Visiting Vatican City in Rome – The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Visiting Vatican City in Rome: One of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, Vatican City, is a must-visit for first-time travelers. Despite being the world’s smallest state, it’s situated in the heart of Italy’s capital and has been steeped in mystery since its inception. Though compact, Vatican City is rich in artwork, making a full tour both fascinating and overwhelming.

Here is a comprehensive guide to the Holy See, detailing what to visit, opening hours, how to get there, where to buy tickets, and how to skip the lines. This guide also includes stories and anecdotes that reveal centuries of Vatican history.

Table of Contents

Visiting Vatican City in Rome : What to See and Do in the Vatican in Rome

Visit Saint Peter’s Basilica and Crypt

As the Vatican’s main and most famous landmark, St. Peter’s Basilica is likely one of the first places you’ll visit and is among Rome’s most renowned churches.

Packed with historical artwork, it also houses the tombs of several popes. The basilica stretches roughly 190 meters and can accommodate around 20,000 people.

Entrance is free, but expect to queue, especially during peak seasons like summer and the Christmas period. You’ll need to pass through a metal detector and a quick police check. During summer, bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.

Admission: Free, with audio guides available for rent at the entrance
Cameras: Allowed, no flash
Dress Code: Modest attire required—shoulders covered, no short skirts or very short shorts for both men and women
Visiting Hours: Open daily, 7 am-7 pm from April to September, 7 am-6 pm from October to March
Location: Piazza San Pietro, within Vatican City
How to Get There: The nearest metro station is Ottaviano (Line A, red). Buses 64 and 40 from Termini Station also get you close. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, about 15 minutes walking distance from the Vatican or two stops by bus 64.

Explore Saint Peter’s Tomb and Ancient Roman Cemetery

A visit to Vatican City wouldn’t be complete without seeing this site. Located beneath the main basilica, about 11 meters below street level, lies Nero’s Circus, where Saint Peter was martyred, next to an ancient Roman cemetery.

To visit this ancient graveyard, advance booking is required through the Ufficio Scavi (Excavations Office). This site is one of the Vatican’s most captivating and is a top archaeological site in Rome, but booking is only available via the official website. Alternatively, you can book a tour with a certified guide to visit the grottoes beneath the Renaissance basilica.

Admission: €13 per person, which includes a Vatican guide
Cameras: Not allowed in the ancient necropolis
Dress Code: Modest attire—this is a graveyard and the resting place of Saint Peter. Men should wear long trousers, women should wear long skirts or trousers, and shoulders must be covered.
Visiting Hours: The Ufficio Scavi is open daily except Sundays and holidays, from 9 am-5 pm. The last entry is at 3:30 pm (4:15 pm from April through September).

How to Book: By fax (+39 06 69873017) or directly at the ticket booth on the left side of Bernini’s Colonnade. Alternatively, you can attempt to book before arrival by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. Booking must be made by the person participating in the tour. If someone else books for you, they need to provide your details. Required information for booking includes:

Exact number of participants
Names of participants
Preferred language for the tour
Range of available days (write the month in letters), and the ticket office will arrange the visit, with timings decided by the office
Preferred contact method (email, fax, phone, home address)

Location: Piazza San Pietro, entrance on the left of the Colonnade, access from Via Paolo VI
How to Access the Visit: Visitors must arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled visit time. Show the Swiss Guards your booking confirmation or the email from the Ufficio Scavi with your visit time. Not allowed: large bags, backpacks, and cameras. A free deposit area for these items is available at the right of the Basilica’s facade on the ground floor level.

How to Get There: The nearest metro station is Ottaviano (Line A, red). Buses 64 and 40 from Termini Station also get you close. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, about 15 minutes walking distance from the Vatican or two stops by bus 64.

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

Standing 136 meters tall, the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica is an iconic part of Rome’s skyline and a popular subject for photography.

After visiting the basilica, you can climb to the Cupola (Dome) for a breathtaking view of the city center. You have the option to take the lift from the ground level to the terrace or to climb all the way up (551 steps).

Even if you take the lift, you’ll still need to climb 320 narrow steps to reach the top of the Dome, as the lift only goes to the terrace. Here, you’ll find toilets and a cafeteria to refresh yourself before enjoying the view of the basilica’s interior. For those up to the challenge, climb the additional 320 steps to admire the stunning views of the city and St. Peter’s Piazza.

Admission Fee: €8 with the lift (320 steps) or €6 to climb all 551 steps
Cameras: Allowed without extra charge
Opening Hours: Daily from 7:30 am-6 pm April through September, and 7:30 am-5 pm October through March. The last admission for climbing on foot is one hour before closing time.
Note: Avoid the 331 narrow steps if you’re not in good shape, afraid of heights, or have heart issues, as once you start, you’ll have to complete the climb.

Location: Piazza San Pietro, inside Vatican City. Entrance is at the portico of the Basilica.
How to Get There: The nearest metro station is Ottaviano (Line A, red). Buses 64 and 40 from Termini Station also get you close. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, about 15 minutes walking distance from the Vatican or two stops by bus 64.

Visit Saint Peter’s Square

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

One of Italy’s most famous squares, it spans 320 meters in depth and 240 meters in diameter, surrounded by four rows of 284 columns and 88 pillars. The impressive balustrade atop the columns is adorned with 140 statues of saints, each 3.20 meters tall, completed around 1670 by Bernini’s pupils.

At the center of the piazza stands an ancient Roman obelisk dating back to the 1st century BC. Originally located in Caligula’s Circus, where Saint Peter was martyred, it was moved to its current location by Domenico Fontana in 1585 at Pope Sixtus V’s request.

Flanking the obelisk are two fountains—one by Bernini (1675) and another by Maderno (1614). At the bottom of the grand staircase are statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, welcoming pilgrims and worshippers.

