visit vatican gardens

All you need to know for visiting the Vatican Gardens: how to book, highlight, tips

All you need to know for visiting the Vatican Gardens: where to get tickets, admission rules, tips and photos of these marvellous gardens in the heart of Rome. Giardini Vaticani review and info .

The Vatican is one of the most interesting and beautiful attractions in Rome and one of the most popular.

St Peter’s Basilica , Saint Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums are usually the part of Vatican city that gets the most attention however, they are not the only one worth a visit.

Another wonderful part of the Vatican is the Vatican Gardens: they are just at the back of the basilica and are one of the most beautiful landscapes gardens you can see in Rome!

The first time I saw them was from above, when I climbed to the top of St Peter’s dome: the view over their Italian style layout is out of this work beautiful!

However, I recently booked a guided tour to see them properly and it was a wonderful experience.

Now, I highly recommend you add a visit to the gardens to your day at the Vatican.

In this article, you will find all you need to for a perfect day there and my review of the official Vatican Gardens tour.

Pin this article for easy access next time!

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

Table of Contents

Where are the Vatican Gardens and how to get there

The Vatican Gardens extend to the back of St Peter’s basilica, along the slopes of Colle Vaticano (The Vatican hill)

Access is from Piazza Sant’Uffizio, which is immediately to the left of Piazza San Pietro looking towards the church.

The entrance is well marked by local signage that leads you under the columns and into the main gate.

You can reach the gardens by car, bus, tram and metro.

Bus 46, 64, 916 and 982 are the closest bus stops. Metro stop Ottaviano (Metro line A) is about 15 minutes walk from here and Piazza Risorgimento with tram line 19 is about 7 minutes’ walk.

Both these walk can be worth it, if you have the time since they lead you under the Passetto and across the main Saint Peter’s square to get you to your destination!

Find all info on how to use public transport in Rome here.

Vatican gardens tickets

Tickets to the Vatican Gardens are available on the official Vatican website.

At present, the Gardens can only be visited by buying a ticket also including the Sistine Chapel: this is new for 2022.

This is how you can get tickets for the Vatican Gardens:

Official Vatican Website – Group Tour of Vatican Gardens and Sistine Chapel (3h)

This tour lasts 3 hours and includes a visit to the gardens as well as a tour of parts of the Vatican Museums, such asCandelabra gallery, Maps Gallery, Tapestry Gallery and Sistine Chapel.

Official Vatican Website – Small Group tour of Vatican Gardens and Sistine Chapel (3h)

This is a small group tour (max 10 participants) bringing visitors to gardens as well as a tour of parts of the Vatican Museums, such asCandelabra gallery, Maps Gallery, Tapestry Gallery and Sistine Chapel

Need to know: Vatican Gardens bus tour!

The Vatican Gardens are very large and, because of this, the visit often happens by bus!

The bus is an electric vehicle with open widows allowing you to take photos.

During the tour, you do not get off the bus but there are regular stops to properly see and take photographs the most meaningful parts of the garden.

The bus is a lovely way to visit the garden and a great complement to the significant walking you do to visit the museum and, if going, the basilica.

The bus ride is not specified on most tickets and comes as a surprise for many: I highly recommend you contact the ticket provider to get confirmation of the means of transport on your day of choice if you need to know for sure before committing to the experience.

These are all offered by GetYourGuide which is my go-to platform for booking tickets and especially tours.

What there is to see in the Vatican Gardens – Vatican Gardens highlights

The Vatican gardens are wonderful and varied but some areas did stand out more than others for me.

Marian gardens and Lourde’s grotto

One of our first stops during the bus tour was at Lourde’s grotto, a small grotto reminiscent of the one in Lourdes.

The grotto has a statue of Mary and is a quiet place intended for Popes to come and pray.

The grotto was inaugurated in 1905 and it is said to have been one of the favorite places of Giovanni Paolo II and Benedetto XVI.

Just beside the grotto lies another wonderful stretch of garden, the so-called French-style garden.

This is laid out with pristine lawns with beautiful trees and flowerbeds to the sides, a combination that makes it look serene and welcoming.

The French garden is dotted by several sculptures and statues notable are that dedicated to the Virgin of Fatima and the fountain of the frogs

 The rock garden

Another lovely part of the Vatican gardens is the rock garden.

It runs parallel to one of the main [aths (also passed by the eco bus) and has lovely details: the light rock hosts many typed of plant and cacti and while it is unobtrusive and even easy to miss, it is delicate and worth seeking out.

The Italian garden

The Italian style garden in the Vatican garden was created in 1929.

It follows the traditional Italian style layout of geometric hedged and paths framed by pine trees, cypresses and other native trees and it is one of the most impressive in terms of visual impact.

Fun fact: this is also the one you most easily spot from the top of the dome!

Heliport and train station 

If you are visiting the gardens of Vatican City with kids , they are sure two like the transport options avaible to the Pope: the heliport and the train station!

They are both inside the gardens and they are fun to see.

Torre di San Giovanni (Tower)

Beside the heliport you will also find the tower of San Giovanni.

The tower is ancient but it was restored in 1962 and it is in such a lovely part of the Vatican Gardens Giovanni XXIII adopted it as its summer residence.

The views of St Peter’s Dome

The gardens are a wonderful vantage point to see the dome of St Peter’s basilica.

From the main square, you can see the dome but the size of the basilica facade doesn’t allow to appreciate its magnitude and magnificence – from a certain distance, the dome disappears altogether if you are looking at it from Piazza San Pietro!

From the gardens, you can see it in all its splendor and you will be spoilt for choice for photo ops!

What else can you see with the Vatican Gardens

A visit to the Vatican Gardens is compatible with then visiting the basilica.

Access to the basilica is separate from that of the gardens and the museums and it is free: you can easily walk in after your garden your (line permitting) and enjoy it in your own time.

I highly recommend visit gardens and basilica on the same day.

Both can be enjoyed as stand alone attractions but you see an incredible continuity in style and architectural flow if you immerse yourself in both, one after the other!

For your convenience, this is an overview of other Vatican tickets you may want to consider for your day at the Vatican:

• St Peter’s basilica guided tour
• St Peter basilica with dome climb and crypt (tour)

If you want to spend a day at the Vatican, including the gardens, consider this:

Access to the basilica is free and straight forward but does require waiting in line.

Even on a quiet day, security and temperature checks mean there will be some waiting. Add extra time if you plan on climbing the dome.

The main Saint Peter square , the beautiful monuments to refugees, the colonnade, Passetto and the Swiss Guards are all just outside the gardens and need no planning.

You can find my full guide to visiting the Vatican and recommended things to see here.

Practical tips for visiting the Vatican Gardens

The best time to go: you can visit the gardens all year round but the mid season, autumn and spring, are the best.

In summer , especially on a very hot day, I highly recommend you opt for the bus tour as the heat can be intense

What to wear: masks are currently compulsory and good walking shoes are necessary for the walking tour (you can find my recommended shoes for a trip to Rome here ).

No special shoes to gear are needed for the bus tour.

Like always in the Vatican, it is better to opt for conservative clothing (no short skirts or shorts, cover shoulders).

You can find all my tips on what to wear in Rome here .

Make sure you bring your camera as the photo ops are great!

Visiting the Vatican Gardens with kids

The Vatican Gardens are manicured, architectural gardens: as such, they may not be as attractive to kids and they may sound.

First and foremost, access to the gardens is only for children over 6.

Also, the visit to the gardens, whether by bus on foot, is guided and does not allow for free roaming or independent exploring.

The gardens are not not suitable for running around and are very much like a museum, more than a park, in terms of the experience for kids.

However, older kids are likely to enjoy the bus ride: this is a good way for them to relax and unwind, catch a bit of fresh air and rest their legs before/after the long day in the museum!

When we went, the bus ride itself was lovely and while the guide was a little too detailed for children, we had a nice ecpeirene and cam back with lovely photos.

I feel the Vatican Gardens can be good for kids, but being prepared about what the visit entail and feels like is paramount to avoid wrong expectation about playtime!

I hope you enjoyed this guide and it helped you plan your day visiting the Vatican Gardens. Happy travel planning!

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 Gardens of Vatican City: The Complete Guide

The Vatican Gardens May be the Pope's Best-Kept Secret

John Harper/Getty Images

Gardens of Vatican City

One of the most exclusive attractions within Rome's tiny Papal State is the Gardens of Vatican City ( Giardini Vaticani ). The 57 acres of urban tranquility invite visitors to stroll among sacred monuments, sculpture fountains, and curious botanicals. Because entry is limited (only a certain number of bookings are accepted each day), it's rarely crowded, allowing you to enjoy the manicured grounds in relative peace and quiet. Commonly referred to as "the Pope's playground," the gardens abut the Vatican Museums and boast their own railway station, heliport, and even a bank. They also have some of the best views of St. Peter's dome in all of Rome.

History of the Gardens

First conceived in 1279 by Pope Nicholas III, the area was enclosed by walls and planted with an orchard, a lawn, and a garden. It wasn't until the 16th century, under Pope Julius II, that major landscaping took place. Distinguished architect Donato Bramante (one of the designers of St. Peter's) drew up plans for the garden, which was eventually split into the three Renaissance styles (English, French, and Italian). A rectangular labyrinth (garden maze) was added to further enhanced its formal grandeur. Today, the gardens remain a place where Pontiffs can find restful solitude, despite the hustle and bustle of Rome and Vatican City just beyond the garden wall.

What to See and Do in the Gardens of Vatican City

As you wander around the gardens, here are some highlights to explore:

Lourdes Grotto ( Grotta di Lourdes ): This is a replica of the pilgrimage cave in Massabielle, France where a young girl, Bernadette Soubirous, saw a vision of the Madonna.

Fountain of the Eagle: This 17th-century fountain celebrates the return of water ( Acqua Paolina ) to the Vatican from the repaired aqueduct of Trajan.

Papal Coat of Arms: You can't miss this wonderful example of topiary figurative art in the shape of the Papal Coat of Arms. A permanent section features a crown and the keys of Saint Peter planted in colorful perennials, while the other area is adorned with annuals honoring the current Pope.

Casina del Giardiniere (Gardener's Lodge): This little building from the 12th century is the residence of the head gardener, who oversees a team of more than two dozen gardening staff.

Saint John’s Tower: Constructed in the 16th century by Pope Nicholas III, it was rebuilt in the 1960s by Pope John XXIII. Inside are papal apartments, but it is most famous for being the place where Pope Benedict XVI met President George W. Bush in 2008.

The Little Flower, Saint Therese of Lisieux: Named the patron saint of the Gardens in 1927, Saint Therese's official title is "Sacred Keeper of the Gardens." A shrine dedicated to her sits along the Leonine walls.

Our Lady of Fatima: In 1981, on the day of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope John Paul II was shot at St. Peter's Square. His miraculous survival is credited to divine intervention from Our Lady.

Gregorian Tower or Tower of the Winds: Built in the late 16th century, the square tower once served as an astrological observatory. It's said to be where the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar was made.

