Visiting the Vatican: Things to Know Before You Go

Deep within the heart of Rome, you’ll find the world’s smallest country: the Vatican City.

While it measures only 44 hectares (110 acres), it carries a vital legacy steeped in culture and tradition. Each corner has a story to tell, and it feels as though the wind carries echoes of centuries past. Weaving together spirituality, art, and history, the Vatican offers an unforgettable experience to anyone looking to enter its walls.

If you are thinking about visiting Vatican City, I hope this article will give you all the information you need to decide which parts of the Vatican you want to see (warning: there is a lot to see!), and how much time you’ll need to fit it all in.

So, take notes and follow along as I share what you need to know when visiting Vatican City. Andiamo!

Visiting Vatican City: What You Need to Know

Experience The Vatican’s History First-Hand

As the only country in the world to be entirely designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vatican City has deep roots which can be traced back to the 4th century.

It is home to many moments that have transformed this enclave into an unparalleled symbol of religious and cultural importance. I think this is part of the Vatican’s almost magnetic force, which invites pilgrims and art enthusiasts from around the world to traverse its cobblestone streets.

Planning Your Visit

So, when should you visit the Vatican?

This city is always bustling with tourists from across the globe, but especially on the weekends. It’s seen as one of Rome’s biggest attractions (although yes, it’s technically an entirely different country) and for many people, a visit to Rome wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Vatican City. 

Useful things to know when planning your visit to the Vatican:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays are often recommended as better days to visit since they tend to be slower and less jam-packed with visitors.
• Bear in mind that there is a Papal Audience (where the Pope addresses the crowd) on Wednesdays, meaning the Vatican will be even busier than usual! Also, St. Peter’s Basilica is closed during this time, so plan your visit accordingly.
• Many tour groups arrive in the morning, alongside early birds looking to beat the crowds, making mid-morning and afternoons a more suitable time to visit.
• When it comes to what time of year to visit, winter months will be much calmer, although during Christmas the Vatican does get particularly busy.

Timing and Tickets

There are many things to see and experience in the Vatican City, but how much time do you need? My best advice is to pace yourself, especially if you are visiting with kids.

• It can easily take you multiple days to see everything the Vatican has to offer so make a plan beforehand on what you want to see and how much time you have.
• The Vatican Museum (which is where the Sistine Chapel is) takes about 3 hours to visit.
• As one of the main attractions, lines will be long at The Vatican Museum, but you can purchase skip-the-line tickets to maximize time. If you want to take a deep dive into the museum’s history, you can also book a guide who can explain each artwork’s intricate history and significance.
• St. Peter’s Basilica will take you about 2 to 3 hours, but queues to enter can be very long, which could add an hour or more to your visit.
• Seeing the Papal Audience can take up an entire morning, meaning you’ll want to push any other activities for that same day to the afternoon.
• The Vatican Museum is closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of every month, when entrance is free. These free days are, of course, the most crowded days you can imagine.

What to See When Visiting the Vatican

It may seem small, but the Vatican is bursting at the seams with things to do and visit.

The two main places to visit inside the Vatican are Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums (where you’ll find the famous Sistine Chapel). I’ll describe those but also other things you might want to see while visiting Vatican City.

St. Peter’s Square

Do you need tickets? No.

On your way to St. Peter’s Basilica, you will find St. Peter’s Square. Crafted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his pupils, this famous square is home to 140 statues of saints that have watched over the Vatican through the ages.

The square is used for facilitating religious gatherings and providing a symbolic backdrop for major events and ceremonies.

I think the beauty and details of this square were one of the first things that struck me about Vatican City. Take some time to just walk around (it’s a big square!) and admire this great piece of architecture.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Do you need tickets? No.

After you’ve passed through St. Peter’s Square, you will find yourself at one of the main attractions in the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica.

This monument is a prime example of the beauty of the Italian Renaissance. Inside the basilica, you come face-to-face with Michelangelo’s world-renowned dome and impressive panoramic vistas. Of course, if that’s not enough to leave you speechless, then Michelangelo’s Pieta certainly will.

St. Peter’s Cupola

Do you need tickets? Yes.

The Cupola or Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica can be climbed for a beautiful view of the city.

While you have to pay to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Rome’s skyline from St. Peter’s Cupola, it is certainly worth the price.

For those up to the challenge, you can climb the 551 steps or ride an elevator part of the way to take in the impressive aerial view. I had to take a moment to pause and soak in the cityscape before heading up to the observation deck and, of course, take a great photo to immortalize the moment!

Once inside the Basilica, to enter the Cupola, go towards the right side of the portico where you’ll find a ticket office and the elevator that leads you to the roof.

