Sights in Vatican City: Tips and Experiences

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Sights in Vatican City

Vatican City, with less than half a square kilometre, is the smallest state in the world. At the same time, it is the heart of the Roman Catholic Church and the home of the Pope. Within this small area are some of the most famous and most visited sights in Italy, and even in Europe. Every year, millions of people visit Vatican City during a city trip to Rome, mainly because of its art, history, religion, and architecture.

Over the past ten years, I have been to Rome more than ten times, and during that period I have also visited Vatican City on several occasions. What has stood out to me over the years is that many visitors underestimate how crowded it can be here. Especially at weekends and during holiday periods, it fills up quickly. In a Holy Year, which takes place once every 25 years, the number of visitors often increases even further. It is also particularly busy around holidays such as Easter and Christmas. The timing of your visit to Vatican City therefore plays an important role when planning your city trip to Rome.

On this page, you will find an overview of the main sights in Vatican City, supplemented with practical information and points of attention that help you make choices. The focus is on what you can expect, how to plan your visit smartly, and which places best fit within your city trip to Rome.

What can you expect when visiting Vatican City

Vatican City, covering just 0.44 square kilometres, is the smallest state in the world and is located right in the centre of Rome, on the western side of the River Tiber. The area largely consists of the governing body of the Catholic Church (the Holy See), the residence of the Pope, and a number of well-known sights, including St Peter’s Basilica, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Gardens. In addition, Vatican City has its own facilities, such as a bank, post office, pharmacy, television station, and the Swiss Guard, which is responsible for security.

Although Vatican City is small, it is home to some of the most heavily visited sights in Rome. Waiting times can be considerable, especially at the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, particularly on busy days and if you have not arranged tickets in advance. This makes a visit to Vatican City different from many other sights in Rome, where it is often easier to walk straight in.

In addition, the religious function of Vatican City plays an important role. Church services, papal audiences, and religious holidays have a direct impact on the accessibility of certain places and on how busy the area is. As a result, the timing of your visit to Vatican City influences what you can see and how quiet or crowded it will be.

Visiting Vatican City: Is It Worth It?
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Overview of the main sights in Vatican City

Vatican City has only a limited number of sights, but almost all of them are among the most visited places in Rome. Because Vatican City is so small, everything is close together and you can easily visit the various locations and sights on foot.

The best-known and most visited sights are St Peter’s Basilica with St Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums, which also include the Sistine Chapel. In addition, there are the Vatican Grottoes, located beneath St Peter’s Basilica, where, among other things, the tomb of St Peter can be visited.

Visiting the sights in Vatican City does not differ greatly in general from visiting sights elsewhere in Rome, although there are a few things to keep in mind. Many places are freely accessible, but for some sights you need a ticket to enter. In addition, there are security checks at several locations, such as at St Peter’s Square. As a result, you often spend more time than expected, especially on busy days.

During my city trips to Rome, I have visited the Vatican Museums several times, partly because I still have not seen everything there. I usually visit the museums early in the morning, as it often becomes very crowded later in the day, partly due to tour groups and school visits.

In the sections below, I discuss for each sight whether a visit is worth it. I also provide practical information about tickets, opening hours, accessibility, and the best time to visit, so you can decide for yourself which sights best fit your travel plans and interests.

St Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica is the most famous sight in Vatican City and one of the most important churches in Christianity. The current basilica was built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the site where, according to tradition, the apostle Peter is buried. This makes it not only an impressive building, but also a place of great religious significance.

Inside, the basilica is vast and richly decorated. You will find, among other things, Michelangelo’s sculpture La Pietà, various chapels, papal tombs, and the high altar beneath the great dome. The basilica is so large that you will often spend more time there than you initially expect, especially if it is your first visit and you want to take everything in at a leisurely pace.

Entrance to St Peter’s Basilica is free, but you cannot simply walk in. A mandatory security check is carried out at the entrance, and dress codes apply. Especially in the morning and at weekends, queues can be long. During church services or special occasions, the basilica may sometimes be (partially) closed to visitors.

A visit to the basilica, St Peter’s Square, and the Vatican Grottoes (papal tombs) is easy to combine. Keep in mind, however, that the Vatican Grottoes are only accessible via St Peter’s Basilica, where queues are often long

St Peter’s Basilica: Is It Worth a Visit?
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St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square is located directly in front of St Peter’s Basilica and forms the main entrance to Vatican City. The square was designed in the 17th century by Bernini and is best known for its semi-circular colonnades and the Egyptian obelisk in the centre of the square. This obelisk already stood in Rome in ancient times and was later moved to this location.

St Peter’s Square is generally always accessible, as it is a public square. This means you can also walk around there in the evening and at night. Access via certain routes, such as Via della Conciliazione, may be monitored by security. During the day, the square is freely accessible and is busy with visitors heading to the basilica or the museums.

St Peter’s Basilica itself has fixed opening hours and is not open all day. The basilica usually opens around 7:00 a.m. In winter it often closes around 6:30 p.m., and in summer around 7:00 p.m. To enter the basilica, you must pass through a security check, which is usually in place from the morning onwards. As a result, queues can form early in the day.

The square also plays an important role in church events. On Wednesday mornings, St Peter’s Square is often partially closed due to the papal audience and is considerably busier than on other days. Extra security measures are also in place during major religious holidays.

If you want to experience St Peter’s Square in peace and quiet, it is best to visit early in the morning or in the evening. At these times, there are fewer tourists, and in the evening in particular the square is beautifully lit and relatively calm.

Is St Peter’s Square Worth a Visit?
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Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are among the most visited museums in the world. The museum complex consists of dozens of rooms, galleries, and courtyards displaying art and objects collected by popes over the course of centuries. For many visitors, the Vatican Museums are the main reason to visit Vatican City.

The collection is vast and diverse. You walk past classical sculptures, tapestries, maps, paintings, and frescoes. Well-known sections include the Gallery of Maps, the Raphael Rooms, and several galleries featuring Roman and Egyptian art. At the end of the standard route, you arrive at the Sistine Chapel, which is included in the museum visit.

An admission ticket is required for the Vatican Museums. Without a pre-purchased ticket, waiting times can be considerable, especially during the high season and at weekends. Inside the museum, it can also be very crowded, particularly later in the day and when there are many tour groups and school visits. Due to the crowds and the size of the museum, a visit often takes longer than you expect.

During various city trips to Rome, I have visited the Vatican Museums several times and still have not seen everything. I usually visit the museums early in the day, when it is quieter than later in the afternoon.

Vatican Museums: Is It Worth a Visit?
Discover the Vatican Museums

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is located within the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope on the northern side of Vatican City. It is one of the most famous and most visited places within the Vatican Museums. The chapel is best known for Michelangelo’s frescoes, including the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the rear wall. For many visitors, this is the highlight of the museum visit.

The Sistine Chapel cannot be visited separately. To reach the chapel, you must walk through the Vatican Museums. Even if you do not plan to explore the museum in detail, a ticket is required and you follow a fixed route through various galleries. This route to the chapel takes an average of about 30 to 40 minutes.

Clear rules apply when visiting the Sistine Chapel. Photography and filming are not permitted in order to protect Michelangelo’s centuries-old, fragile frescoes from light damage. In addition, it is a sacred space where silence and respect are required. The same dress code applies here as in the rest of Vatican City. Visitors who do not comply may be refused entry.

How long a visit to the chapel lasts depends on how long you choose to stay. On average, a visit takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The chapel is very busy and long queues are common, which is something to keep in mind when planning your visit.

The Sistine Chapel: Is It Worth a Visit?
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Vatican Grottoes

The Vatican Grottoes are located beneath St Peter’s Basilica and form part of the basilica complex. The grottoes contain the tombs of various popes and other important figures of the Church. The tomb of St Peter lies deeper beneath the basilica and can only be visited through a special guided tour organised by the Scavi Office (Ufficio Scavi). Advance reservation is required, as only a limited number of visitors are admitted each day.

Clear rules apply when visiting the Vatican Grottoes. Photography is not permitted, and visitors are asked to maintain silence and wear appropriate clothing.

A visit to the Vatican Grottoes is especially interesting for those with an interest in the history of the papacy and the religious significance of this site. In that case, the grottoes provide a meaningful addition to a visit to St Peter’s Basilica

Vatican Grottoes: Is It Worth a Visit?
Read more about the Vatican Grottoes

Practical tips for visiting Vatican City

Best time to visit Vatican City

Vatican City attracts tens of thousands of visitors every day. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel alone receive an average of around 20,000 to 25,000 visitors per day. In addition, it is especially busy at weekends, during school holidays, around religious holidays, and in a Holy Year – which takes place once every 25 years. Those who want to visit Vatican City as quietly as possible are best advised to plan their visit early in the morning or in the evening.