Palazzina di Leone XIII: One of the "Instagrammable" spots in the Gardens, this little building was erected in honor of Pope Leo XIII. It has two lovely fountains, hedges, arches of climbing roses, and the last exotic tree planted by Leo before his death. When the coral tree flowers, its blooms are bright red.

A Piece of the Berlin Wall: A gift to the Vatican from Marco Piccinini, the Italian acquired a portion of the famous wall at an auction in 1990. The segment, originally located on Waldemarbridge, reveals a hidden painting of Berlin's St. Michaels Church.

Vatican Radio Station: Added to the Gardens in 1931 by famed inventor Guglielmo Marconi, The Marconi Broadcast Centre is where he broadcasted his first message worldwide. Pope Pius XI understood the importance of the emerging technology and encouraged Marconi's research.

Vatican Railway Station: This short rail line primarily carries supplies into Vatican City. Nearby are a bank, a pharmacy , and a grocery store. Even popes need to run errands! Since 2015, and on Saturdays only, the Vatican offers rail service from the Vatican Railway Station to the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo, to the south of Rome. The full-day tour includes entry to the Vatican Museums and Gardens, round-trip train travel and access to parts of the Papal complex at Castel Gandolfo.

Visitor Information:

Location: Vatican City, 00120 Italy

Hours: The Vatican Museums and Gardens are open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (final entry at 4 p.m.) Closed Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month, when it's open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., provided it doesn't coincide with major religious holidays.) Accurate as of September 2018. Check the website for updates.

Admission: Guided tours last 2 hours and must be booked through the Vatican Museum's website or with a private tour company. Your ticket includes a visit (unguided) to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, on the same day only.

Prices: €33. Reduced: €24 (children 6-18 and religious persons with valid documentation.)

Visiting Tips: The tour is on foot. For those with mobility issues, an open eco-bus tour is available for €37/reduced: €23 (includes audioguide and illustrated map.) For safety reasons, children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.

If you need wheelchair assistance, you can book a tour with Vatican Gardens without barriers.

How to Get There:

Metro: Line A in the direction of Battistini, Ottaviano, or Cipro stations.

Buses: 49, 32, 81, and 982 stop at Piazza del Risorgimento; 492 and 990 stop at Via Leone IV/Via degli Scipioni.

Tram: 19 stop at Piazza del Risorgimento

Sights and Attractions Nearby

Castel Sant'Angelo : Built as a mausoleum by Emperor Hadrian, this imposing castle along the Tiber River is now a museum.

The Swiss Guard : Since 1506, these traditionally and colorfully costumed recruits have been guarding Vatican City.

Leonardo Da Vinci Experience : The new museum exhibits Da Vinci's inventions and reproductions of his most famous paintings, including the Last Supper.

Villas of Castel Gandolfo: Located 45-minutes from the center of Rome, it has been the summer residence of Popes since the 17th century. For information on arriving via train from the Vatican Rail Station, visit this page on the Vatican Museums website.

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Vatican Gardens Ultimate Guide 2024

Written by: Kate Zusmann

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The Vatican Gardens (Latin: Horti Civitatis Vaticanae; Italian: Giardini Vaticani) are exclusively beautiful private gardens and parks from the 16th century in the Vatican City State, located within the territory of Rome. The gardens cover more than half of the country, are owned by the Pope, and are considered the smallest government globally.

Below is our Ultimate Guide to the Vatican Gardens. All provided info and facts info is checked and updated in May 2024.

Let’s start from

FAQ about Vatican Gardens

Are vatican gardens worth visiting, are the vatican gardens free, can i take pictures inside the vatican gardens, can i walk through the vatican gardens, what is the dress code for the vatican gardens, what are the gardens of the vatican.

Their territory is 23 hectares (57 acres), with the highest point of 60 meters (200 ft) on Vatican Hill. You need to plan your visit since it is possible only by reservation. The gardens are considered the Pope’s private playground, which you can visit by taking the two-hour foot-and-bus tour.

The Vatican Gardens are surrounded by stone walls in the North, South and West.

They were established during the Renaissance and Baroque eras, and there are different fountains and sculptures on the territory of gardens. However, there is no access to the public except special group tours provided by the Vatican. Moreover, there are 16 Marian images revered worldwide at the designation of the Roman Pontiff or the Pope – the owner of the gardens. Besides greenery, sculptures, and fountains, there is the Governor’s Palace and the Radio of the Vatican on the territory of the gardens. You can see the gardens when you climb up the dome of St Peter’s Basilica , from the highest point of Rome.

History of the Vatican Gardens

According to the Pious tradition, the site of the Vatican Gardens was spread with sacred soil taken from Mount Calvary by Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine . Through this sign, she wanted symbolically unite the blood of Jesus Christ with that shed by early Christians, who died because of the persecution of Emperor Nero . The Gardens of the Vatican date back to medieval times when vineyards and orchards were prolonged to the north of the Papal Apostolic Palace.

In 1279, Pope Nicholas III decided to move his residence back to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace, so the area became enclosed by walls

However, at the beginning of the 16th century, the gardens were reconstructed during the pontificate of Pope Julius II. Donato Bramante’s project considered splitting gardens into three new courtyards: the Cortili del Belvedere, the “della Biblioteca,” and the “della Pigna” (Pine Cone) in the Renaissance style.

Moreover, a rectangular Labyrinth set in boxwood and decorated with Italian stone pines and cedars of Lebanon was added to the design of the gardens. Today, the Vatican Gardens contain many medieval buildings and monuments from the 9th century to the present day, including flowers and greenery. Moreover, the gardens’ most notable feature is an artificial grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes (Grotta di Lourdes), a replica of the Lourdes Grotto located in France, and an olive tree donated by the government of Israel.

Tours to the Vatican Gardens (updated: May 2024)

Explore Rome in the most comfortable way!

from €150.00

The Vatican offers tours to its gardens, where most are in English and take place in the morning. Usually, the tour time is between 8:30 am, and 9:30 am. Read about my experience with the Group Tour to the Vatican Gardens.

• Vatican website: https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home
• Full ticket:  from 37 euros
• Reduced ticket:  from 24 euros
• Tour days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
• Duration: 2 hours
• Type of tour: bus tour
• Languages: Italian, English, German, French, Spanish. Other languages are available upon written request at: [email protected]
• Note: the guided tour is not available for wheelchair users and is not recommended for visitors with limited mobility because of the type of standard route
• Tel.: +39 06 69883145; +39 06 69884676

Interesting Facts about the Vatican Gardens

• The House of the Gardener, located on the territory of the Vatican Gardens, is the most miniature building in the Vatican. This tiny house was built in 1776 and has just one room. It was originally used by the gardener to store his tools.
• At the end of the guided tour of the Vatican Gardens, visitors have open access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel . This means you can explore the art and history of Vatican City after a peaceful stroll through the gardens.
• The Radio of the Vatican, located on the territory of the Vatican Gardens, broadcasted in 45 languages worldwide and was created by Marconi in 1931. This radio station is still in operation today and is one of the most important Catholic media outlets in the world.
• Vatican City, with its Gardens, is recognized as a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site since it is the only site encompassing a whole country. This means that the Vatican City, with all its historical and cultural treasures, is protected as a whole entity.
• The present structure of the gardens is attributed to Pope Julius II, but further works were carried out under the Popes Clemens VII and Paul III. They designed the “secret garden” within the Vatican Gardens. This secluded area was used as a private retreat for the popes.
• Pope Paul IV commissioned the construction of a small palace surrounded by lush vegetation. It is known as “Casina di Pio IV” (The little house of Pio IV) and is home to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. This beautiful building is a hidden gem in the Vatican Gardens.
• Another garden with radiating pathways is in front of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and is bordered by geometrical hedges. It is known as “Giardino dei Semplici” and is used for the growing of medicinal herbs. This garden is a peaceful retreat for those interested in the healing properties of plants.
• Water to the fountains inside the Vatican Gardens comes from the Trajan Aqueduct from Bracciano Lake, which was renovated in the 1600s by Pope Paul IV. This aqueduct still supplies water to the Vatican City today, ensuring the fountains and gardens are always lush and green.
• Throughout history, different animals lived in the gardens, such as goats, deers, and gazelle. These animals were kept in a special section of the gardens called the “Zoo Garden.” Today, there are no animals living in the Vatican Gardens.
• The Vatican Gardens are very well seen from the dome of St Peter’s Basilica . Climbing to the top of the dome is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the gardens and the rest of the Vatican City.

Watch our vlog about the Eternal City and private tour to St Peter’s Basilica, Square , and instructions on how to climb up the dome! You can book this tour here. Discover a breathtaking view of the gardens from the dome of the Basilica in our video .

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Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

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Vatican Garden Tickets & Tours

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour

• From the world-famous Sistine Chapel to the extensive art collections of the Vatican Museums, uncover it all on this unforgettable tour.
• Discover the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica, a sanctuary of faith and artistic beauty, with skip-the-line entry and self-guided exploration.
• Journey through centuries of history as an expert guide reveals the stories and secrets behind the art and architecture of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
• Behold the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, including the iconic ceiling and Last Judgment, showcasing the genius of one of history's greatest artists.
• Choose between local English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guides who will regale you with intriguing anecdotes.
• Skip-the-line entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line entry to St. Peter's Basilica
• Expert local English, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese-speaking guide
• Audio equipment
• Group tour of 25 or less
• Tip: Avoid booking on Wednesdays! Did you know the Pope speaks in St Peter's Square Wednesday mornings? Sometimes this results in last-min closures, so plan for another day if possible.
• The Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (with certified invalidity exceeding 74%). In the case of visitors lacking in self-sufficiency, free entry is extended to their companions.
• Please note: All guests must pass through airport-style security. During high season and peak hours, the wait time at the security check may be up to 30 mins.
• Compulsory Vatican dress code: Visitors must wear clothing that covers their knees, arms, and back.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, or baby carriages.
• The Basilica may be subject to last-minute closures. In the event that it is closed, the tour will be extended inside the museums.
• St. Peter’s Basilica may be closed on Wednesday mornings and afternoons as the Papal Audience takes place in St. Peter’s Square. If you’re considering visiting St. Peter's Basilica, please make plans for another day.
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

• Make the most out of your visit and jump straight into the action. Skip the line with this guided tour, bypassing long queues at the Vatican Museums.
• Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime? The expert guides share stories and hidden symbolism behind artworks, adding a whole new dimension to your experience.
• With unforgettable masterpieces and exquisite art, explore a vast collection spanning centuries, from ancient artifacts to Renaissance marvels.
• Tour in the language of your comfort. Choose from English, Italian, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Romanian, and Polish-speaking guides.
• Discover Michelangelo's awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel frescoes, including the iconic ceiling and Last Judgment, showcasing the genius of Italy's most renowned artist.
• Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line entrance to the Vatican Museums
• Priority entry to the Sistine Chapel
• Expert English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Romanian, and Polish-speaking local guide (as per option selected)
• Group size (up to 25)
• Tip: Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
• Please be dressed appropriately. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted.
• Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• It is recommended to cover tattoos and any other similarly visible distinctive personal signs.
• Photography and the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
• Luggage and/or large bags are not allowed inside the venue. You may drop off your bags with the free cloakroom service.
• Pets and other small animals are not allowed in the venue, with the exception of guide dogs.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets

• Discover the Vatican Museums at your leisure with options tailor-made for you! Go solo with direct entrance, or skip long queues with hosted entrance.
• Explore masterpieces by Caravaggio, Da Vinci, and Raphael in the Pinacoteca, then marvel at Renaissance sculptures in the Pio Clementino Museum
• Walk in the footsteps of the Pope(s) as you explore the Gallery of Maps, Gallery of Tapestries, and Raphael Rooms at your own pace.
• Make your way to the crowning jewel of the Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, and marvel at Michelangelo’s famed frescoes.
• Entry to Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
• Hosted entry to Vatican Museums (optional)
• Ticket redemption (optional)
• Booking and handling fees
• St. Peter's Basilica tickets
• Audio guide
• Tip: Watch out for the only painting by Vincent Van Gogh that graces the Vatican Museums - his very own rendition of The Pieta .
• The entrance to the Museums is timed. Be sure to select your activity starting time when booking. Once inside the Museums, you will be free to explore at your own pace.
• The use of mobile phones and photography is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
• Please note that the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are separate sites from St Peter’s Basilica.
• For guests with documentation of disabilities and visible disabilities, entry is free along with an additional ticket for 1 companion.
• Guests opting for the hosted entrance tickets will need to meet the host at the designated check-in location. The exact meeting point will be shared on your ticket.
• Please note that this ticket does not include a guided tour. The host will only assist you to the entrance.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb

• Commence your tour by climbing to the terrace of St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will uncover unmatched panoramic views of Rome from atop Michelangelo’s Cupola.
• Immerse yourself in the genius of the Renaissance on VIP Vatican tour, guided by experts with skip-the-line access.
• Discover the Basilica's Barocco charm and Michelangelo's Pieta. Then, witness Bernini and Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpieces at the Papal Sarcophagi.
• Pay a visit to the beguiling Sistine Chapel, and marvel at the cherished murals here, such as the painted ceiling and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo.
• Skip-the-line VIP access to Vatican Museums
• Admission to the Sistine Chapel
• Admission to the St. Peter’s Basilica
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Dome climb and visit to the Papal Sarcophagi
• Headsets (for groups of six or more)
• Reservation fees
• Transportation
• Food and drinks
• Visit to the Necropolis / St. Peter’s Tomb / Scavi
• Tips: Don't forget to look down as you ascend the dome. Through special windows, you can catch glimpses of the basilica's interior below, offering a unique perspective.
• It's recommended to wear clothing that covers their knees, arms, and back.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users.
• Note that the following are not allowed on this tour: tripod, flash photography, knives, weapons, or sharp objects.

Combo (Save 5%): Colosseum + Vatican Museums Guided Tour

• Save big with this combo ticket and visit 2 must-see spots in the Eternal City with an expert tour guide.
• Explore the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built, while listening to your tour guide relay stories about its past in the language of your choice.
• Look at the most renowned Roman sculptures and paintings at Vatican Museums. Get up and close with masterpieces from the Renaissance period.
• Visit 54 galleries in the Vatican Museums and get a chance to see some of the most impressive art collections in the world.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
• Expert local English, Italian, Spanish, French or German-speaking guide
• Access to the Colosseum floors 1 and 2
• Access to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
• Guided tour of the Vatican Museums with entry
• Expert & charismatic local guide
• Access to the Sistine Chapel
• Access to the Colosseum underground, arena floor, or upper floors
• Access to St. Peter's Basilica
• Tip: Save some time to visit ancient Rome's largest temple, located right at the eastern edge of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum – the Temple of Venus and Roma.
• For safety and security reasons, no large backpacks or pieces of luggage are allowed inside the Colosseum. No storage facility is available. You can, however, take a baby stroller into the Colosseum with you, should it be necessary.
• Tip: Keep your cameras ready to capture the dizzyingly stunning spiral Bramante Staircase in the museum.
• For visitors with mobility impairment, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire from the cloakroom.
• Strict Dress Code : Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for all guests.
• Please carry a valid ID with you and present it at the time of entry if requested. Should you fail to do so, venue authorities may deny you entry and such instances are not liable for reschedules or refunds.

Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Guided Tour

• Elevate your Vatican experience with this exclusive, small-group tour of the museums and Sistine Chapel. Personalized attention and a fun-filled day await!
• Skip the crowds and embrace VIP treatment on this small group tour. Say goodbye to long lines and the hustle of larger groups.
• Dive deeper into history with expert storytellers. They bring the Vatican and the Chapel to life with captivating stories and intriguing anecdotes.
• Imagine Michelangelo lost in his brushstrokes as you listen to interesting backstories, in English, Italian, French, Spanish, or German.
• Beauty awaits you at every turn! With the help of a local expert unveil Vatican's best-kept secrets and get ready to step into the world of Renaissance.
• 2.5 - 5 hour guided tour (as per option selected)
• Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums
• Entry to the Sistine Chapel
• Charismatic local expert
• English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German-speaking guides
• Intimate group size of 16 or less
• Tip: This tour ends inside the museums…so, why not make the most out of your visit and enjoy a coffee in the courtyard before leaving the site?
• Strict dress code: Sleeveless and/or low-cut garments, shorts above the knee, miniskirts, and hats are not permitted.
• On rare occasions, the Sistine Chapel closes without notice. If this happens, you will spend your full tour diving into the depths of the Vatican Museums.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Reserved Entry Tickets with Vatican Gardens Open Bus Tour

• Enjoy guaranteed access to the greatest of Vatican City attractions, spend less time waiting in ticket queues, and more time gazing at the natural and man-made treasures.
• Settle in a comfortable open-top bus and bask in the charming scenery of the Vatican Gardens which occupy roughly half the size of Vatican City.
• Enjoy the views of different landscaped gardens designed in Italian, French, and English styles as you tune into a multilingual audio guide to learn more about the beauty surrounding you.
• Later, immerse yourself in the immense collection of Renaissance masterpieces at the Vatican Museums.
• Gape at Michelangelo's incredible work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, along with other breathtaking frescoes.
• Vatican Gardens tour by open bus
• Skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums
• Entry tickets to the Sistine Chapel
• Multilingual audio guide onboard
• Free Wi-fi at the meeting point
• Audio guide for Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Tip: Start your visit with the Vatican Gardens aboard an open bus with an audio guide, then continue by visiting the Vatican Museums at your own pace.
• Please note the chosen time must be respected and latecomers will not be accommodated.
• The onboard audio guide is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese.
• Strict Dress Code : Guests must wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees.

Combo: Vatican Museums + Borghese Gallery Tickets

• This money-saving combo ticket offers a convenient way to admire two of the greatest art collections in the world at the Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery.
• Get priority access to Vatican Museums and see priceless works of art from the Papal collections by Michelangelo, Raphael, da Vinci, and Titian, amongst others.
• Sprawled across 54 galleries, the museums include the Gallery of Maps, Raphael’s Rooms, and more.
• The biggest highlight is the breathtaking frescoes that adorn the walls of the legendary Sistine Chapel.
• Enjoy an escorted entry to the Borghese Gallery in Rome and avoid the winding queues.
• Gasp at the amazing art collections curated by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Scipione Cardinal Borghese.
• Admire Caravaggio's iconic masterpieces like David with the Head of Goliath and Boy with a Basket of Fruit.
• Marvel at Raphael's The Deposition and sculptures like David and Apollo and Daphne.
• Stroll through the Villa Borghese and explore the gardens dotted with vibrant flowers in bloom.
• Skip-the-line tickets to the Sistine Chapel
• Escorted entry to the Borghese Gallery
• Tickets to St. Peter's Basilica
• Audio guide for Borghese Gallery (purchasable on-site for 5 Euros)

Top things to do in Rome

Vatican Gardens | Historic gardens of the Papal residence

Spanning 57 acres, which accounts for almost half of the Vatican City, the Vatican Gardens offer a serene Renaissance landscape rich in history. Adorned with ancient monuments, sculptures, and lush botanicals dating back to the 6th century, it has been a papal sanctuary for centuries, offering unparalleled views of St. Peter's Basilica and the surrounding cityscape.

Things to know before booking your tickets to Vatican Gardens

• Timed entry: Respect the time chosen by you for your visit to the Vatican Gardens. Latecomers will not be accommodated at the attraction.
• Limited access: Book your tickets for the Vatican Gardens in advance. Entry to the gardens is limited, and only a small amount of reservations are taken each day. 
• Book tickets online: It's recommended to book tickets online for convenience and to avoid long lines at the ticket office, especially during peak tourist seasons. Additionally, the gardens have a limited entry policy, making it more important to book tickets in advance.
• Guided tours only: The Vatican Gardens can be visited only through guided tours or with an audio guide, not allowing for independent exploration.
• Opt for a bus tour: You would spend a long time walking around the Vatican Museums and the basilica leaving you tired. An open-top bus tour is especially beneficial during hot days or for those who don't prefer walking. However, this is not specified on most tickets, so it's advisable to confirm the means of transport at the time of booking. 
• Not suited for children under 6: The Vatican Gardens are accessible only to children aged 6 and above. The tour, akin to a museum visit, involves extensive walking and historical narratives that may not captivate very young children's attention. 
• Separate tickets for other attractions: Tickets for the Vatican Gardens are separate from the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. You'll need to purchase separate tickets or choose a tour that includes them if you wish to visit these attractions. 
• Accessibility constraints: Some parts of the Vatican Gardens may not be accessible for people with reduced mobility. However, you can opt for guided tours along an ad hoc route accessible to visitors with mobility difficulties or in wheelchairs.

Why visit Vatican Gardens?

• Different landscaping styles: The Vatican Gardens are landscaped in three distinct architectural styles-Italian, French, and English. Italian sections boast precise geometrical patterns and Renaissance elegance, French areas dazzle with baroque artistry and water features, while the English gardens offer a whimsical mix of natural and artificial elements.
• Discover the Papal past: Pope Nicholas III's historic relocation to the Vatican in 1279 marked the inception of the Vatican Gardens. Initially an exclusive papal space with an orchard, meadow, and garden enclosed by walls, these gardens now welcome the public, offering a rare glimpse into the papal state's serene and verdant retreat.
• Exclusive and intimate experience: Given that the Pope regularly visits the Vatican Gardens, access to the garden is limited to only a small number of visitors each day, ensuring an exclusive and uncrowded experience. This exclusivity adds to the allure, offering a peaceful escape from the bustling city. 
• Vast green expanse: Covering over 57 hectares, more than half of Vatican City, the gardens are an expansive green haven. This vast area allows for an immersive experience, away from the urban sprawl, where nature and artifice harmoniously coexist.
• Artistic and cultural treasure trove: Home to ancient sculptures, fountains, and monuments dating back to the 6th century, the gardens are a living museum. Each step unveils a piece of history, art, and culture, making it a paradise for history buffs and art enthusiasts.
• Experience Papal life: Visiting the Vatican Gardens is not just about appreciating their visual splendor. It's also an opportunity to connect with the daily life of the Papal State, offering insights into a world often unseen by the public.
• Spectacular views: There are a series of vantage points in the Vatican Gardens that offer spectacular views of Vatican City. These spots are perfect for capturing the beauty of the gardens against the backdrop of iconic structures like St. Peter’s Basilica.