Vatican Grottoes

Do you need tickets? No.

There’s so much to see in the Vatican. In fact, just below the basilica lies the underground labyrinth of the Vatican Grottoes. Pay your respects to influential figures at their final resting places, including popes and kings.

The Vatican Grottoes are part of St. Peter’s Basilica and can be accessed once you’re inside the Basilica.

Exiting the Vatican Grottoes will lead you outside the Basilica and you would have to wait in line again to enter the Church. Therefore, visit St. Peter’s Basilica first and once you’ve spent enough time there, move onto the Vatican Grottoes and then exit from there.

The Vatican Museums

Do you need tickets? Yes.

You can’t visit the Vatican and skip the Vatican Museums. Tickets will give you access to the entire museum, or I should say museums because technically they are multiple museums, including the famous Sistine Chapel.

The Vatican Museums hold the most important and largest art collection in the world. It includes historic masterpieces from Egypt to Greece to Rome, from early Christian and medieval art to the Renaissance, from the 17th century to contemporary art.

The experience of seeing the Sistine Chapel in person is incredible. Its detailed work transports you back in time to the Italian Renaissance. Seeing Michelangelo’s artistic brilliance in the flesh can quickly become one of the highlights of your visit.

However, you should know that taking photographs inside the Sistine Chapel is prohibited to preserve the work’s integrity. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other opportunities for photos!

You can buy skip-the-line tickets here.

The Papal Audience

Do you need tickets? Yes.

It’s not every day you get the opportunity to visit the Pope!

When the Pope is in Rome, a weekly public Papal Audience takes place on Wednesdays at 9 AM at St. Peter’s Square.

It’s not a Mass but a sequence of readings and chants in various languages given by the Holy Father in the company of the cardinals. It ends with a prayer in Latin and with the Pope walking around the square to give his blessing.

I highly recommend attending the Papal Audience because, whether you’re religious or not, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will make your visit to the Vatican truly memorable.

Tickets are free, and can be booked online through the Vatican’s website.

If the weather isn’t suitable for the Papal Audience to be held outdoors, it will be held inside St. Peter’s Basilica or in the Audience Hall.

Note: if you can’t visit the Vatican on a Wednesday to attend the Papal Audience but do really want to see the pope, the Sunday Angelus is an alternative.

Each Sunday at noon the Holy Father appears in the window of the papal apartment to give a weekly Angelus address. No tickets are required for this, just make sure you’re in St. Peter’s Square at noon.

The Gardens of Vatican City

Do you need tickets? Yes.

Located at the back of the Basilica, the Vatican Gardens are one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in Rome. And, they are big gardens!

This natural oasis offers a calm retreat from sightseeing steeped in history. Stroll through lush pathways littered with centuries-old sculptures, vibrant greenery, and serene fountains.

To visit the Vatican Gardens you have to book a guided tour. The tickets for the Vatican Gardens also include a visit to the Sistine Chapel.

But be careful, these tickets sell out quickly! So if you want to visit the Vatican Gardens you should plan this as far in advance as you can.

Dress Code When Visiting the Vatican

All visitors are expected to follow a modest dress code while inside Vatican City.

• Both men and women are asked to show respect by covering their shoulders and knees, meaning you’ll want to avoid shorts and short skirts.
• Jeans and sandals are accepted.
• All hats must be removed.
• Should you need something, there are plenty of vendors around that sell scarves, etc.

Because this is a place of worship, there is a call for mindfulness and respect. Remember not to shout, no matter how excited you may be by the beautiful surroundings!

Avoid getting scolded, and pay attention to all signs posted, including those that prohibit taking photos.

Also Read: What to Bring When Traveling to Europe

Final Thoughts About Visiting Vatican City

I hope I’ve been able to share a clear overview of the different places you can visit inside the Vatican.

With all the different tickets and tours on offer online it can sometimes get confusing!

Also Read: The Benefits of Booking a Guided Tour

Therefore I always tell anyone who asks me about visiting Vatican City to plan ahead, and decide what you’d like to visit on which day.

If you want to visit the Vatican Museums I highly recommend booking skip-the-line tickets. And, although I often don’t opt for guided tours, in the Vatican I definitely do recommend guided tours simply because there is so much to see and so much history.

Enjoy your visit to the Vatican! And if you have any questions, leave a comment below.

Also Read:

• 24 Hours in Rome: What to See & Do
• The Most Beautiful Small Towns in Italy
• What Not to Miss in Milan, Italy
• Is Puglia Worth Visiting?
• The Most Beautiful Places in Sicily

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