places to visit in the vatican city

13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Vatican

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

When you visit Vatican City, one of the top tourist attractions in Rome , you're actually adding another country to your been-there list. Vatican City is an independent state, and inside its 0.44 square kilometers, you'll find so many things to do that it would take days to see them all.

Whether your interest is religion, history, art, or architecture, you'll find plenty of things to see here. The two must-see sights are St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel , but the Vatican Palace contains magnificent rooms decorated by the greatest artists of their time.

You will be astonished by the dazzling collections in the more than a dozen museums that fill its grand galleries with everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to works by modern artists such as Matisse and Salvador Dali.

You can decide which places to visit and plan your sightseeing easily with this handy list of the best tourist attractions in the Vatican.

See also: Where to Stay near Vatican City

1. St. Peter's Basilica

2. sistine chapel, 3. vatican palace highlights: the raphael rooms, appartamento borgia, and cappella niccolina, 4. pinacoteca (picture gallery), 5. piazza san pietro (st. peter's square), 6. museo pio clementino, 7. vatican necropolis, 8. vatican gardens, 9. gregorian etruscan museum, 10. collection of modern religious art, 11. vatican library, 12. egyptian museum, 13. museo chiaramonti, where to stay near vatican city for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to the vatican, map of tourist attractions in the vatican.

The centerpiece of the Vatican and the place to begin your visit, the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica is the most important of all the churches in Rome . Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the basilica replaced earlier structures that began in 326 on the site believed to be where St. Peter was buried. Ironically, it was the selling of indulgences to finance this building in the 16th century that provoked Martin Luther to begin the Protestant Reformation.

The work of famous artists begins before you enter the church: in the portico are an equestrian statue of Constantine by Bernini and fragments of a mosaic by Giotto above the main doorway. It's from the old church, as are the double bronze doors.

The huge nave — 185 meters long and 46 meters tall — rises to a dome 119 meters above and can hold more than 60,000 people. To appreciate its vast size, you can compare it to the dimensions of other great churches marked in the floor. On your right, Michelangelo's famous Pietà , sculpted when he was only 24, is behind reinforced glass. Also on the right is the richly decorated Chapel of the Sacrament, with Bernini's tabernacle and his rival Borromini's bronze grille.

Michelangelo's dome is held on four massive pentagonal piers, and below it, under Bernini's magnificent Baroque bronze baldacchino (canopy), is the Papal altar. Below is the tomb of St. Peter. The bronze throne in the apse, flanked by papal tombs, is also by Bernini. Tombs of more Popes are in the right aisle.

Near the Baptistery are the stairs (a lift is outside near the Gregorian Chapel) to the roof. From here, you can climb 330 steep steps inside the dome to the lantern for a closer look at the dome's structure and magnificent views over St. Peter's Square . Beneath the church is Vatican Necropolis, the final resting place of several former Popes and said to house the remains of St. Peter himself.

Address: Piazza San Pietro, Rome

For many tourists, the highlight of visiting the Vatican is the vast Sistine Chapel, with its walls and ceilings covered in vibrant frescoes by Michelangelo and other artists. The frescoes, which are considered the pinnacle of Renaissance painting, were extensively restored from 1980 to 1994, removing layers of candle soot, dust, varnish, grease, and overpainting to reveal their original luminous colors.

The side walls are covered with large frescoes of Biblical scenes against the background of Umbrian and Tuscan scenery, painted for Sixtus IV by the most celebrated painters of the day - Perugino, Botticelli, Rosselli, Pinturicchio, Signorelli, and Ghirlandaio.

These late-15th-century paintings already reflect the ideas of humanism, recognizing humans as individuals and important in the historical process. The left-hand wall shows Old Testament scenes; the right-wall, New Testament scenes.

The frescoes on the ceiling were painted by Michelangelo, almost completely unaided by assistants, in the reign of Pope Julius II, between 1508 and 1512. Michelangelo's ambitious idea was to depict the Creation as described in Genesis, beginning with God separating light from darkness, creating the sun and the moon, separating land and sea, and creating Adam and then Eve, and continuing through the story of Noah.

Below in the vaulting are colossal figures of the prophets and sibyls. Michelangelo began work on the large fresco on the altar wall in 1534, depicting the final scene in the story of the world, the Last Judgment. Its dramatic presentation and artistic finesse rank it as one of the greatest achievements of European painting.

If you don't want to wait in long lines for your chance to admire the world's most famous frescoes , book a "Skip the Line" tour, which includes the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and The Vatican Museums .

These rooms, commissioned for the Palace of the Vatican's papal apartments by the art-loving Pope Julius II and later by Pope Leo X, are covered with a magnificent series of frescoes by Raphael.

In re-discovering the traditions of historical painting, Raphael began an art tradition that was to be followed for centuries. In each of the scenes, he uses classical symmetry in the composition, positioning the characters in perspective around a central focal point.

While some scenes were painted by students or other great artists after Raphael's death, the Stanza della Segnatura and the Stanza di Eliodoro were both painted by Raphael himself, as were those in the Sala della Segnatura. Completed between 1508 and 1511, these works, like those in the Sistine Chapel, represent the supreme achievement of Renaissance painting.

Pope Alexander VI, a Borgia, had a private residence for himself and his family built inside the Vatican Palace , known today as the Appartamento Borgia. Between 1492 and 1495, Pinturicchio and his assistants painted a series of scenes that combined Christian subjects with ancient and Renaissance humanist themes.

The first room shows prophets and Sibyls; the second, the Creed, with prophets and Apostles. The third room is decorated with allegories of the seven liberal arts, and the fourth with legends of saints. Scenes from the New Testament cover the fifth.

It's easy to miss this little gem as you leave the Raphael Rooms and go through the Sala dei Chiaroscuro , where your attention will be on the wooden ceiling. But look in the corner for a small doorway to Nicholas V's Chapel , also known as Cappella Niccolina. It is completely lined in frescoes by the Florentine monk of the early Renaissance, Fra Beato Angelico.

The subjects of the frescoes are the life and martyrdom of St. Stephen and St. Lawrence, and like all Fra Angelico's work, these paintings speak of a deceptive simplicity, gentleness, and devotion that almost makes you overlook the genius of this talented artist.

Even though Napoleon robbed it of many of its treasures, the Pinacoteca contains 16 rooms of priceless art from the Middle Ages to contemporary works. Arranged in chronological order, the pictures give an excellent survey of the development of Western painting. Medieval art includes Byzantine, Sienese, Umbrian, and Tuscan paintings, as well as a Giotto triptych and a Madonna and St. Nicholas of Bari by Fra Angelico.

Notice especially the triptych by Filippo Lippi, Coronation of the Virgin by Pinturicchio, and a Madonna by Perugino. A room is devoted to tapestries from cartoons by Raphael; his Madonna of Foligno; and his last painting, the famous 1517 Transfiguration . Portraits include da Vinci's unfinished St. Jerome , a Titian Madonna, and Caravaggio's Entombment .

The grand Piazza San Pietro in front of St. Peter's Basilica was laid out by Bernini between 1656 and 1667 to provide a setting where the faithful from all over the world could gather. It still serves that purpose admirably and is filled to capacity each Easter Sunday and on other important occasions.

The large oval area, 372 meters long, is enclosed at each end by semicircular colonnades surmounted by a balustrade with 140 statues of saints. On either side of the oval are fountains, and in the center is a 25.5-meter Egyptian obelisk brought from Heliopolis by Caligula in AD 39 and set up in his circus. It was moved here in 1586, no small task in those days, as the monument weighs 350 tons.

The focal point, however, is the façade of the basilica, from whose central balcony the Pope delivers his blessings and announces beatifications and canonizations. From here also, the senior member of the College of Cardinals proclaims the name of a new Pope elected by the conclave.

The Vatican Museums have the largest collection of ancient sculptures in the world, mainly found in Rome and the surrounding areas . These galleries contain such a wealth of magnificent and significant pieces that even a list of the highlights is a long one.

In the Sala a Croce Greca, don't miss the red porphyry sarcophagi of Constantine's daughter, Constantia, and his mother, St. Helen, both richly decorated with figures and symbols. In the Sala delle Muse look for Belvedere Torso, a first-century-BC work by Apollonius of Athens that was admired by Michelangelo. In the Gabinetto delle Maschere is a mosaic floor of theatrical masks from the Villa Adriana in Tivoli.

In the Cortile del Belvedere is one of the most famous statues in the Vatican: the Apollo Belvedere. In the Galleria delle Statue, look for the Candelabri Barberini, the finest ancient candelabras known, also from the Villa Adriana at Tivoli.

Galleria dei Busti contains, along with lunette frescoes by Pinturicchio, the celebrated Laocoön group, a masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture showing the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons in a mortal struggle with two huge snakes.

Beneath the grand dome and priceless frescoes of St. Peter's, a treasure trove of archaeological finds awaits. Many are aware of the papal grottoes just beneath the cathedral where former Popes have been entombed in private chapels, and the 12th-century church that accompanies them.

Not so well known are extensive ruins that have been excavated even deeper in the earth below, revealing burial grounds from as early as the 1st century BCE. The deepest of the three levels contains a pagan burial site, and the next level up contains both pagan and Christian graves, as well as ruins including stone crypts and arches dating through the 5th century.

The most significant discovery, however, is a gravesite believed to contain the remains of Saint Peter himself, a relic that the Vatican continues to excavate with painstaking care. A limited number of tourists are allowed to visit each day, and tickets must normally be purchased directly from the Vatican Excavations Office, so it is highly recommended that tourists book a pre-arranged private tour of the Vatican necropolis , which will ensure admission.

Location: Beneath St. Peter's Basilica

After the overload of grandeur and spectacular art, you may long for some quiet time outdoors. The Vatican Gardens, first created for Pope Nicholas II in the 13th century, were meant to be a space for peaceful reflection.

Over the centuries, the landscaped gardens, grassy spaces, and orchards have grown to cover nearly one-half of the area of the tiny city-state and rival the most beautiful gardens in Italy .

In addition to the formal French Garden, you'll find individually potted plants along the paths, containing azaleas and other lush flowers. Planted among these and in the orchard are several rare trees, including an Australian silk oak, as well as many trees that were brought as gifts by official visitors.

Perhaps the most significant of these trees is the olive tree, which was presented by the State of Israel to symbolize peaceful relations with the head of the Catholic Church. Tours of the garden must be arranged in advance through the Vatican Museum.

The 18 rooms of the Gregorian Etruscan Museum shed new light on the life of the Etruscans and their idea of the afterlife. Among the findings from the Etruscan graves that have been excavated throughout Tuscany are not just funerary items, but artworks and objects from the everyday life of these enigmatic people.

Particularly outstanding are the grave goods found in the Regolini-Galassi tomb at Cerveteri, the Mars of Todi, a head of Athena, and a number of very fine Etruscan vases.

Amid all the antiquities and Renaissance art, a more recent addition to the Vatican treasures was inaugurated in 1973, as a result of an initiative by Pope Paul VI in 1964. The Pontiff noted the gap between the Catholic Church and contemporary art, hoping to bring them closer in the future. That began the extension of the Vatican's small collection of 19 th -century art to include more recent works.

As with the other Vatican museums, not all the collection — which numbers more than 8000 — is on display, but the works shown in galleries between Borgia Apartment and the Sistine Chapel present an overview of 20 th -century religious paintings .

Works on religious themes in the collection include those by Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, Marc Chagall, Francis Bacon, Otto Dix, Giorgio de Chirico, and Henri Matisse. An entire room is dedicated to Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary in Vence, France.

The value of its contents makes the Vatican Library the richest in the world, with 7,000 incunabula (printed before 1501), 25,000 medieval hand-written books, and 80,000 manuscripts that have been collected since the library's founding in 1450. And that's just the old books; it doesn't count all the books it contains that were printed since the end of the 15th century.

In its 70-meter-long hall, built by Domenico Fontana, you can admire some of its most precious treasures: beautiful hand-illuminated Gospels, Biblical codices, early printed books, parchment manuscripts, and ancient scrolls and papyri. The library also has a recently expanded collection of pontifical coins and medals.

The Egyptian Museum in the Cortile della Pigna was re-founded in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI, the first collection having been assembled earlier by Pius VIII. Much of the collection was brought from the Villa Adriana in Tivoli , where they had been collected by Emperor Hadrian.

Supplementing Hadrian's collections are artifacts assembled by 19th-century collectors. The nine rooms exhibit some fine examples of Egyptian art from the third millennium to the sixth century BC. Highlights include basalt and wooden sarcophagi, sculptures of gods and pharaohs, bronzes, mummified heads, burial reliefs, stelae with hieroglyphic inscriptions, statues of gods and animals, and papyri.

In the last two rooms, you'll find art from ancient Mesopotamia, vases and bronzes from Syria, and reliefs from Assyrian palaces.

If you're traveling in Rome with children and their patience is wearing thin with palaces and art , this part of the Vatican will likely be their favorite.

The Museo Chiaramonti, founded by Pope Pius VII in the early 19th century, is housed in a long gallery leading to the Papal palace and in the Braccio Nuovo. Concentrating on works of Greek and Roman art, the museum includes a number of Roman copies of earlier works by some of the most famous Greek sculptors, the only record of them that survives.

Among the highlights of the thousand-odd sculptures, friezes, and reliefs are the Augustus of Prima Porta, a statue of the emperor found in the villa of his wife Livia; a statue of the god of the Nile; and Spear Carrier , a copy of the work by Polycletus.

In the Sala della Biga, near the entrance, are two Discus Throwers , copies of fifth-century-BC works. A funeral monument of a miller dating from the first century was found at Ostia , and two splendid gilded bronze peacocks are thought to have come from Hadrian's Mausoleum.

