Vatican City in a nutshell
Vatican City covers less than half a square kilometre in the middle of Rome, yet it is home to the largest church in Christendom, one of the greatest art collections in the world and the seat of the Pope. Most of the country is closed to the public. What you can visit falls into three areas: St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, and a handful of special tours.
There is no border control. You walk from Rome into St. Peter's Square, and the only checks are the security gates at the basilica and the museums.
The top 9 things to see
The sights every first visit should include.
St. Peter's Basilica
The largest church in Christendom, with Bernini's baldachin and Michelangelo's dome. Free to enter, every day.
Climb the dome
551 steps, or the lift plus 320, to the best view in Rome. From €17 including the basilica.
Vatican Museums
Ancient sculpture, Raphael's rooms and the Gallery of Maps. Book a time slot to skip the ticket line.
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgment at the end of the museum route. No photos allowed.
Michelangelo's Pietà
The only work Michelangelo ever signed, just inside the basilica entrance on the right.
Vatican Grottoes
The tombs of popes below the basilica floor, usually included in your basilica visit.
Bernini's colonnade
284 columns, 140 saints and an Egyptian obelisk. Find the spot where four rows of columns become one.
The Swiss Guard
The Pope's guards in Renaissance-style uniforms, on duty at the Vatican's gates since 1506.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Hadrian's mausoleum turned papal fortress, linked to the Vatican by the Passetto. 10 minutes on foot.
Three experiences worth booking ahead
Limited places, so plan these before you travel.
10 · The papal audience
On most Wednesday mornings the Pope meets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. Tickets are free but must be requested in advance. On Sundays at noon, the Angelus needs no ticket at all.
Papal audience guide →11 · The Scavi tour
A small-group visit to the ancient necropolis under the basilica, down to the site of St. Peter's tomb. Places are few and sell out weeks ahead.
Scavi tour guide →12 · The Vatican Gardens
The gardens cover a large part of the state and can only be visited on a guided tour booked through the Vatican Museums, usually combined with museum entry.
Vatican Gardens →And a few more
The Treasury Museum and the Pétros ení multimedia experience inside the basilica, the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis, and the papal palace at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome.
Basilica tickets →The best things to do in Vatican City
Tours and tickets for the basilica, dome, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with live prices and availability.
How to see Vatican City in one or two days
One day
Start early at the Vatican Museums, ideally with an early-entry tour, and reach the Sistine Chapel before the crowds. Many guided tours continue straight into St. Peter's Basilica. After lunch in the Prati district, climb the dome in the afternoon and end the day on the square as the light turns gold. If you have energy left, walk down Via della Conciliazione to Castel Sant'Angelo.
Two days
Day one is for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, at an unhurried pace. Day two belongs to St. Peter's: the basilica at 7 am, the grottoes and the dome, then Castel Sant'Angelo and its terrace in the afternoon. If one of your days is a Wednesday, add the papal audience in the morning.
Compare tour formats in our Vatican tours guide and check all times on the opening hours page.
Good to know before you go
The rules that apply across Vatican City.
Dress code
Shoulders and knees covered, long trousers for men in the basilica, no hats inside.
Vatican dress code →Sundays
The basilica is open, but the Vatican Museums are closed except on the last Sunday of the month.
Opening hours →Mass
Masses are celebrated in the basilica throughout the day and anyone can attend.
Mass at St. Peter's →Things to do in Vatican City: frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Vatican City?
Visit St. Peter's Basilica and climb its dome, see the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, attend a papal audience or Mass, and book special tours like the Scavi or the Vatican Gardens.
What is free in Vatican City?
St. Peter's Square, the basilica, the Vatican Grottoes and daily Masses are free. The Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of the month. Papal audience tickets are free too.
How much time do you need in Vatican City?
One full day covers the museums, the Sistine Chapel and the basilica. With two days you can add the dome, the grottoes and Castel Sant'Angelo at a relaxed pace.
Do you need a passport to enter Vatican City?
No. There is no border control between Rome and Vatican City. You only pass security checks at the basilica and the museums.