was not a very convenient time, considering that the emperor had just faulted the Christians for a fire that destroyed half the city.

The Christians were perceived as a radical cult, so they were an easy scapegoat for an emperor with no conscience. He initiated the persecution of Christians and according to dogma, this persecution was responsible for martyring St.Peter, St. Paul, and countless other Christians.

Peter attempted to flee Rome since he knew his days were numbered, but Christ appeared to him and asked him to return to the city to meet his fate. As dogma goes, St. Peter was crucified upside down by Emperor Nero and buried in A.D. 64. This was all part of Nero’s plot to blame Christians for his great fire, a plot that was semi-successful.

When Christ first met Peter he said, “You are the rock upon which I will build my Church.” His name wasn’t even Peter at the time, it was Simon. Jesus changed his name to Peter, which means rock.

Constantine’s Church

Constantine defeated Maxentius in A.D. 312 and legalized Christianity. He then took it upon himself to fulfill the literal version of the scriptures above and he built a church on top of St. Peter’s tomb. Constantine’s mom, St. Helen, was a devout Christian and this was likely a big deal for her. It’s not every day that your son fulfills the scriptures, right?

The early beginnings of the establishment of the Vatican began with Constantine’s St. Peter’s Basilica, which stood where the current basilica stands today. After Constantine legalized Christianity in A.D. 313 with the Edict of Milan, he quickly got started building the church Jesus had referred to. For Constantine, Jesus would have been as old as George Washington is in relative history to us.

The original basilica Constantine built lasted from the mid-fourth century A.D. (the 300s) until 1506. That’s a very long time. The current basilica was built over Constantine’s and, while it does not exist today in full form, the current basilica still uses foundational elements from the original structure. That means the foundation is nearly 1700 years old!

Current Church

Pope Julius II decided it was time for a new basilica when he appointed Donato Bramante to design the current St. Peter’s Basilica. Bramante’s designs were later taken over by Raphael ( the Raphael) a few years later. The current basilica involved every famous name in Italian art from Michelangelo to the Modernos father and son and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

It took 120 years to build St. Peter’s Basilica, which is pretty impressive considering the magnitude of the structure. There were many works that went on even after that timeline. The last fountain, built by Bernini, was not finished until 1675!

Where To Eat Nearby

As you can imagine, there is nowhere to eat inside the church itself. However, if you climb the dome you will find a small bar. Also, close by there are some great lunch places. Check out our comprehensive guide to the top places to eat near the Vatican for more options. Here are few quick picks:

St. Peter’s Dome Bar: €€ | Refreshments —Yep, you can get coffee on top of St. Peter’s Dome. There is a little bar open basically whenever they want to be open. But if it’s open, stop for a coffee and enjoy the view.

Near The Vatican:

Hostaria Dino e Toni : € | Roman Restaurant —Somehow this owner-operated and authentic Roman restaurant has yet to get touristy. They make good food with relatively friendly service, and they may just order for you. Come here for pizza, pasta, and apps.

200 Gradi : €€ | Sandwich Shop —Have a big day of sightseeing planned after your Vatican visit? This sandwich shop is perfect. You can get really tasty to-go sandwiches or sit down inside. Super reasonably priced.

La Zanzara : €€ | Bistro —A bit more cool and trendy with a modern spin on Italian classics, this place feels like a French bistro but the food is definitely Italian. It’s great for a cocktail and sit-down lunch.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Vatican tour is worth it .

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Visiting the Vatican, Rome - visitors' guide

Your guide on how to get to the vatican, public transport, vatican city tips and map.

Visiting the Vatican is a must for every first time visitor to Rome. The Vatican Museum and St Peters in Vatican City are two star attractions for anyone visiting Rome; we have pages that cover both in more detail, while this page gives an overview of where the Vatican is, how to get there and some tips to get the best from your visit.

The Vatican is a country and is tiny (the smallest in the world).

The Vatican City is home to approximately 920 full-time residents and approximately 3000 people who work at the Vatican City and commute into the country from the greater Rome metropolitan area.

Visiting Vatican & St Peter's   Where is the Vatican?   Getting to Vatican by public transport   Walking to Vatican   Best time to visit Vatican   Visiting the Vatican tips   Visiting the Vatican with kids

Visiting Vatican Museums & St Peter's Basilica

The two blockbuster attractions that most visitors come to see within the Vatican City are the Vatican Museums & St Peter's Basilica. Although located in the same place they are different attractions and each has it's own ticket structure. St Peter's Basilica is free to enter but you will have to queue. To avoid this you can buy St Peter's fast-track tickets . The Vatican Museums also require tickets which can bought on the door, again after queuing or you can buy fast-track tickets to the Vatican Museums .

We have dedicated pages for each attraction going into great detail on the logistics, ticketing, and opening hours at the pages linked below.

On this current page we focus on the logistics of getting to and around Vatican City and some tips to help you get the best from your visit.

St Peter's Basilica - full visitor details

Vatican Museums - full visitor details

Top of the page

Where is the vatican in relation to the city of rome.

Vatican City is just to the north of the city centre of Rome, Italy and is easily reached independently by public transport.

Although Vatican City is a separate state to Italy and Rome there are no barriers or checks and Rome long ago has expanded all around the Vatican and far beyond. To the casual visitor Vatican City could be thought of as a district of Central Rome.

For the first time visitor, the vast majority will be making for St Peter's Square (id 4 on the map below) or the Vatican Museums (id 1).

The long straight avenue leading from Saint Angelo Castle (id 5) by the River Tiber up to St Peter's Square is called Via della Conciliazione. This is the main and by far the widest road into the Vatican from Central Rome and is where all the hop on, hop off open top sightseeing buses stop.

The Metro station is just to the north of the Vatican and the railway station to the south, each about 10 minutes' walk from St Peter's Square.

The area to the west of St Peter's Square has no public right of way. The main area that tourists visit within the Vatican beyond the main Vatican attractions is the area to the north of Via della Conciliazion, full of restaurants and tourist shops.

Getting to the Vatican by public transport

Best ways to visit the Vatican

The crowded Rome Metro has a station just outside the Vatican walls at Ottaviano-S. Pietro. Line A of the Metro runs through with trains every few minutes. It's a 5 minute walk from the Metro to both St Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums.

You can use Line A of the Metro to go to the Basilica of St John Lateran on the other side of the city situated close by San Giovanni Metro Station.

The Basilica of St John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the cathedral church of Rome and the official seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. As such the Basilica contains the papal throne, although the pope rarely visits and lives over at the Vatican.

You can also use the Metro to quickly travel to the Colosseum changing trains to Line B at Termini Station.

On Line A between the Vatican and Termini is Spagna Metro Station, next to the Spanish Steps.

St Peter's also has a train station, St Pietro. Commuter style trains loop around Rome to Termini Station, but the station is of most practical use to those travelling from Civitavecchia, the cruise port for Rome. However, it is a 10-minute walk to St Peter's Square from the station.

There are many Rome city buses that pass or terminate next to the Vatican. The number 40 and 64 bus shuttle very frequently between Termini and the Vatican via the City Centre including the Piazza Venezia for the Roman Forum/Colosseum. Unfortunately there is no central bus stop or station that every bus route goes through.

40 (Limited stop express) - Termini - Piazza Venezia - Argentina - Piazza Pia (for St Peter's/Vatican)

64 - Termini - Piazza Venezia - Argentina - Vatican

62 - Repubblica - Spanish Steps - Piazza Venezia - Argentina - Vatican

81 - Vatican Museums - Piazza Imperatore (Spanish Steps) - Piazza Colonna (Trevi Fountain) - Piazza Venezia - Circo Massimo - Colosseum

19 (Tram) - Piazza Risorgimento (Vatican) - Villa Borghese

Vatican Tours

One of the best ways to take the hassle out of getting to the Vatican is to book yourself onto a tour. There are a range of tours available that focus on the Vatican or combine it with other Rome attractions. Discover Vatican tours .

Hop-on hop-off buses

Rome has a collection of different providers all offering hop-on hop-off bus services. Each bus has a different route but the Vatican and Termini Station are considered the two main stops where offices are located. If you are exploring using Rome hop-on hop-off buses then this is a great way to make your journey to the Vatican. You can also buy bundle tickets that combine the travel on the bus with entrance to St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican.

Walking to the Vatican

For most people, walking is the most rewarding way of sightseeing in Rome - there is so much of interest around every street corner and much of the city centre is alleys too narrow for tour buses and vehicles. Although Vatican City is just north of Rome City Centre it's only a 15-20 minute pleasant walk to Piazza Navona in the heart of the city centre.

We have put together a series of self-guided walks of Rome connecting all the major sights of Rome, (see image above). As you can see Vatican City is at the northern extremity of these sights.

Walk 5 connects the Pantheon To The Vatican Via Piazza Navona opening up the rest of the network of walks documented.

Walk 5 - Pantheon to the Vatican via Piazza Navona - full details

Timing your visit to the Vatican

Vatican queues

The Vatican is a must see for every visitor to Rome, so expect crowds and queues whenever you come. The queues for the Vatican Museums are legendary.

