In Brief: Here you’ll discover a practical guide to everything important you need to know before visiting the Vatican – from the best tickets and tours, to dress code requirements and frequently asked questions.
Visiting the Vatican is one of the most exciting experiences in Rome, regardless of your religious beliefs. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel captivate every art lover, while the dome, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the square of the same name are so magnificent they leave a lasting impression.
It’s important to know, however, that to fully enjoy this unique place, some advance planning is necessary.
Since the Vatican is simultaneously a popular tourist destination and a center of spiritual life, it has its specificities that can challenge first-time visitors.
That’s why I’ve prepared this detailed guide with useful tips and guidelines to help you navigate easily and experience the Vatican in the best possible way.
What You Need to Know When Visiting the Vatican
The Vatican, or Vatican City, isn’t one attraction. Instead, it’s a small country with several separate things to see, some accessible for free and others only with a pre-booked ticket.
In brief:
- Address: Vatican City (within Rome).
- Currency: Euro
- Hours: You can visit the city and see St. Peter’s Basilica’s facade anytime (evening is beautiful, all lit up!). The basilica itself, museums, and other Vatican attractions have set hours. Find them here.
Access to the Vatican
Although it’s an independent state, there’s no passport control at the border.
Security checks: Due to the site’s importance, security checks are performed and bags go through scanners before tourists are admitted to the basilica and/or museum. Everyone goes through security checks, even those with skip-the-line tickets.
Vatican Dress Code
There’s no dress code for St. Peter’s Square, but a dress code is enforced in the basilica and museums (see below).
How Much Time Do You Need to Visit the Vatican
How much time is needed to visit the Vatican depends largely on what you want to see (see below). I personally recommend planning a full day for visiting the Vatican if you’re interested in touring the museums, and half a day (full morning or full afternoon) if you plan to see only the square and basilica.
I don’t recommend other attractions because otherwise your day will become too packed.
What’s the Best Time to Visit the Vatican?
In my opinion, it’s best to visit the Vatican early in the morning mid-week or in the evening. I think there are fewer visitors at these times and the atmosphere is calmer and more subdued.
Evening access to the Vatican is only possible in summer. You can find the schedule and tickets here.
How to Get to the Vatican?
The Vatican is located in Rome itself, on the other side of the Tiber River, away from the ancient city center. St. Peter’s Square and the basilica are at the end of the long Via della Conciliazione, a large street connecting the Tiber River to the basilica, while the museums are a bit further from it, about a 15-minute walk.
You can reach them by metro, bus, or on foot.
The closest metro station to the museum is Rome Ottaviano – San Pietro (Metro A). Cipro is also an option.
Several buses serve this area, with the closest stops being buses 40, 64, 62, 19 (tram), 49, 32, 982, 492, 990, 81.
Important for cruise tourists! If you’re coming from Civitavecchia, the best way to reach the Vatican is by train. San Pietro has its own train station, about 10 minutes from the Vatican, and since 2019 a new service connects the Civitavecchia cruise port with it, making a day at the Vatican very easy for people reaching Rome by cruise.
My app for precise directions in Rome is Google Maps – don’t forget to specify whether you’re heading to the basilica or museums to get the most accurate results.
The walk between the museum entrance and the basilica takes about 15 minutes, so getting off at the exact destination will save you energy on a day with lots of walking ahead.
Information about public transport in Rome can be found here.
Best Things to See at the Vatican
The Vatican consists of several buildings, each worth seeing on its own.
Usually when tourists say they want to visit the Vatican, they mean they want to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
These really are the most famous sites in the Vatican, but there are other parts of the St. Peter’s complex – Vatican Museums worth exploring.
Important to know:
- You don’t need a ticket for St. Peter’s Square
- You don’t need a ticket to access the first floor of St. Peter’s Basilica (which includes the Pietà and the Altar)
- You need a ticket to access St. Peter’s Dome
- You need a ticket to access the Vatican Gardens
- You need a ticket to access the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- You need a ticket to access the Bramante Staircase and the hidden part of the museums
- You need a ticket to access St. Peter’s Tomb and the necropolis
St. Peter’s Square – Piazza San Pietro
St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro) is the square right in front of St. Peter’s Basilica and a masterpiece by architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who built it between 1660 and 1667. The square is huge and designed to direct the visitor’s gaze toward St. Peter’s Basilica, which is the focal point of the area.
St. Peter’s Square is a place I recommend visiting even if you don’t have time to enter the basilica or museums.