Which Vatican Gardens ticket is best for you?

For a convenient exploration

Go for: Open bus tours Duration: 3 hours Guide: Audio guide

• This is ideal for visitors who prefer a laid-back experience. The open-top bus tour offers a comfortable way to admire the Vatican Gardens, especially after long walks in the city or the museums.
• The insightful audio commentary will allow you to learn about the history and culture of the gardens as you explore them. 

Recommended tours

• Reserved Entry Tickets to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with Vatican Gardens Open Bus Tour
• Vatican Gardens Open Bus & Castel Sant'Angelo Entry

For a comprehensive Vatican experience

Go for: Combo tickets Duration: Flexible Guide: Audio guide/ Expert local guide

• These tickets offer great value, combining visits to other popular attractions with the Vatican Gardens. 
• With an experienced local guide, or audio guide, based on the ticket you choose you won't miss any of the key highlights of these attractions, allowing for a comprehensive experience.

Recommended tour

Combo: Catacombs of St. Callixtus + St. John Lateran with Audio Guide + Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets.

Cancellation policy

Your tickets for Vatican Gardens cannot be canceled or rescheduled. 

Explore Vatican Gardens

A splendid example of Renaissance landscape design, characterized by its formal and geometric features, the gardens boast a diverse array of vegetation, with trees blooming for three-quarters of the year. The flowers in the Italian Garden evoke a sense of wonder and beauty, enhancing the overall mood of visitors with their unusual associations and colors.

Admire the classic Baroque artistry with elegant statues and playful water features.

A harmonious blend of natural and artificial elements, featuring caves, streams, and a variety of flora.

What to see inside the Vatican Gardens?

Fountain of the Eagle

The fountains, monuments, and sculptures in the Vatican gardens are synonymous with their different landscaping styles. The Fountain of the Eagle is one of the most stunning fountains in the Vatican Gardens and symbolizes the return of water to the Vatican from the Acqua Paola.  

Lourdes Grotto

The Lourdes Grotto is an artificial cave that has been created in the French garden of the Vatican Gardens. It is modeled after the famous French Grotto of Massabielle, where a young girl called Bernadette Soubirous saw a vision of the Madonna.

Saint John’s Tower

Originally built by Pope Nicholas III in the 16th century, the tower has been the site for important events over the years, including Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with former U.S. President George W. Bush in 2008. Today, this tower space is mainly used today as papal apartments.

Governor’s Palace

Overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica, the Governor’s Palace, with its peach-colored facade, is the administrative heart of Vatican City. It provides insights into the governance of this unique city-state.

Papal Coat of Arms

Made from hedges, this Papal Coat of Arms features a crown and the keys of St. Peter planted in colorful perennials.

Palazza di Leone XIII

Erected in honor of Pope Leo XIII, the building contains two fountains, green hedges, arches of climbing roses, and the last exotic tree planted by the Pope before his death in 1903.

Images of Mary

In 1902, with the Our Lady of Lourdes the Vatican Gardens started a collection of the different images of Mary. Today, the Vatican Gardens have 17 “Maria” images, symbolizing prayers for the Virgin Mary in various languages and cultures.

Plan your visit to Vatican Gardens

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 9 AM to 6 PM

Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays 

Best time to visit: Plan your visit to Vatican Gardens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays. Avoid visiting the gardens on Saturdays since the attraction sees maximum crowds on this day.  

Address: Via Paolo VI, 29, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City. Find on maps . 

Getting there

• By metro: Line A  Nearest stop: Ottaviano-S. Pietro Station
• By bus: 49, 40, 64 Nearest stop: Musei Vaticani
• By train: RE 12524 towards Civitavecchia or RE 4134 towards Pisa Centrale Nearest Stop : St. Pietro
• By Tram: 19 Nearest stop: Piazza del Risorgimento
• By car: 29.4 km from Leonardo Da Vince-Fiumicino Airport Car parking: You will not be permitted to enter Vatican City in a car unless it is for official business. 

• Multilingual audio guide
• Limited wheelchair accessibility
• Elevators and ramps for people with reduced mobility

• Visitors have to adhere to a strict dress code when visiting the Vatican Gardens. Both men and women have to ensure that their shoulders and knees are covered. 
• Ensure that you reach on time on the day of your visit. Latecomers are not permitted at Vatican Gardens. 
• Since you’ll be walking a lot during your Vatican Gardens tours, it is a good idea to wear comfortable footwear. 
• Photography and mobile phones are prohibited during the Vatican Gardens tour. 
• Bags no larger than 40X30X20 cm are allowed at the Vatican Gardens. The bags must be carried on the front or held at your side. 
• Pets and other small animals, except guide dogs, are not permitted at the Vatican Gardens. 

• Ristorante dei Musei : Just a few steps away from the Vatican Gardens, is the Ristorante dei Musei. The restaurant is an authentic Roman eatery that serves delicious pasta. 
• Angelo’s : Angelo’s restaurant serves yummy pasta, seafood, and other classic Italian dishes in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant also has sidewalk seating for its visitors. 
• La Vittoria : Indulge authentic Italian cuisine at La Vittoria. The restaurant has comfy seating, a brick-vault ceiling, and delicious dishes. 
• Ristorante Pizzeria Castello : Ristorante Pizzeria Castello has patio seating, and offers a range of dishes such as pizza and pasta. You can also enjoy coffee and wine at the restaurant. 

Budget: Vatican City Guesthouse (2.2 km), Hotel Paolo II (1.8 km), Pratinn Vatican (2.4 km). 

Mid-range: Vatican Relais Rome (1.4 km), Vatican Style Rome (1.5 km), Hotel Della Conciliazione (1.9 km). 

Luxury: Residenza Paolo VI Hotel (1.8 km), Relais Clivo Vaticano (2.3 km), B&b Lunaria Suites Rome (1.4 km). 

Beyond the Vatican Gardens

Castel Sant’Angelo

3.4 km away from the Vatican Gardens is the Castel Sant’Angelo. Castel Sant’ Angelo was originally built as a tomb for Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD. Since then the Castle has served as a military fortress, the Papal residence, a Renaissance prison, and a museum.

Catacombs of St. Callixtus

The Catacombs of St. Callixtus originated around the middle of the 2nd century and are very well-known because they contain the Crypt of the Popes.

St. John Lateran

St. John Lateran complex comprises historical monuments such as the Baptistry, Holy Stairs, Cloisters, Basilica, and the Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum. 

Frequently asked questions about Vatican Gardens tickets

Tickets to the Vatican Gardens start from €49 and go up to €75.05. Ticket prices vary according to the type of ticket you have purchased. 

It is mandatory to book tickets to the Vatican Gardens online . The Vatican Gardens take only a small number of reservations every day, and walk-in visitors are not accommodated at the attraction. 

• Cheaper rates: Online tickets for the Vatican Gardens are comparatively cheaper to buy. 
• Discounts and offers: Many discounts and offers are available online for the Vatican Gardens. You can enjoy significant time and cost savings by purchasing your Vatican Gardens tickets online. 
• Multiple options: You can choose from different Vatican Gardens tickets online. Be it combo tours or entry tickets , you can choose the option that works best for you. 
• Guaranteed entry: Booking your Vatican Gardens tickets online guarantees you entry to the gardens on the day of your visit, irrespective of the peak or off-peak season. 

Your Vatican Gardens tickets include an open-bus tour of the Gardens and access to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. If you opt for the combo tour tickets , you get additional entry access to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and the St. John Lateran complex. 

You cannot get skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Gardens. However, your Vatican Gardens tickets include skip-the-line access to the Vatican museums. 

Your Vatican Gardens tickets include entry access to the Gardens, Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. Entry access to the St. Peter’s Basilica is not included with your tickets, but it is worth knowing that entry to the Basilica is free all year round. 

You cannot cancel or reschedule your Vatican Gardens tickets. 

It will take you around 3 hours to complete a Vatican Gardens tour.

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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
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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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Visiting the Vatican: Book Tickets & Tours

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The Vatican Gardens

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Visiting the Vatican Gardens

The  Vatican Gardens   are an oasis  in the middle of crowds of visitors who frequent places like the Basilica and the Vatican Museums . The green space within the Vatican walls seduces  nature lovers in particular and it is recommended for those who want to dig deeply into the Vatican history.

Legends aside, the gardens date from the medieval times,  . We need to go back to 1279, when Pope Nicolas III decided to wall off the area building inner walls, leaving a space occupied by vineyards and meadows which he decided to turn into his very own garden.

In the XVI century  , an important refurbishing and landscaping project by Pope Julius II, inspired by the early Renaissance Bramante’s hand, was performed.

What to see

The Vatican Gardens are a natural, architectural and artistic space   of great beauty and spirituality, in an area of 32 hectares, which occupies most of the Vatican Hill.

You will see a complex landscape full of  forests, medieval monuments, sculptures, floral extensions … The visit is   always guided,   the entrance without a guide is not authorised.  The tour is led by an official accredited guide and is delivered in the chosen language, including Spanish, using headphones. It lasts 2 hours   and it is not suitable for people on wheelchairs.

You will visit the  most picturesque areas: Giardino Quadrato,Casina Pio IV, Trevi dell’Aquilone, Grotta di Lourdes, the monument to the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II , the Vatican Radio building … and will enjoy views of the Basilica itself that you have never seen.

The tour ends in the Vatican Museums themselves.

Vatican Gardens Tours

The tour can be booked at [email protected]. It has a cost from 35 euros.

From our website, you can have access to  many   organized tours  which include a visit to the Gardens.

– This is a tour that requires a  minimum level of fitness . The tour lasts two hours and the terrain is quite uneven.

– The best time of year to see the gardens is during spring   in a cool sunny day.

– This tour gives you an excellent opportunity to find out about the actual daily life of the Vatican State   as you see administration, maintenance and security staff … during their daily routine. Not forgetting the family of cats living there.

– This will be greatly enjoyed by  botany  lovers. There are Mediterranean pines, cedars of Lebanon and an olive tree, a gift from the State of Israel.

– Is it really worth it? We think so. Mainly because of two reasons: the ticket includes access to the Vatican Museums and to the Sistine Chapel and the  view from   St Peter’s Dome  is fantastic.

Curiosities of the Vatican Gardens

The gardens of the Vatican are a place filled with stories and curiosities. The paths, the fountains, the grottos, the sculptures… have been witnesses to the history and the faith of its inhabitants.