If you are organising the trip, book tickets in advance either from the museum direct for which there is a delivery charge or from an agent for Vatican Museums tickets .

If you turn up on the day and have to join the back of the queue for tickets you may not be popular with your travelling companions and be tempted by the many touts that will approach you.

If you can it's well worth setting your alarm and getting to the Vatican Museums early or leaving it until later afternoon (last entry is at 4pm - you will need at the very least two hours to get round).

The museum is closed most Sundays, so Saturdays and Mondays are especially busy.

Again, if you can try and come off season when the crowds are less. During summer, Rome can be very, very hot too.

If you are really interested in the subject matter, get a good tour, if you can afford it, a private tour.

More detailed information about Vatican Museums

St Peter's queues

There will also be long, long queues in St Peter's Square to enter St Peter's itself. These queues tend to move along relatively swiftly so don't be put off by the masses in front of you. Basically the earlier you arrive the better.

More detailed information about visiting St Peter's

If you want to see the Pope, you can either see a usual blessing from his apartment at noon on Sunday, just show up (but in the summer he gives it from his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, 25 miles from Rome) or you can go to the more formal Wednesday appearance.

The Pope arrives in the Pope-mobile at 10.30am to bless crowds from a balcony or platform, except in winter, when he speaks in the Aula Paola VI Auditorium next to the square. You can easily watch from a distance, or get a free ticket, which you must get on the Tuesday before.

Book audience with the Pope tickets here

Tours are the only way to see the Vatican Gardens, book at least a day in advance.

Vatican Gardens - more information

Visiting the Vatican tips

Essential tips for making the most of your Vatican visit

• Book in advance. Although you can turn up on the day and queue and many many people do, you'll be more relaxed knowing you have planned ahead to avoid this.
• Use an audio guide or guide book or better yet a tour guide. The Vatican Museum is vast and full of so many incredible treasures that a guide of some sort will definitely enhance your experience.
• Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times to visit except Wednesday mornings when there is the Papal audience.
• If fast-track tickets are unavailable check the tickets that include the audio guide or tour tickets, often you can find tickets on the day you want by selecting a different type of ticket.
• Plan for a day at the Vatican if you are combining the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica, there is more than enough to occupy you for a whole day.

Vatican dress code

• Do not wear inappropriate clothing. You wil be turned away. No shorts or sleeveless tops, skirts not covering the knee or hats.

Visiting the Vatican with kids

Italy is well known as being kid friendly and its attractions are no different. However it is worth taking a moment to think about what your child will get from their visit to the Vatican Museums.

Vatican Museums kids tickets

The first thing to think about is tickets. If you do not buy tickets in advance your children will have to wait alongside you in a queue. This queue varies in length on different days and times, but queues are never something most parents enjoy waiting in with kids. Buying your Vatican Museum tickets online in advance will start the trip on a positive note for kids as they walk past the queue.

Ticket prices for children are reduced. You can buy them on the day, after queuing or you can buy them at the same time as your adult fast-track tickets online. Under 6 go free and 6-17 inclusive costs €8 on the door.

Small children and strollers in the Vatican Museum

If you have small children then you need to think carefully about whether to take the stroller inside the museum with you. There is no disputing that the museum will be busy, having a stroller to steer and work through the crowds might be considered too stressful for some but can be a godsend for others. In the busy interior it is worth remembering that your childs view will probably only be tourist legs for their entire trip from the pushchair. If your child is small then perhaps a backpack style carrier might be more flexible an idea.

If you do not take the stroller inside and leave it at the entrance cloakroom, then there is a lot of walking involved at the Vatican Museums, so be prepared for a lot of carrying yourself, as their legs quickly tire. If they are at the age where they would rather be chasing birds around St Peter's Square, then going into the Musuems might prove too much for them and for you.

Before you book, consider one of the tours, which might be a better fit as it can help to entertain them, although most tours will take the full amount of time to get through the treasures inside, so do check its length. The other choice is to forego all the other museum treasures and head straight for the Sistine Chapel. The walk alone to get to the Sistine Chapel takes you through the museums and can take 30 minutes, you would be missing an awful lot, but you would get one of the showcase attractions ticked off your list.

At the end of the day only you know what is best for your young kids, you may feel they will get more from other areas in Rome at their age and then throw your coins into the Trevi Fountain to make sure you return when they are older. St Peter's Square is free if you queue and is a large space, whilst visiting St Peter's Basilica is something kids of any age will enjoy.

If your kids are older, then the Museums are certainly fasinating enough to keep them entertained. There are areas that kids will find more interesting and as with all museums and especially the Vatican, inspiration is around every corner.

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Home » Travel Guides » Vatican City » 15 Best Things to Do in Vatican City

15 Best Things to Do in Vatican City

The distinction of smallest country on Earth (by size AND population) goes to Vatican City.

Located within Rome, Italy, Vatican City has less than 1000 inhabitants and has been an independent country since 1929.

Also called the Holy See, it has been the home of the Catholic Pope since the 14th century and is the seat of worldwide Catholicism.

Each year, roughly five million tourists visit this tiny country, each one entering through St. Peters Square.

Though only 44 hectares (110 acres) there is much to see and centuries of history, culture, and religion to learn about.

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Vatican City :

1. Saint Peter’s Basilica

Built over the tomb of Saint Peter, this is one of the largest churches in the world. It’s also one of the world’s most beautiful.

The modern day structure was completed in the 17th century and built on top of an earlier 4th century church.  It took roughly 120 years to complete and is a treasure trove of history.

Entrance is free, though there is a dress code, and once inside you’ll see three of the most celebrated masterpieces of any age:  Bernini’s 29-metre-high baldachin which sits over the papal altar, Michelangelo’s Pieta, and his glorious Sistine Chapel.

2. Saint Peter’s Square

Designed in the 17th century by Bernini, Saint Peter’s Square is the main entrance to the basilica and Vatican City.

Divided into two sections, Bernini wanted an effect that would honor ‘the matrix of all the churches’.

There are 140 statues of saints along the balustrade, two majestic fountains, Michelangelo’s Pieta, a wide promenade leading to the basilica, and statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

Tourists love to see the Royal Staircase that leads to the Vatican Palaces.

It’s roughly 60 metres high, but thanks to progressive narrowing of the width as it goes up, it looks impressively longer.

3. Sistine Chapel

Built in the 15th century to serve as the pope’s private chapel and the location for the cardinals to elect new popes, the Sistine Chapel is a magnificent sight.

It is the most popular and famous attraction in all of Vatican City and showcases Michelangelo’s fresco masterpieces on the ceiling and behind the altar.

On the ceiling you’ll see famous Old Testament stories and behind the altar is The Last Judgement which depicts the second coming of Christ and the Day of Judgement.

The walls are decorated with frescoes from artists like Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Roselli, and Perugino.

4. Saint Peter’s Tomb

Underneath the modern day basilica are the remains of the original 4th century church.

Excavations at this site have revealed what archaeologists believe to be the tomb of Saint Peter, who died around 64 to 67 AD.

Bones of an elderly and strong man were found in a box behind a wall there in 1942.

The Vatican has never made a definitive claim regarding whose bones they are, but Pope Paul VI did state that the identification process was ‘convincing.

5. Ponte Sant’Angelo

In the second century, emperor Hadrian constructed Ponte Sant’Angelo, a bridge meant to serve as a grand entrance to his mausoleum, Castel Sant’Angelo.

It means Bridge of the Holy Angel, and it spans the Tiber River. It was Bernini who made it a masterpiece in the 17th century.

He designed ten angel statues, each one holding a symbol related to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ – including a whip and thorns.

6. Castel Sant’Angelo

Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum is known as Castel Sant’Angelo, and with its clunky round exterior, it’s one of Vatican City’s most recognizable landmarks.

Today, it is home to the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo which has a remarkable collection of sculptures, paintings, medieval weapons, and other military pieces.

Once used as a fortress, there is a secret passageway, created in the 13th century, that provided escape for the pope’s other high clergy.

Upstairs you will love the ornate Renaissance interiors and the terrace with amazing views over the city of Rome.

7. Vatican Museums

Originally founded in the 16th century by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums hold one of the largest art collections of any country.

Covering roughly seven kilometres of corridors, you’ll see Egyptian mummies, Etruscan pieces, Renaissance masters, and modern art.

Don’t miss the classical statuary in the Museo Pio-Clementino and the Raphael frescos.

The museums are housed in two palaces – the Vatican Palace and the Belvedere Palace.

Inside you’ll find three stunning courtyards:  the Cortile della Biblioteca, the Cortile della Pigna, and the Cortile del Belvedere.

It’s impossible to see everything in a day, so prepare ahead of time to figure out what your ‘can’t miss exhibits’ are.

8. Complesso Monumentale Santo Spirito in Saxia

This 8th century structure was once lodging for Saxon pilgrims and then later turned into a hospital complex by Pope Innocent III.

Sixtus IV added a beautiful courtyard and two halls filled with frescoes.

Now privately operated for conferences, the massive building is impossible to miss and inspires awe in everyone who visits.

9. See the Pope

If you are visiting on a Wednesday, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Pope as Wednesday is his audience day.