From the piazza, you can admire the basilica’s facade, a masterpiece by Italian architect Carlo Maderno, completed in 1614.

Spanning 114.69 meters wide and 48 meters tall, the facade features a series of columns and Corinthian pilasters, crowned by 13 statues, with the Redeemer at the center and an inscription acknowledging Pope Paul V Borghese’s role in the work.

The lower part of the facade has five entrances, with nine windows above, three of which have balconies. The middle window is the “Loggia of the Blessings,” from where the pope delivers the

“Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Christmas and Easter and announces the election of a new pope.

Admission: Free
Cameras: Allowed
Dress Code: No restrictions
Visiting Hours: Always accessible
Location: Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City
How to Get There: The nearest metro station is Ottaviano (Line A, red). Buses 64 and 40 from Termini Station also get you close. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, about 15 minutes walking distance from the Vatican or two stops by bus 64.

Tour the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums are home to one of the most significant art collections globally, encompassing over 20,000 works, including ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artifacts, Renaissance masterpieces, and contemporary art.

With 20 museums, 54 galleries, and more than 70,000 square meters of exhibition space, the Vatican Museums offer something for everyone. The highlight is undoubtedly the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals gather for papal elections, beneath Michelangelo’s world-renowned ceiling frescoes.

A standard Vatican Museums tour lasts approximately three hours, though it can be tailored based on your interests, including private tours.

Admission Fee: €17 full price, €8 for children aged 6-18 years, students aged 19-25 years with valid student ID, and clergy.
Dress Code: Modest attire required—shoulders covered, no short skirts or very short shorts for both men and women.
Visiting Hours: Open from 9 am to 6 pm, with the last entry at 4 pm. The museums are closed on Sundays except for the last Sunday of the month, when they open from 9 am to 2 pm.
Note: The museums are extremely crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons, so book your tickets in advance. Consider visiting on a weekday or booking a guided tour to skip the lines.

Location: Viale Vaticano, Vatican City
How to Get There: The nearest metro station is Cipro-Musei Vaticani (Line A, red). Buses 49 and 492 from Termini Station also get you close. The nearest train station is Stazione Roma San Pietro in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro, about 15 minutes walking distance from the Vatican or two stops by bus 64.

See the Vatican Gardens

Often overlooked by tourists, the Vatican Gardens offer a peaceful retreat from the crowds. Covering 23 hectares, the gardens date back to the 13th century and feature lush greenery, fountains, and sculptures. Visitors can explore the gardens on a guided tour, which provides insight into the history and significance of this hidden gem.

Admission Fee: Guided tour tickets are €32 per person, which includes entrance to the Vatican Museums.
Dress Code: Modest attire required—shoulders covered, no short skirts or very short shorts for both men and women.
Visiting Hours: Tours are available Monday to Saturday at 9 am, 10:30 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm.
Note: The gardens are only accessible with a guided tour, so book your tickets in advance.

Appointments with the Pope

Attending a papal audience is a unique experience that many visitors to the Vatican cherish. The pope holds weekly audiences on Wednesdays in Saint Peter’s Square or, during winter, in the Paul VI Audience Hall.

Tickets for the papal audience are free but must be reserved in advance through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. You can also attend the pope’s Angelus prayer every Sunday at noon, which is open to the public without tickets.

Admission: Free, but tickets are required for the papal audience.
Cameras: Allowed
Dress Code: Modest attire required—shoulders covered, no short skirts or very short shorts for both men and women.
Visiting Hours: Papal audiences are held on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. Arrive early to secure a good spot.
How to Get Tickets: Tickets for the papal audience can be requested online through the Prefecture of the Papal Household or picked up in person at the Bronze Doors in Saint Peter’s Square the day before the audience.

Shopping for Gifts in the Vatican

No visit to the Vatican is complete without picking up a few souvenirs. The Vatican has several shops offering religious items, books, artwork, and other souvenirs.

The most popular items include rosaries, crucifixes, and religious medals. You can also purchase Vatican stamps and coins, which are highly sought after by collectors.

Where to Shop: The Vatican Museums gift shops, the Vatican Post Office, and the official Vatican bookshop are some of the best places to shop for souvenirs.
Location: Various locations within Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Square
Hours: Most shops are open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

Visiting the Vatican – FAQ

When is the best time to visit the Vatican?

The best time to visit the Vatican is early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Visiting during the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) can also help you avoid long lines.

Can you visit the Vatican without a tour?

Yes, you can visit the Vatican without a tour, but a guided tour can enhance your experience by providing historical context and insights into the artwork and architecture.

What are the rules for visiting the Vatican?

When visiting the Vatican, you must adhere to a modest dress code, respect the sacred nature of the site, and refrain from loud conversations or disruptive behavior. Photography is allowed in most areas, but flash photography is prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.

Can you walk into Vatican City for free?

Yes, you can enter Vatican City for free, but you will need to purchase tickets to visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and other attractions.

Does the Vatican take a whole day?

A visit to the Vatican can take a whole day, especially if you plan to visit multiple attractions, including the Vatican Museums, Saint Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Gardens.

Where to Stay Near the Vatican

Several hotels and guesthouses are located near the Vatican, offering convenient access to the Holy See. Some popular options include the Hotel Alimandi Vaticano, the Hotel Sant’Anna, and the Residenza Paolo VI.

Where to Eat Near the Vatican

After a day of sightseeing, you’ll likely want to grab a bite to eat. The area around the Vatican is home to several restaurants and cafes offering Italian cuisine, from casual trattorias to fine dining establishments. Some popular spots include Ristorante Arlù, Osteria delle Commari, and Pizzeria L’Archetto.