Interesting: When building the columns that support the roof, Bernini applied the concept of forced perspective: if you stand in certain spots on the square (marked on the ground), an optical trick makes many of the columns disappear from view!
This is one of the best free things you can see in Rome, and a wonderful introduction to the Vatican if you’re visiting Rome with kids – they’ll love the optical trick and the large open spaces of the square.
Please note: Access to St. Peter’s Square is free and there’s no border control between Rome and Vatican City.
>>> Find everything you can see at St. Peter’s Square here. <
St. Peter’s Basilica (including Michelangelo’s Pietà statue)
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful and impressive churches in Rome and Italy and towers over the Vatican.
The basilica as we see it today is the result of the genius of several architects who over decades built its complex altar, facade, and dome. It’s the first building you notice when approaching the Vatican from the Tiber River, and undoubtedly the most impressive, at least from the outside, thanks to its incredible and gigantic dome and stunning square.
The basilica is the center of Catholicism and an important place for Christianity as a whole, as it sits above St. Peter’s tomb.
Its origins date back to the very beginning of Christianity’s history, but its current appearance was acquired over many centuries with numerous interventions by architects and artists under the patronage of different popes.
The foundation stone of the current basilica was laid in 1506, and the dome was added and completed toward the end of the same century.
The basilica is stunning inside and out: inside, the most famous attraction is Michelangelo’s Pietà (statue) and the main altar with incredible decoration, but there are actually endless things to see here and every detail is a work of art in itself.
>>> You can find my guide to visiting the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica and my highlights here. <
You can visit the basilica on your own, but to truly appreciate its value, I recommend getting at least an audio guide, and best is to get a full guided tour.
You can see how the self-guided audio tour works and buy tickets here.
Access to the basilica’s ground floor is free, but appropriate clothing (see below) is mandatory to be admitted.
Keep in mind that the Basilica is actively used and therefore closed for special occasions and specific celebrations. You can check its official website for exact hours and scheduled celebrations.
St. Peter’s Dome
St. Peter’s Dome was designed by Michelangelo and completed by his students and other architects, including Giacomo Della Porta, who finished the work but also slightly modified the original design and added the lantern that crowns it.
This is one of the most distinctive landmarks in all of Rome and is truly magnificent. You can admire the dome from below (or from afar, it’s visible from many places in Rome) or join the hardiest visitors and climb to the dome.
If you decide to do this, keep in mind that the dome is reached by over 300 steps and it’s not for the faint of heart!
The climb is steep and unsuitable for people who are afraid of heights or suffer from claustrophobia (the last part of the staircase up gets narrower and narrower): only part of the dome is accessible by elevator. However, if you can manage it, the view of Rome from there is incredible.
Besides the city, you can also see the wonderful design of the Vatican Gardens, which are a true gem (and not just from above!).
Access to the dome requires tickets: information, hours, and prices can be found on the Vatican’s official website here.
Vatican Museums (with the Sistine Chapel and The Last Judgment)
The Vatican is home to the famous Vatican Museums, which house many masterpieces by masters from the past in sculpture, painting, and more.
The museums are huge and present art from different centuries and civilizations – from priceless sculptures from the ancient world (like Laocoön, my personal favorite) and the stunning “Raphael Rooms” to the modern cars used by the Pope (my kids’ favorites)!
The crown jewel of the Vatican Museums for many, however, is the Sistine Chapel. Designed by Michelangelo, the chapel is decorated with the incredible “Last Judgment” – a fresco of breathtaking beauty and amazing detail. The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums and tickets include access to it. You usually reach it at the end of the museum visit.
You need to know: the chapel is a sacred place, so appropriate clothing is mandatory. See below what clothing is acceptable and what isn’t according to the Vatican’s official rules.
>>> See our complete guide to visiting the Sistine Chapel here <
Bramante Staircase
Another interesting and beautiful thing to see at the Vatican is the Bramante Staircase.
The Bramante Staircase is special in many ways: although originally conceived simply as a functional staircase, Bramante made it unique by adding a spiral shape at its center, which practically creates the impression that the staircase spirals endlessly around itself.
The staircase is now closed to the general public and is only accessible through special tours offered by the Vatican Museums themselves, the so-called “hidden Vatican tours,” which you can find here.
Good to know! The Vatican Museums also house another staircase – the Momo Staircase: built in 1932, the staircase follows the form of a double helix and is beautiful and impressive. Unlike the original Bramante Staircase, the Momo Staircase is along the main visitor route in the Vatican Museum and is usually open to visitors.