He makes his appearance in Saint Peter’s Square and the reaction of the crowd is just as interesting as a sighting of the famous man himself.

The Pope generally welcomes various visiting groups, says a prayer, blesses any religious artefacts that visitors have brought, and then ends with a blessing.

Most of the square is first come first served seating, so be sure to arrive early if you want a good view.

10. Vatican Gardens

Covering more than half of the total 110 acres of Vatican City are the Vatican Gardens.

At roughly 57 acres, they occupy the western part of the country.

In the gardens you’ll find monuments and buildings dating as far back as the 9th century, medieval fortifications, the Vatican Radio Station, the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, and numerous sculptures and fountains.

First established during the Renaissance and Baroque periods the current gardens owe their look to Pope Nicholas III who enclosed the area and planted orchards when he moved the papal residence back to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace.

11. The Sacred Grottoes

The Sacred Grottoes are the final resting place of the popes.

Located under the basilica, if you look up at the ceiling when you’re there, you’ll see the iron flooring.

Some previous popes who have been laid to rest here include Pope Hadrian IV, Pope Boniface VIII, Pope Paul VI.

Pope John Paul II was interred here before being moved to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian in 2011 after his Beatification.

12. Vatican Necropolis

Often confused with the Sacred Grottoes is the Vatican Necropolis.

Also below Saint Peter’s Basilica, the necropolis dates back to Imperial times.

The space fluctuates from between five and 12 metres below ground and in the 1940’s a major excavation was undertaken.

The excavation was a request of Pope Pius XI who wanted to be buried as close to the remains of Saint Peter as possible.

Be sure to look for the tomb of the Julii, which dates to the 3rd century.

13. The Apostolic Palace

The official residence of the reigning pope is the Apostolic Palace. Located in the northeast section of Saint Peter’s Basilica near the Palace of Gregory XIII and the Bastion of Nicholas V.

The current structure dates back to the 16th century. Also known as the Vatican Palace, it consists of several Papal apartments, some Catholic Church government offices, Vatican Museums, the Vatican Library, the Vatican Observatory, and several private and public chapels.

There are roughly 1000 rooms inside the palace. It is here that you’ll find Raphael’s rooms and the Sistine Chapel.

14. The Cappella Paolina

One of the chapels within the Apostolic Palace is the Cappella Paolina.

Commissioned by Pope Paul III, the chapel is just behind the portico of Saint Peter’s Basilica and actually connects the palace with the basilica.

Symbolically, this joining demonstrates the joining of papal authority, ceremony, and ritual.

All of the frescoes in the Cappella Paolina were created by Michalangelo.

Today, this is the most preferred spot for papal meetings.

Be sure to check out Sala Ducale, Portone di Bronzo, and Sala Regia, all nearby the chapel.

15. St Stephen of the Abyssinians

This Roman Catholic church within Vatican City is dedicated to Stephen the Protomartyr and is the national church of Ethiopia.

Mass here is celebrated according to the Alexandrian rites of the Ethiopian church. It is one of the only structures to survive the destruction of the original Saint Peter’s Basilica and so is the oldest surviving church within Vatican City.

15 Best Things to Do in Vatican City:

• Saint Peter’s Basilica
• Saint Peter’s Square
• Sistine Chapel
• Saint Peter’s Tomb
• Ponte Sant’Angelo
• Castel Sant'Angelo
• Vatican Museums
• Complesso Monumentale Santo Spirito in Saxia
• See the Pope
• Vatican Gardens
• The Sacred Grottoes
• Vatican Necropolis
• The Apostolic Palace
• The Cappella Paolina
• St Stephen of the Abyssinians

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Vatican City Travel Guide

What to See and Do in Vatican City

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

Vatican City, also called the Holy See, is a tiny sovereign independent state. Vatican City is only .44 sq. km. and has a population of less than 1000. Vatican City gained independence from Italy on February 11, 1929. Over five million people visit Vatican City each year.

The Holy See is the seat of the Catholic religion and home of the Pope since 1378. The pope lives in the papal apartments in the Vatican, and the church of the Pope, St. Peter's Basilica, is in Vatican City.

Vatican City Location

Vatican City is surrounded by Rome. Visitors enter Vatican City through St. Peter's Square. The best way to walk to Vatican City from historic Rome is over the Ponte St. Angelo bridge. Across the bridge, one arrives at Castel St. Angelo, just outside Vatican City. Castel St. Angelo has a connecting passage to the Vatican once used by fleeing popes.

Where to Stay Near Vatican City

If you plan to spend much time visiting the attractions in Vatican City, it might be convenient to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast near the Vatican. Here are Top Places to Stay in Vatican City.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums is the largest museum complex in the world with over 1400 rooms. The Vatican Museums Complex includes the museum, galleries with 3,000 years of art, the Sistine Chapel, and parts of the papal palace. There is an astonishing amount of art, including a room of works by Raphael. The Pinacoteca Vaticana is probably Rome's best picture gallery with many Renaissance works. One of the most impressive halls is the Hall of Maps, with murals of old maps of the papal lands.

Visiting the Vatican Museums

At the Vatican Museums, you choose from four different itineraries all ending with the Sistine Chapel. Because of the vastness of the museum, it's wise to take a Vatican Museums guided tour . Visitors with guided tour reservations or who book tickets in advance enter without waiting in line. The museums are closed Sundays and holidays, except for the last Sunday of the month when they're free. Here is Vatican Museums Visiting and Ticket Booking Information . Select Italy also sells Skip the Line Vatican Museums Tickets that you can buy online in US dollars.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel was built from 1473-1481 as both the pope's private chapel and the venue for the election of the new pope by the cardinals. Michelangelo painted the famous ceiling frescoes, with the central scenes depicting creation and the story of Noah, and decorated the altar wall. Biblical scenes on the walls were created by several famous artists, including Perugino and Botticelli. See Sistine Chapel Visiting Information, Art, and History .

Saint Peter's Square and Basilica

Saint Peter's Basilica, built on the site of a church covering Peter's tomb, is one of the largest churches in the world. Entrance to the church is free, but visitors must be properly dressed, with no bare knees or shoulders. Saint Peter's Basilica is open daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (until 6 p.m. October-March). Masses, in Italian, are held all day on Sundays.

Saint Peter's Basilica sits on Saint Peter's Square , a top religious and tourist destination. Many important art works, including Michelangelo's famous Pieta , are in the church. You can also visit the Pope's tombs. 

Vatican City Transportation and Tourist Information

Vatican City Tourist Information is on the left side of St. Peter's Square and has good information and a small shop selling maps, guides, souvenirs, and jewelry. Tourist information is open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m..

The closest Metro stop to the museum entrance is Cipro-Musei Vaticani near Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, where there is also a parking garage. Bus 49 stops near the entrance, and tram 19 also stops nearby. A number of buses go close to Vatican City (see links below).

The Swiss Guard

The Swiss Guard have guarded Vatican City since 1506. Today, they still dress in the traditional Swiss Guard costume. Guard recruits must be Roman Catholic Swiss nationals, between 19 and 30 years of age, single, high school graduates and at least 174 cm tall. They must have also completed Swiss military service.

Castel Sant Angelo

Castel Sant Angelo, on the Tiber River, was built as a tomb for Emperor Hadrian in the second century. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a fortress until it became a papal residence in the 14th century. It was built over the Roman walls and has an underground passageway to the Vatican. You can visit Castel Sant Angelo, and, in the summer, concerts and special programs are held there. It's also a pedestrian area, so it's a good place for strolling and enjoying the river. See Castel Sant Angelo Visitor Guide

Special Visits and Useful Links

• The Pope : The Pope holds Wednesday General Audiences with the Holy Father at 10:30 a.m. but you must have a ticket (which is free) to attend. See how to request tickets for a Papal Audience or you can reserve tickets for the Papal Audience for a booking fee and transportation from your hotel through Select Italy. On Sundays at noon, the Pope usually delivers a blessing from his window for people gathered in St. Peter's Square. The Pope also presides over special services and Masses, some of which also require a ticket.
• Vatican Gardens : 23 hectares of beautiful gardens with a small villa and medieval fortifications separate the Vatican from Rome on the north and west sides. Guided tours of the gardens are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays by sending a request to [email protected]
• Underground Vatican : You can visit the Tomb of St. Peter and the Vatican excavations on a guided visit by reservation only. 
• St. Peter's Dome : St. Peter's spectacular dome can be visited for a fee, 8:00 a.m.-5:45 p.m. (4:45 p.m., October-March). Entrance is from the right side of the Basilica's porch.
• Guided Tours : Although I'm not a big fan of guided tours, I was very happy to have one at the Vatican. The Vatican Museum is huge and crowded, so having someone knowledgeable to direct me and tell me interesting information about the Museum and its displays, the Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter's Basilica was very useful and made my visit more enjoyable. I took a tour with Miles&Miles . Select Italy offers a Raphael and Michelangelo Tour that includes the Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Raphael Rooms of Pope Julius II. The best way to see the Museums and Sistine Chapel without the huge crowds is to take a Before or After Hours Guided Tour .