• On a pedestrian-only street, the 4-star Hotel della Conciliazione has a beautiful lobby and well-appointed rooms; breakfast is complimentary.
• Caesar Palace is a good-value bed-and-breakfast, with warm hospitality. The large rooms are elegantly decorated and the included continental breakfast features cappuccino.
• The budget Adriatic Hotel is a short stroll to Vatican City, near restaurants and a supermarket; after a day's sightseeing, relax on the hotel's lovely roof garden.
• Spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, and a leafy terrace make Relais Le Clarisse in Trastevere an oasis in the busy city. The atmospheric Trastevere neighborhood is within easy reach of the Vatican by public transportation and has the added attraction of proximity to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and other important tourist sites.

Skip the Lines:

• Vatican City is an incredibly popular destination for both general sightseeing and religious pilgrimages, and as a result, the lines to see the most popular tourist attractions can take longer to get through than you spend at the site itself — even after upgrading to the "fast track" tickets, where available.
• Anyone who is short on time, finds it difficult to stand for long periods, or simply doesn't relish the idea of a long wait will want to book the Skip the Line Tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel . This three-hour tour grants special no-wait access to the top Vatican attractions, allowing you to make the most of your visit by spending the entire time admiring the artwork of masters like Michelangelo and Raphael, the architecture and splendor of St. Peter's Basilica , and the treasures displayed within the Vatican Museums . The private guide will also provide fascinating commentary, which includes historical background and little-known facts about the Vatican. For those who want a more intimate experience, a small-group option is available, limited to 12 participants.

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Italy's Top Churches : It is no surprise that Italy is home to some of the most spectacular churches and cathedrals in the world, and you can explore some of the top churches in Rome . Italian churches draw tourists who admire the awe-inspiring architecture, unparalleled artwork, and countless treasures within.

While exploring St. Mark's Basilica , one of the top attractions in Venice , you will see gold mosaics and pillars of rare stone, like alabaster and jasper, which were brought back to Venice by every merchant ship that made port during its construction.

Visitors to Siena will appreciate the magnificent exterior of Santa Maria Assunta as well as the artwork that adorns the interior, the product of masters like Donatello and Bernini. Florence is home to several magnificent churches with equally impressive artwork, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, as well as impressive interiors in the lesser-known chapels, which feature intricate detail work in marble, gold, and exotic woods.

Those who are inspired by architecture will also want to visit Monreale Cathedral , built in the 12th century by William II, which is one of Sicily's most famous attractions for its size and grandeur.

When in Rome : While seeing the Vatican City's top attractions is a priority, there are some top attractions in Rome that absolutely can't be missed. The Colosseum is the city's most popular tourist attraction, a massive ruin that has become an iconic symbol of the city's deeply rooted history.

Even older, yet in much better condition, the Pantheon has endured millennia while honoring Rome's ancient gods and goddesses, providing tourists with a truly remarkable experience as they step into the past.

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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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The 10 Best Things To Do in Vatican City

• Planning your trip

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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• Visiting the Vatican

Visiting the Vatican - Top tips you need to know!

By Elyssa Bernard

November 21, 2023

Planning on visiting the Vatican when you come to Rome?

Here's everything you need to know!

Visiting the Vatican - everything you need to know

Here is what you really need to know about visiting the Vatican:

• When to go ? (what time of year and time of day)
• What to see ? (St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museums, and much more!)
• Which should you visit first, the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) or Saint Peter's Basilica ?
• How to skip the lines for Saint Peter's Basilica ?
• How to get tickets/skip the line to the Vatican museums ?
• Can you just visit the Sistine Chapel ? 
• Can you see the Sistine Chapel without crowds ?
• How do you visit the Vatican Gardens ?
• How do you visit St Peter's tomb ?
• How to plan all your Vatican visits for your trip ?
• How to get to the Vatican ?
• Where to eat near the Vatican ?

The first time I came to Rome as an adult, I missed seeing the Sistine Chapel because I had no idea the Vatican Museums closed at 2pm (long before smartphones and Google, ahem.) 

It must have been a Free Sunday, when the Vatican Museums are open and free but with reduced hours.

Now that I live here, I go often to Saint Peter's Basilica , Saint Peter's Square , and the Vatican Museums .

I also helped thousands of our guests plan their visits in the 17 years we ran our B&B .

Based on years of first-hand experience, I know how to tell you what to do and what not to do.

You can avoid a stressful visit to the Vatican by reading my tips first!

QUICK FACTS ABOUT VISITING VATICAN CITY

• You don't need a passport.
• Vatican City is a separate state from Italy, with just over 500 residents.
• The two main places to visit are Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums (where the Sistine Chapel is.)
• The pope is head of Vatican City.
• The pope's church is not Saint Peter's Basilica. It is Saint John in Lateran.
• You can visit the Vatican, and you can stay nearby, but you cannot sleep inside the Vatican.

Visiting the Vatican - When to go

• There really is no "best day" for visiting Vatican City, i.e. when there are fewer people. The Vatican is Rome's most popular tourist destination and is pretty much always busy. You might consider Tuesday or Thursday as your best bets. Dates around a weekend can be a bit busier, and on Wednesday there is (usually) the Papal Audience , meaning even more crowds.
• In the mornings, many tour groups show up, including those offering early skip-the-line access. Also, people in general come early to try to "beat the line," so you may find the Vatican Museums much more crowded in the early morning than you expect, and  slightly less crowded in mid-afternoon.
• St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums tend to be even more crowded on Saturdays , when Rome fills up with weekend visitors.
• The Vatican Museum is closed Sundays, except for the last Sunday of every month , when they are free . This is the most crowded day you can imagine for visiting the Vatican Museums .
• On Wednesdays (except for  July , when the pope generally takes a break ), the pope holds an audience at St Peter's Basilica . In warmer months, it will be in Saint Peter's Square . In colder months, or if it's raining , it will be in an auditorium-type hall just to the left of the basilica. This means that the whole area will be packed due to all the people who attend the papal audience , many of whom visit the Vatican Museums after the audience.
• If you do visit Vatican City on a Wednesday , know that St Peter's Basilica will be closed until the papal audience is over (around 12-1pm.)
• As for time of year, winter low season months are best if you want to be more relaxed and find smaller crowds . This means most of December ( except  December 8 , and Christmas through the Epiphany, January 6 ), January and February . Believe it or not, it's just as crowded at to visit Vatican City between Christmas and January 6 as it is during summer.
• Here's  how and when to include visiting the Vatican in a 3-day itinerary in Rome .

IMPORTANT TIP :

To visit St Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, you must be properly dressed : no bare knees, midriffs or shoulders.

Sandals and jeans are fine.

Be careful when wearing knee-length shorts and skirts; the opinions of the Vatican guards as to what is acceptable may vary.

You may wish to bring a sarong or wear the kinds of shorts that have attachable legs, such as hiking trousers .

In a pinch, you will find plenty of vendors just outside the Vatican, who sell t-shirts or scarves.

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 things never to leave at home:

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

Visiting the Vatican - What to see?

The main things to see when visiting the Vatican are  Saint Peter’s Basilica  and the  Vatican Museums .

You can see one and not the other, although v isiting both in a single day is very do-able.

Looking for Michelangelo's masterpieces?

Michelangelo’s Pietà is inside Saint Peter's Basilica.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums.

Just try not to plan any other big visit like another museum or archeological site like the Coloseum  for the day you visit the Vatican, as you will be pretty exhausted.

Do you really want to visit the Vatican and Colosseum in one day? Here's how!

Or take the stress out of it by taking this "Rome in a Day" Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center.

To get the most out of your visit to the Colosseum, take a VIP Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill.

St Peter's Basilica

Saint Peter’s Basilica  is a Renaissance-era church and by many standards, the world’s largest. 

The Vatican is a basilica but not a cathedral, as it does not have its own bishop.

The main cathedral of the “Bishop of Rome”, as the pope is called, is San Giovanni in Laterano , or Saint John in Lateran .

But the pope is head of Vatican City , where he resides.

It's a little confusing isn't it?

Anyway, just think of the Vatican as a huge church, with a lot to see inside.

Click here to read more about what exactly the Vatican is.

Click here to visit my dedicated page all about Saint Peter's Basilica and its history, and things to see and do there.

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St Peter's Dome

It's very much worth  visiting the basilica's dome , but you should know it can get a little crowded up there, and there are a LOT of steps.

The first level is 231 steps, but there is an elevator option. ( Someone in a wheelchair or with walking difficulties can take the lift to this first level.)

The second portion is another 320 steps, with no elevator option.

The dome gets narrower as you go up, so you will be climbing this part single file, and with the roof slanting over your head.

I say this as someone with a close relative with vertigo: you may want to avoid climbing the dome at the Vatican if you suffer from vertigo or claustrophobia.

But if none of that is an issue, then do it!

You'll love the views from up there, both of the church and of the surrounding city.

Visit my dedicated page all about Saint Peter's dome and how to climb it.

Michelangelo’s Pieta

My favorite piece of art inside of  St Peter's Basilica  is Michelangelo’s Pietà .

Actually, it may be my favorite piece of art in the world.

An exaggeration?

I can't help it...just look at it:

It’s on your right as soon as you walk inside Saint Peter's Basilica.

When I visited it with my mom, she cried, saying “look at her face, it’s just about a mother’s love for her child."

Unfortunately, someone wielding an axe once attacked it, and it’s now behind glass.

But you can still see it very well.

And take note of Mary’s face.

It’s really special when you see it in person.

Michelangelo Tidbit :

This was one of Michelangelo’s first major works.

He made it when he was only 22.

He was not sure people would know he did it, so he snuck in late one night and carved his name (Michelangelo Buonarroti) on Mary’s sash.

The Pietà is the only sculpture Michelangelo ever signed (or needed to sign.)

Vatican Grottoes - The Tombs of the Popes

Inside Saint Peter's Basilica, you can go down one level and see the area where some of the popes are buried.

Saint Peter is said to be entombed just underneath the church .

This is why many popes are also buried here. 

It's quite interesting to visit the popes' tombs , called the Vatican Grottoes   - there is a lot of history down there.

Don't worry, it's not dark or claustrophobic.

On the contrary, it's a huge open space full of light and lots to see (no photos allowed.)

To visit the Vatican Grottoes, get up close to Bernini's Baldachin and look for the entrance nearby.

It's free to visit the Vatican Grottoes.

You should make sure you are done visiting the basilica or have a plan to go back up, because the normal route through the grottoes has you exit the basilica entirely.

Not to be confused with St. Peter's tomb

When people talk about visiting the Vatican grottoes, they are referring to a place where you can see the tombs of many popes (as I wrote above.)

But this is not the same as visiting the  Vatican Necropolis , where St. Peter is said to be buried.

A  visit to Saint Peter’s tomb , also referred to as a scavi  visit, is a special and wonderful thing to do, and I highly recommend it. (" Scavi " means "excavations".)

It is a delicate archeological site, and they only take 250 people in per day, in 12-person tours at a time, so you must  book way in advance . (No photos allowed.)

NEW FOR 2024!

The archeological area of the Vatican Necropolis of Via Triumphalis is now open for visitors.

This is an ancient Roman burial site that is within the Vatican walls and before now was very difficult to get access to.

You can only enter as part of an official Vatican tour group, and tickets need to be purchased through the official website .

This is an entirely separate visit, so you will not have access to either St Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums.

Click here to watch my YouTube video about it and see what it's like!

The Vatican Museums

The second major site to visit at the Vatican is the Vatican Museums.

This is the part about Vatican City that will take most of your time and energy.

The Vatican Museum contains the world’s largest private art collection (and just imagine that much of the art they own is not even on display!)

They are called "museums" and not just singular "museum" because the museums were started in 1506 and have been added to many times over the centuries.

They now occupy many different buildings all connected to on another.

That's one reason there is so much to see!

You will see a lot of art inside the Vatican Museums, including paintings, sculptures, ancient artifacts, and much more.

I think the number one thing people want to see when they visit is the Sistine Chapel.

For more about the Vatican Museums and Sistine chapel, visit my dedicated pages:

• Visiting the Sistine Chapel
• Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel
• Visiting the Vatican Museums
• Vatican Museums Must Sees
• Vatican Museums Tickets
• Vatican Museums Tours
• Vatican Secret Rooms

More things you will see at the Vatican:

Besides the two main sites - the museums (Sistine Chapel) and the basilica, there are more things you will see when you visit Vatican City.

Look for these as you walk around:

St. Peter's Square

It would be easy to take Saint Peter's Square, Piazza San Pietro in Italian, for granted.

After all, if you're beelining to get into the basilica, you might be focused on the security queues and wondering how long you will have to wait.

But St. Peter's Square, also called Vatican Square, is worth visiting and enjoying by itself.

It's the only part of Vatican City you can visit without any tickets or queuing.

If you have very limited time , you may even decide that this is about as much as you want to see of Vatican City, since everything else involves queues and/or tickets plus an involved visit inside.

Click here to visit my page all about St. Peter's Square, its history, and what to see.

The Swiss Guard

You might spy one or more of the Swiss Guard at the gate to Vatican City.

The Swiss Guard wear different outfits depending on their duties, but they are all dressed in costumes originally designed in the early 1500s (although not by Michelangelo, an urban myth.)

The Swiss Guard have a specific duty to guard the pope's life and Saint Peter's Basilica.

They are the world's smallest army and they are very well trained.

You will not see the Swiss Guard at the Vatican Museums.

There, you will see Vatican Museums guards who dress in more modern attire.

The Leonine Walls

In the 9th century, Pope Leo IV had defensive walls built around Vatican City following the sacking by raiders of Old St. Peter's Basilica in 846.

You can still see those walls today in and around the Vatican, especially if you visit the Vatican Gardens .

You can also see parts of these walls surrounding Saint Peter's Square on the side where the security gates are, and along the way from the Vatican to nearby Castel Sant'Angelo .

Click here to read a more detailed yet brief history of the Vatican.