The first was Pope Nicholas III, the official creator of the gardens in 1279 who planted a vegetable garden, the first grass lawns and a garden. Little remains today of that first project, not in vain the gardens have grown over the centuries to reach 23 hectares, forming what we know officially as “The Gardens of the Vatican City.”

The styles Three styles of landscaping coexist in the Gardens: English, French and Italian. They spread along the western Edge of the Vatican hill and also house a heliport, a train station and a radio station.

Place of reflection They’re conceived as the Pope’s place of meditation, so public access is very limited. Over the centuries, the Popes have adapted the complex to their tastes. For example, at the end of the 16 th century, the gardens where turned into an open-air museum with magnificent sculptures and fountains, many of them deeply symbolic.

For example, the beautiful Torre San Giovanni (St. John’s Tower), which dominates the gardens due to its height, is an emblematic spot which is even used for the Pope’s meetings with important politicians.

A garden dedicated to Mary Across the museums there are up to 14 images of the Virgin Mary which have been brought here from different places across the world.

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Tips for visiting the vatican museums (2020), guided visit through ancient rome, skip the line tickets for the vatican museums (without guide), tips for safe travel in the vatican, accessible travel tips for people with disabilities in vatican city.

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Best places to eat near the vatican.

Renata Tyburczy

Vatican Gardens

Top choice in Vatican City, Borgo & Prati

Why you should go

The Vatican  stands atop the low-lying Vatican hill, just west of the Tiber. Much of its 109 acres are covered by the perfectly manicured Vatican Gardens.

Spend an afternoon meandering the garden's many fortifications, grottoes, monuments, fountains, and even a tiny heliport and train station.

Tickets and other practicalities

Visits are by guided tour only – either on foot (2 hours) or by open-air bus (45 minutes) – for which you’ll need to book at least a week in advance.

After the tour you're free to visit the Vatican Museums on your own; admission is included in the ticket price. Check the museum's website for various tours and pricing options.

Get In Touch

https://www.museivaticani.va

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Nearby Vatican City, Borgo & Prati attractions

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The entrance to the Vatican Museums.

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Vatican Gardens

A little of history of the Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens date back to medieval times when orchards and vineyards extended north of the Papal Apostolic Palace. Pope Nicholas III in 1279 moved his residence to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace, closing this area with walls. He created an orchard, a meadow and a garden.

At the beginning of the 16th century, during the papacy of Julius II, a remodeling of the landscape was carried out and under the original design of Donato Bramante was divided into three new courtyards: the Cortile del Belvedere, the Library Courtyard and the Cortile della Pigna with the landscape design of the Renaissance. Also in Renaissance style a rectangular labyrinth was created made in boxwood (shrubs and small evergreen trees) and framed with pinewood and Lebanon cedar. In the place where Nicholas III built a wall, Bramante built a great defensive rectilinear wall.

The Vatican Gardens of today have numerous fountains, sculptures and artificial caves, generally dedicated to the Virgin Mary and other saints.

What are the Vatican Gardens nowadays?

The Vatican Gardens are a natural, architectural and artistic space of great beauty and spirituality, boasting an area of 23 hectares occupying most of the Vatican Hill. In addition, here we can find several medieval fortifications, buildings and monuments of the Renaissance and the Baroque, with gardens, parks, orchard and a wooded area of 3 hectares.

Currently, the Vatican Gardens are a complex landscape of forests, medieval monuments, sculptures and floral extensions. It is possible to travel through these lush gardens only in the company of an official accredited guide. In this unique tour you can visit the most emblematic points such as the Giardino Quadrato, the Casio Pius IV, the Fontana dell'Aquilone, the Grotta di Lourdes, the monument to the assassination attempt of John Paul II, the building of the Vatican Radio and many others.

This visit offers you a unique opportunity to know the daily life of the Vatican State, here you will see as the administrative, maintenance and security personnel in their day to day work. At the end of this tour, you can visit the Vatican Museums and tour them on your own.

Curiosities of the Vatican Gardens

Did you know that the tour of the Vatican Gardens starts at the Vatican State Railway Station? Pope Francis decided to extend the itineraries and visits in 2015 to visit the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, reopening in this way the old train station, which runs from the Vatican through Castel Gandolfo to Albano Laziale. For the first time in history, visitors can visit the Apostolic Palace.

Did you know that the Square and the St. Peter's Basilica receive more than 18 million pilgrims each year? Some of them come moved by faith and many others to admire the extensive artistic wealth accumulated for centuries by the popes.

Why visit the Vatican Gardens?

Walking through the different and tranquil paths of the Vatican Gardens, we can see the different gardens in three different styles, Italian, English and French, each with their respective characteristics. The Italian-style garden has a very formal and geometrical feature, and features of the Renaissance. The French garden distinguishes its great expression in the classic baroque art, enriched with statues and water games. The English garden has great geometric features with natural and artificial elements such as caves, streams, trees, shrubs, pagodas, pergolas, temples and ruins.

How to visit the Vatican Gardens?

The Vatican Gardens can only be visited in the company of the internal staff of the Museums, so it is necessary to book the Vatican Gardens Group Tour . However, there are two possible alternatives: in the first option, the visit is carried out by a guide, while in the second option, the visit takes place on board an open bus and with the support of an audio guide.

Other attractions in the area

All visitors to Rome book at least one day to visit the Vatican, the smallest sovereign country in the world that gathers two thousand years of history and art. It has 44 hectares and its official language is Latin. Here you will find the famous Saint Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) and the (Basilica di San Pietro) where you can enjoy the work of some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance and Baroque, as the imposing colonnade that embraces the square created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, author also of much of the interior decoration of the basilica. You can admire the monumental facade of the basilica, the work of Carlo Maderno and the immense dome, visible from almost all of Rome, the work of the genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti.

You may be interested in:

Uffizi Museum (Florence), Doge's Palace Tickets (Venice) or Last Supper (Milan) .

Useful Information

It is not possible to buy an entrance ticket for the Vatican Gardens. It is possible to visit them by booking a guided tour or an audio-guided visit.

Vatican Gardens tours include the entrance to Vatican Museums (entrance only: guide service and audio guide NOT INCLUDED)

Via della Cava Aurelia - Città del Vaticano

Discover the most suggestive museums of Rome:

• Colosseum of Rome
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter's Basilica
• Borghese Gallery

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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Vatican Gardens

• Cipro • 4 min walk
• Valle Aurelia • 10 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Vatican Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Vatican Gardens Private Tour- Pick up included (From $785.14)
• Vatican Gardens & Vatican Museums Group Walking Tour (From $125.40)
• Vatican Museum Sistine Chapel Skip the Line Exclusive Group Tour (From $141.75)
• Private Vatican City Tour including Vatican Gardens (From $315.03)
• Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Guided Tour | Group Tour (From $141.75)
• (0.01 mi) Vatican Sweet Home in st. Peter
• (0.01 mi) Casa Sofia - House With Patio Near Vatican Museum
• (0.02 mi) Vaticano68
• (0.03 mi) Vatican Suites
• (0.10 mi) San Giuseppe Della Montagna
• (0.12 mi) Gelateria Millennium
• (0.08 mi) Pizzeria La Ruota
• (0.09 mi) Da Lili Bistrot
• (0.15 mi) Trattoria Da Zacca ar 20
• (0.10 mi) New Town

USEFUL INFORMATION

• take part in the General Audiences and Papal Ceremonies

apply for Papal Blessing Parchments (Office of Papal Charities: tel. +39.06.69883135, fax +39.06.69883132)

send donations to the Holy Father ( Peter's Pence - Office of Papal Charities )

purchase Photographs at L'Osservatore Romano

purchase video-recordings at the Vatican Television Center

accede to the Vatican Pharmacy

order drugs at the Vatican Pharmacy

• get to the Sistine Chapel

purchase tickets for the Vatican Museums (opening hours / services / guided tour / opening night schedule / educational activities / publications...) - Online Ticket Office

visit the Vatican Gardens  or the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo: Online Ticket Office   - Practical Info - How to get there - Visit Itinerary

visit the Vatican Necropolis (write to the Excavations Office by e-Mail [email protected] or by fax +39 06 69873017)

Papal Tombs - Vatican Grottoes

Tomb of St Peter

pray before the tomb of John Paul II

Philatelic and Numismatic Office

• Opening hours of Saint Peter's Basilica

Opening hours of the other Papal Basilicas

Dicasteries and Offices

Vatican Central Telephone Exchange: +39.06.6982

© Copyright

PAPAL BASILICAS

General Information: fax +39.06.698.85518 Sacristy +39.06.698.83712 Daily Mass Schedule: 7-7.30-8-8.30-9-10-11-12-17 Sundays and Holiday Mass Schedule: 7-8-9-10.30-12.30-13-16-17-18 Only  for information concerning the celebration of Sacraments:  Baptism of newborn babies, Confirmation of adults, Marriages Parish Office: fax +39.06.698.85793

Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 4  Sacristy +39.06.69886433 Parish Office +39.06.69886433  Mass Times: Daily Mass Schedule: 7-7.30-8-9-10-11-12-17.30 Sundays and Holiday Mass Schedule: 7-8-9-9.45-10.30-12-15.45 (solo nei Sabati in cui si celebra la Cresima - Luglio e Agosto sospesa)-17.30

Via Liberiana, 27  Sacristy +39.06.69886800 Fax +39.06.69886817 Parish Office - Via Carlo Alberto, 47  +39.06.4465836 Reception - Via Liberiana, 27  +39.06.69886821 Mass Times: Sunday: 7-8-9-10-11-12-18 Monday-Saturday: 7-8-9-10-12-18

Via Ostiense, 186  Sacristy +39.06.45434185 (Weekdays 8:00-12:00/16:00-19:00) Group reservations: Fax +39.06.45434185 or by  E-MAIL Pontifical Administration Papal Basilica Tel. +39.06.69880800 Fax +39.06.69880803  Benedictine Abbey of Saint Paul Outside the Walls  Tel. +39.06.45435574 Via Ostiense, 186 (Mon.-Sat. 8.30-12.30/16.00-19.00)

Vatican Pharmacy

OPENING HOURS

From Monday to Friday  8.30 am to 6.00 pm;  Saturday : from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm;  Summer schedule  (July 1 to August 31) 8.30 am -3 pm;  Saturday : 8.30 am – 1.00 pm Calendar   [pdf]

PROCEDURES FOR ACCESS TO THE PHARMACY The entrance is in Via di Porta Angelica through Porta S. Anna

ENTRY PERMIT  To enter, you must obtain and official entry permit with document (ID) or Passport and the prescription of the drug to buy.

FOR ORDERING DRUGS To avoid unpleasant mistakes and delays on shipments of drugs, we ask you to follow these tasks and please do not request or call other offices for your orders.

Send a fax to +39 06 698 85426 (or email to: [email protected] ):

The prescription specifying the amount, dosage and size.

Name and address where the order should be delivered

Telephone number, essential for the delivery

Email address

Please, make also allowance for the fact:

shipments shall be sent only to Italy

shipments of drugs not sold in Italy

After the request order has been submitted, the shipment procedure is started automatically - without further confirmations. For successive orders, please attach the code number of customer’s name on the delivery note.