Crowds and waiting times

At St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, you should expect queues and security checks. Without pre-purchased tickets, waiting times—especially at the museums—can increase significantly. Even at free-access sites, such as the basilica, security checks often take extra time.

Dress code

Dress codes apply to all religious sites in Vatican City. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Visitors who do not comply may be refused entry to the basilica, the museums, or the Sistine Chapel.

Tickets and access

An admission ticket is required for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square are free to enter, but do require a security check. Advance reservation is mandatory for the Scavi visit (tomb of St Peter), and the number of visitors per day is limited.

Combining Vatican City with Rome

A visit to Vatican City can easily be combined with other sights in Rome. Castel Sant’Angelo, for example, is about a 10 to 15-minute walk from St Peter’s Basilica.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vatican City

Is Vatican City free to visit?

Yes, Vatican City itself is freely accessible. St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Basilica can be visited free of charge. An admission ticket is required for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Do you need tickets for Vatican City?

Not for the square and the basilica, but tickets are required for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. For the Scavi visit (tomb of St Peter), advance reservation via the Ufficio Scavi is mandatory.

How much time do you need for Vatican City?

That depends on what you want to see. For just St Peter’s Square and the basilica, half a day is often sufficient. Those who also visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel will quickly spend a large part of the day there.

Can you visit Vatican City and Rome in one day?

Yes, that is possible. Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome, and many sights are within walking distance of each other. Do keep in mind waiting times and security checks, which can make a visit take longer than expected.

What are you not allowed to wear in Vatican City?

In all religious buildings, shoulders and knees must be covered. This applies to St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Visitors who do not comply may be refused entry.

Is Vatican City open on Sundays?

St Peter’s Square is always accessible. St Peter’s Basilica is usually open on Sundays but may have limited access due to church services. The Vatican Museums are usually closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month.

When is Vatican City the busiest?

It is especially busy at weekends, during school holidays, around religious holidays, and in a Holy Year. Wednesday mornings are also often crowded due to the papal audience in St Peter’s Square.

Is Vatican City suitable to visit with children?

Yes, but not all sights are equally suitable. St Peter’s Square and the basilica are easy to visit with children. The Vatican Museums are large and crowded, which can be tiring for younger children.

Is Vatican City Worth a Visit?

Over the past ten years, I have been to Rome more than ten times. During these visits, I have also been to Vatican City on several occasions and have seen almost all of its sights. On my first visit, I went to St Peter’s Basilica, where I spent some time walking around. Because I wanted to take photos of the exterior, I then walked out onto St Peter’s Square. When I later wanted to go back inside, I found that this was no longer allowed. I had to join the security line again, which had meanwhile become very long. I decided not to do so, as I would otherwise not have been able to stick to my plans for that day.

Since then, I have known that the order of your visit matters. If you want to visit both St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square, it is advisable to see the basilica first and then the square. Those who want to take photos of the basilica and the square are best advised to do so early in the morning. At that time, there are still few people around and it is much quieter than later in the day.

In the years that followed, I returned to Rome several times and visited the sights in Vatican City more often. During my most recent visit in June 2025, it was a Holy Year, and a new pope had been elected shortly before, after Pope Francis passed away on 21 April 2025. This made my visit to Rome and Vatican City particularly special. At St Peter’s Basilica, thousands of believers from all over the world were singing for the new pope. At the same time, many visitors had come to pay their final respects to the late pope. It was also noticeably busier than usual at other popular sights in the city because of the Holy Year.

In June 2025, I also visited the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel again. That visit felt especially special, as only a few weeks earlier a conclave had taken place in the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals gathered to elect a new pope.

Over all the years I have visited Rome and Vatican City, what has stood out to me most is that the atmosphere in Vatican City is clearly different from that in the rest of Rome. It often feels as if you are stepping into another world. For me personally, that makes Vatican City worth visiting, even if you are not religious. It is one of the few places where I have seen visitors of all kinds of religious backgrounds come together to admire the architecture, art, and history.

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Edward

Hi, I’m Edward, an experienced city trip enthusiast. Over the past few years, I’ve visited dozens of cities across Europe and America. On Cities To Travel, I share personal experiences and practical tips to help you plan your next city trip. Have any questions? Feel free to send me an email.

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Last update: 2 February 2026

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