For more Vatican history, check out these dedicated pages:

The Vatican Post Office

Don't miss a visit to the Vatican Post Office if you want to mail any postcards. 

It's easier and more efficient than going to the Italian Post Office, and your mail will get there faster!

There is also a Vatican mailbox up on the roof ( Saint Peter's Dome ), and usually another post office in Saint Peter's Square .

More sites you can visit in Vatican City

Besides Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, there are some more sites you can visit in Vatican City.

You have to pay for these (and for the scavi and gardens, you must book in advance.)

You will find more details about each one on their respective dedicated pages:

• Saint Peter's Tomb (Vatican Necropolis or Scavi )
• Saint Peter's Dome
• Vatican Gardens

Which to see first - The Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel, or St. Peter's Basilica?

If you book a tour of the Vatican, usually this means taking a guided tour of the Vatican Museums , which ends with the Sistine Chapel .

Some tours include taking the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel into St Peters Basilica.

There has been some back and forth recently about whether the shortcut is available or not, but for now, it is once again the case that  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 Vatican can, and does, change their mind frequently on this matter, so if it is important to you to be able to take this shortcut, I recommend booking a tour that ends in St Peter's Basilica to be on the safe side.

If you are on a tour that ends in the Basilica the decision is made for you.

But if you are taking a Vatican Museums tour that does not include the Basilica, or if you are visiting the Vatican Museums on your own, you'll have to decide what order to visit the museums and the basilica in, assuming you want to visit both on the same day, which many people do.

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How long does it take to visit the Vatican Museums?

To  visit the Vatican Museums  (where the Sistine Chapel is),  you need a purchase a ticket  (unless you  come on the Free Sunday .)

Once inside, even if you go quickly, you will need about 2 hours for this this visit.

If you are not able to take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to Saint Peter's basilica, you will exit the museums where you entered them.

This is about a 15-20 minute walk from Saint Peter's Square and the entrance to the basilica.

Click here to see a map of Vatican City and how far apart the entrances of the Museums and the Basilica are  (it opens in a new window.)

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 long does it take to visit Saint Peter's Basilica?

A visit inside Saint Peter's Basilica could take anywhere from 1-2 hours, not including the time you spend in line waiting to go through security (assuming you go through security in the front and do not take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel.)

To visit Saint Peter's Basilica, you do not need (nor can you buy) tickets, as it's free to go inside.

But you do have to wait in the line for security, which is airport-style - there is an x-ray machine to put your items in and you will walk through a metal detector.

And that can cause the queues to get pretty long.

Lately, the lines to get into Saint Peter's Basilica have been so long, they are looping back again around the square.

Wondering which tour to take of the Vatican Museums?

Visit my page about Vatican Museum tours to find out all the options!

If you book a Vatican Museums tour that does not allow you access to the Basilica, and/or you want to visit the Basilica separately, even on a different day, I'd suggest getting to Saint Peter's Basilica when it opens at 7 AM (if you want to avoid the line).

The lines are longest from about 10 AM - 5 PM, and in high season can be long throughout the day, even from 7 AM until closing!

Skipping the lines at Saint Peter's Basilica

The easiest way to skip the lines at Saint Peter's Basilica is to visit it using the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel (which currently is only available on booked museum tours that end in Saint Peter's Basilica).

There has been some back and forth recently about whether the shortcut is available or not, but for now, it is once again the case that  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.

As of now, you cannot do this  unless you are on a tour .

If you only plan to visit Saint Peter's Basilica , and not the museums, or you decide to visit these two sites separately, you can avoid the queues by following the tips in my video above:

• Come when it opens at 7 AM
• Come in Low Season
• Book a visit to Saint Peter's tomb
• Use the Pilgrims' entrance - reserved for prayer or attending mass or confession

Wondering where the bathrooms are at the Vatican?

Find out here .

Brief History of Vatican City eBook

The history of the Vatican stretches back thousands of years, and to know everything about this incredible micro-state would take a lifetime to learn.

With this eBook, discover the brief history of Vatican City - where it got its name, who built the basilica, where the Popes are buried and more!

Topics covered include:

• Details about the Vatican's origin , going back to the time of Ancient Rome
• The role important artists such as Michelangelo played in the creation of the Vatican as we know it today 
• How the Vatican came to be an independent city state within the boundaries of Rome

What else is included in this Brief History of Vatican City e-book?

• 50+ pages of information covering all areas of the Vatican's history
• Dozens of stunning and original photos showcasing the Vatican
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Skipping the line to get into the Vatican Museums

This may be the number 1 question I get about visiting Rome - How to skip the line for the Vatican Museums?

It's quite simple:

• You can pre-purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums through the Vatican's website . This means that you will not have to stand in the line waiting to buy tickets. You will, however, have to wait in a very short line of others like you, who have pre-booked tickets and have to pick them up. (The tickets you purchase in advance are more of a voucher, and they must be converted into physical paper tickets to enter the museums.) You also still need to go through security as everyone does. So you do not entirely skip the line, but your line will be much shorter.
• You can pre-purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums through a ticket reseller . There is usually a small surcharge for this but it can be worth it due to 1) Ease of use and/or 2) the possibility of finding tickets available here when tickets are not available on the Vatican Museums' website.
• You can purchase an Omnia Pass  or Turbo Pass .  These will also get you a tour with a guide from the Vatican Museums, as above. It’s not as simple as it sounds and you will need to be careful to understand what you are getting into. Click here to go to my page about the Roma Pass and Omnia Pass  or to this page about other Rome City Passes for more details about these passes.
• You can  book a tour of the Vatican Museums , either with a tour company or with the Vatican Museums themselves.  Your entry tickets are included in the tour, so you only have to go through the security line.
• If you book a visit to the Vatican Gardens , skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums are included!
• I do not recommend this at all, but if you have not booked tickets, and they are sold out online, and you find yourself arriving at the Vatican Museums, you will ALWAYS find touts selling you a skip-the-line ticket or tour. I don't recommend it because you cannot be sure they are legit, and if they are, you have no idea what kind of tour you are getting. I also just can't stand, in principle, to be so bombarded by these guys every time I am within a mile of Vatican City. But it can be a good option if it's your last recourse and the lines are crazy long. Just be aware that  only licensed tour guides may give tours inside Vatican City .

Visiting the Vatican Museums with a Guide

Most Vatican City tourism consists primarily of a visit inside the Vatican Museums, which always includes  the Sistine Chapel .

Some tours also include a visit or even a tour inside Saint Peter's Basilica.

You may expect a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Basilica to last roughly three hours total.

To find out about the many different kinds of tours you can book, visit my page about Vatican Museum Tours , which breaks down your options between group tours, early access tours, semi-private tours and more.

Can you just see the Sistine Chapel?

No, you cannot just see the Sistine Chapel .

To see the Sistine Chapel , you must go through the entire Vatican Museums, which can take at least 2 hours if you tour it and see the highlights .

The Sistine Chapel is at the very end. 

That said, if you are interested in an "Express Tour" of the Sistine Chapel, you can book this tour that skips the line then beelines to the Sistine Chapel and finishes in Saint Peter's Basilica .

This tour is only 1 hour and 45 minutes and does not include a tour of the rest of the Vatican Museums.

You do still have to walk through them, but the focus of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica.

(If you are really pressed for time, you could peel off once you get to the basilica and just not finish the tour.)

is it worth taking the time to explore the museums?

I really do believe that visiting the Vatican museums  is absolutely worth doing in its entirety, even if you really only wanted to see the Sistine Chapel.

The  rest of the museums   are truly wonderful.

You have the Raphael rooms, the maps gallery, the floor-to-ceiling tapestries, papal apartments, Etruscan art, and  so much more.

Click here to visit my page about the top 10 Vatican Museums must-sees.

I highly suggest  taking a tour  to visit the museums. 

They will take care of getting your tickets.

But if you go your own without a tour, you could get the audio guide, or follow my instructions here for the best way to visit the Vatican Museums .

And you will have to book your tickets on your own .

If you are heading to the Vatican in the morning, as I said above, I suggest you visit Saint Peter’s Basilica first, and the museums later, because the queues for Saint Peter's Basilica have gotten so long (sometimes it's a 1-2 hour wait to get in!)

If you decide to go to the Vatican Museums first, just make sure to leave enough time to stand in line to visit Saint Peter's so that you get inside while there is still some daylight, so you can enjoy the sun coming through all the stained glass.

Here's a great Vatican Highlights Tour with St. Peter’s Dome Climb

Can you see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds?

Perhaps the easiest way to see the Sistine Chapel with fewer crowds is to come in really low season .

But we hardly have a low season anymore in Rome, and even when we do, somehow the Vatican is always still crowded.

So how can you see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds?

It is possible!

With the below tours, you will have a VIP, exclusive experience, and you'll get to enjoy the Sistine Chapel almost alone :

Open the Vatican Museums with the Key Master

On this exclusive tour with Walks of Italy , you will have true VIP access to the Vatican museums - literally accompanying the guard who opens all the doors to get the museums ready for visits.

You will accompany the Vatican Museums Key Master as you walk through the museums, turning on the lights, even inside the Sistine Chapel!

Watch my video to see what it's like:

How to plan all your Vatican trips during your stay

The typical way of visiting the Vatican is to spend half a day seeing the  Vatican Museums  and  Saint Peter's Basilica .

These are both easy to fit into a typical  3-day visit to Rome .

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican , Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , Pantheon , Piazza Navona , Spanish Steps , Castel Sant'Angelo , and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers .

I have found that often when people can get tickets to special things at the Vatican, like St Peters tomb (the Vatican Necropolis, or scavi ), the Papal Audience , or the Vatican Gardens , they often want to also visit the Vatican Museums on the same day.

Here's my advice for visiting Vatican City when you want to see more than just the Vatican Museums:

Including the Papal Audience

How to visit the vatican museums and attend the papal audience.

Papal Audience tickets  are not difficult to come by, and since it's "in the morning", many visitors assume it would be a good idea to go to the Vatican Museums right after the audience.

I don't agree.

If you are really short on time, then, you CAN go to the Vatican Museums after the Papal Audience.

It's just that this is going to make for a pretty exhausting day.

To go to the Papal audience, you need to get there by 8am to get a decent spot, let alone a seat.

The audience begins around 9:30 AM and finishes around noon.

You'll probably want to grab at least a snack or lunch somewhere in there .

This means going inside the museums from about 2 PM once you have made your way to the Vatican Museum entrance.

If you also visit St. Peter's Basilica after the museums (which is typical), that is a 3-4 hour visit.

And a very long day. (Also, if you want to climb the dome , you likely won't get there in time.)

My suggestion?

If you can break these visits up over two days, I would.

Attend the Papal Audience and then go inside Saint Peter's Basilica (and climb the dome if you want.)

Then on a separate day, visit the Vatican Museums and see the Sistine Chapel.

Including a visit to the Scavi (St Peter's tomb)

How to visit the vatican museums and also take a scavi tour.

At the end of the  scavi  tour (St. Peter's tomb), you wind up inside  Saint Peter's basilica .

So you will already see that.

You could also  climb St. Peter's dome  if you have time and energy.

Visiting the Vatican Museums takes easily 2.5 - 3 hours, and that does not include the time it takes GETTING there once you leave the basilica.

If you are coming to the museums from St. Peter's basilica, you need to factor in about 15-20 minutes' walk to the Vatican museums entrance.

This is after you've already done a 1.5 hour scavi tour, and spent time walking around one of the largest churches in the world.

So as you can see, adding the Vatican Museums makes it a pretty exhausting day.

If you need to do it all in one day, make sure to book your scavi tour first, then book your museums visit with at least 4 hours between visits.

Break this up over two days.

Book the scavi tour.

You have no control over when they will grant you tickets, so if you are lucky enough to get them, you can then book other things around that. 

Plan to see St. Peter's basilica (and climb the dome) on this day.

Then, book your Vatican Museums visit for another day. 

HOW TO VISIT ST PETERS TOMB, THE VATICAN MUSEUMS (SISTINE CHAPEL), AND ATTEND THE PAPAL AUDIENCE

You are definitely going to need two days.

First book the scavi visit  which is never on a Wednesday mornings anyway (the Papal Audience is on Wednesdays.)

Plan to  visit St Peter's Basilica  after that, since you will come out into the basilica after the tour anyway.

If you want to  climb St Peter's dome , you will do it on this day.

This is a pretty long and full day by itself.

Then, once you get your  Papal Audience tickets , book your tickets or tour of the Vatican Museums for after the audience (even if I said above I discourage doing all this in one day, at least if you don't include the basilica it's a little less tiring).

This will be a very full and long day also.

Ready to plan your trip?

Including a visit to the Vatican Gardens

If you want to visit the vatican gardens and visit the scavi (st. peter's tomb).

TWO Vatican Gardens

On this page, I'm referring to the gardens inside Vatican City , i.e. directly behind Saint Peter's Basilica.

There are ALSO papal gardens at the Pope's summer residence, the Apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo.

To learn more about the gardens at Castel Gandolfo and how to visit them (it's easy!), visit my dedicated page here.

If you are able to get tickets to St. Peter's tomb ( scavi ) and also the Vatican Gardens , congratulations!

Here's how to include visiting the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's basilica as well.

First book the scavi visit .

Then book the Vatican Gardens tour on a different day, and plan to visit the Vatican Museums right after the gardens, as it's included in your ticket price with the gardens.

Visit St. Peter's Basilica after the scavi, again, on a different day from the Gardens/Museums.

If you want to do it all - visit the Vatican Museums, vatican gardens, papal audience, scavi tour and st peter's basilica and dome

How you plan your days fitting in these visits will depend on two things  - the Papal audience , which is always Wednesday morning 10am - 12pm (although you need to get there by no later than 8am); and the time of your scavi booking (which depends on the scavi office - you cannot control this).

Once you get those two bookings, the next difficult booking to get is for the Vatican Gardens . 

So book that one around the Papal Audience and scavi tour.

Note that tours of the Vatican Gardens are at 9am or 11am.

They are also not held on the morning of the Papal Audience.

I'd suggest you spread this over 3 days.

Or, to fit this into two (intense) days, try to do the scavi tour after the Papal audience, if you can get scavi tickets for the afternoon.

Then book the Vatican Gardens, Vatican Museums , and St. Peter's Basilica on a separate day.

(And climb St. Peter's dome once you are inside St. Peter's basilica if you like.)

How to Get to Vatican City

You have several options for how to get to the Vatican.

But the most important factor to consider is what you are visiting first.

Click here to see a Google map showing where the different entrances are for the Vatican Museums, Saint Peter's Square, and the scavi entrance . It will open in a new window.

How to get to the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums entrance is on Viale Vaticano .

If you plan to take a taxi , just tell the driver "Vatican Museums".

Visiting the Vatican Museums and arriving by Metro

Otherwise, the most common way to get there is by Metro.

Rome's metro red line A has two stops, equidistant from the entrance to the museums (about a 10-12 minute walk): Ottaviano and Cipro .

The Ottaviano metro stop is the first one you will come to if you are coming from Rome's center.

When you emerge from the metro station, you just need to follow the crowd towards Vatican City.

Once you see Michelangelo's bastions (walls), follow them to the right and you will come to the entrance of the Vatican Museums.

If you are visiting the Vatican museums from the opposite direction, or if you forget to get off at Ottaviano, or, better yet, if you want to get off at the next stop to get some fabulous pizza by the slice from Bonci's Pizzarium, then you will get off at Cipro stop. 

However, from this stop, you cannot see the same stream of people, nor can you immediately see the Vatican City walls, so you will need to navigate a little bit to find the walls.

Once you see the walls, follow them until you come to the entrance.

Visiting the Vatican Museums and Arriving by Bus

Another option for arriving at the entrance of the Vatican museums is to take a bus or buses.

Many buses will get you pretty close to the entrance of the Vatican museums.

These include the 492, 49, 23, and the 81.

How to Get to Saint Peter's Basilica and Square

The entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is on Saint Peter's Square .

This is about a 15-20 minute walk from the Vatican Museums, so if you are not visiting the Vatican Museums (or not visiting them first), and want to go directly to the basilica, you can still take the metro, but make sure to get off at Ottaviano, not Cipro.

From Ottaviano metro stop, St. Peter's Square is about a 10-15 minute walk .

Follow the crowds, but at the walls, do not make a right towards the museums, just keep going straight. 

Buses that arrive closest to St. Peter's Square include the 40 and the 64.

How to get to the Scavi/St Peter's Tomb

If you are visiting the Vatican for an appointment to see St. Peter's tomb, the fastest and easiest way to arrive is by taxi .

They can drop you right in front of the entrance where you need to go, which is at the Swiss Guard, to the left of the basilica as you face it.

If you take a bus, get the 64, as it drops you about a block away.

To take the metro , make sure to get off at Ottaviano, and give yourself about 20 minutes' walking time from there to get the the entrance of St. Peter's tomb.

Where to Eat Near the Vatican

There is no place to eat inside St Peter's Basilica or in St Peter's Square (there is a tiny snack bar on the roof of the basilica, which you can only access if you climb the dome .)

There are some cafés and fast-food options inside the Vatican Museums.

There are also fun dining options you can book, and combine with your visit to the Museums.

Otherwise, visit my page about lots of options for eating breakfast, lunch, dinner and aperitivo near the Vatican . 

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Top attractions and tours

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What To Do in Vatican City: Our Guide

By Maresa Manara

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.

Jessica Puckett

Scott Laird

Lucy Bruton

Jahnavi Bhatt

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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One Day In Vatican City Itinerary: Top Attractions In 24 Hours

Planning a visit to Vatican City and wondering how to organize your day? This is one day in Vatican City itinerary you need!

In 24 hours, this Vatican guide takes you to the top must visit attractions in Vatican City: the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Castle Sant’Angelo.

statue of St. Peter in front of St. Peter’s Basilica

You’ll find useful tips for visiting each Vatican attraction, a description of what to see at each attraction, and a primer on how to budget your time. I also give you suggestions for where to eat for lunch and dinner.

Be forewarned, it’s difficult to spend an entire day in Vatican City without burnout or a dose of museum fatigue. The papacy is over 2,000 years old. Its haul of fine art masterpieces is staggering.

Plus, you’re visiting an entire country, however tiny. Ideally, you would break up your Vatican visit into two half days.

BUT you can pull it off! I’ve done Vatican City in one day several times, to make my Rome visits more efficient geographically.

With breaks, some stamina, and the right strategy, a one day visit to Vatican City can certainly be done and enjoyed.

Plan to budget at least 6 hours for the attractions alone. Even then, you’ll be doing a quickie tour of the Vatican Museums.

Vatican City is 100 acres. The city’s holy buildings are monumental in scale. Its lavishly-decorated museums house some of the world’s most celebrated artworks.

Should You Take A   Vatican Tour?

I’m going to spend some time on this issue because it’s very important. You don’t want to be there, at the Vatican, and not see something that’s important to you.

If you can, I think you should take a guided tour and then do a DIY tour. I’ve done the Vatican many time both ways. If you’re a first timer, you’ll likely want a tour.

If you don’t book a guided tour, you absolutely must pre-book a  skip the line tickets . Or else you’ll be stuck in line for hours unless it’s the dead of winter. You also get skip the line entry with the Omnia Rome and Vatican Card . 

Most guided tours don’t cover everything in the Vatican. For example, you will likely miss the Raphael Rooms and the specialty museums.

Here are your Vatican tour options. You can pick a tour tailored to your own interests and museum going tastes. 

• a  2.5 hour overview on a skip the line small group guided tour
• a  3 hour no  w ait tour that also includes the Raphael Rooms
• a  3.5 hour tour Vatican visit with a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
• a  3 hour Friday night tour of the Vatican
• a  Vatican tou r that includes a climb of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
• a  small group Sistine Chapel first entry experience with Vatican Museums   (good for early birds)
• a  2-3 hour private tour of the Vatican

Every Friday, from April to October, the Vatican Museums open their doors after sunset from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy art in a quieter nocturnal setting.

One Day In Vatican City Itinerary

Here’s are the best things to see see and do in Vatican City in 1 day:

1. Vatican Museums

Start your one day in Vatican City with a tour of the Vatican Museums. They open at 8:30 am.

The Vatican Museums consist of 26 museums and almost 5 miles of wall space with densely packed displays. You could spend days and weeks admiring and discovering all the exhibits. Pick up a map when you walk in.

map of the Vatican Museums

To help you economize on time and effort, I list below the main things you can’t miss as you walk through the Vatican Museums.

I list them in the likely order you’ll encounter them on the museum path. I like to call this path the Expressway, since it’s mostly a jam packed rat race to get to the Sistine Chapel.

READ : Masterpieces of the Vatican Museums

I tell you all the key spots to visit in the Vatican Museums. But you may have to pick and choose among them, depending on your timetable and personal museum-going interest.

There are some specialized museums that may or may not be worth your time.

Vatican Pinacoteca

The Vatican Pinacoteca, or painting gallery, is one of the most important collections on planet Earth. The museum contains an often overlooked, but truly amazing, collection of old master paintings.

The Pinacoteca has over 450 top tier paintings and other masterpieces. You’ll find stunning art works by Giotto, Raphael , Leonardo da Vinci , Titian, Caravaggio , and Bernini . The Pinacoteca is effectively a mini-Louvre of Italian painting.

The Pinacoteca opened in 1930 and contains the papal “easel collection,” meaning pantings that are mobile. It contains a historic overview of the development of Western painting.

18 rooms hold the Vatican’s most precious paintings. A highlight is Room 8, with three Raphael paintings.

Here’s my complete guide to visiting the Vatican Pinacoteca .

Pio-Clementine Museum

Opened in 1932, the Pio-Clementine Museum is the oldest art collection in the Vatican Museums. It houses ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, dating back to the time of Pope Julius II.

The museum is named after the two popes who oversaw its foundation, Clement XIV and Pius VI. You’ll stroll through parts of the museum on a standard tour.

The heart of the museum is the 18th century Octagonal Courtyard, with fountains, trees, and benches. It was designed by Renaissance architect Donato Bramante and contains the most famous statues in the Vatican.

The Pio-Clementine Museum is where you can admire works such as the Colossal Statue of Hercules , Laocoon and His Sons , the Belvedere Torso , the Belvedere Hermes , Statue of River God , Venus Felix , and Apollo Belvedere . There are also several sculptures by famed Neo-Classical sculptor Antonio Canova.

READ : Famous Sculptures in the Vatican Museums

Chiaramonte Museum + Braccio Nuovo

This Chiaramonte sculpture collection is named after its founder, Pope Pius VII. Though less well known than the Pio-Clementine Museum, it still has some treasures. The museum was curated by famed Neo-Classical sculptor Antonio Canova.

The Braccio Nuovo, or New Wing, is where the large sculptures in the Chiaramonte are located. This is where you’ll find the colossal statue of River Nile (shown above).

It’s one of the largest pieces in the Vatican Museums, discovered near the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and the Pantheon in 1513.

You can also see the stunning Augustus of Prima Porta , Bust of Julius Caesar , Wounded Amazon , Bust of Claudius , and statue of Euripides.

Gregorian Egyptian Museum

This specialized museum owes its existence to Pope Gregory XVI. He was an ardent admirer of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, art, and culture.

The pope founded the museum in 1837. He then began collecting Egyptian artifacts, including those found in the Villa Farnesina and Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli .

The museum is arranged thematically in nine rooms. The first two rooms have funerary monuments and sarcophagi. The following two rooms have masterpieces of Egyptian sculpture. The last rooms contain smaller sculptures in bronze and clay.

In this museum, you need to look for and admire the Colossal Statue of Queen Tuya , the Seated Amon-Ra , the Sarcophagus and Lid of Djet-Mut , and the Head of Pharaoh Mentupuhotep II.

Gregorian Etruscan Museum

Opened in 1837, this is another specialized museum inaugurated by Pope Gregory VI.

The museum showcases an extensive collection from the Etruscan culture, which was dominant in Italy before the Roman Empire.

The most precious pieces in this museum are the Etruscan Goldsmith , the Mars of Todi, and the Sitting Child . You’ll also find plenty of Etruscan vases, reliefs, sculptures, and artifacts.

Tapestry Gallery

This area houses Renaissance and Baroque tapestries, among the Vatican’s most important treasures. The tapestries were designed by Raphael and painters from the Netherlands.

Some of these tapestries formerly adorned the walls of the Sistine Chapel, featuring scenes from the lives of Saints Peter and Paul.

the Gallery of Maps

Gallery of Maps

Most visitors go crazy for the Gallery of Maps, located in the Belvedere Courtyard. Perhaps because it’s so unusual and has an absolutely magnificent ceiling.

The gallery houses the largest cycle of geographical pictures ever painted. It consists of 16 frescoed panels that were commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII.

The frescos were completed in 1580-81. They depict the history of Italy and the papal states. The vaulted ceilings have scenes from the history of Rome, beginning with Constantine. There are also scenes form the Old Testament and mythology.

The maps were based on full sized cartoons ( i.e. , preparatory drawings) by the Dominican monk Ignazio Danti and executed by his large workshop.

You’ll find a juxtaposition of antique and contemporary maps.

These areas are followed by maps of the Italian province and maps of the Italian islands. Each map has a bird’s eye view perspective and is based on an identifying cartouche.

Raphael’s School of Athens

Raphael Rooms

Turn left after the Aldobrandini Room and head into one of the Vatican’s real highlights — the stunning Raphael Rooms. These four rooms were once the public rooms of the papal apartments in the era of Pope Julius II.

The Raphael Rooms are a magnificent assemblage of Renaissance frescos, one of the world’s most famous Renaissance interiors. Hired by Pope Julius II, a precocious young Raphael and his assistants (especially Giulio Romano) painted dramatic frescos in four rooms in the pope’s apartments between 1508-24.

The four Raphael Rooms, also called the Raphael Stanza, are: the Room of Constantine, the Room of the Signature, Room of Heliodorus, and the Room of the Fire of Borgo.

The most famous painting is Raphael’s magnificent School of Athens , a symbol of the humanistic values of the Renaissance.

READ : Complete Guide To the Raphael Rooms

Room of the Sybils in the Borgia Apartments

Borgia Apartments

The Borgia Apartments are a lavishly decorated suite of six rooms. They’re one floor down from the Raphael Rooms. You’ve got to take the stairs. But it’s worth it.

The Borgia Apartments are ancient, without the benefit of the facelift given to the Raphael Rooms. There are divine gilded ceilings and tile weathered floors.

The apartments were home to an infamous Spanish pope Rodrigo Borgia, known as Pope Alexander VI, from 1492 to 1503. He was despised as tyrannical, deceitful, and lustful. He wasn’t exactly an shining example for a celibate clergy.

ceiling in the Borgia Apartments with Pinturicchio’s Annunciation

There are six monumental rooms. The rooms now house part of the Vatican’s contemporary religion collection. It was these rooms that Alexander VI’s successor, Julius II, spurned in favor of creating the Raphael Rooms.

Tour guides typically either skip or rush through these apartments. But that’s a mistake. They’re filled with beautiful frescos by Pinturicchio.

Though they don’t rank with the Sistine Chapel frescos, the frescos are still a wonder of Renaissance art.

Pinturicchio’s frescos sparkle and glow with gold and lapis lazuli. Pinturicchio was inspired by the grotesque frescos discovered in Nero’s Golden House, Domus Aurea .