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The 10 Best Things To Do in Vatican City

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May 18, 2024

Did you know that Vatican City is actually the smallest country in the world? But don’t let its size fool you. Even though this city-state has a population of only around 1,000 people, it draws in thousands of visitors every day, and there’s a lot to see and do within its confines.

With its collection of some of the most monumental works of art globally and its iconic buildings, it’s no surprise that a trip to the Vatican is often considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Of course, there are a few must-sees such as  St. Peter’s Basilica , the  Sistine Chapel  and the  Vatican Museums , but if you find yourself with a bit of spare time or want to do something off the beaten track there are plenty of unique and lesser-known spots too such as the Vatican Gardens, Mosaic Studios, or the underground archeological excavations.

From bigger sites to hidden treasures, here’s your definitive list of the best things to do in Vatican City.

Table of Contents

Visit St. Peter’s Basilica–and the Vatican Grottoes beneath

No visit to the Vatican would be complete without seeing St. Peter’s Basilica. One of the largest churches ever built, the building that we see today is actually the second St. Peter’s Basilica. Originally built in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine, the Basilica marked the site where St. Peter was supposed to have been buried. However, by the 1400s the church was in a state of disrepair and was knocked down to be reconstructed under the orders of Pope Julius II.

St. Peter’s Basilica is built upon the burial site of St. Peter, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles and the first Pope.

Today, the site is free to enter but be sure to get there early as there can be long queues, especially during the summer months. While there is a charge to climb St. Peter’s Dome and to enter the basilica’s treasury, both are well worth the fee.

During your time in St. Peter’s Basilica you’ll also want to check out the Vatican Grottoes housed directly underneath. Be sure not to miss the entrance which is tucked away near the Pier of St. Andrew by the high altar. Here, you’ll find the tombs and sarcophagi of several popes. Be aware that the Grottoes’ exit will lead you outside  of the Basilica, so you’ll want to make sure this is your last stop to avoid having to queue up again!

See Bernini’s Colonnade at Saint Peter’s Square

The design of Bernini’s Colonnade is supposed to symbolize the Church’s welcome and embrace of visitors and pilgrims from all corners of the world.

Bernini’s Colonnade at Saint Peter’s Square is one of the most iconic parts of Vatican City and a must-see for visitors near and far. St. Peter’s Square is located directly in front of its eponymous Basilica. Built from a design by Bernini between 1656 and 1667, the square has become one of the most famous of its kind. Seen from above it resembles a giant keyhole with two large colonnades which Bernini intended to resemble the “motherly arms of the church.”

Tourists and visitors often gather at this spot within the Vatican Museums to catch a view of the Papal Apartments (the private living quarters of the Pope within the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City) and witness the Papal Address, which typically takes place on Wednesdays when the Pope is in Rome.

St. Peter’s Square is free to visit and doesn’t close unless there’s a special ceremony going on.

Insider’s tip: The schedule for the Papal Address can vary, and it’s important to check the official Vatican website or other reliable sources for the most up-to-date information regarding the timing and location.

Visit the Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo’s work demonstrates his skill in capturing human anatomy and emotion.

Not only is the Sistine Chapel one of the most famous chapels in the world, we’re prepared to say it ranks as one of the most famous buildings in the world. Forming a small part of the Apostolic Palace—the Pope’s official residence—the Sistine Chapel was named after Pope Sixtus IV who commissioned the building during the 15th century. Today the chapel is both an attraction and the site of the Papal conclave for the election of the new Pope.

One of the main reasons for visiting the Chapel is for the stunning artwork and must-see frescoes adorning the ceiling that were completed by Michelangelo from 1508-1512. Though all electronic devices are banned during the conclave, on a normal day you might just be lucky enough to get a selfie with the Pope, as  previous visitors did .

If you’re looking for an exclusive and intimate visit, the VIP Vatican Key Master’s Tour: Unlock the Sistine Chapel allows you to enter with Key Master before dawn and have the museums to yourself for two full hours.

Check out Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is located on the right bank of the Tiber River. Photo credit: Gabriella Clare Marino

Although not technically located within Vatican City’s official boundaries, Castel Sant’Angelo is intricately linked to the Vatican through a historical passageway known as the Passetto di Borgo. Running 800 meters long it served as a refuge—not once, but twice—when the serving pope found his life in danger.

Originally, the building was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for his family during the Middle Ages. But its favorable position next to the river soon resulted in a change of function. Instead it became a defensive fortress when the city came under threat and, thanks to its unassailable structure, the Popes also used it to store their treasure during times of attack.

Inside you can see a collection of weapons and armor, Renaissance frescoes, and the Papal residence. To really get the most out of your visit, explore it with an expert in all things Roman history on our Roman Icons: Pantheon to Castel Sant’Angelo Tour .

Send a Postcard from Vatican City

Before Instagram, travelers posted something else as a memento of their travels…postcards!

Whether you’re a postcard collector or simply want something unique to do whilst in Vatican city, sending a postcard from the Vatican is a fun and cost-effective activity anyone can enjoy. It’s also a unique opportunity to send mail from this unique place! Send one to family, friends, or even to yourself at the Vatican Post Office which is located on the right at the exit of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican City is an independent city-state with its own postal system, and it is not part of the Italian postal system. Photo credit: Filip Mishevski

Make (plenty of) time for the Vatican Museums

One of the main draws to the Vatican is undoubtedly the Vatican Museums which contains a mesmerising total of fifty-four separate collections. Spanning nine miles of masterpieces, the Museums feature works by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo, ranging from paintings to sculptures and mosaics. All in all it’s estimated that the collection is worth over €15 billion. So it’s certainly a place worth taking the time to explore.

The Gallery of the Maps, the Gallery of the Statues, the Vatican historical Museum, and of course, the Raphael Rooms are some of the most popular museums within the complex. But if you have the time all of the museums are worth their weight in gold – literally in many cases.

And whether you want to go on an in-depth journey through the Vatican  or simply see the  highlights of the collections, Walks of Italy has a Vatican tour to suit any schedule.

The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts amassed by the Catholic Church over centuries.

Wander the Vatican Gardens

Few countries can boast that gardens take up half of their land, but the Vatican certainly can. Made up of three styles of gardens, Italian, English and French, the Vatican gardens are an oasis in the middle of the bustling Vatican City. The gardens date back to medieval times, while Pope Nicholas III was the first to enclose the gardens with walls and included an orchard

The Vatican Gardens have grown over time with sculptures, fountains, and dedications to saints. While they receive many visitors, only a fraction can enter due to guided tour restrictions. This is mainly due to the fact that entry to the gardens is restricted to those who have booked a guided tour led by official Vatican staff. However, this exclusivity offers a less crowded and special experience for the religious, secular, and beauty enthusiasts alike.

The Vatican Gardens, known as “Giardini Vaticani” in Italian, cover around 57 acres of land within Vatican City. Photo credit: Michal Hájek

Attend an audience with the Pope

If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch the Pope when he’s in town. When he is, visitors have the opportunity to attend the Papal Address and receive a Papal Blessing which is held in St. Peter’s Square during the summer months.

This event usually begins with some learnings said in multiple languages including Latin, English, Portuguese, Polish, German and Spanish among others. He’ll also bless significant items and extend blessings to relatives, especially if they are ill or deceased. While tickets to the audience (which are free of charge) are available by request from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Pope has emphasized that everyone is welcome to attend his address, regardless of whether they have tickets or not.

The seated section at the front of St. Peter’s Square is reserved for those with tickets but fills up on a first-come first-served basis, which is why even if you have a ticket, it’s a good idea to arrive early!

Public apperances by the Pope always attract huge crowds. Photo credit: Agatha Depine

See the Vatican Mosaic Studio

Tucked away in a small area within the Vatican are the Vatican Mosaic Studios. Though they might not be the most ornate rooms in the building, they produce some of the most beautiful works of art. The studios are dedicated to restoring the ten thousand square meters of mosaic to be found within Saint Peter’s Basilica, along with producing mosaics for individual collectors and the Pope who occasionally gifts them to heads of state.

The degree of artistry and care put into these works is acute, with pieces of mosaic being heated up to 800 degrees to form a unique color hue. Which is why the price for a bespoke mosaic can be very expensive.

You’ll only be able to access the studios on a privately guided tour, which is a small price to pay to witness Vatican artists at work.

The Vatican Mosaic Studio creates intricate mosaics depicting religious scenes, figures, and symbols. Photo credit: Picture_To_Paint

Explore the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis

Derived from Greek words  necròs  (dead) and  pòlis  (city), Necropolis means a “city of the dead”. Because Ancient Roman law forbid bodies from being buried within the city, these ancient cemeteries functioned as a sanctioned place for the dead within society, many of which have been found under significant sites around Italy.

The Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis forms an Ancient underground cemetery located beneath the Vatican Gardens. After extensive excavation and refurbishment, the site has been made into a museum with multimedia educational apparatus to provide information about its history and past life. You’ll also be able to see the burial chambers, mosaics and frescoes preserved from the ancient world.

If you have an interest in eerie attractions, Italy offers a plethora of haunted crypts, catacombs, and cemeteries for you to explore.

Insider’s tip: The Necropolis is only accessible when you book a tour which can be purchased from the official Vatican website .

The Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis provides insights into burial practices and the daily life of ancient Romans. Photo credit: Egisto Sani

This post was originally published on February 2, 2020 and was updated on August 30, 2023.

by Aoife Bradshaw

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What To Do in Vatican City: Our Guide

A visit to Vatican City—one of Rome’s most popular tourist sites—can be overwhelming and insanely crowded. We get it, and we're here to help. Here’s our guide covering what to do, what to see, what to skip—and where to retreat for lunch when you're done.

St. Peter's Basilica Arrow

First-time visitors to Rome would be remiss to skip St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most famous Catholic churches in the world. With its gilded roof and world-renowned artwork, it’s not hard to see why it draws 25,000 visitors every day. Skip the crowds by getting there early—the Basilica opens at 7 a.m. year-round.

St. Peter's Basilica Cupola Arrow

The views from the top of the Cupola span all of Rome—but it’s the secret rooftop coffee shop that makes those 551 steps worthwhile. While the café is indoors, order a Maxibon gelato or a €1 espresso to go, then have it on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Eternal City.

Vatican Scavi Tour Arrow

A tour through the catacombs beneath Vatican City—including the original tomb of St. Peter—and the history they contain. It's not for the feint of heart, the claustrophobic, or the unlucky: tickets are notoriously hard to come by. But the guides are experts, and you can request that they be English speakers. Bonus: you're deposited at St. Peter's Basilica at the end of the tour, meaning you get to skip the long lines outside.

Pinacoteca Vaticana Arrow

The collection in the Pinacoteca Vaticana is one of the greatest ever—and it should be, considering it represents the life’s work of every pope dating back to the 16th century. If you want to see how the Roman Catholic religion has inspired art over the last five hundred years, this is the place to do it.

Raphael Rooms Arrow

The Raphael Rooms, along with The Last Judgement , are pretty much the reason people come to the Vatican Museums in the first place. If you’re here and you don’t see this, you’ve probably got a very good story explaining why.

The Sistine Chapel Arrow

It’s the colors of the frescoes that are truly eye-popping—a testament to over a decade of recent restoration work. The Last Judgment covers an entire wall, took Michelangelo nearly four years to complete, and needs to be seen at least once in a lifetime.

The Aventine Keyhole Arrow

The Aventine Keyhole still feels like a secret, and because the surrounding park is so beautiful, it doesn’t feel you’re traipsing a long way for novelty. We’ve never met anybody who wasn’t charmed by this view, and it’s ideal if you can’t face wading through tourists to get to the major sights.

Papal Audience Arrow

The Papal talk begins a 10:30 a.m., but decent seats fill up quickly, so we’d suggest arriving by 8:30 a.m. Even then, given the crowds of tens of thousands of people, binoculars are useful. This is definitely a time for somber reflection; there’s a prayer at the end of the talk, which is printed on the back of your ticket.

Vatican Gardens Arrow

Lush greenery, divided into sections to reflect different historical periods. Despite being in the center of Rome, this is the kind of place where birds rest beside trickling fountains and walls are covered with emerald vines, hemmed-in by trimmed green hedges. It's the perfect escape from the chaos and crowds of Vatican City. Tours last for two hours, so try and book an early morning or late evening tour—it can get warm during summer.

Pontifical Swiss Guard Arrow

The Swiss Guards have been officially guarding the Pope since 1506, making them the oldest army in the world. To join, guards must be 19-30 years old and be single, Swiss Catholic men. They’re best known for their gold-and-blue-striped uniforms and helmets sprouting crimson plumes. Yet while the guards’ outfits are ornate, don’t be fooled: these men are warriors. Their official role is to accompany the Pope during his travels, to protect the College of Cardinals during papal transitions, and to guard the entrances to Vatican City.

Vatican Museums Arrow

It’s wall-to-wall Renaissance Art in the Vatican Museums—a saying that’s actually true when you consider that many of the masterpieces (including Michelangelo’s "Last Judgement") are painted on church ceilings. There are supposedly 20,000 pieces on display, most of them heavy on religious iconography, including clouds, sunbeams, and angels, all wreathed in lots and lots and lots of gold. If that’s a bit thick, there’s a fine collection of Greek and Roman statues that all look very imposing.

Seminarians Tour of St. Peter's Basilica Arrow

The tours aren’t well known—most people tend to book the official paid-for tours. Expect fellow travelers to be inquisitive, in-the-know types who’ve done their research and would like insider’s knowledge of one of the world’s most important holy sites.

Friday Night at the Vatican Arrow

One of the best ways to experience Vatican City is during Friday nights, with live music and happy hour, and access to museums and the Sistine Chapel between 7 and 11 p.m. The museum is divided into a series of smaller galleries and museums, each filled with religious artifacts, antiques, and ancient and modern artwork.

Chorus Café Arrow

Finish off a day at Vatican City with an aperitivo at Rome’s ultra-stylish Chorus Café, a 15-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica. The smart Art Deco interior was once a choir room for the Vatican, so take a seat at the bar and spot the statue of the Pope that still remains.

Il Sorpasso Arrow

Skip the overpriced stale panini in the kiosks around Vatican City and make for neighborhood local Il Sorpasso. An easy 15-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, it manages to be unassuming and chic at the same time—basically, the trattoria of our dreams.

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Can You Visit The Vatican And Colosseum In One Day? Find Out How!

By Elyssa Bernard

April 9, 2024

Can you visit the Vatican and Colosseum in one day in Rome?

The answer is, yes!

Read on to find out the best way to conquer this busy day.

Visiting the Vatican and Colosseum in one day - Can you? Should you?

You definitely can visit the two biggest sites in Rome in one day.

As to whether you should do so is another matter entirely.

If your schedule allows it, I suggest visiting these two intense sites on separate days.

But if you have limited time in Rome, and want to fit them both into a single day, it's definitely doable.

Just a bit tiring!

Here's what to do.

How to visit the Colosseum and Vatican in a single day

On this page we'll cover:

• Options for visiting Ancient Rome and the Vatican on the same day and how to organize things
• How to get between the two sites

What tours are available to help you with these visits

What tickets/passes to buy if you visit them on your own, seeing the vatican and colosseum in one day as a shore excursion.

Options for visiting Ancient Rome and the Vatican on the same day, and how to organize things

Saying you want to visit the Vatican and Colosseum in one day can have several meanings.

You can visit them both on the inside and outside, or on the outside only.

You can visit one of them on a more in-depth level than the other.

You also need to decide which to visit first.

Here is what to consider when you decide how you want to visit the Vatican and Colosseum in one day:

Vatican and Colosseum in one day - from the outside

Seeing the colosseum from the outside.

If you only have a day in Rome or otherwise want to see these two important sites in a single day, the least tiring way would be to visit them on the outside.

I am always amazed that I can just walk right up to the Colosseum and see it up close on the outside.

You can see it from all the different angles and get some great pix .

You can also see the Arch of Constantine and even the Arch of Titus (which is inside the Roman Forum but it's right at the entrance so you could see it without actually going inside.)

You can also see the Roman Forum from above without going inside, by climbing to the top of Capitoline Hill and going to the back terrace for a stunning vista.

And a stroll along the via dei Fori Imperiali will really put you right into Ancient Rome, both literally and figuratively.

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Seeing the Vatican from the outside

As for seeing the Vatican from the outside, by this I mean visiting Saint Peter's Square .

No lines, no stress.

Just cross the border from Italy to Vatican City and you're in !

Visiting the Vatican and Colosseum in one day, both from the outside, and the walk between the two, should take around 4 hours.

So you will easily have a chance to enjoy some other sites along the way and also sit down for a leisurely lunch between seeing them.

Colosseum and Vatican in one day - on the inside

If you want to visit the Vatican and Colosseum in one day, both on the inside, you'll need to plan and to pace yourself.

Visiting the inside of the Colosseum

Let's start with what a visit to the Colosseum entails.

Any ticket to the Colosseum also includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (with the exception of tickets for the Colosseum night visit .)

Most tour companies take you through both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum / Palatine Hill park (it's actually one large park.)

If all you want to see is the Colosseum on the inside, and you don't want to or have time to see the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill, you can simply skip them.

Visiting the Colosseum normally on the inside takes around an hour.

If you also include the arena floor , or the Colosseum underground + arena , then add 30-40 minutes to your visit, so around 1.5-2 hours tops.

If you also visit the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill, you should allow for around 2 hours although you could spend less time if you really breezed through.

Bottom line is that a typical visit to the Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill takes around 3-3.5 hours.

All about the Rome Colosseum

Visiting the inside of the Vatican

As for the Vatican, a typical visit on the inside involves visiting the Vatican Museums so you can see the Sistine Chapel .

This will take anywhere from 1- 2 hours, depending on whether you do a turbo visit and bypass most of the museums to just get to the Sistine Chapel at the end, or also visit/tour the museums.

A visit to the Vatican also usually involves seeing the inside of Saint Peter's Basilica (not including climbing the dome  or visiting Saint Peter's tomb .)

Visiting the basilica should take around 1-1.5 hours, depending on how long you spend in line.

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Which to visit first, the Colosseum or the Vatican?

This depends on whether you want to go inside one or both sites or not, and also what time of year it is.