Vatican Gardens
The Vatican Gardens are located next to the main basilica and are an absolute delight to visit, as well as a wonderful place to admire the basilica from an unusual angle: photo opportunities of the dome from here are numerous!
The gardens are huge and organized as a series of different styles: you can admire the English, French, and Italian gardens, and the guide will bring them to life with curious facts about their history and the popes who called them their backyard!
The gardens are only open to visitors with a guide (by bus or on foot).
>>> You can find our review of the tour and all tips for visiting the Vatican Gardens here. <
The Vatican Necropolis and St. Peter’s Tomb (Scavi)
Below the current basilica is the old Vatican necropolis, where St. Peter is buried.
Special visits to the necropolis beneath the basilica and St. Peter’s tomb are only possible under special rules.
Access is only for small groups, they must be led by a Vatican guide and have a maximum number of visitors who can be admitted each day (250) to preserve the integrity of this delicate environment.
Access to St. Peter’s tomb and the Vatican necropolis is separate from museum access and must be planned separately. You can find all the information here.
Given the limited access to the tomb area, tickets are extremely difficult to obtain and submitting an application well in advance is mandatory.
Migrants and Refugees Monument
On the left side of St. Peter’s Square stands a special, interesting monument that will likely catch your attention due to its distinctive features, very different from all others in this monumental complex.
This is a significant, beautiful monument that reminds us of the tragedy of migrants and was unveiled by the Pope, who wanted us to remember all those who have suffered and still suffer due to forced displacement.
The monument has no plaque or explanation, yet it’s impactful and worth seeing. The plan was for the monument to be in the square for some time and then move to the gardens, but at the time of writing it’s still in the square so all visitors can see it (free).
Swiss Guards
The Swiss Guards aren’t an attraction, they’re the security force guarding the Vatican, but their uniforms are so distinctive they attract visitors’ attention! They’re stationed north of St. Peter’s Square and by the Vatican Palace, and their colorful presence doesn’t go unnoticed!
A special trip to see the Swiss Guards and their colorful uniforms is one of my favorite activities when visiting the Vatican with kids and one of my recommended activities for those who want to see the Vatican but don’t want to deal with busy museums!
How to Book a Vatican Visit: Best Vatican Museum Tickets and Tours
There are many ways to book Vatican tickets and they include the Vatican Museums’ own website, but also tour providers.
Best Vatican Tickets (Self-Guided Tours)
Tickets are needed to visit the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Dome, gardens, and underground necropolis. This is the list of ticket purchasing options:
- Buy timed entry tickets from the Vatican Museum website – this is an affordable option for self-guided Vatican Museum tours. Tickets are non-refundable, one reservation change is allowed up to 1 hour before the visit.
- Buy skip-the-line tickets from GetYourGuide. These are my recommended tickets for self-guided tours of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The slightly higher price compared to above comes with excellent cancellation options (free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit)
- Vatican Gardens tickets can be found on the Vatican’s official website
- Access to St. Peter’s necropolis can be booked here
- Dome tickets can be purchased here
- You can purchase early entry tickets for the Sistine Chapel here
Best Vatican Tours (with Guide)
You can choose between different types of Vatican Museums and Basilica tours, joining group tours or booking private tours. Due to high demand for these tours, I’ve included several options.
Early Entry Vatican Museums Tours
Early mornings are the best time to visit the museums because of fewer tourists. This small group early access Vatican tour is comprehensive and allows you to see the best of the Vatican Museums, as well as the Raphael Rooms and St. Peter’s Basilica (except Wednesdays when the basilica is used for ceremonies).
Private Vatican Museums Tours
Private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, including Michelangelo’s Pietà – this is a wonderful tour if you want an individual experience tailored exactly to your needs.
Family Vatican Museum Tours
Recommended if you’re visiting the Vatican Museums with small children.
- Private family tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica with guide – I recommend it for kids ages 5 to 10.
- Vatican and Sistine Chapel “Skip the Line Fun Kids” tour – offered by “Private Tours of Rome,” this 3-hour tour covers the Vatican Museums’ main attractions, including the Sistine Chapel, and a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Vatican Museums tour for kids with treasure hunt – excellent private Vatican Museums tour for kids, including museum highlights and the Sistine Chapel.
How to Meet the Pope When Visiting the Vatican?
There are several opportunities to see or meet the Pope at the Vatican and for many this is the main reason for their trip to Rome. You can see him on Sundays, Wednesdays, and at Christmas when he celebrates Mass. Specifically:
- Every Sunday at noon you can see him address the crowds in St. Peter’s Square during the Angelus prayer. On this occasion he speaks from a window overlooking the square, so you hear his voice and see him from afar. Access is free.