Michelangelo frescos on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is perhaps the world’s most famous interior decorated space. It’s the highlight of any Vatican City itinerary.

And it (mostly) came out of the mind of just one man, Michelangelo, nicknamed Il Divino . The scale of the work and breadth of Michelangelo’s fevered imagination is incredible.

In 1508, Pope Julius II summoned Michelangelo from Florence to paint the ceiling of his private chapel. But it wasn’t just a private room. It’s a room of grave importance, where new popes are elected in a conclave.

The frescos depict scenes exclusively from the Old Testament. They seem to open up the chapel to heaven. There’s a lot of overly perfect naked male bodies, Michelangelo’s particular obsession. He considered muscled masculinity a sign of the divine.

Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam

At the highest point of the ceiling is a central band with nine scenes from the Book of Genesis. You read them beginning at the altar wall. The scenes follow the chronology of the Bible, from the Creation through the Fall of Man and the Life of Noah.

All the scenes are framed by a painted architectural framework. It looks almost real, not like mere paint. In the nine panels, there are four smaller scenes and five larger scenes.

In 1536, 24 years after he had finished painting the ceiling, Michelangelo returned to the Sistine Chapel. At age 61, Pope Clement VII summoned him to paint The Last Judgment on the altar wall.

Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment

The Last Judgment is rendered in a different style than Michelangelo’s prior ceiling frescos. The 300 figures are more monumental and the colors are largely monochromatic — essentially sky and flesh tones.

In the middle, Christ looks decidedly different than usual. He’s shown as excessively youthful, buff, smoothly shaven, and floating on clouds.

He’s depicted more like Apollo than the suffering bearded savior one expects. His raised hand casts judgment against the damned.

The lines at the entrance of the Sistine Chapel can move quite slowly. Guards may block further entrance if they think the chapel is filled to capacity.

Here’s my complete guide to the Sistine Chapel .

Practical Information for Visiting the Vatican Museums

Address : Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome

Hours : Monday to Saturday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. From July 1 to Oct 31, on Friday and Saturday, the Vatican is open until 10:30 pm (final entry 8:30 pm).

Entry fee : € 17. € 21 if purchased online, which is recommended. Click here to purchase tickets from the official Vatican website. On the last Sunday of each month, the museums are free from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. But it will likely be packed.

How To Get to the Vatican :

The Vatican museums can be accessed by foot, metro, or bus. You can literally just walk right into Vatican City. The metro stops are Ottaviano and Cipro.

Or take bus #40 or 64. If you arrive at St. Peter’s basilica first, it’s a 15 minute walk to get to the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

Pro Tips : Click here for all the rules for visiting the Vatican Museums, including the strict dress code.

There are plenty of eateries around the Vatican. Try to avoid the restaurants with pushers standing outside handing out flyers.

Instead, grab a porchetta sandwich at the Angry Pig or a nice meal at the modern wine bar Magazzino Scipione . Top it off with a gelato at Galleria Old Bridge.

view of the Bernini-designed St. Peter’s Square from the dome

3. St. Peter’s Square

After lunch continue your one day in Vatican City itinerary with a visit to the stunning St. Peter’s Square. The beautiful piazza is perhaps Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s greatest contribution to Vatican City.

The square is lorded over by hundreds of statues of biblical figures and saints created by Bernini’s workshop.

In 1656, Pope Alexander VII commissioned Bernini to build a vast square worthy of the basilica. Prior to Bernini, the piazza was an empty space with a lone obelisk, brought to Rome by Caligula around 37 A.D.

Bernini created an elliptical plaza with two semi circular colonnades, consisting of four rows of Doric columns. The colonnades represent a pair of stretched and embracing arms, welcoming pilgrims to the basilica.

If you stand on the foci (marble plates) near the fountain designed by architect Carlo Maderno, the columns line up perfectly behind one another.

On the balustrade at the top of the columns are a line of 140 statues of saints, martyrs, and popes crafted by Bernini’s workshop.

The paving stones of the square are cobblestone and travertine marble. They radiate from the central hub of the obelisk. The square is a magnificent entry point to the basilica, meant to be a symbolic heaven.

4. St. Peter’s Basilica

Now, it’s time to head to St. Peter’s Basilica , the most famous church in Christendom. Designed by Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo, St. Peter’s is a true Renaissance-Baroque masterpiece.

It may be the most ornate space you’ve ever stepped foot inside, filled with precious treasures, grandiose decoration, and inlaid marble.

St. Peter’s Basilica was completed after 120+ years of construction, the reign of 18 different popes, incalculable cost, and the direction of 12 different architects. Measuring more than two football fields in length, it’s by far the largest church in Christendom.

St. Peter’s has a “wedding cake” palace-like facade, rather than a church facade. Eight columns support the upper attic on which thirteen 18 foot marble statues stand.

The central balcony on the second floor is known as the Benediction Loggia. This is where the pope delivers a speech upon his election.

The greatest artist of the Baroque, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, decorated the interior. This is where you’ll find the famous Bernini Baldachin canopy and Michelangelo’s tragically beautiful Pieta . The basilica is also the burial place of Saint Peter and past popes.

The dome of St. Peters, with input from the revered Michelangelo, is the tallest in the entire world. The entrance to the dome is on the right side of the basilica, above the visitor center.

The dome is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, until 6:00 pm during high season from April 1 to September 30.

Practical Information for Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica

With only 1 day in Vatican City, you will need these useful tips for visiting St. Peter’s:

Address : Viale Vaticano 00165 Rome

Hours : Open daily 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, closing at 6:00 pm in winter. On Wednesdays when the Pope holds his audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Basilica doesn’t open until 12:00-1:00 pm.

Entry fee : Entry is free. Audio guides can be rented at the entrance of the Basilica. The Vatican Necropolis is € 13. But you have to pre-book a guided tour .

Dome fee : A ticket for the dome costs € 6 euros if you climb the 551 steps or € 8 to take the elevator midway up. From the elevator, it’s another 320 steps to the top. Allow about an hour for the dome experience.

When To Go : Try to avoid going to Vatican City on Wednesdays or Sunday, if there is a papal appearance. It will be unbearably crowded.

Castle Sant’Angelo

5. Castle Sant’Angelo

You’ll end you one day in Vatican City itinerary with a visit to Castle Sant’Angelo. The castle is a 2,000 year old landmark in Rome Italy. It’s one of Rome’s must see ruins and archaeological sites . As a national museum, it’s official name is the Museo Nazionale di Castle Sant’Angelo.

The castle is the former tomb of Emperor Hadrian decorated in papal splendor. Castle Sant’Angelo is the perfect reflection of Rome’s history.

Though Castle Sant’Angelo owes its name to a medieval legend, its history dates back to ancient Rome. Visiting the Castle Sant’Angelo is a walk through the entire history of Rome in one go.

There’s honestly a lot to see inside, spooky passageways and sumptuous salons. You’ll also get a stair stepping workout. From the entrance, a winding spiral subterranean ramp leads you up five floors.

The museum is stuffed with centuries of goodies most suitable for history buffs. It’s an eclectic collection — paintings, sculptures, military memorabilia, popes’ apartments, and a wonderful viewing terrace.

To me, the frescoed ceilings and panoramic view from the top were the museum’s best features.

Here’s my complete guide to visiting Castle Sant’Angelo . Click here to book a skip the line ticket.

Practical Information for Visiting Castle Sant’Angelo

Address : Lungotevere Castello 50

Hours : Open daily 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. There may be extended hours during summer. Check the website .

Entry fee : Castle Sant’Angelo isn’t cheap at € 15. There’s free entrance on the first Sunday of the month. The Roma Pass is accepted.

You can download a free app for Castle Sant’Angelo for your visit, with free wifi onsite. There’s also plenty of signage.

And there’s a lovely cafe, Cafeteria Ristorante Le Terrazze, that offers up splendid views of St. Peter’s Basilica.

6. Ponte Sant’Angelo

This stunning bridge was built by Emperor Hadrian in 134 AD. He used it to make a regal entrance from downtown Rome. The bridge was hence formerly known as the Bridge of Hadrian.

In the 7th century, the bridge was renamed after the Archangel Michael was seen atop the castle. In the Middle Ages, the bridge was used by pilgrims visiting St. Peter’s Basilica.

The bridge is lined with 10 white marble angels atop marble parapets. They hold symbols of the passion of Christ. The angels were designed by Bernini and are rendered in a classic late Baroque style, full of movement and emotion.

Two of the angels were carved by Bernini himself. You can find them in the Church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte.

READ : Guide To the Bernini Trail in Rome

7. Dinner in the Borgo Neighborhood

For dinner, head to Vatican City’s Borgo neighborhood. It’s just to the west of Vatican City.

Some good options are Borghiciano, Tre Pupazzi, Panificio Bonci, or Il Sorpasso. A little further afield is the innovative Italian restaurant Il Gatto E L’uva.

If you’d rather dine in Rome proper, head back over the Ponte Sant’Angelo.

More Tips For Spending One Day in Vatican City

1. how to budget your time, vatican museums.

The typical Vatican Museums guided tour lasts only 2 hours, 3 if it includes St. Peters Basilica.

This simply isn’t enough time to see and absorb the treasures of the Vatican Museums.

In fact, it barely scratches the surface. You may want to make a repeat visit on your Rome trip. That’s what I did last time I was in Rome.

detail of The last Supper Tapestry designed by Raphael

If you only have one day in Vatican City, here’s how to allocate your time wisely. You’ll have a long day. Plan to spend 6-7 hours just at the sites, with additional time for breaks and lunch.

Here’s the rundown:

• Vatican Pinacoteca : 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Pio-Clementine Museum & Braccio Nuovo : 30 minutes
• Gallery of Maps : 15 minutes
• Raphael Rooms : 30-45 minutes
• Borgia Apartments : 15-30 minutes
• Sistine Chapel : If you’re on a tour, you’ll likely only get 10 minutes. Guards and signs advise 20 minutes. Take more time if you can.
• St. Peters Square : 15-30 minutes
• St. Peter’s Basilica : For the basilica itself, budget 1 hour. If you are also doing the dome, you may 2 hours.
• Castle Sant’Angelo : 1 hour

interior of St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica

Here’s my recommendation for the best way to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. Enter the basilica, look around to get a feel for its grandeur and magnificent statuary.

Head down to the papal tombs in the grottos (this is a separate area from the necropolis). The exit will take you back outside where you’ll find the ticket office for the dome.

Climb up the dome and enjoy the views. Climb back down and enter back into the basilica. Then, with your audio guide, you can soak in all the wonders inside.

There’s no entry fee, but you have to go through security to get into the basilica. There are almost always long lines.

These queues tend to move along fairly swiftly, so don’t be too put off by the masses of tourists. If you don’t want to wait, you can buy a skip the line ticket for € 20.

2. Where To Stay in Vatican City

If you plan to spend one day in Vatican City you may want to book a hotel within walking distance.

The  Hotel La Rovere  is a good option. It’s a pretty boutique hotel in a 19th century building with stone walls and vaulted ceilings. 

For a luxe stay, check out  Gran Melia Roma . It’s a resort-type hotel on a hilltop overlooking the Vatican. it’s just a 7 minute walk to the St. Peter’s.

The Eden  is a beautiful hotel just a stone’s throw from the basilica. It has luxurious interiors and good views. 

Finally, the  Hotel de Russie  has a sleek contemporary look, with a fabulous pool and spa.

view of St. Peter’s from Castle Sant’Angelo

3. Vatican Museums Dress Code

There is a strict dress code in place for those visiting Vatican City. 

• No revealing clothing is allowed
• shoulders must be covered at all times
• no flip-flops
• no hats or headware

I hope you’ve enjoyed my one day itinerary for Vatican City. You may enjoy these other Rome travel guides and resources:

• 3 day itinerary for Rome
• 5 day itinerary for Rome
• Hidden gems in Rome
• Best museums in Rome
• Most beautiful churches in Rome
• Archaeological sites in Rome
• Guide to the Borghese Gallery
• Guide to the Capitoline Museums
• Guide to free art in Rome
• Guide to Palatine Hill
• Guide to the Roman Forum
• Guide to the Colosseum

If you’d like to spend one day in Vatican City, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on February 26, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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• 10 Majestic Places To Visit In Vatican City, The Holiest Destination In The World

23 Mar 2023

Spread over only 0.44 square kilometers, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world famous all over the world for its beauty. It shares its borders with Rome and is known to be the holiest place in all of Europe. It has many religious and cultural sites, especially pertaining to the Catholic Community and is the home of the Pope, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. Exploring the many architectural wonders and catholic centers in the Vatican City shall instill a sense of calm and peace in your soul. Which is why we have listed some of the best places to visit in Vatican City here so that you can plan your trip accordingly.

10 Places To Visit In Vatican City

Here are the 10 most popular tourist sites in the Vatican City that you must not miss out on during your trip to Europe. All these places in Vatican City are located at a walking distance from each other.

1. St. Peter’s Basilica

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In Italian, the place is known as ‘Basilica di San Pietro in the Vatican’. According to the Catholic tradition, this large church is believed to be the place where Saint Peter was buried. He was among one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. St. Peter’s Basilica has about 100 tombs within its campus. This place is especially famous as a pilgrimage place. The design of the church is worth a visit along with its history. And that is the reason why it tops the list of famous places to visit in Vatican City.

Best time to visit: April to September Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM

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2. Sistine Chapel

Second on the list of best places to visit in Vatican city, Sistine Chapel was constructed between 1473 to 1481. It is a rectangular shaped brick building which is famous for the paintings on its ceiling. This place is the official residence of the Pope. And, is also used for the election of a new Pope by the Sacred College of Cardinals. The place is worth a visit for those who are fond of art and travelling. This place is favourite among the list of famous places to visit in Vatican City.