If you visit both sites from the outside only, it doesn't really matter which you visit first.

Things to keep in mind when deciding which to visit first, the Vatican or the Colosseum:

• The Colosseum (and Forum/Palatine) opens at 8:30AM . Closing time in winter is 4:30PM and in summer around 7PM, with last entrance one hour prior (there are varied hours throughout the year based on sunset time. Visit Parco Colosseo for a complete listing .)
• The Vatican Museums open at 8AM   (as of 2024) but there are tours you can take that start very early, allowing you to race to the Sistine Chapel and get in there before the crowds. These usually start about 7:30AM. (There is also a very special tour called the Key Master Tour , where you start at 6 AM and open the museums.)
• The Vatican Museums close at 7PM (as of 2024) with last entry at 5PM, but on Fridays and Saturdays and other select days, they stay open until 8PM with last entry at 6PM - check the specific dates on their website .
• The Vatican Museums are closed Sundays except for the last Sunday of the month when they are open 9AM - 2PM and they are free .
• Saint Peter's Basilica is open 365 days a year from 7AM . Closing time is 6 or 7PM depending on time of year. The basilica is closed during Papal Mass and Papal Audiences .
• The Vatican Museums are closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day . The Vatican Museums may be closed on other religious holidays.

So, for example, if you are visiting in summer on a Friday or Saturday, you could easily visit the Colosseum + park in the morning, have a leisurely lunch, and head to the Vatican in the afternoon, and visit the Museums in the evening.

If you are visiting in the winter, you may want to visit the Colosseum + park first, as last entry there is at 3:30 PM, while the Vatican Museums allow entry through 5 PM and are open until 7 PM.

St Peter's Basilica Shortcut

You can only take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's Basilica if you are on a tour that INCLUDES the basilica.

The shortcut is open from 9:30 am - 5 or 5:30PM, and it's ONLY accessible to tour companies or private guides that you book OUTSIDE the Vatican Museums website.

The Vatican Museums does not have any ticket or tour that includes the shortcut.

This means that you won't have access to the shortcut during the  KeyMaster tour , the  Extra Time tour , or any other tour that does not specifically include the basilica.

If you book any tour of the Vatican Museums, you can check the details to see if it finishes in the  Sistine Chapel  or the basilica.

Click here to view a map of Vatican City  (it will open in a new page.)

How to get between the Vatican and Colosseum

If you organize a tour that will take you to the Vatican and Colosseum in one day, like this superb one with Walks of Italy , you may already have transportation between the two sites included.

If you are visiting these sites on your own, you'll need to know how to get between them.

Here are your options:

Getting between the Vatican and Colosseum by taxi

There are two issues with getting between the Vatican and Colosseum by taxi:

• Where do you get the taxi?
• How much will a taxi cost?

In Rome, to get a taxi, we go to a taxi stand .

There you will find taxis lined up and you take the first one in line.

At the Colosseum, there is a taxi stand right outside on the Piazza del Colosseo between Via Claudia and Via Santi Quattro.

If you find yourself further along the via dei Fori Imperiali near the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, you will find another taxi stand there.

Finding the taxi rank at the Vatican is another matter.

It's quite simple if you exit the Vatican Museums and want to go from there to the Colosseum.

You will see the taxi rank as soon as you exit, just a bit to the left.

But if you visit Saint Peter's Basilica and want to go from there to the Colosseum, you will have to hunt a little bit to find the taxi rank.

With your back to the Basilica, exit Saint Peter's Square to your right. Walk a short way until you see a pedestrian underpass.

Walk through the underpass, keeping left, and you will come out on Via delle Fornaci.

There you will see the taxi rank.

You can see a map of Vatican city here .

As to how much a taxi between the Vatican and Colosseum should cost, calculate no more than 15€ but it ought to be even a bit less than that.

You may wish to download the free Taxi apps we use in Italy - FreeNow or ITTaxi.

Read more about taking taxis in Rome on my dedicated page.

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GETTING BETWEEN THE VATICAN AND COLOSSEUM BY Metro

It's fairly easy to take the Metro between the Colosseum and the Vatican, but it's actually a bit of a trek.

At the time of this writing, the "new" line that is due to open sometime this millennium linking the Colosseum and the Vatican directly is far from being finished.

So whether you take the Metro from the Vatican (Ottaviano Red line A) to the Colosseum (Colosseo Blue line B), or vice versa, either way you will need to go to Termini station and change lines.

The whole thing will take around half an hour.

GETTING BETWEEN THE VATICAN AND COLOSSEUM BY Bus

There are many buses that will get you between the Vatican and Colosseum.

In most cases you will have to change lines somewhere in the middle.

The 81 bus goes between the two without having to change.

The easiest thing to do is find a bus stop, and open Google maps on your smartphone.

They are linked to the ATAC ( Rome public transportation ) schedules and you can choose the public transportation option to see which bus is coming and where to change and to which bus.

GETTING BETWEEN THE VATICAN AND COLOSSEUM on foot

I am a big fan of walking and especially walking in Rome where you can see so much just in one city block let alone crossing the city from one end to the other.

A walk between the Vatican and Colosseum will take an hour or so but also consider how much walking you will be doing at each site.

So if you decide to walk, just make sure to pace yourself and stop often for coffee , lunch , gelato , or just a rest!

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 things never to leave at home:

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If you want to see the Vatican and Colosseum in a single day, the easiest way is to book a full day tour that includes both sites AND transportation between them . 

Because these sites are very intense to visit, booking a full-day tour will remove as much of the stress as possible and allow you to enjoy the sites to the fullest.

Another option is to book separate tours at each location , and make your way between them on your own.

If you're trying to see the Vatican and Colosseum in one day on your own without an organized tour, you should book both sites in advance anyway.

First of all, you will want to avoid any waiting in line .

Second of all,  many sites in Rome (specifically the Colosseum) require advance booking and it's sometimes not possible at all to buy tickets on site.

This will mean you'll need to plan the time for the second site you visit.

Just know each site has about 15 minutes' leeway on either side of whatever time you book.

If you book a visit to the Vatican Museums at 1:30 PM, you can show up anywhere between 1:15 and 1:45 PM.

Same for the Colosseum.

If you're considering a pass that includes both sites, forget the Roma Pass which does not include the Vatican Museums .

But there are other Rome city passes that do, like the TurboPass .

Tickets and passes for visiting the Vatican and Colosseum

For more about what tickets/passes to book, visit these pages:

• Colosseum tickets
• Vatican Museum tickets
• Rome City passes

 shore excursion with a tour

The best way to visit the Vatican and Colosseum as a shore excursion is with a complete tour that includes round-trip transportation from and back to the ship .

This will be the most relaxed and stress-free option as you won't have to worry about logistics.

Shore excursion on your own

Alternatively, if you want to do this on your own, you can take the train into Rome and back to the ship. 

You can organize the visits on your own as above, but you'll need to be very organized with timing and allow plenty of time for getting back to the ship.

If you go on your own, you will probably not be able to see both sites on the inside.

If you have to pick one, choose between Renaissance art (Vatican Museums) or Ancient Rome (Colosseum.)

Make sure to give yourself enough time to also have a minimal break in between for resting and grabbing a bite .

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The Secret to Seeing the Vatican Without the Crowds

Getting the chance to see the sistine chapel without throngs of tourists is an almost religious experience. here’s how to do it..

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One way to beat the heat, and some of the crowds, is by visiting the Vatican at night

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

The Vatican Museums are one of Rome’s top sights—on par with the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The complex has housed the papal collections since the 15th century and comprises 24 museums and numerous galleries and chapels. It’s one of the world’s most popular destinations, with an average of 6 million visitors per year. And because it’s so massive and crowded, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, as I did when I visited with my family on my first trip to Rome in 2008. After a couple of hours of shuffling past ancient statues and Renaissance paintings, I started to wonder if I was ever going to make it to the Sistine Chapel. When I finally did, it was so crowded that I couldn’t really appreciate it.

So when I was invited by global booking platform GetYourGuide to join an exclusive 6 a.m. tour of the Vatican Museums with the head clavigero (key keeper) Gianni Crea, I knew I had to do it, even if it meant a dreaded 4:30 a.m. wake-up call.

I arrived just as the small group was entering the museum through a side door. We were met by Gianni Crea, who has been the Vatican’s head key keeper for more than 10 years and has worked at the Vatican for almost twice as long. During a brief introduction, he explained that there are 2,797 keys for the Vatican Museums’ various buildings and doors, all of which are numbered and held on large key rings kept in a climate-controlled bunker of wall safes with a special ventilation system that prevents them from rusting—all except for the key to the Sistine Chapel. That key, as he showed us, is stored separately in an envelope that gets sealed and signed every night by the clavigero and the museum’s administration. It’s kept in its own safe and has no duplicate.

I asked Crea how old the oldest key is, and he took a hefty specimen from the 1700s off one of the oversized key rings he was holding and handed it to me, later instructing me to use it to open the door to the Museo Pio Clementino founded by Pope Clement XIV in the 18th century and later expanded by Pope Pius VI.