Payments can be make in any of these three modes:

Cash to the carrier when you receive your order

By bank draft made payable to “ Farmacia Vaticana” to be delivered to the carrier

By credit card Visa or Mastercard sending us the number, expiration date and security code.  

Please let us know via fax the mode chosen. The total amount must include the cost of the drug order and the forwarding charges cost. If you need more information, call the Forwarding Office at + 3906 69882359. Email [email protected]

Forwarding Office Tel. +39 06 698 89806+ tasto 4 e-mail  [email protected]   Fax +39 06 698 85426.

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• The Vatican Gardens

The charm of art, combined with the colors of nature, make the Vatican Gardens a unique spectacle

The Gardens have been the place of rest and meditation for the Roman Pontiff since 1279, when Pope Nicholas III (Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, 1277-1280) brought the papal residence from the Lateran back to the Vatican.

Inside the new walls, which he built to defend his residence, the Pope had an orchard (pomerium), a lawn (pratellum) and a real garden (viridarium) planted, as can also be seen from the stone inscription now preserved in the Sala dei Capitani at the Palazzo dei Conservatori in Campidoglio.

This first nucleus was built near the hill of Sant’Egidio, where today the Palazzetto del Belvedere and the courtyards of the Vatican Museums are located. The area from which the visit to the Vatican Gardens begins today is instead in the most recent part of the State, on which the new large Gardens were built which, together with those of the original nucleus, cover about half of the 44 hectares on which it extends the Vatican.

Walking through the wonders of the Vatican Gardens

Walking through the Vatican Gardens, you can come across many small art jewels such as statues depicting the Madonna, small temples or shrines, caves such as the one in honor of the Madonna delle Guardia of 1917 and a reproduction of that of Lourdes from 1902.

Other characteristic elements of the Vatican Gardens are the fountains and the various water features that embellish them. Among the fountains we point out, for example, the Fontana della Galera. Another, in the shape of a galleon, shoots jets of water from its cannons and the Fountain of the Eagle.

From the garden are also visible what remains of the Leonine walls. The oldest stretch rises near the Palazzina della Zecca, and the other stretch, restored by Niccolò V, is visible on the hill together with the two towers, called Torre della Radio and Torre Gregoriana.

Of course, all these small treasures are immersed in a magnificent sea of ​​plants, trees, flowers, shrubs from all over the world and which form a truly suggestive kaleidoscope of colors and scents. The charm of art, combined with the colors of nature, give tourists a unique spectacle that will make the visit even richer and more engaging.

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How do I visit the Vatican Gardens?

The Vatican gardens are a sumptuous oasis away from the hustle and bustle, enjoyed by popes over many centuries.

Visitors can stroll the beautifully curated and maintained gardens, but only with a guide. Here’s how.

What are the Vatican Gardens?

The first thing to understand is that there are two sets of gardens connected to the Vatican. The first is within the walls of Vatican City itself, while the second is outside Rome at a town called Castel Gandolfo.

How to visit the Vatican Gardens in Rome

To visit the gardens you can only go with a guide, and therefore it is vital to book in advance. This will give you a one-hour guided tour through gardens that date back to the 13th century, very rarely seen.

Important knowledge: the booking will also include a ticket to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel that will allow you to skip the notorious lines – so when you’ve finished your tour, you can enjoy strolling around the rest of the Vatican, which includes the Sistine Chapel.

How to take the guided tour of the Vatican Gardens

15 minutes before the time on your ticket, go to the Vatican front door, walk right past the line and show your booking to the guard at the right-hand side of the entrance. Once inside and past security, go to the “Guided tour” desk and they will give you your tickets, and hook you up with your guide.

How to visit the Pope’s Gardens at Castel Gandolfo

Castel Gandolfo is a charming town in the Castelli Romani (“Roman castles” area) in the Alban Hills just 45 minutes outside Rome. It is the location of the Pope’s summer palace, which has a large garden attached that is open to the public on an irregular basis.

The town itself sits on the edge of an extinct volcanic caldera, high above the volcanogenic lake of Lago Albano and is worth a visit in its own right – either for the charming restaurants that look across the lake (our tip is a table on the beautiful terrace of Bucci restaurant) – or down on the lakeside where there are water activities, restaurants, lawns, and bars lining the lakeside.

How to get to Castel Gandolfo

To get to Castel Gandolfo, there is a regular train service from Termini. Just book your train ticket here – currently only €2.10 per adult! – and enjoy a leisurely journey from Rome up the side of the Alban hills and over the ridge of the caldera to Castel Gandolfo station. Once there it is a short-but-steep uphill walk to the town, where the Pope’s palace is on the edge of the quaint piazza. Alternatively you can stroll down to the lakeside but be warned that the town is very high above the lake and the walk may be something of a challenge.

The final train from Castel Gandolfo to Rome leaves at 10.50 pm so don’t be late – otherwise you’ll have an expensive taxi ride back to the city!

Train fact! There is a special direct train to Castel Gandolfo that leaves from a seldom-used custom-built station from within Vatican City itself, about once a month, designed to carry the Pope himself. In the past visitors were able to get a ticket for this train, but unfortunately it has not been running for the past year due to the pandemic.

How to visit the Papal Gardens at Castel Gandolfo

Buy an entry ticket to the Papal Gardens in advance , take the train, and arrive for your charming and leisurely stroll through the immaculately maintained and curated gardens that even today the Popes enjoy during their downtime. You will also receive a complimentary snack of the local porchetta (roast pork) or a vegetarian alternative, and a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic alternative.

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Our top dining tip for Lake Albano: I Quadri restaurant. Delicious seafood and lake-fish with a lush lawn right down to the lakeside, where visitors can sunbathe or swim, or arrive by kayak and tie up while they eat. It’s the perfect day out from Rome and something few visitors spend time doing.

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The Pope’s Personal Garden of Eden: A Guide to the Vatican Gardens

Fri 17 May 2019

You might think you know all about the Vatican City – the world's smallest country, home to the Pope, St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and of course the magnificent Vatican Museums. But did you know that more than two-thirds of the Vatican is given over to verdant gardens concealed behind the imposing Leonine walls, built in the 9th century to ward off Saracen marauders? An idyllic green belt in the heart of the urban bustle, the Vatican gardens tumble over the steep slopes of the Vatican hill, providing much-needed repose for generations of stressed-out Pontiffs. Whilst still exclusive, these days it's possible to walk in the footsteps of the popes and visit this peaceful oasis as part of your visit to the Vatican – read on to learn about the fascinating history of the Vatican Gardens , what to see and how to access the Pope's playground.

Table of contents:

What are the Vatican Gardens and Why Should I Go?

• Vatican Gardens History
• Bramante's Belvedere Courtyard
• The Casino of Pius IV

The Fountains of the Vatican Gardens

• The Animals of the Vatican Gardens
• What to See in the Gardens

Vatican Gardens Tickets and Opening Hours

In the summer months, when the Roman sun is at its hottest and the crowds can overwhelm even the most seasoned traveller, a visit to the peaceful Vatican gardens can be just the restorative tonic you need to get ready for the punishing itinerary that awaits in the nearby Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. A lush haven of exotic plants and flowers, the Vatican Gardens unfold along paths and around courtyards dotted with sculptures, fountains and temples that have provided the Pope with a tranquil refuge since the Middle Ages. They include a formally landscaped Italian garden , a more picturesque English garden (complete with open lawns, woods and even a Chinese pagoda) and an elegant French garden studded with flowerbeds - visiting them is a great way to see a side of the Vatican City most tourists never get to experience. Today the gardens are a true oasis of calm where the silence is disturbed only by birdsong, the gurgling of fountains and the occasional peal of St. Peter's nearby massive bells – the gardens boast one of the best views of the basilica's great dome in all of Rome. And in case you're in any doubt as to whose joint you're in, any lingering confusion will be quickly dispelled when you set eyes on the massive topiary Papal Coat of Arms – an immense Papal Coat of Arms sculpted entirely out of decorative shrubs and flowers set into the Vatican Garden's carefully manicured lawns in front of the Palazzo del Governatorato . Each new pope's insignia is painfully created with plants and flowers matching the colors of the crest – for the current incumbent Francis that meant planting thousands of yellow-green Euonymus Pulchellus, red begonias and brilliant bluemink flowers.

Vatican Gardens History: Europe's First Medicinal Garden 

The history of the Vatican Gardens can be traced all the way back to the 13th century when, after moving the Papal residence back to the Vatican from the Lateran palace across town, Pope Nicholas III Orsini determined to carve out for himself a slice of verdant green where he could while away the hours meditating amongst shady arbors and swaying pines. But that was only half the story – the learned Nicholas was fascinated with the medicinal properties of plants, and in addition to planting orchards and meadows he conceived of a botanical garden where the healing powers of plants could be studied and cultivated. Under his successor Nicholas IV and his private physician Simon of Genoa, the so-called Viridarium Novum quickly emerged as the first large-scale medicinal garden in Europe, where Papal doctors devised arcane remedies and tinctures and the docents of the newly founded Sapienza University came to give lectures and demonstrations amongst the rare plants of the Pope's private garden. This was one of the first ever attempts to elevate botany to the realm of science, and even today a part of the grounds is given over to rare botanicals. A wood of deciduous trees from Nicholas' first garden also still survives, the so-called boschetto .

A Luxurious Renaissance Pleasure Garden: Bramante's Belvedere Courtyard

The majority of the elaborate landscaped Vatican gardens you can visit today owe their existence to the cultivated tastes of the Renaissance a few hundred years later. Over the centuries the gardens first planted by Nicholas III were expanded and refined, and by the mid-fifteenth century the gardens were studded with fountains, pools and arbours. In the 1480s Pope Innocent VIII commissioned a luxurious loggia overlooking the gardens to designs by the famous Renaissance painter Antonio del Pollaiuolo. 20 years later this was transformed into the Palazzo Belvedere and Belvedere Courtyard by Pope Julius II's star architect Donato Bramante . Inspired by ancient examples, Bramante constructed a three-level terrace of gardens and courtyards surrounded by boxwood hedges where the Pope's amazing collection of classical sculptures were displayed amidst citrus trees and laurel groves – today you can see the remains of these gardens in the Vatican Museums itinerary , centered on the Pinecone Courtyard and Octagonal Courtyard where the Laocoön and Apollo Belvedere still enjoy pride of place.

Take a look at our VATICAN IN A DAY TOUR .