Best time to visit: May to October Entry fee: 16€ (adults) | 8€ (children and students)

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3. Vatican Garden

Vatican Gardens are considered as one of the most beautiful gardens in Rome. Here is an amalgamation of bushes, flowers and trees which makes this place worth a visit. Due to acceptance of a few reservations a day, the garden is not that crowded. One can explore the place for 1-2 hour. This place lies between Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, so, it is just a walking distance away.

Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM Entry fee: 30€

Suggested Read: 17 Spots For Snorkeling In Europe Every Underwater Enthusiast

4. Vatican Necropolis

The place is one of the best tourist places to visit in Vatican City. This place is situated under the Vatican City. It is located on a depth of 5-12 metres below the St. Peter’s Basilica. It was found in an archaeological excavation in the year 1940-1949. Necropolis does not allow more than 250 people to visit the place so the history lovers are advised to go at prime time to get the maximum out of it. It is located adjacent to Vatican Museum so a walk of a few minutes is required to reach.

Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM

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5. Museo Chiaramonti

Museo Chiaramonti was inaugurated in 1807 by a sculptor named Canova. The museum is given this name after pope Pius VII Chiaramonti. It joins the Palace of Belvedere to the Vatican Palaces. It has about 1000 antique sculptures of the Roman portrait. Art lovers often visit this place as they find it full of art and ancient culture. And thus, it joins the list of top places to visit in Vatican City. You simply have to walk by the streets of Vatican Museum to reach Museo Chiaramonti.

Open till: 4 PM

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6. Vatican Library

It is one of the oldest libraries in the whole world and it contains a collection of historical texts. About 1.1 million printed books along with 75,000 codices are present in the library. It is a type of research library for history, philosophy, law and science. So, the place is especially for readers and researchers. This place can be visited to boost up the knowledge.

Timings: 9 AM – 2 PM

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7. Pinacoteca

This place is a construction of architect Luca Beltrami for Pius XI. This place was inaugurated on 27 October 1932. It is famous for the sculptures it has on its walls. It contains the painting which is said to be the central area of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. The beautiful paintings here attract tourists to visit it at least once. The place is inside the Vatican Museum so it is just a walking distance from St. Peter’s Basilica.

Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM

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8. Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum was founded by Pope Gregory XI in 1839, and that is the reason why it is also known as the Gregorian Egyptian Museum. The museum has nine different rooms having different sculptures which are dedicated to various personalities or events. It has sculptures showing reliefs of ancient Assyria. The place is worth a visit for those who love to see art and culture. It is located at a walking distance from St. Peter’s Square.

Timings: 9 AM – 11 PM

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9. Saint Peter’s Square

This is one of the top rated destinations from the table of places to visit in Vatican City. This place is said to be the heart of the Vatican City. Saint Peter’s Square was designed by Italian architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This place can hold about 4,00,000 people at a time. And that is the reason why the Pope artanes his Papal audience at this place. It is the most visited place in Vatican City as everyone goes to visit this place and to capture its beauty in their memories.

Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM

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10. The Colosseum

The colosseum or the ‘Flavian Amphitheatre’ is considered as one of the seven wonders of the world and only this is enough for the place to attract tourists. The Colosseum is the beauty of ancient Roman architecture and masonry. It is perhaps the largest amphitheatre ever constructed. It has seen both the rise and destruction of the Roman Empire. It is just a 15 minutes taxi ride from Vatican City.

Best time to visit: After 3 PM Entry fee: 12€

Further Read: 31 Traditional Festivals In Europe That Will Up The Fun Factor Of Your Euro-Tour

What are you still waiting for? Pack your bags and fly away to Europe to witness all these fascinating places to visit in Vatican City. Dive into the ocean of knowledge and history at this holy center of Catholicism in the world and tell us all about your holiday experience once you’re back.

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Vatican City

How to reach Vatican City?

The metro and buses in Rome are the best ways to reach Vatican City.

Is one allowed to click photos in Sistine Chapel?

No, tourists are not allowed to click pictures inside the Sistine Chapel.

What is the climate of Vatican City?

The average temperature in Vatican City varies from 37 degrees Fahrenheit to 88 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. It mostly has a pleasant weather that will allow you to step out and see all these charming places with ease.

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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.

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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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 25 Top Attractions in Rome, Italy

Take a Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums Tour

The 14 Best Day Trips from Rome

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Angels and Demons Top Sites in Rome and the Vatican

Visiting Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City

Top 6 Tourist Attractions in Italy

10 Unique Guided Tours in Rome

Buying Tickets for the Colosseum in Rome

How to Visit Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

Your Trip to Rome: The Complete Guide

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Guide to Easter in Rome & Vatican City: Festivals, Events, Things to Do

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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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!

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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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A Visitor’s Guide: 12 Most Important Sights to See in Vatican City

Italian cities are oozing with charm and history. That’s exactly why wanderers couldn’t help but get attracted to this pasta-laden country.

Vatican City is one of those popular Italian tourist spots, not only for Catholics but also for those who are curious about the culture and the belief.

Don’t worry, the Holy See is not one to judge; you’ll be able to explore the main sites in the city as long as you know the basics while respecting the catholic church and its traditions.

If you’ve been eyeing this city for a long time now and your knowledge of the Vatican is limited to where the Pope resides, then prepare to be surprised. That’s because there are a lot more sights to see here than you expect.

Check your carry-on luggage dimensions , you might be needing more space in your bag for all the religious and historical trinkets you can bring home when you visit this city.

1.  St. Peter’s Basilica

Of course, first on the list is St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s no point in going to the Vatican without visiting one of the holiest Catholic shrines in the world.

The fact that the location of this basilica has seen almost every Holy Father who has assumed the chair of Peter is enough reason to make you want to walk inside its breathtaking halls. It might bring a shiver down your spine, but you should expect that especially if you’re lucky enough to be in the presence of the Pope.

Aside from that, the St. Peter’s Basilica has one of the most stunning displays of human artistry with its impeccable engineering which has taken 120 years to complete. Who in their right mind would say no to that?

2. Sistine Chapel

If only the Sistine Chapel wasn’t only a chapel and art aficionados had the opportunity to hang out here all day long, they would probably grab that opportunity in an instant.

The exquisite line of art that you can find in this revered place of worship will make your jaws drop. To stare at one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces is something worth experiencing in this lifetime.

The frescoed ceiling of the chapel took him four years to finish, and it was definitely worth every ounce of frustration the artist probably felt during the entire process.

The Sistine Chapel is also the location where cardinals from all over the world gather to choose the next pope. It’s known as the Papal conclave and the happenings of the secretive closed-door ceremony are released to the public with white or black smoke notifying the public if a new leader has been chosen.

3. Pinacoteca

Although it is a large part of the Vatican Museums, the Pinacoteca Gallery (aka Picture Gallery) is often skipped by visitors because it does not follow the traditional path of the Vatican Museums one way touring system.

The Picacoteca is filled with masterpieces of some of the best Italian artistes of their time such as Raffaele, Carravaggio, Crepsi, Perugino and Fra Angelico. These galleries are only a short distance from the herds of visitors in the Vatican Museums but yet they are off the beaten path so you can enjoy the paintings the way they were meant to be viewed, in peace and quiet.

4. Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square)

If you’ve seen enough movies set in the Vatican or documentaries about the Pope, then you are probably familiar with the Piazza San Pietro.

It’s the gateway to the Vatican so there is no way you could miss this huge square. It’s famous for hosting a whale of a crowd during public masses presided by the Pope or during special Catholic occasions.

When in Rome, the Pope will usually appear twice a week in St. Peter’s Square to hold mass and bless the square. The Wednesday audience and mass lasts around 2 hours and this is your best chance to see the Pope up close and personal while he drives through the square in his ‘pepe mobile’. The Sunday blessing (aka Angelus) is only quick, the Pope will appear from his Papal Palace window and to bless the crowd, this experience lasts around 15 min.

See this link for all info regarding masses and blessings with the Pope .

5. Museo Pio Clementino

The Museo Pio Clementino is also located in the Vatican Museum.

It houses a deliberate collection of antique works of art dating back to the time of Pope Julius II (14 th century).

It was many moons ago that they built this museum to safeguard these delicate pieces of art, but they are up to this day well taken care of by the management of the museum.

During the reign of Napoleon many of these amazing statues were brought to Paris however after he was defeated the majority of the works have returned to the Vatican for us to enjoy.

6. Vatican Necropolis

Considered to be one of the most important places in the Vatican, Vatican Necropolis sits directly below the dome and central altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Three storeys down, and you’ll find yourself immersed in astounding holiness as you explore where the said bones of St. Peter lay. You can also find remnants of the first Basilica which was built on the same location.

If you want to visit, make sure you book a tour before you arrive as only the Vatican staff are allowed to bring guests down to tour this holy place. Take note that they only allow a limited number of people at a time and so you must reserve your slot well in advance.

This tour is referred to as the Scavi Tour and reservations can be made directly with the Vatican’ Scavi Office on the following emails, [email protected] ;  [email protected]  

7. Vatican Gardens

The 23-hectare Vatican Gardens are proof that a simple stroll around a park-like setting could be so breathtaking. Not only by the beautifully manicured gardens but also the impressive view of St. Peter’s Basilica and it’s dome like you’ve never seen it before.

Although all visitors are allowed to explore the gardens, this must be done with a special reservation so again it is best to plan in advance.

8. Etruscan Museum

For a bit of history that isn’t only about the dawn of Catholicism in the country, this is the place to be.

The Etruscan Museum is an ode to the Etruscan civilization that flourished around the areas of Rome, just before the Romans (8 th – 3 rd centuries BCE). You’ll see here a wide range of jewelry, pottery, tools, and weapons during the pre-Roman civilization.

9. Vatican Library Museum

You’ll never run out of history exposure when you’re in the Vatican, much more when you visit the Vatican Library. That’s because this library houses some of the most precious treasures that ever graced the planet.

Unfortunately, not everyone is allowed to enter the Vatican Library as it is reserved for special academic scholars and researchers. Their vast collection of books holds oldest pages from the beginning of time to the newest manuscripts of the pope. However, we are able to visit the Vatican Library Museum which offers some documents, pages and books which are on loan from the library itself and displayed for our pleasure in the Museum. You will soon notice that the art collection displayed around the library could be the sole reason you’ll go back to this place over and over again.

10. Egyptian Museum

Another great collection that you can find at the Vatican Museums is the Egyptian Museum where you can see plenty of antiques and Egyptian works. It’s divided into nine rooms, one of which is taken from the former Papal apartment of Pius IV.

Compared to the rest of the Vatican Museums collection, the Egyptian Museum is relatively small however it is a great place to visit with children as you have the chance to get face to face with more than one mummy dating back to almost 1000 BCE.

11. Hall of the Animals

The Hall of the Animals comprises 2 rooms within the Pio Clementino Museum and acts as a ‘stone zoo’. Like any zoo, children often find this small section of the Vatican Museums most enjoyable.

A majority of the works were completed in the 1700s and depict an array of animals. Some animals are easily recognizable, while others seem to be a figment of the artist’s imagination. It’s interesting to think that many of these artists may have never actually seen the animal that they are sculpting, and are simply working off the descriptions from others.

12. The Rooms of Raphael

The 4 Rooms of Raphael were once part of the Papal apartments of Pope Julius II and were beautifully decorated by the master Raphael, and his school. Once entering these rooms, it should not take too long to see why Raphael stood out so much compared to his peers.

One of the most important paintings in the four rooms is Raphael’s famous ‘School of Athens’ which shows the most important Greek and Roman minds together in what seems to be the construction of the second St. Peter’s Basilica which was being built at the exact same time just a few hundred meters away.

Can you find the two faces staring out at you on the far right-hand side of the painting? One is the face of Raphael, and the other his forbidden lover.

Whether you’re visiting the Vatican City out of love for traveling, or because you want to pay tribute to the foundation of Catholicism, it’s best to bring plenty of your curiosity as you will find surprises and new joys at every turn.

———-

This article has been written by Geraldine Mills is a self-confessed wanderlust from the land down under, Australia! She funds her adventures by working as a brand consultant and as a travel writer. She loves sharing the allure of backpacking and being one with nature.

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8 Best Free Things To Do in Vatican City

Are you looking for the best free things to do in Vatican City? Read on to find out what this micronation has to offer – for free!

Yes, Vatican City can be enjoyed without hurting your wallet. With many iconic sights to see, we’ve tried looking only for those best things to enjoy for free.

As a city-state in Rome , the Vatican is in a perfect location. It is not only the heart of the Roman Catholic religion but also a place visited by many tourists – believers and non-believers – in general. It’s a place you would not want to miss exploring when in Italy .

However, like any tourist magnet in the world, this tiny nation can be quite expensive. Fret not, though, because there are free activities in Vatican City that you can enjoy, too. All you have to do is plan your visit very well to take advantage of these free stuff.

Table of Contents

Nothing is more enjoyable than the best things for free! So, without further ado, here are the best free things to do in Vatican City.  

1. Wander around St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square is one of the must-see places in Vatican City for free. To wander around it without spending a penny is definitely the best thing you can do when in the Vatican.

The large plaza was built right in front of the St. Peter’s Basilica. Right at the center of St. Peter’s Square, you can take unlimited shots of Vatican City. The 25-meter tall ancient red granite-made Egyptian obelisk built in 1586 is one of the best backdrops. This is all thanks to the magical hands of Gian Lorenzo Bernini who designed the obelisk.

With the 284 columns and 88 pilasters, together with the 140 statues of saints, every corner of St. Peter’s Square can be the best angle.  

2. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is not only for devout Roman Catholics but also for art enthusiasts or any visitors who appreciate landmarks, soul searchers, and all wanderers. This church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the rest of the Vatican, is a certified travelers’ favorite.

Visitors can enter the basilica for free provided you wear the appropriate attire. St. Peter’s Basilica and the museums require certain dress code when entering. Also, expect long lines before you can actually get inside.

So, what to expect from the free-entry church?

The interior of the church being the largest in the whole world is one of its main attractions. You might get a stiff neck looking up its captivating ceilings and sore eyes from staring at the basilica’s overall interior that consists of marbles, gildings, and sculptures.

An exquisite example of the superb Renaissance architectural designs, St. Peter’s Basilica is shaped like a cross and surrounded with different chapels and monuments of notable people.

Inside you can also find tombs of various popes and other remarkable personalities. Practically everything you can find in the basilica is worth checking out!

3. Locate the Porta Santa

You should not forget to locate the Porta Santa or the Holy Door which can be found in the St. Peter’s Basilica as it is free to see.

This door only opens during Jubilee Years or every 25 years, so the last time it opened was in the year 2000. The next year it will be opened is in 2025, so when you visit Vatican before this year, come and check it out.

The Porta Santa serves as the northernmost entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica. Though cemented and remains closed, it is designed with interesting drawings which make it fun to see without costing one a dime.

4. Check out the Pietà by Michelangelo

Right after entering St. Peter’s Basilica, you can see the Pietà on your left. The Pietà is the only work of Michelangelo Bounarroti with signature.

One of if the most iconic religious statue ever, seeing the Pietà is one of the best things to do in Vatican City for free. The Pietà features Mary carrying Jesus on her lap after he was crucified in this marble-made 1499 Michelangelo sculpture.

“ Pietà ” means pity or compassion. This famous statue has become a popular subject for many artists. 

The  Pietà measures around 5.70 feet in height and 6.40 feet in width. When in Vatican City, don’t ever miss checking out this masterpiece of the Renaissance.

5. Explore the Vatican Grottoes

St. Peter’s Basilica is so huge that it the free things to enjoy here when you visit Vatican City need to be enumerated.

Done with the superb ceiling designs? Let’s go down below the basilica then. There lie numerous tombs of former popes with other notable personalities, even royalties and other famous people. You can also find numerous statues and sculptures underneath. Even an empty tomb for Benedict XVI is waiting down there. St. Peter’s tomb can be found right below the altar of the Clementine Chapel underneath.

Take note to remain silent when inside the grottoes and that picture-taking is not allowed inside as well. Don’t miss this mind-blowing free visit when in Vatican City.

6. Spend your Last Sunday of the month visiting the Vatican Museums

If you are looking for things to do in Vatican City on a budget, this is definitely the best!

Yes. Every last Sunday of the month, admission to the Vatican Museums is free. Just get your patience ready for the long lines before you can actually get inside. Come in early so you can get a good spot in the queues.

Also take note of the holidays when the museums are inaccessible, too. But once inside, all the things that you endured out will be paid off.

Massive Catholic church-related collections – especially of the papacy – can be seen inside including some notable Roman sculptures and well-known Renaissance creations. There are also the exhibits related to modern religious art. The sculpture museums and the historical museum of Vatican itself with more exhibits about the papacy can as well be enjoyed for free on the last Sundays of the month.

With the immense collection that the Vatican Museums showcase, your free visit will surely be worthwhile.

7. Attend a mass and see the Pope

Every Wednesday and Sunday of the week, you’ll get a chance to see the pope personally in Vatican City.

If you are in the Vatican on the last Sunday of the month to take advantage of the free admissions at the Vatican Museums, you can then consider Wednesday to be your day to see the pope.

For practicing Catholics, attending a mass by the pope in person is a must and one the best free things to do in Vatican City. Here the Pope gives the Gospel at the St. Peter’s Square every Wednesday, which is the Papal Audience day.

Between 9 AM to 11:30 AM is the Papal Audience time. Just secure your ticket to the accommodation no matter how intimidating the Swiss Guards can be at times. Then, you can be one of the thousands to be seated at the plaza.

For groups, you can request online in advance to avoid the long lines. Seeing the Pope is free, but you need to exert some extra effort to secure your place, so come at the earliest time possible.

Check out this guide to the papal audience.

8. Experience Vatican City at night

Seeing Vatican by day is definitely worthwhile, but experiencing the night in the city is something you should not miss – for free!

Witness how this small yet historical place full of wonderful work of arts lighten up in the night.

The St. Peter’s Square is accessible, so marvel at the lights of the iconic structures around such as the St. Peter’s Basilica.

If you come during the summer, there are free concerts at night for a more energetic vibe to the night ambiance of the place.

‘A Jubilee grace’: Vatican announces Holy Year Indulgence

By Christopher Wells

The Catholic faithful will have multiple ways to gain the Jubilee Indulgence for the 2025 Holy Year, according to a new decree promulgated by the Apostolic Penitentiary – the Vatican Office with overall responsibility for the granting and use of indulgences.

In the wake of the Second Vatican Council, Pope St Paul VI taught, “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.” Indulgences are plenary (full) or partial depending on whether they remove all or part of the temporal punishment due to sin.  

Becoming pilgrims of hope

Recalling Pope Francis’ invitation to all Christians to become “pilgrims” of hope, the Apostolic Penitentiary’s Decree is intended “to encourage the souls of the faithful and nourish the pious desire to obtain the [Jubilee] Indulgence seen as a gift of grace specific to the Holy Year.”

Hope, the Decree says, “is a virtue that must be sourced above all in the grace of God and in the fulness of His mercy.” Recalling the Pope’s declaration that the Jubilee Indulgence “is a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy,” the Penitentiary says, “The [Holy Year] Indulgence, therefore, is a Jubilee grace.”

“The Indulgence, therefore, is a Jubilee grace.”

After confirming that all other indulgences remain in force, the Penitentiary establishes three main ways to gain the Jubilee Indulgence: Pilgrimages to any sacred Jubilee site; pious visits to sacred places, and works of mercy and penance.

Pilgrimages

The first category of Jubilee places includes the four Major Papal Basilicas in Rome (St Peter’s, St John Lateran, St Mary Major, and St Paul’s Outside the Walls); and the Holy Land Basilicas of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Annunciation in Nazareth; as well as Cathedrals and other churches or sacred places designated by Bishops in the particular Churches.

The Indulgence can be gained by “devoutly” participating in Holy Mass at the site, or by taking part in a Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Hours (Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer), the Via Crucis, the Rosary, the Akathist Hymn, or a penitential service that includes individual confessions.

Visits to sacred places

The “sacred places” described in the second category include the Roman Basilicas of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, San Lorenzo al Verano, and San Sebastiano; as well as the Sanctuary of Divine Love (Divino Amore), the Church of St Paul in Tre Fontane, and the Catacombs. Special mention is made of the churches of the Jubilee Pathways linked to member countries of the European Union and to female Patron Saints and Doctors of the Church.

Other sacred places throughout the world include two Basilicas in Assisi, Marian sanctuaries in Italy, and “any minor basilica, cathedral church, co-cathedral church, Marian sanctuary, or any distinguished churches designated by local bishops.

The faithful are required to spend a “suitable” amount of time during their visit in Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, any legitimate form of the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Those who cannot go on pilgrimage or make a visit to a sacred place for serious reasons will be able to gain the Indulgence wherever they are by uniting themselves spiritually with those who do so, and reciting the Our Father, the Creed, and other prayers connected with the Holy Year while offering up their sufferings or hardships.

Works of mercy and penance

Finally, the Decree provides for the ability to obtain the Indulgence by performing works of mercy and penance.

They can do so by taking part in popular missions, spiritual exercises, or formation activities on the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism, according to the mind of the Holy Father; or by visiting those in need (“in a sense, making a pilgrimage to Christ present in them”).

Similarly, they can offer acts of penance (such as fasting and abstinence), donate to the poor, support religious and charitable works (“especially in defence of life in all its phases”), or engage in other volunteer activities.

Duties of bishops and priests

The Apostolic Penitentiary also grants Bishops the possibility of imparting the Papal Blessing “on the occasion of the main Jubilee celebration in the cathedral and in individual Jubilee Churches, with the Indulgence for all those who receive the Blessing, with the usual conditions.

The Decree strongly urges “all priests” to be generous in offering occasions for sacramental Reconciliation, notably recalling the possibility of hearing Confessions while Mass is being celebrated. Priests accompanying pilgrimage groups outside of their diocese are granted faculties to make use of the same faculties granted them in their own dioceses, while confessors in Papal Basilicas and elsewhere will be granted special faculties as well.

Priests are invited to give penances that will be conducive to “stable repentance,” and to encourage penitents “to repair any scandal and damages” they have caused by their sins.

Concluding the Decree, the Apostolic Penitentiary, reminding bishops of their office of teaching, guiding, and sanctifying, “warmly” invites them “to explain clearly the provisions and principles proposed here for the sanctification of the faithful, taking account of local circumstances, cultures and traditions.”

The full text of the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, with all the details of the Jubilee Indulgence, can be found on the Holy See website.

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Exploring The Beauty Of Italy: Top 4 Must-See Attractions

Italy is a country with a rich history, stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and beautiful landscapes.

From the ancient ruins of Pompeii to the towering heights of Mount Vesuvius, there are plenty of amazing places to visit in Italy.

In this article, we will explore four top attractions in Italy that you must see when you visit this beautiful country.

The Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum is one of the most iconic structures in Rome, and it's a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient Roman history.

This massive amphitheater was built over 2,000 years ago and could hold up to 50,000 spectators.

It was the site of many gladiator battles, wild animal hunts, and other public spectacles.

Today, you can tour the Colosseum and learn about its history and significance. You can also explore the underground tunnels where the gladiators and animals were held before their battles.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid long lines.

The Vatican City, Rome

The Vatican City is a tiny, independent city-state located within the city of Rome. It's the smallest country in the world, but it's also one of the most important centers of Christianity.

The Vatican City is home to many amazing attractions, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums.

When you visit the Vatican City, be sure to take a guided tour to learn about its history and significance. You can also climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica for stunning views of the city.

And don't forget to visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's incredible frescoes.

Things To Do In Pompeii

Pompeii is an ancient Roman city that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city was buried under layers of ash and pumice, which preserved many of its buildings and artifacts.

Today, Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fascinating place to visit.

When you visit, there are several things to do in Pompeii , you can explore the ruins of the city and see how the ancient Romans lived.

You can see the remains of houses, public buildings, and even a brothel.

You can also see plaster casts of the eruption's victims, which give a haunting glimpse into the city's final moments.

Mount Vesuvius Tickets

Mount Vesuvius is the volcano that destroyed Pompeii and is still an active volcano today. Visitors can hike to the summit of the volcano to see incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

The hike is challenging but rewarding, and it's a unique way to experience the natural beauty of Italy.

Before you book Mount Vesuvius tickets, be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.

You can buy tickets online or at the entrance to the park. And be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water for the hike.

Italy is a beautiful country with many amazing attractions to explore.

From the ancient ruins of Pompeii to the towering heights of Mount Vesuvius, there are plenty of unique experiences to be had.

Whether you're interested in history, art, or natural beauty, Italy has something for everyone.

When you visit Italy, be sure to plan ahead and book your tickets in advance. Many popular attractions, like the Colosseum and Mount Vesuvius, can have long lines and wait times.

But with a little bit of planning, you can make the most of your time in this incredible country.

The post Exploring The Beauty Of Italy: Top 4 Must-See Attractions appeared first on Kellys Thoughts On Things .

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The 10 Most Famous Things to See Near the Vatican City

Sean Finelli Last Updated: February 20, 2024

Planning a trip to Vatican City and not sure what to see and do in the area? There are definitely no shortages of famous artwork, ancient Roman construction, monuments, and attractions. In this article, we’ll detail what there is to see in and near the Vatican so you can plan the most memorable visit possible.

Pro Tip: If you are heading to Rome consider bookmarking this post which could help you greatly while in Rome. Also, check out our small group Vatican guided tours . We’re rated one of the best if not the best Vatican tour provider in Rome.

Top 10 Things to See & Do Near the Vatican City

After you finish with the 10 things to see near the Vatican, use the toggle menu below to check out another of Rome’s most famous attractions.

10. Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is one of Rome’s most iconic and recognized structure which means makes it a top attraction to visit. It is a great structure to enter or view from the outside. In modern times, the last thousand years, it has served as a fortress to protect the Pope in times of invasion.

There is even a secret passage way from the Vatican City to the Castel Sant’Angelo which will read about below. It was originally built in the 2nd century to serve as the Mausoleum of Hadrian which was completed after the death of the great Emperor. The structure was later converted to a fortress due to its strategic location on the Tiber river.

You’ll see the iconic statue of Arch Angel Michael , right hand of god, perched atop of the Castel. Michael sheaths his sword signifying the end fo suffering for mankind.

Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50

9. Ponte Sant Angelo

The original construction of the Ponte Sant’Angelo originally took place in 134 A.D. under Hadrian although little remains of the original construction. The original bridge commissioned by Hadrian was named Ponte Aelius which was Hadrian’s family name.

Much of what you see today was added in a 1535 renovation under Pope Clement VII . There are beautiful angels lining the bridge which give it an iconic feel. One of the angels, Angel with the Crown of Thorns , was originally created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini but what you see today is a copy. The original is in Sant’Andrea della Fratte .

You can find the Ponte Sant’Angelo directly in front of the Castel Sant’Angelo. It is a pedestrian bridge which makes it a pleasant and stree-free way to cross the Tiber.

8. Mercato Trionfale

€  | Market/Lunch | Kids |  👣 from the Vatican Museums

You can’t mention eating by the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without mentioning Mercato Trionfale.  It is not my number 1 thing to do near Vatican City but a great option. You can pick up some authentic local goods like cured meats and cheeses which are abundant inside. There are a few places for lunch inside or a quick pizza snack but I would probably eat somewhere else near the Vatican City.