As Crea led us through the empty hallways, dozens of keys jangling on the large key rings he carried throughout the tour, he let each member of the group use one in turn to open the galleries and turn on the lights. Along the way, he pointed out highlights like the Belvedere Torso , an ancient sculpture that inspired Michelangelo and many other artists.

Hundreds of keys unlock the Vatican’s treasures.

Courtesy of GetYourGuide © Copyright–Governatorato S.C.V.–Direzione dei Musei

We continued to the Statues Courtyard. As we gazed at the ancient Greek sculpture of Laocoön and His Sons , Crea explained that when it was found during the 1500s, it was missing its right arm, so a contest was held and a new arm was created for it by artist Jacopo Sansovino, but it was placed in the wrong position. When the original arm was later discovered, it turned out to have been positioned exactly as Michelangelo—who witnessed the statue’s unearthing—inferred. Unbeknownst to most museum visitors, the replacement arm is hidden behind the sculpture, attached to the pedestal. Crea let us walk behind the statue—something visitors are normally prohibited from doing—to see it.

As we continued our tour, Crea paused momentarily to point out a sculpture with what he said might be “the best ass” in antiquity before bringing us to the original Bramante Staircase, which is normally off-limits. There are two staircases known as the Bramante Staircase in the Vatican Museums, but the one that most visitors see is actually a more modern version designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932. Donato Bramante created the original spiral staircase in the 1500s in a double helix shape that allowed people going up to take one path and people going down to take another, so they never crossed. It’s more of a paved ramp that allowed the pope to ascend in his carriage.

We continued on, passing through a few other galleries before arriving at the Gallery of Maps . I strolled through slowly, admiring the 16th-century geographical paintings showing Italy’s different regions, taking stock of places where I’ve been and where I want to go.

We then arrived, via shortcut, at the Sistine Chapel. Crea put its key—the only one without a number—onto one of his massive key rings and said that whoever found it amid all the others could open the door.

Once inside, we were left alone to admire Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the early morning light—an awe-inspiring experience. I also got to go inside the very off-limits room where the newly elected pope changes into his papal garments for the first time. The small antechamber was brightly lit but sparsely furnished; it’s dubbed “the Crying Room” because of the emotive power it holds.

As we finished the tour and were led to the courtyard for breakfast, the museum’s first visitors were arriving. Afterward, Crea brought us up to one last off-limits area—a terrace with views of the dome of St. Peter’s and the courtyard below. For a moment, I felt a bit like Jep Gambardella, the protagonist of Paolo Sorrentino’s film La Grande Bellezza . It was a poignant reminder that just beyond—and sometimes inside—Rome’s most crowded and chaotic sites, there are gems hidden in plain sight.

To see the Sistine Chapel without bumping elbows with tons of fellow visitors, you have two options: go early or go late.

How to tour the Vatican without the crowds

Before you book any visit to the Vatican, note a couple of things. You do not need a guide to visit the Vatican Museums. You can simply book a Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums ticket (in advance) on the only official Vatican ticketing site— museivaticani.va —and wander around on your own. These tickets are $22 for adults, plus a $5.50 reservation fee per booking.

The Vatican Museums’ official site does offer some tours, but not the early- and late-hour tours; these are run by third-party tour companies accredited by the Vatican. (On your visit, you’ll see your guide wearing a government-issued tour guide license.)

Morning tours of the Vatican

The early tours, which start before the museums open, give the most breathing room. The Vatican Museums open year-round at 8 a.m. From April through October, the Vatican is open until 8 p.m. (last entry 6 p.m.). And throughout April, the Vatican is open every Friday and Saturday until 10:30 p.m. (last entry 8:30 p.m.).

• The 6 to 8 a.m. tour with the clavigero is offered by GetYourGuide (from $351) and Walks of Italy (from $569).
• A 7 to 10 a.m. or 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. tour is available through Viator and AAA (both from $110) .

Evening tours of the Vatican

A two-hour evening tour (from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.) can be booked through Headout (from $97) and the Tour Guy (from $96); LivTours ’ visit is 5:30 to 8 p.m. (from $163).

The author was a guest of global booking platform GetYourGuide .

This article was originally published in 2022 and most recently updated on August 21, 2024 ,with current information. Sophie Friedman contributed to the reporting of this story.

Facts About Vatican City for the Curious Traveler

H ave you ever thought about visiting Vatican City? Planning a trip to Italy almost always includes a visit to Rome. The city is vast and packed with enough historical sites, museums, and ancient architecture to keep you busy for days. From shopping Via Condotti to tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, there’s a little something to interest every kind of traveler. The list of things to do in the big city can go on and on but the Vatican may very well be the most historically and religiously significant of them all. One of the interesting things about the Vatican is that it isn’t just a monument of the past. It’s still a city full of movement and life. It is both ancient history and history in the making. Keep reading to learn a little bit about the Vatican and a few facts about this fascinating city.

The Past and Present Significance of Vatican City

Vatican City has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. The famous church, St. Peter’s Basilica, was built upon the tomb of its namesake in the 4th century. The area now known as the Vatican City was once part of the Roman Empire. It is now the location of the papal residence of the Catholic Church. In 1929, Vatican City was officially established as an independent nation by way of the Lateran Treaty. Since then, it has become one of the most important religious sites in the world and a major center of Christianity.

Today, Vatican City is known for being home to important religious sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Much like Rome, the City State is a museum in and of itself. No matter where you turn, you see an important piece of history. The Vatican Museums hold collections of ancient works of art that are priceless due to their religious and historical relevance. In addition to being a major center of Christianity, Vatican City is also a sovereign state with its own currency, stamps, and army. Stopping by the Vatican Post Office to mail a postcard home is a popular tourist activity. For obvious reasons, it is a popular place to spend a morning or afternoon if you are traveling through Rome.

Interesting Facts About Vatican City

Millions of tourists visit Vatican City each year. Some come here due to its religious significance. Others visit to explore historical aspects and wander through the extensive art galleries. Many come simply to lay eyes on one of the famous works of art in the entire world. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is an astonishing peek into the artist’s talent and is so magnificent it is nearly unbelievable that it even exists. All of these things make putting the Vatican on your bucket list of activities in Rome but there are a few facts about Vatican City that make this tiny country even more interesting.

• Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, measuring just 0.44 square kilometers or just over 100 acres. That is roughly 1/8 the size of central park. It is also, in its entirety, a Unesco World Heritage site and the only country in the world that can claim that status.
• It is located within the city of Rome, Italy, and is governed by the Catholic Church. The Pope is the ruler holding full legislative, executive and judicial authority.
• Vatican City became recognized as an independent nation in 1929 following the Lateran Pact. This, essentially, was an agreement between the Holy See and the Italian government granting sovereignty to Vatican City. The history of that deal is kind of interesting and you can read more about it here .
• Vatican City is a sovereign state with its own army. Kind of. The Vatican doesn’t technically have its own armed forces. However, they do have a de facto military. The Swiss Guard is an armed force provided by the Holy See to secure Vatican City and protect the Pope.
• Vatican City has its own postal system and issues its own stamps. For a truly authentic souvenir, mail yourself a postcard while you are there.
• Vatican City has its own newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano. The daily publication primarily reports on the activities of the Pope and the Holy See and political developments. The editorial-driven newspaper is often leaned on as a source of insight into the perspective of the Vatican on various topics.
• The population of Vatican City as of January 2022 is just 805 people. The majority of residents are Catholic clergymen, but there are also a number of lay workers who live and work in the Vatican City.
• Citizenship is not granted by birth and can only be obtained by a select group of people. To obtain citizenship you must either be a cardinal, a diplomat of the Holy See, or an employee of the Vatican. Immediate family members living together are also included. Once you are no longer in such a position, citizenship is immediately revoked.
• Vatican City has never gone to war. However, the country was bombed during WW2. It is widely believed this was done by Fascists to destroy the Vatican Radio suspected of sending valuable messages to the Allies.
• There is no taxation with the Vatican. Revenue is earned through admission fees, gift shop sales, donations, etc. Imports and exports to the nation-state are without restriction.
• The nation with the highest crime rate in the entire world is, you guessed it, Vatican City. Don’t let that stop you from entering the city walls. The population which is just over 800 drives up the per capita rate. The crimes are primarily petty theft. Pick-pocketing and bag-snatching are typical of high tourist traffic areas, especially in Italy. The number of visitors to the Vatican makes it a treasure trove for thieves. If you stay alert and take proper steps to protect your belongings, you don’t have much to worry about. For starters, pack a money belt .
• Vatican City is an absolute monarchy. There are only a few countries in the world that operate with an absolute monarchy. More interestingly, the Vatican is the only absolute monarchy in which the monarch is elected rather than granted the position through birth. Once elected, the Pope is the reigning monarch until death or resignation.
• The Vatican is a pioneer of astronomical research. In fact, the Specola Vaticano (Vatican Observatory) is one of the oldest active institutions in the world. Its history dates back to 1582 during the reign of Pope Gregory XIII. In addition to the headquarters in Italy, the Observatory operates a second research center in the United States. The Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, aka VATT, is located on Mount Graham just outside Tuscon, Arizona.