- Every Wednesday the Pope holds a papal audience. The audience takes place at 10:30 AM, you must get tickets in advance, and it’s the best opportunity to see the Pope in person. All necessary information can be found on the official website.
- If you’re in Rome at Christmas, you can see the Pope during Mass at the Vatican. You can find official information about papal Mass here. Getting a private audience with the Pope isn’t that easy. The best way to do it is to contact him and make a personal request: there’s no option to purchase tickets for an audience with him as such.
You need to know: In summer the Pope is often at his Castel Gandolfo residence rather than in Rome. You can check his schedule and plan accordingly here.
What to Wear to Visit the Vatican: Vatican Dress Code
Visiting the Vatican requires appropriate clothing. The dress code is for the Vatican’s sacred areas, and this includes the basilica itself and the Vatican Museums. To visit the Vatican, you need “modest” clothing, defined as:
- Skirts or pants that cover the knees (for both men and women)
- Tops and shirts that cover shoulders (no tank tops)
- Clothing that covers stomach/rear/cleavage
- Casual shoes
- The dress code is more relaxed for children, although respectful clothing is recommended for all ages.
You need to know: In travel forums you may read that people in shorts are admitted to the museums and that the Vatican dress code isn’t always enforced. While it’s possible that rules are sometimes overlooked, this isn’t normal and many people have been denied access due to inappropriate clothing. I highly recommend not taking the risk!
Visiting the Vatican with Children
The Vatican is a wonderful place to visit with kids, but the museums are difficult for them. If you have very young children, I recommend planning a visit to St. Peter’s Square and the basilica, but think carefully before booking a museum tour.
>>> You can read why and all our tips for a family visit here. < However, if you think the museums might be too much for you and your kids, you don’t need to give up and skip the Vatican entirely. Many other attractions, like the square, Passetto, and even the Basilica, are easy enough to see with kids and can make for a wonderful sightseeing day. >>> My best tips on what to see at the Vatican with kids besides the museums can be found here. <
Visiting the Vatican: Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does visiting the Vatican cost? Access to the Vatican itself is free, but for some attractions you must have tickets and they’re purchased (Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, some parts of the basilica/dome, gardens, and necropolis)
- Can I buy Vatican Museum tickets at the entrance? You can buy tickets on site, but the line at the entrance is so long I don’t recommend it. The best way to get Vatican tickets is online, in advance. If you’re unsure of your plans, you can choose tours with free cancellation up to 24 hours before or try to book online on the day of visit. I recommend making a reservation on the day of visit only if you’re willing to skip the museums: the likelihood of no tickets is high.
- How far in advance should I book Vatican tickets? I recommend booking Vatican tickets as soon as you know you’ll be traveling to Rome. Especially during peak season they’re booked weeks in advance.
- Is a passport required to enter the Vatican? Although it’s an independent state, there’s no passport control between Rome and the Vatican. The checks performed to enter the museums and basilica are security checks, not border and customs. Therefore it’s not possible to get a stamp in your passport.
- Can you wear sandals at the Vatican? What should I wear to visit the Vatican? The Vatican has several sacred spaces and accessing them requires a specific dress code. General rules are to dress conservatively: your shoulders must be covered (for men and women), long pants, skirts below the knee, and avoid showing cleavage or bare back. Sandals aren’t a problem, nor are sneakers: However, I recommend not wearing flip-flops, mainly for your feet’s safety in such a crowded space!
- Can I bring a backpack into the Vatican? What about food? For security reasons, large backpacks and food aren’t allowed in the Vatican Museums and basilica. There are cafes and eating places in the museums: just be prepared to wait in line!
- What shouldn’t I miss at the Vatican? What to see and what to skip depends on your interests and tolerance for crowds, but the main things to see at the Vatican are St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. And in my opinion you should also see the Laocoön, Gallery of Maps, Bramante Staircase, and Sistine Chapel
- How much time is needed to visit the Vatican? How much time to spend at the Vatican depends on what you’ll see. The square can be seen in just a few minutes, while for the museums you need at least half a day. I recommend planning a full day to explore the area.
- Can I see only the Sistine Chapel? The Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican Museums and tickets allow access to both. You usually reach the chapel at the end of the museum visit. Some early entry tickets allow going to the chapel first, but check the details carefully to make sure this is the case
- Do I need a guide to visit the Vatican? You don’t need a guide to visit the Vatican, but especially for the museums I recommend getting one. The crowds are insane and guides are excellent for navigating where you are and what you’re looking at.