The Casino of Pius IV: A Summer House Fit for a Pope

The fanatical Pope Paul IV (who you might know for his plan to destroy Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel) was dissatisfied with the classical pagan sculptures that appeared at every turn in Julius' gardens, and resolved to expand them away from Bramante's courtyard. Paul died before making much progress, but under his more enlightened successor Pope Pius IV the architect Pirro Ligorio, who had made his name by designing the incredible gardens of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, designed a magnificent summer house ( casino ) in the shady surroundings of the garden. The spectacular building is decorated with some of the most beautiful frescoes of the 16th century , and in the summer months the Pope presided over garden parties, concerts and meetings of Rome's brightest minds outside his new casino. The self-styled Academia Notti Vaticane , or Vatican Night Academy, met to discuss the most intractable mysteries of the universe, ancient poetry and the links between faith and science immersed in the suggestive surroundings of the gardens, serenaded by the gurgling fountains of this ' new Eden.' Appropriately, the casino is now host to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences , and the formal garden in its grounds - the Giardino dei Semplici - is given over to the cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs.

In the 1590s the gardens were adorned with cascades and large fountains, made possible when the Borghese Pope Paul V ordered the renovation of the Trajan aqueduct – the impressive fountain of the Eagle (Fontana dell'Aquilone) commemorates the arrival of the waters to the gardens , dominated by the Borghese eagle and dragon. Of the more than 100 fountains in the garden, the most spectacular is surely the recently restored Baroque Galea fountain (Fontana della Galera) , one of the most impressive and least-known fountains in all of Rome. At the center of a massive water-filled basin is a lead sculpture of an early-modern warship, complete with masts, rigging and sails, and armed to the teeth with cannons and gun-ports. But instead of letting rip devastating rounds of cannon-fire, the guns shoot off streams of water – a war galley turned to the services of tranquility, the cardinal and poet Maffeo Barberini wrote an inscription for the fountain that describes how 'the papal war machine doesn't belch forth flames, but sweet water that quenches the fires of war.'

Jaguars and Elephants and Gazelles, Oh My: The Animals of the Vatican Gardens

As the private gardens of some of the most powerful and richest figures in history, and with the indulgent tastes to match, it's perhaps not that surprising that the Vatican Gardens have played host to plenty of exotic visitors over the centuries. Pope Boniface VIII (condemned to the 8 th circle of hell by Dante and who died in a frenzy by gnawing his own hands off according to Boccaccio) unleashed a leopard to roam the grounds in the 1200s, and in the Renaissance reign of Leo celebrity elephant Hanno spent his days here crashing through the lawns and orchards – the famous pachyderm was a gift from the king of Portugal in 1514, and was buried in the gardens near the Belvedere Courtyard. Centuries later, the animal-loving Leo XIII had a fully fledged menagerie installed in the gardens, including gazelles and oysters donated to the Papacy by the bishop of Carthage in the 1880s. Leo's affinity with the gardens was so strong that it was in these surroundings he was immortalized in a photogram in 1896 , the first footage of a Pope ever recorded. Sadly, these days, visitors won't find exotic troupes of beasts prowling the grounds, but you will at least have the bright green parrots that have invaded the Eternal City over the last few years for company, screaming at each other across the cedar trees where they've made their nests.

What to See in the Gardens: Exotic Plants, Sacred Grottoes, a Helipad, and the Berlin Wall

It's to Leo that we owe the current layout of most of the Vatican gardens, and strolling around the Italian, French, and English gardens today, their real draw is the sheer variety of plants on show.  Classic Mediterranean plants like cypresses, pines and oleanders rub shoulders with exotic flowers and shrubs from as far away as Yemen, China, the Himalayas and even Australia. You'll see a garden devoted to American cacti , and an artificial cliff where Australian monkey puzzle trees stand guard over agave plants and rare flowers. Elsewhere, there's an olive tree donated from Israel as a sign of inter-faith peace, papyrus plants from Egypt, Asian Tamarisks, and Jerusalem thorns – reputedly the spiny shrub from which Christ's crown of thorns was fashioned.   The rich variety of exotic plants from all over the world donated to Popes over the centuries seek to invoke the Vatican Gardens as a modern-day Garden of Eden, where the whole word exists in harmony and abundance. The 16th-century  Italian garden boasts a labyrinth and a rose garden offering beautiful views of the distant hills of the Castelli Romani. Making your way down a shady avenue lined with holm oaks and camphor trees in the French Garden meanwhile , you'll even get a glimpse of the Vatican's helicopter pad. In another shady nook is perhaps the most surprising artefact in the gardens – a fragment of the Berlin wall from the Kreuzberg district complete with a mural by the artist Yadegar Asisi. The religious centrepiece of the Vatican gardens is the Lourdes Grotto at the highest point on the site. The grotto is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is a facsimile of the grotto in the small French town of Lourdes where Mary was reputed to have appeared to a young girl in 1858 – now one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. The Vatican's version also attracts its fair share of faithful, and every May pilgrims stage a candlelit procession through the gardens to the shrine. 15 other shrines to the Virgin dot the gardens.

The gardens can only be visited as part of a guided tour run by the Vatican, and tickets cost €33 for adults with €22 reductions (closed on Wednesdays and Sundays). But the ticket does also include skip-the-lines entrance to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, which you can enter after finishing in the gardens. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, and must be reserved well in advance.  

Please note that whilst the Vatican Gardens itinerary is guided in each of the above options, you will not have a guide to show you around the Museums on this ticket. If you'd prefer to benefit from the company of a guide, be sure to check out  Through Eternity's  VATICAN GROUP TOURS .

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In May, Vatican to offer special Marian tour of Pope's gardens

By Paolo Ondarza   

"The only way to stop war is through forgiveness!" 

The message of the Virgin Mary is both disruptive and clear. Throughout history, she has not failed to indicate to humanity her plan of salvation. At Fatima, for example, appearing to the three shepherd children, she delivered a genuine "peace plan," inviting the world to pray, to return to the Gospel, and to consecrate themselves to her Immaculate Heart. 

Prayer for Peace 

These words are as relevant as ever when considering the state of the world today.  

The Popes have always emphasized the importance and power of prayer for peace. The initiative "May with Mary," which will be offered by the Vatican Museums every Wednesday and Saturday, offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Vatican Gardens by walking through the various Marian images present there. 

Wednesday and Saturday

 "In the Marian month," explains Sister Emanuela Edwards, "on Wednesdays, pilgrims are invited to join us after the papal audience for an exceptional opening of the Gardens in honor of the Madonna. Additionally, on Saturday mornings, traditionally dedicated to Mary, visitors can take advantage of this pilgrimage tour." 

The Queen of Peace

 "May with Mary," continues the nun, "is a visit that includes 10 stops at the most important statues and images of the Madonna. It evokes a decade of the rosary, so in this period when there are many tensions in the world, at each Marian image, we will pray for peace in the world. It is worth remembering that in the gardens, there are 27 different images of the Madonna, so we can rightly say that these are Her gardens. Mary is the "Queen of Peace," and it is right to pray in this way for peace in the world." 

The Pope’s Prayer 

The Marian images featured in the "May with Mary" tour are linked to the devotion of the peoples who have turned to the Virgin in times of war to invoke peace. Regarding the Madonna of Fatima and the conflict in Ukraine, Sister Emanuela recalls: "Pope Francis followed the Fatima appeal by consecrating the cause of peace to the Queen of Peace. During our visit, we recite this same prayer in front of the statue of the Madonna of Fatima, in communion with the intentions of the Holy Father."

Mercy: The way to lasting peace 

Walking through the Vatican Gardens, we encounter another example of Marian intercession for peace: the Madonna of Mercy, created by Renata Minuto at the entrance of the Chalet of Leo XIII. 

"The Madonna," recalls the head of the Educational Activities Office of the Vatican Museums, "appeared to the peasant Antonio Botta in 1536. At that time, Savona was using all its forces in a war against the Republic of Genoa. Mary appeared to invite both parties to peace, urging them to use mercy and not justice, thus putting an end to the conflict. 

Appearing as Our Lady of Mercy, our Mother teaches us how to have lasting peace. This is what she wants us to remember today in our world torn by war. The only way to stop war is through forgiveness!" 

The spirituality of the Vatican Gardens 

Nature, fountains, ancient artifacts, statues of the Virgin and saints contribute what can be defined as the "spirituality of the Vatican Gardens," a refuge of prayer and contemplation appreciated and lived by the Successor of Peter. 

"In this beautiful place, the Popes, such as John Paul II and Benedict XVI, used to take a daily walk as a moment of rest and prayer. Even Pope Francis, like his predecessors, adorned the Gardens with a statue of the Virgin of Luján, made from recycled materials to remind us that nothing is lost, nothing is discarded, but everything has meaning within the magnificent work of God. We can say that, in a sense, the garden also reflects the teachings of the Popes, and this also leaves us with an important message." 

The Vatican Gardens 

Click  here  to make a reservation join one of these May tours.

Families with children or people with sensory, motor, and intellectual disabilities can take advantage of a special service by emailing  [email protected]

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Home » Vatican City Area Attractions » Gardens of the Vatican City Facts & History

Gardens of the Vatican City Facts & History

The stunning Vatican Gardens are located within the walls surrounding the Vatican City. The tall walls, called “mura leonine” after Pope Leo IV, separate the Pope’s State from the city of Rome. One of the most impressive things about the Vatican Gardens is how impressively huge they are. Indeed, the Vatican City extends for about 44 hectares. The gardens cover almost a half of the city, nearly 25 hectares, and are scattered with a lush vegetation, exotic plants and beautiful artworks such as fountains, statues and buildings.

Origins and History of the Vatican Gardens

Even though the origins of the Vatican Gardens dates back to Pope Nicholas III (1277 – 1280), the present structure of the gardens must be attributed to Pope Julius II (born as Giulio della Rovere), patron of arts, who commissioned Bramante the current design of the Gardens, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and also the famous Raphael’s Rooms in the Vatican Museums . Further works were carried out under the Popes Clemens VII and Paul III, who designed the “secret garden” within the Vatican Gardens .

Next, Pope Paul IV commissioned the construction of a little palace surrounded by lush vegetation. Today the charming building is known as “Casina di Pio IV” (which literally translated means “Pio IV little house”) and is home to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences , the real jewel of the Vatican Gardens, west of the Belvedere Courtyard! In front of this patrician villa stands another garden with radiating pathways bordered by geometrical hedges. This garden is known today as “Giardino dei semplici” dedicated to the growing of medical herbs.

The Fountains

From 1500’s to present day, the structure of the Vatican Gardens hasn’t changed that much.

However, it’s worth mentioning that in 1600’s Pope Paul V had the ancient Trajan Aqueduct renovated. Thanks to these works, it was possible to build some fountains inside the Vatican Gardens (the water comes from Bracciano Lake) such as the “Fountain of the Eagle” and the “Fontana della Galea” or the “Galea Fountain”, located at the left of the Bramante Staircase and named after the great, vessel in the middle of the basin.

Look closely at the cannons: a complicated system of tubes within the gallons enables them to spout water! The meaning of this masterpiece, attributed to Martino Ferrabosco e Jan van Zanten (Giovanni Vasanzio), can be understood from the inscription located on the side of the fountain and reading:

“The warship of the Pontiffs does not spout flames, but sweet water which the fire of battle tames.”

Life in the Vatican Gardens

According to sources, Leon XIII dedicated a lot of time and attention to the gardens. He liked following firsthand the gardeners at work and had a vineyard and some sheds built.