Planning a Visit to The Vatican

Planning a visit to Vatican City isn’t hard but there are a few things that are important to know if you don’t want to spoil your day. Before you go, know what you can and can’t take, what to wear, and when to go so you have the best experience.

Wear the Right Clothes

The Vatican has a dress code and they do enforce it. If you don’t want to be turned away, be sure you have dressed accordingly. To enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica , your knees and shoulders cannot be exposed. This applies to men and women. Pants, skirts or shorts extending below the knee, and maxi dresses are all appropriate options. Men will also need to remove their hats. Women can continue wearing theirs throughout the visit.

If you must wear shorts, be sure to carry along an oversized scarf or sarong that you can tie around your waist to cover your knees during your visit. This also means you are not allowed in if you are wearing a tank top or sleeveless top. Low-cut tops are also a no-no. Again, if you decide to wear one of these types of tops anyway, be sure to have a scarf or a shirt to pull over. If you don’t pack a shawl to cover yourself, you’ll be offered one for purchase or turned away. You can also purchase a long, silly-looking plastic cloak that you can toss in the trash at the end of your visit.

Arrive Early

To avoid the largest crowds, plan to begin your visit to Vatican City in the morning. There wiatll still be a lot of people but, for the most part, you can avoid the worst of it. Visiting in the morning is especially beneficial during the hot summer months. Lines to get into the Vatican Museums often begin forming as early as 7:30 am and can extend for three hours or more during the busiest times. The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums. So, if the Sistine Chapel is on your Italian bucket list, you will have to go through the museums to see it. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the Chapel separately.

The key to visiting on your own is to have a plan. If you aren’t interested in the museums or the Sistine Chapel or if those activities are less important to you than visiting St. Peter’s Basilica; you may want to reverse the order of your visit. St. Peter’s Basilica opens at 7:00 am and this is typically when you will find the shortest line. Plus, if you go early, you can avoid standing in line during the hottest part of the day. If you can’t or don’t want to go in the morning, you can try going just after lunch. This is about the time that morning tours are finishing up and guides are taking time for lunch.

Skip the Line

Truly, the best and most efficient way that you can visit is to book an early Vatican City tour with skip-the-line access . Having a tour guide to such an expansive site gives you the added benefit of having someone be able to explain what you are looking at and provide little bits of historical information you may not otherwise get. Certain tours also give you access to the museum earlier than it opens to the public. This gives you a head start on the massive crowds that are waiting to enter. That alone is worth the extra expense.

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter since it is a church. However, if you book a tour that has St. Peter’s Basilica added, you will be able to enter through a portal only available to tour guides. You also won’t have to wait in the excruciatingly long line. Even if you don’t see the value in that right now, you most definitely will when you arrive. The Basilica is usually the last stop on a tour so when your guide finishes, you will be free to continue exploring st. Peter’s on your own.

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Ukraine war latest: 'Mass disruption' to messaging apps in Russia; Moscow comes under huge drone attack

Moscow has come under one of the largest attacks by Ukrainian drones yet, with Russia saying it destroyed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight. It comes as Kyiv's forces continue to push into Russia's western Kursk region. Meanwhile, major messaging apps have been disrupted in Russia.

Wednesday 21 August 2024 17:35, UK

• Moscow comes under one of largest drone attacks yet, Russia says 
• 'Mass disruption' of Telegram and WhatsApp in Russia
• Ukraine making 'marginal advances' in Kursk
• Russians in border region told to avoid dating apps
• Moscow claims capture of another village in Ukraine's east
• Michael Clarke : Ukrainians 'trying to worry Russia as much as they can'
• Your questions answered: What is Ukraine hoping to achieve with invasion of Russia?

That's all our live coverage on the war in Ukraine for now.

We'll return with any major developments this evening. If not, we'll be back tomorrow with all the latest updates.

Here is a reminder of today's key events:

• Moscow came under one of the largest attacks yet by Ukrainian drones, with Russia saying it destroyed all of them;
• Kyiv's forces have reportedly destroyed or damaged all three bridges over the Seym River in western Russia, a move that could potentially trap Moscow's forces between the river, the Ukrainian advance into Russia and the Ukrainian border;
• Russia's reported use of aerospace forces to defend against Ukraine's invasion "likely demonstrates continuing personnel shortages",  the UK's defence ministry said, adding the personnel are "being misused" which "could reduce Russian capacity to re-take territory in Kursk oblast";
• Moscow's troops claimed to have taken control of a Ukrainian village in the push towards the key strategic hub of Pokrovsk city in the eastern Donetsk region;
• Ukraine's parliament voted to ratify the Rome Statute, allowing the country to join the International Criminal Court - a key part of its drive to join the European Union;
• Russians in the border region invaded by Ukraine have been told by Moscow's interior ministry to avoid using dating apps to prevent Kyiv's forces from gathering intelligence;
• Telegram and WhatsApp were disrupted by a malicious attack which also affected other sites such as Wikipedia, Skype and Discord.

Ukrainian forces have made additional advances in their invasion of Russia's Kursk region, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said.

The Washington-based think tank said Kyiv's forces were continuing to strike Russian pontoon bridges and pontoon engineering equipment (as we reported in our 2.51pm post).

In its assessment, it said Ukrainian troops do not control all of the territory behind the forward line of forces operating in Russia.

But it said Moscow's military command "continues to complicate and bureaucratise its thus-far ineffective command and control structure" for its response to the attack.

It also noted Russian authorities had reportedly re-deployed units from lower priority sectors of the frontline in Ukraine back to Russia in order to address the ongoing invasion in Kursk.

The ISW said it had previously noted such deployments "could affect the tempo of Russian offensive operations".

Russian Orthodox priests have brought an icon to the site of a massive fuel depot fire in southern Russia sparked by a Ukrainian drone attack in the hope it will help tame the blaze, the local diocese has said.

The icon of the Unburnt Bush is considered by Christians in Russia to be a talisman against fire.

We have been reporting on how the fire has been burning since Sunday despite efforts by firefighters to douse the flames.

Around 20 of 74 storage tanks were on fire, the RIA news agency reported on Tuesday, citing local administration boss Valery Gornich.

Volunteers who previously helped Ukrainian refugees are now providing shelter and essential items to Russians affected by Kyiv's invasion of western Russia.

We have more details on the mass disruption to the Telegram and WhatsApp messaging apps in Russia we reported earlier (see 12.57pm post).

Moscow's state communications monitoring service said the problems were caused by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.

The service said the attack had been repelled and the messaging networks were working normally again.

Local media said other sites such as Wikipedia, Skype and the social media platform Discord had also been affected.

"The disruption is related to a DDoS attack on Russian telecom operators," the service said, without elaborating on who might have been responsible. 

Russia began to block access to Telegram in 2018, a move which had little effect on the availability of the app there.

WhatsApp's parent company Meta was branded an "extremist" organisation by Moscow in 2022 and its other services such as Facebook and Instagram are now banned in Russia - though they can still be accessed via virtual private networks (VPNs).

Russia has closed airports in its northwestern cities of Murmansk and Apatity and restricted the use of airspace over those cities, the TASS news agency has reported.

Such measures are usually taken in Russia because of potential or actual Ukrainian drone attacks.

Ukraine attacked Moscow earlier today in one of the largest attacks yet on the Russian capital since the start of the war in 2022 (see 09.51am post).

Russian authorities said they had destroyed all of the drones headed towards the capital.

Kyiv has said its forces are using US-made HIMARS rockets to destroy pontoon bridges and engineering equipment in Russia's western Kursk region.

Ukraine has destroyed or damaged at least three bridges over the Seym River since Kyiv launched its attack three weeks ago.

"Where do Russian pontoon bridges 'disappear' in the Kursk region? Operators... accurately destroy them," Ukraine's special operations forces said on Telegram.

It said HIMARS rocket systems were used - the first official statement from Kyiv that Western weapons had been used as part of the offensive.

We are now seeing "the battle of the pontoon bridges," says our  defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke .

He says Russian vehicles carrying the pontoon equipment "are pretty obvious from the air because they've got bridge pieces on them," and the Ukrainians are using drones to go after the individual vehicles.

"When they see a pontoon bridge beginning to emerge they try and attack it. The Russians have been trying to build lots of these and the Ukrainians have been trying to attack them."

Russians in the border region invaded by Ukraine have been told to avoid using dating apps to prevent Kyiv's forces from gathering intelligence.

Moscow's interior ministry told residents, military and police personnel in the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions to avoid "online dating services".

"The enemy actively uses such resources for information gathering," it said on Telegram.

Ukrainian forces are continuing to push into Russia's western Kursk region in an offensive that began two weeks ago.

Ukraine's parliament has voted to ratify the Rome Statute, allowing the country to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) - a key part of its drive to join the European Union.

The move would allow authorities "to more effectively punish" suspected Russian war criminals, according to Ukrainian politician Oleksiy Honcharenko.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for several Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin and former defence minister Sergei Shoigu for their roles in alleged crimes against Ukrainian civilians - Russia has denied targeting civilians.

"Ukraine has already worked effectively with the ICC to ensure comprehensive accountability for all Russian atrocities committed in the course of Russian aggression," Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted.

"This work will now be even more effective." 

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