See Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling€20
One of the most significant works of Western art, painted over four years, forming the centerpiece of a visit to the Vatican Museums.
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Southern Europe
Things to do in Vatican City
The smallest sovereign state in the world, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, and one of the highest concentrations of Renaissance art anywhere on Earth packed into under half a square kilometre.
Explore Holy See (Vatican City) on the map →Budget$$$
Best for1 day
CapitalVatican City
VisaNo separate visa required; entry is via Italy, so US/UK/EU/Canadian/Australian passport holders follow standard Schengen visa-free terms for Italy (90 days in any 180-day period).
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
LanguagesItalian and Latin (official); English widely spoken in tourist areas
InternetGood
Typical lodging$70–$180/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC+1
Emergency number112
Dialing code+379
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Luxury
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Tap water is safe to drink. 5–10% is appreciated, not required.
Vatican City is the smallest internationally recognized sovereign state in the world by both area and population, at roughly 0.49 square kilometres, yet it houses the Sistine Chapel's ceiling by Michelangelo and St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world by interior area. As the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and residence of the Pope, it holds a unique dual status as both a sovereign state and the spiritual center for well over a billion Catholics worldwide.
When to go
SpringApril–May
Mild and pleasant, though a popular window that coincides with Easter crowds and major religious observances.
SummerJune–August
Hot and the busiest tourist season, with the longest queues for the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.
AutumnSeptember–October
Comfortable temperatures and somewhat thinner crowds than summer, a strong overall window.
WinterNovember–March
Cool but generally mild by northern European standards, with the shortest queues outside the Christmas and New Year period.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
16Explore St. Peter's Basilica
The largest church in the world by interior area, holding Michelangelo's Pietà and the tomb of St. Peter beneath its dome.
Wander the Vatican Museums' extensive art collection€20
One of the largest and most significant art collections in the world, spanning ancient Egyptian and Roman artifacts through Renaissance masterpieces.
Attend a Papal Audience at St. Peter's Square
A weekly public event, when scheduled, where the Pope addresses gathered visitors and pilgrims, offering a rare direct glimpse of Vatican ceremonial life.
Visit the Vatican Necropolis beneath St. Peter's Basilica€20
An excavated ancient Roman burial ground beneath the basilica, believed to include the actual tomb of St. Peter, accessible via a separate limited-capacity tour.
View the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican Museums€20
A suite of rooms decorated by Raphael and his workshop, including 'The School of Athens,' among the museum's most celebrated works outside the Sistine Chapel.
Mail a postcard with Vatican City stamps and postmark€20
The Vatican operates its own postal service, considered notably faster and more reliable than Italy's, a genuine novelty for visitors.
Visit the Vatican Apostolic Library reading room (by special access)€20
One of the oldest libraries in the world, holding an extraordinary collection of historic manuscripts, with limited access typically reserved for scholars.
Explore St. Peter's Square's Bernini colonnade
A sweeping elliptical colonnade designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, framing the square and considered a masterpiece of Baroque urban design.
View the Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museums€20
A long corridor painted with detailed 16th-century topographical maps of Italy, among the museum's most visually striking lesser-known halls.
Attend Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
One of the Catholic Church's most significant annual liturgical events, held within the world's largest church, drawing pilgrims from around the globe.
Visit the Vatican's Ethnological Museum€20
A lesser-visited section of the Vatican Museums holding artifacts collected from Catholic missions worldwide, offering a different cultural perspective within the complex.
Explore the Pinacoteca Vaticana painting gallery
A dedicated picture gallery within the Vatican Museums holding works by Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and other Renaissance and Baroque masters.
Attend the Pope's Sunday Angelus address
A shorter weekly public appearance where the Pope offers a brief reflection and blessing from his study window overlooking St. Peter's Square.
Visit the Vatican's Egyptian and Etruscan antiquities collections€20
Extensive ancient artifact collections within the Vatican Museums, reflecting centuries of papal collecting alongside the more famous Renaissance holdings.
Walk the Passetto di Borgo's historic fortified corridor (viewed from outside)
A fortified elevated passage once used by popes to flee to Castel Sant'Angelo in times of danger, visible along the Vatican's eastern wall.
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Photography
3Climb to the top of St. Peter's dome
A climb (partly by elevator) rewarded with sweeping views over St. Peter's Square and the city of Rome beyond the Vatican's walls.
Photograph the Swiss Guard in their traditional uniform
The Pope's ceremonial military guard, dressed in a distinctive Renaissance-style uniform, stationed at Vatican entry points.
Photograph the Vatican from Rome's Janiculum Hill viewpoint€20
A hilltop viewpoint just outside Vatican City offering one of the best panoramic views of St. Peter's dome and the surrounding city.
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Nature & scenery
1Explore the Vatican Gardens€20
Manicured formal gardens covering roughly half of Vatican City's territory, accessible via a separate guided tour booked in advance.
Common questions
▾Do I need a separate visa for Vatican City?
No. There's no separate visa, since entry is via Italy, so US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders follow standard Schengen visa-free terms for Italy.
▾How much time do I need for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
A minimum of 3-4 hours is recommended to see the Vatican Museums' highlights and the Sistine Chapel without excessive rushing, and booking timed-entry tickets in advance is strongly advised given the crowds.
▾Can I climb to the top of St. Peter's dome?
Yes, for an additional fee, with an option to walk the entire way or take an elevator partway before a final steep climb, the view over Rome and St. Peter's Square is widely considered worth the effort.
▾What should I wear to visit St. Peter's Basilica?
Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is strictly enforced for both men and women, with visitors turned away at the door if not appropriately dressed.
▾Is Vatican City really its own country?
Yes. It's the smallest internationally recognized sovereign state in the world, with its own postal system, currency issuance rights, and a small Swiss Guard defense force, despite being entirely surrounded by Rome.
▾How much does it cost to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
Standard adult admission runs about €20, with skip-the-line and guided options costing more, St. Peter's Basilica itself remains free to enter, though the dome climb carries a separate fee of around €10-20. Booking timed tickets online in advance is close to essential given how consistently long the walk-up queues run.