It was not unusual to see little goats, deers and gazelle donated to the Pope wandering around the gardens. Another gift that certainly enriched the already stunning Vatican Gardens was a copy of the Grotto of Lourdes!

Moreover, one of the main highlights is the unique view of St. Peter’s dome, a perspective you can get only from within the gardens. The Dome is so close it will looks like you can almost touch it!

Botanical species

Along the meandering pathways extend rare botanical species next to flora typical of the Mediterranean area, as if to spread the message of universality of the Church.

The combination of classic and exotic makes of the Vatican Gardens an oasis of peace or earthly paradise if you rather, featuring cypresses, pines, oleanders, but also species coming from far away such as Asia, Americas and Lebanon.

How to Visit the Vatican Gardens

This article about the history of the Vatican Gardens ends here. If it inspires you to visit the gardens firsthand, you can read all the information about skip the line tickets, location, hours and available guided tours in our related article “Vatican Gardens Tour Fees and Hours” where we explain everything in detail. Just know for now that the Vatican Gardens are not free to wandering around. They can be accessed only with an official tour guide of the Vatican Museums . Enjoy your reading and your visit!

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Your guide to getting around the Vatican Gardens

Things to do in Rome Rome Attractions Landmarks in Rome Vatican City Vatican Gardens Rome

Vatican City is beautiful and mysterious at the same time. It was founded in the year 1929 but has a history lingering with power and beauty. The St Peter’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful and the biggest churches in the world. Sistine Chapel ’s ceilings have forever captured the essence of religious glory. While these may be overwhelming, there is a place inside the Vatican to calm you down. The Gardens of Vatican City cover more than half of the Vatican (57 Acres) with Statues, impressive fountains, and buildings dating back to the 6th century. While in Rome, Vatican City is a country you must visit, and here are the important information and reasons to check out the Vatican Gardens.

Vatican Gardens Tours - Best Recommended

To take a tour of the Vatican Gardens, you are required to purchase Vatican Gardens Ticket . Here is a chance foor you to enjoy a regenerating walk in the vast gardens of Villa Barberini and get to see the Italian Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo, and trade the same path as the Popes would have. A trip to the Apostolic Palace is a bonus! Click on the card below to know more.

Top Things to see at the Vatican Gardens

The Gardens of Vatican spread over 57 acres. This means there is more to it than what meets the eyes. Here is a list of noteworthy things to see in there during your time.

1. Bramante’s Belvedere Courtyard

Cortile del Belvedere or Bramante’s Belvedere Courtyard is an epitome of Renaissance architecture at the Vatican Palace. It was designed by the famous Donato Bramante. The long enclosed courtyard connected the Vatican Palace with the Villa Belvedere through a series of terraces and stairs. The famous Spiral Staircase is one of them. Unfortunately, Bramante did not live to see the completed work, but it will forever tell his legacy.

2. Berlin Wall

It’s obviously true that the Berlin Wall is in Berlin, Germany. But did you know that Vatican Gardens has a piece of it inside? In the year 1994, Marco Piccininni gifted to the Vatican. Even before entering the Vatican Garden, you would find the Berlin Wall. If you are taking a Vatican Garden Tour, the Berlin Wall would be your first stop with the guide, and if you’re lucky, you can click many pictures standing next to it.

3. The Fountains

Rome and fountains are inseparable. The best of them are in Vatican City. During the 1590s the Borghese Pope Paul V ordered the beautiful fountains to be stored around the Gardens. Of the hundreds of fountains that you would lay your eyes on at the Vatican, Galea fountain (Fontana della Galera) is one of the most stunning fountains that would capture your attention. It represents a medieval wrecked warship that is placed in the center of a massive water basin.

4. The Italian Garden

One of the most recent installations of the Vatican, the Italian Gardens was created in 1929. The layout of the garden is very traditional and follows hedges and pine trees around them. It is very easily visible from the top of St Peter’s Basilica’s Dome. It makes for a quiet walk and offers many photo ops.

Vatican Gardens Map

Image Courtesy: Britannica

Vatican Gardens Facts No One Told You Before

• A piece of the Berlin Wall is in the Gardens of the Vatican.
• The gardens of the Vatican were started when Pope Nicholas III began planting an orchard, a lawn, and a garden in 1279.
• The Garden covers 57 acres of land, which is more than half of Vatican City’s area.
• The visitors usually go by the name of “Giardini Vaticani” to identify the gardens. It is also referred to as the Pope’s playgrounds.
• The Gardens are designed in French, Italian, and English styles and you can see them individually.

Visit Vatican Gardens - Opening Hours

• Thursday- Saturday - 9 AM - 6 PM
• Monday - Tuesday - 9 AM - 6 PM
• Wednesdays and Sundays are closed

Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Preetha is an introvert living amidst the toil of the metro, chasing her dreams. She is a movie buff, a bibliophile and is fond of old school music. She has an eye for aesthetics and can draw and paint as good as a ten-year-old. She has been passionate about writing since her teen years and is currently exploring herself and the world, one word at a time.

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A Marian pilgrimage in the Vatican Gardens

Beata Zajączkowska

Statue of Our Lady of Czestochowa, in the Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens are a vast natural sanctuary of spiritual significance within the heart of Vatican City. Occupying approximately half of the Vatican’s territory, these gardens were once retreats for popes. Today, the gardens are open to the public , inviting visitors to discover their artistic, spiritual, and botanical treasures.

The month of May holds special significance in the Catholic tradition as a time specially dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This practice stems from centuries-old devotions, where May’s blossoming flowers and vibrant natural beauty symbolize Mary’s virtues and role as the mother of Jesus. It is only natural that the Vatican would seize this opportunity to invite visitors in, as the gardens are blooming: During the whole month, the Vatican Museums are proposing a cultural, spiritual, and botanical itinerary in the exclusive context of the Gardens.

This cultural, spiritual, and nature-filled tour invites visitors to discover the numerous representations of the Virgin Mary scattered throughout this lush setting .

Every Wednesday after the Pope’s general audience and every Saturday, visitors can embark on this journey – from May 4 to May 29.

Mary from around the world

The Gardens host a rich collection of Marian figures from across the globe. You will encounter depictions of Our Lady of Lourdes (including a replica of the famous French original), Our Lady of Fatima, and the monument to Our Lady of Guadalupe – particularly revered by Pope Francis. These diverse portrayals demonstrate how popes throughout history have honored Mary within this special space.

The Marian pilgrimage through the Vatican Gardens is accessible to all visitors. Guided tours, available in Italian and English, are accessible to people with sensory, motor, and learning disabilities. Families with children (aged 6 and over) are particularly invited to experience this enriching visit. To make accessibility arrangements, you can send an email to the Vatican Museums here.

The Vatican Gardens’ Marian pilgrimage offers a meaningful journey for those seeking spiritual solace, artistic appreciation, the tranquility and beauty of nature – or all of the above. In the midst of its flora, you will find a world of devotions and artistic treasures honoring the Virgin Mary, making your May a truly memorable one.

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Pope Francis visits Venice in first trip outside of Rome in seven months

April 28, 2024 / 3:18 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Pope Francis made his first trip out of Rome in seven months on Sunday with a visit to Venice that included an art exhibition, a stop at a prison and a Mass.

Venice has always been a place of contrasts, of breathtaking beauty and devastating fragility, where history, religion, art and nature have collided over the centuries to produce an otherworldly gem of a city. But even for a place that prides itself on its culture of unusual encounters, Francis' visit on Sunday stood out.

Francis traveled to the lagoon city to visit the Holy See's pavilion at the Biennale contemporary art show and meet with the people who created it. But because the Vatican decided to mount its exhibit in Venice's women's prison, and invited inmates to collaborate with the artists, the whole project assumed a far more complex meaning, touching on Francis' belief in the power of art to uplift and unite, and of the need to give hope and solidarity to society's most marginalized.

His trip began at the courtyard of the Giudecca prison, where he met with women inmates one by one.

"Paradoxically, a stay in prison can mark the beginning of something new, through the rediscovery of the unsuspected beauty in us and in others, as symbolized by the artistic event you are hosting and the project to which you actively contribute," Francis told them.

The 87-year-old pontiff then met with Biennale artists in the prison chapel, decorated with an installation by Brazilian visual artist Sonia Gomes of objects dangling from the ceiling, meant to draw the viewer's gaze upward.

The Vatican exhibit has turned the Giudecca prison, a former convent for reformed prostitutes, into one of the must-see attractions of this year's Biennale, even though to see it visitors must reserve in advance and go through a security check. It has become an unusual art world darling that greets visitors at the entrance with Maurizio Cattelan's wall mural of  two giant filthy feet , a work that recalls Caravaggio's dirty feet or the feet that Francis washes each year in a Holy Thursday ritual that he routinely performs on prisoners.

The exhibit also includes a short film starring the inmates and Zoe Saldana, and prints in the prison coffee shop by onetime Catholic nun and American social activist Corita Kent.

Francis' dizzying morning visit, which ended with Mass in St. Mark's Square, represented an increasingly rare outing for the 87-year-old pontiff, who has been hobbled by health and mobility problems that have ruled out any foreign trips so far this year.

"Venice, which has always been a place of encounter and cultural exchange, is called to be a sign of beauty available to all," Francis said. "Starting with the least, a sign of fraternity and care for our common home."

During an encounter with young people at the iconic Santa Maria della Salute basilica, Francis acknowledged the miracle that is Venice, admiring its "enchanting beauty" and tradition as a place of East-West encounter, but warning that it is increasingly vulnerable to climate change and depopulation.

"Venice is at one with the waters upon which it sits," Francis said. "Without the care and safeguarding of this natural environment, it might even cease to exist."

in the exhibit as tour guides and as protagonists in some of the artworks.

Ahead of his trip, Francis sat down with "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell during an hourlong interview at the guest house where he lives in Rome. 

During the interview, Francis pleaded for peace worldwide amid the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza .

"Please. Countries at war, all of them, stop the war. Look to negotiate. Look for peace," said the pope, speaking through a translator.

He also had a message for those who do not see a place for themselves in the Catholic Church anymore. 

"I would say that there is always a place, always. If in this parish the priest doesn't seem welcoming, I understand, but go and look elsewhere, there is always a place," he said. "Do not run away from the Church. The Church is very big. It's more than a temple ... you shouldn't run away from her."

The pope's Venice trip was the first of four planned inside Italy in the next three months, Reuters reported. He is scheduled to visit Verona in May and Trieste in July, and is expected to attend the June summit of Group of Seven (G7) leaders in Bari.

In September, he is also set to embark on the longest foreign trip of his papacy, traveling to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

An extended version of O'Donnell's interview with Pope Francis will air on "60 Minutes" on Sunday, May 19 at 7 p.m. ET. On Monday, May 20, CBS will broadcast an hourlong primetime special dedicated to the papal interview at 10 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and streaming on  Paramount+ . Additionally, CBS News and Stations will carry O'Donnell's interview across platforms. 

• Pope Francis
• Catholic Church

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