Address:  Via la Goletta, 1 |  Hours:  7 am – 2 pm Monday – Saturday

7. Passetto di Borgo & Sotto Passaggio

To get to the Passetto di Borgo you’ll have to turn left while in St. Peter’s Square facing the St. Peter’s Basilica. Walk through the columns and you’ll see a wall next to the street. On top of the wall is a passageway where the Pope or members of the clergy can walk to get to the fortress Castel Sant’Angelo.

The wall is just over 2600 feet (800m) long and could provide safe passage for the Pope in times of an attack. Today, it is not much more than a wall but the Pope may very well be walking along on top while you are standing below!

There is also good information that says there is also an under-passage known as the sottopassagio below the wall. A second way for the Pope to escape if need be.

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Looking to get much of your sightseeing done in one day? This tour enters the Vatican an hour before opening and visits the Colosseum along with other sites like the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain. All admissions and transportation are included as well as a licensed, English-speaking guide!

6. Vatican Gardens

The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and a sovereign nation completely encircled by walls. Inside those walls are wonders beyond belief. The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and of course the Vatican Gardens.

They are amazing to visit since you will find so few visitors walking around. We have a cool experience that visits the gardens and goes to the Pope’s summer home in Castel Gandolfo by way of the Vatican train station . It is extremely unique!

5. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are what is referred to as a living museum. It has been the home of the Pope for centuries and is right next door to the Papal administrative offices. There are many galleries to visit and lines can be long to get inside.

If you’d like a more detailed description of the famous artwork inside the Vatican museum check out our article, “ 60 Famous Artworks, Statues, and Things to See in the Vatican .” It describes many of the most important artwork in considerable length.

You can also join us for one of our many Vatican tours. We are one of the best if not the best Vatican tour provider in Rome.

4. Piazza San Pietro

Piazza San Pietro or St. Peter’s Square in English is the 2nd largest square in Rome behind Piazza del Popolo. That said, it would be hard to argue any are more iconic.

The square was largely the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini and is one of the most recognizable places on Earth. 288 columns open to the world like arms reaching out for a huge.

The square features a central obelisk and two fountains on the right and left hand side. The one on the left when facing the Basilica is the work of Stefano Moderno. On the left, you’ll find Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s work although he designed it to match that of Moderno’s.

Papal audience is held here every Wednesday when the weather is warm which in Rome is most of the time. You can read more about it in our article on Papal Audience in Rome .

3. St. Peter’s Basilica

The St. Peter’s Basilica is the most important church in all of Christendom. According to dogma, it is built on top of St. Peter’s tomb making him the “rock upon which I will build my temple,” which were the words of Jesus Christ.

Religious or not, seeing the Basilica and going inside are an absolute must when visiting Rome. The interior is a testament to what our minds can achieve when put to work. It is one of if not the greatest structure ever assembled.

For more information, check out our article, “ St. Peter’s Basilica: Facts, History, and What to See .”

2. St. Peter’s Basilica Dome (Climb!)

The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is yet another incredible creation by the famed Michelangelo. He cannot take all the credit as the foundation was designed by Donato Bramante and later taken over by Raphael but much of it belongs to the master; Michelangelo.

The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is 448.1 feet (136.57m) tall which includes the cross at the top. The diameter is 136.1 feet (41.47m). It holds the record for the tallest dome in the world which is impressive since it was completed in 1590 almost 30 years after Michelangelo’s death by Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana under the reign of Pope Sixtus V .

The dome is an incredible accomplishment of engineering and arguably one the greatest accomplishments of the late renaissance although there were many. Today, you can climb up to the top of the Dome which is the tallest building in Rome and the Vatican City by law.

Read more about climbing St. Peter’s Dome .

Learn about our St. Peter’s Dome Climb Small Group Tour.

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1. The Sistine Chapel

Pope Julius II’s decision to repaint the ceiling probably had to do with structural damage done during the excavations for the Borgia Tower and the new St. Peter’s Basilica which could have become a major issue for this most important chapel. At the time, Michelangelo was working on the Pope’s tomb and seemed to be quite content with it but was swayed elsewhere.

The Artist- Michelangelo

As the story goes, Bramante who was upset with Michelangelo for a previous slight suggested to the Pope that Michelangelo should paint the ceiling. Bramante suggested this knowing Michelangelo was a sculptor and not a painter knowing Michelangelo would not want the commission.

Pope Julius II agreed and had Michelangelo’s sign the contract to paint the ceiling against his will in the year 1508. The original design was to be the twelve apostles, but after Michelangelo objected, Julius put the design in the Master’s hands which is history as we know it. It is very likely the Michelangelo lived inside the Vatican City for the duration of his commission which I think is interesting. One of the rooms you’ll walk through while exploring the museums may have had a bed in it at one time that Michelangelo attempted to visit when he could.

The Ceiling (Most Famous)

The ceiling is a series of figures such as Sibyls, Prophets, and Christ’s forefathers all surrounding the focal point which are the central panels. The central panels depict Genesis and are comprised of 9 “stories” describing the most important thing in all of our existence which is the creation of the World/Universe according to Dogma. This is particularly difficult considering the dimensions and curves of the ceiling. Most other artists would have drawn this out in advance but most other artists were not Michelangelo.

It took four years for Michelangelo to complete and he probably swore never to return in the chapel when it was done. Little did he know that he’d be called back 24 years later to do the Last Judgement on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.

The Last Judgement (Most Intriguing)

The depiction of dogma’s Last Judgement in the style of fresco by Michelangelo was one of the last additions to the Sistine Chapel ( finished in 1541). By the time this painting was finished Michelangelo had spent almost 10 years of his life in the Sistine Chapel painting the ceiling and back wall! The Master continues to portray people with huge amounts of muscles as he did with the ceiling which was his way of showing off his ability to detail the human torso – the most difficult thing to do. 

Old Testament (Life of Moses) & New Testament (Life of Jesus)

One of the most intriguing things about the Sistine Chapel is some of the most famous artists of the Renaissance had painted frescoes on the walls but visitors rarely seem to notice.

Obviously, those who join our Vatican City tours will discover this detail and readers of our blog like you, but imagine if there was a Sandro Botticelli painting in your house and nobody noticed.

If you walk in from the door over the altar, the Life of Moses is depicted on the right-hand side wall reading from right to left. On the left-hand sidewall, you’ll see the life of Jesus reading from left to right. The reason Moses’ life reads right to left is that Hebrew reads in the same direction which adds depth and meaning to the artwork.

These frescos were done in groups by some of Florence’s most famous artists which are listed here below:

• Sandro Botticelli
• Cosimo Rosselli
• Biagio d’Antonioi
• Luca Signorelli
• Pietro Perugino
• Domenico Ghiraldaio

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Meeting of the Viêt Nam – Holy See Joint Working Group

A Meeting of the Viêt Nam – Holy See Joint Working Group took place in Ha Noi on the 17th of May 2024. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation, and Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Head of the Holy See Delegation.

The meeting is the first to take place following the conclusion, on the 27th of July 2023, of the Agreement between Viet Nam and the Holy See on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and on the Office of the Resident Papal Representative of the Holy See in Viet Nam.

The two sides had a broad and thorough exchange of views on Viet Nam – Holy See relations, including issues related to the Catholic Church in Viet Nam.

While reaffirming the freedom of the Church to carry out its mission for the good of the whole of society, they noted that the Catholic Community in Viet Nam will continue to be inspired by the Magisterium of the Church regarding the practice of “living the gospel in the world” and being, at the same time, good Christians and good citizens.

The two sides acknowledged the progress in Viet Nam – Holy See relations, thanks to regular contacts and consultations, the exchange of high-level delegations and the activities of the Resident Papal Representative, Archbishop Marek Zalewski.

The meeting was characterized by an atmosphere of cordiality, frankness and mutual respect.

Before departing from Viet Nam, the delegation of the Holy See paid a courtesy visit to certain Vietnamese Authorities and met with the Archbishop of Ha Noi, H.E. Joseph Vũ Văn Thiên.

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17 May 2024

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Solar Storm Intensifies, Filling Skies With Northern Lights

Officials warned of potential blackouts or interference with navigation and communication systems this weekend, as well as auroras as far south as Southern California or Texas.

By Katrina Miller and Judson Jones

Katrina Miller reports on space and astronomy and Judson Jones is a meteorologist.

A dramatic blast from the sun set off the highest-level geomagnetic storm in Earth’s atmosphere on Friday that is expected to make the northern lights visible as far south as Florida and Southern California and could interfere with power grids, communications and navigations system.

It is the strongest such storm to reach Earth since Halloween of 2003. That one was strong enough to create power outages in Sweden and damage transformers in South Africa.

The effects could continue through the weekend as a steady stream of emissions from the sun continues to bombard the planet’s magnetic field.

The solar activity is so powerful that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which monitors space weather, issued an unusual storm watch for the first time in 19 years, which was then upgraded to a warning. The agency began observing outbursts on the sun’s surface on Wednesday, with at least five heading in the direction of Earth.

“What we’re expecting over the next couple of days should be more significant than what we’ve seen certainly so far,” Mike Bettwy, the operations chief at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, said at a news conference on Friday morning.

For people in many places, the most visible part of the storm will be the northern lights, known also as auroras. But authorities and companies will also be on the lookout for the event’s effects on infrastructure, like global positioning systems, radio communications and even electrical power.

While the northern lights are most often seen in higher latitudes closer to the North Pole, people in many more parts of the world are already getting a show this weekend that could last through the early part of next week.

As Friday turned to Saturday in Europe, people across the continent described skies hued in a mottling of colors.

Alfredo Carpineti , an astrophysicist, journalist and author in North London, saw them with his husband from the rooftop of their apartment building.

“It is incredible to be able to see the aurora directly from one’s own backyard,” he said. “I was hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of green on the horizon, but it was all across the sky in both green and purple.”

Here’s what you need to know about this weekend’s solar event.

How will the storm affect people on Earth?

A geomagnetic storm watch or warning indicates that space weather may affect critical infrastructure on or orbiting near Earth. It may introduce additional current into systems, which could damage pipelines, railroad tracks and power lines.

According to Joe Llama, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, communications that rely on high frequency radio waves, such as ham radio and commercial aviation , are most likely to suffer. That means it is unlikely that your cellphone or car radio, which depend on much higher frequency radio waves, will conk out.

Still, it is possible for blackouts to occur. As with any power outage, you can prepare by keeping your devices charged and having access to backup batteries, generators and radio.

The most notable solar storm recorded in history occurred in 1859. Known as the Carrington Event, it lasted for nearly a week, creating aurora that stretched down to Hawaii and Central America and impacting hundreds of thousands of miles of telegraph lines.

But that was technology of the 19th century, used before scientists fully understood how solar activity disrupted Earth’s atmosphere and communication systems.

“That was an extreme level event,” said Shawn Dahl, a forecaster at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. “We are not anticipating that.”

Unlike tornado watches and warnings, the target audience for NOAA’s announcements is not the public.

“For most people here on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The goal of the announcements is to give agencies and companies that operate this infrastructure time to put protection measures in place to mitigate any effects.

“If everything is working like it should, the grid will be stable and they’ll be able to go about their daily lives,” Mr. Steenburgh said.

Will I be able to see the northern lights?

It is possible that the northern lights may grace the skies this week over places that don’t usually see them. The best visibility is outside the bright lights of cities.

Clouds or stormy weather could pose a problem in some places. But if the skies are clear, even well south of where the aurora is forecast to take place, snap a picture or record a video with your cellphone. The sensor on the camera is more sensitive to the wavelengths produced by the aurora and may produce an image you can’t see with the naked eye.

Another opportunity could be viewing sunspots during the daytime, if your skies are clear. As always, do not look directly at the sun without protection. But if you still have your eclipse glasses lying around from the April 8 event, you may try to use them to try to spot the cluster of sunspots causing the activity.

How strong is the current geomagnetic storm?

Giant explosions on the surface of the sun, known as coronal mass ejections, send streams of energetic particles into space. But the sun is large, and such outbursts may not cross our planet as it travels around the star. But when these particles create a disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field, it is known as a geomagnetic storm.

NOAA classifies these storms on a “G” scale of 1 to 5, with G1 being minor and G5 being extreme. The most extreme storms can cause widespread blackouts and damage to infrastructure on Earth. Satellites may also have trouble orienting themselves or sending or receiving information during these events.

The current storm is classified as G5, or “extreme.” It is caused by a cluster of sunspots — dark, cool regions on the solar surface — that is about 16 times the diameter of Earth. The cluster is flaring and ejecting material every six to 12 hours.

“We anticipate that we’re going to get one shock after another through the weekend,” said Brent Gordon, chief of the space weather services branch at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

Why is this happening now?

The sun’s activity ebbs and flows on an 11-year cycle, and right now, it is approaching a solar maximum. Three other severe geomagnetic storms have been observed so far in the current activity cycle, which began in December 2019, but none were predicted to cause effects strong enough on Earth to warrant a watch or warning announcement.

The cluster of sunspots generating the current storm is the largest seen in this solar cycle, NOAA officials said. They added that the activity in this cycle has outperformed initial predictions .

More flares and expulsions from this cluster are expected, but because of the sun’s rotation the cluster will be oriented in a position less likely to affect Earth. In the coming weeks, the sunspots may appear again on the left side of the sun, but it is difficult for scientists to predict whether this will cause another bout of activity.

“Usually, these don’t come around packing as much of a punch as they did originally,” Mr. Dahl said. “But time will tell on that.”

Jonathan O’Callaghan contributed reporting from London.

An earlier version of this article misstated the radio frequencies used by cellphones and car radios. They are higher frequencies, not low.

How we handle corrections

Katrina Miller is a science reporting fellow for The Times. She recently earned her Ph.D. in particle physics from the University of Chicago. More about Katrina Miller

Judson Jones is a meteorologist and reporter for The Times who forecasts and covers extreme weather. More about Judson Jones

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