One of the must-do activities in Rome is to visit the Vatican. While entry to St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica is free, you’ll need plenty of patience if you want to visit the Vatican Museums, due to the huge number of visitors.
The Vatican is the Pope’s main seat, and although it is located within the city of Rome, it is completely independent from it.
It is a very small territory, just a few square meters, but it holds an immense historical value, with highlights including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums, Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
To make sure you don’t miss anything, here’s a list of what to see in the Vatican, how to visit the Vatican without lines, how to get tickets for the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, plus plenty of practical tips.
💯 Check out our article on the recommended 10-day Italy itinerary.
1) Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are a gem in themselves. Artworks painted by renowned artists over centuries, ceilings covered in gold and precious metals, and the highlight of the visit: the famous Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s celebrated frescoes.
📷 If you’re visiting the Vatican, we recommend this guided tour of the Vatican (Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica), with tickets included.
Vatican Museums Opening Hours
– Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm (last entry at 6 pm).
– Last Sunday of the month: 9 am to 2 pm (last entry at 12:30 pm). On other Sundays the museums are closed, as well as on specific dates listed on the official Vatican Museums website.
Vatican Museums Ticket Prices
Adult tickets cost €20 (updated for 2025). Children aged 7–18 pay a reduced fare of €8, while children under 6 enter free. There are further discounts depending on your situation and age.
How to Visit the Vatican Without Lines?
If you want to skip the long line to buy tickets, you can book online on the official Vatican Museums website, paying €5 extra per ticket. However, this does not exempt you from waiting in line with everyone else who also booked online.
We personally waited around two hours to get in. Once inside, don’t expect a peaceful stroll, as the museums are extremely crowded.
But now there’s a way to visit the Vatican without lines: by booking this early-access tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. This entry lets you in 30 minutes before regular tours and one hour before the general public opening.
The Sistine Chapel, a Must-See in the Vatican
We walked through countless halls full of priceless artworks until we finally reached the Sistine Chapel. As expected, the place is breathtaking, full of detail and color (thanks to the latest restoration)—and also packed with visitors. Photography is strictly forbidden to preserve the frescoes, and security guards make sure of it.
The Sistine Chapel gets its name from renovations ordered by Pope Sixtus IV, though it was Pope Julius II who commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling.
Michelangelo painted nine scenes from Genesis at the beginning of the 16th century, the most famous being the Creation of Adam, and later, the Last Judgment on one of the walls. One funny remark from my brother while looking at the frescoes was: “they’re all naked.” In fact, Pope Pius IV was offended by the nudity and ordered another painter to cover them with leaves or drapery, earning him the nickname “the breeches painter.”
📷 Book here the guided tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums, including skip-the-line entry.
The chapel is famous not only for Michelangelo’s work but also for the important events held here. It is the setting of the most important decision in the Catholic Church: the papal conclave.
This is an ultra-secret vote, with only the outcome revealed. If black smoke rises from the chimney visible from St. Peter’s Square, it means no decision has been reached. If white smoke appears, “habemus papam“—we have a new pope.
2) Visiting the Vatican: St. Peter’s Square and Basilica
Our next stop in Vatican City was St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, and climbing the dome of the basilica.
If you plan to do these visits, it’s best to climb the dome first, since the exit leads directly into the basilica. That way, you’ll visit in the right order.
Climbing the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
This is definitely worth it when visiting the Vatican. The views from the top are spectacular, with sweeping panoramas of St. Peter’s Square and part of Rome’s historic center.
From above, people look like tiny ants moving around. Our recommendation is to climb before sunset, to watch the sun go down behind the city and see Rome bathed in orange.
Climbing the dome costs about €8 by stairs and includes an audio guide for visiting St. Peter’s Basilica (note that it’s a total of 551 steps). There’s also an option with elevator plus stairs for €2 more, but you’ll still need to climb the last 320 steps.
The stairways, both up and down, are very narrow, and at some points even lean to one side, so you’ll quickly find out if you’re claustrophobic.
📷 Book your spot here: entry to St. Peter’s Basilica with audio guide and dome access.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Through one of the exits from the dome, you’ll enter directly into St. Peter’s Basilica, believed to be the burial site of St. Peter in the 1st century AD.
Although there was an earlier church here that fell into disuse, it wasn’t until the 16th century that construction began on this spectacular basilica, with contributions from many of the great artists of the time, including Michelangelo and Raphael.
Here you can see Michelangelo’s Pietà, right at the entrance on the right-hand side. In the center, just before the altar and under the dome, lies the bronze canopy marking St. Peter’s tomb, which only the Pope can access. The magnificent dome is also Michelangelo’s work.
St. Peter’s Square
We suggest leaving St. Peter’s Square for last, since there’s no line to enter. Standing in the center of the round square, you’ll feel embraced by the church’s arms, as if receiving a blessing for the rest of your journey.
📷 If you’re in Rome, don’t miss these tours: guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with skip-the-line entry.
Tips for Visiting the Vatican
Best Days to Visit the Vatican
There’s never really a quiet day, but there are two days you may want to avoid: Wednesdays and Sundays, when the Pope greets the faithful and celebrates mass in St. Peter’s Square.
Best Time to Visit the Vatican
It’s very difficult to visit the Vatican without crowds. The best option is to arrive as early as possible in the morning, even a little before opening time, to line up with those who already have a ticket.
In summer, arriving early also helps avoid the hottest hours in Rome and the Vatican.
How Long Does a Visit to the Vatican Take?
Just touring the Vatican Museums takes a minimum of two hours, without making too many photo stops or closely examining the artwork.
On top of that, you need another two hours to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, climb the dome, and take in the basilica from St. Peter’s Square.
Including travel time to the Vatican, waiting in line, and the visit itself, you should plan for at least six hours in total.
Dress Code for Visiting the Vatican
To enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica there is a dress code. While not extremely strict, it does prohibit certain clothing.
You cannot enter with sleeveless or low-cut tops, and shorts or skirts must cover the knees.
In short, both knees and shoulders must always be covered.
How to Get to the Vatican from Rome
The Vatican City is located within Rome, so by visiting the Italian capital you also reach the Vatican. Within Rome, the easiest way is to take the red metro line and get off at Ottaviano – S.Pietro – Musei Vaticani station.
From there, walk straight ahead (it’s well signposted) and you’ll arrive at St. Peter’s Square. If your first stop is the Vatican Museums, the best option is to turn right onto one of the side streets, or follow the wall to the right until you reach the museum entrance (or, more accurately, the end of the two-hour line to get in).
Where to Stay Near the Vatican
There are no accommodations inside the Vatican, but you’ll find many options in the surrounding area. Alternatively, you can stay across the Tiber River in central Rome.
If you want to stay near the Vatican, here are some recommended options:
- Di Fronte alla Cupola: as its name suggests, it’s located right in front of St. Peter’s Dome.
- Atlante Garden Hotel: a four-star hotel near the metro and the Vatican. Well-decorated, comfortable rooms with classic furnishings. The rooftop has a restaurant with views.
- Hotel Museum: only 50 meters from the Vatican Museums entrance. Decorated with artwork and sculptures, with an excellent breakfast and great value for money.
🏨 Want to browse more options? Find the best accommodation in Rome here.
How to Get to Rome
Many low-cost airlines fly from Spain and other European airports to Rome.
You can also get there by train from various parts of Italy.
What you need for your trips to Europe
Plan your journey easily with these trusted resources:
