Nestled within Rome, Vatican City is world’s smallest country yet holds some of its greatest treasures and the best things to do in Rome, home to St Peter Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, this sacred enclave is a masterpiece of art, history and spirituality.
Table of Contents
1. History
Vatican city the worlds smallest country is the spiritual and cultural center of Catholicism home to Pope and some of the most famous landmarks in the world. Established in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty, it houses Saint Peter’s Basilica built over Saint Peter’s tomb a key pilgrimage site with Michelangelo’s iconic dome. The Vatican Museums hold an extensive collection of art and history, leading to the Sistine Chapel famous for Michelangelo’s ceilings frescoes.
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Vatican city attracts millions of visitors annually offering blend of religious artistic and historical treasures in a compact walkable area. If you’re exploring Rome beyond the Vatican, don’t miss our complete list of 25 Things to Do in Rome, covering historic sites, piazzas ( square ), and local food experiences.
2. Architecture and Engineering
Vatican city is a stunning blend of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, created by some of the world’s greatest architects including Michelangelo, Bernini and Bramante. The city is designed with grand buildings symmetrical layouts an intricate details reflecting both artistic beauty and engineering skills.
Its wide squares, towering columns and massive domes create a sense of grandeur and harmony. The Vatican also features beautiful gardens, historic fountains and well planned spaces that make it both a religious and architectural wonder. If you’re interested in ancient Roman architecture, visit The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill—Rome’s most famous ancient trio of landmarks that shaped the city’s history.
3. Places to see in Vatican City
1. St. Peter’s Basilica – World’s largest church.
2. St. Peter’s Square – A grand piazza featuring Egyptian obelisk, two fountain and 140 statues of saints.
3. Sistine Chapel – Famed for Michelangelo’s frescoes, including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment.
4. Vatican Museums – A massive collection of art, including the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and ancient Roman sculptures.
5. Raphael Rooms – Series of rooms inside Vatican museums decorated with Raphael’s stunning frescoes including the school of Athens.
6. Vatican Gardens – Lush beautiful gardens only available with guided tours.
7. Apostolic Palace – Pope’s official residence.
8. Belvedere Courtyard – A grand open space originally designed by Bramante, connecting different wings of the Vatican Museums.
9. Vatican Library – One of the oldest libraries in the world, holding over 1.1 million books and ancient manuscripts.
4. Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Vatican City is early morning (before 10 am) or late afternoon (after 2 pm ) during September or October when the weather is pleasant and crowds are smaller making it easier to explore outdoor areas like St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican gardens without the discomfort of summer heat or winter chill. The crowd is significantly lower compared to the peak touristry season of June to August allowing a more relaxed experience
Arriving before 10 AM lets you experience shorter queues and quieter spaces without feeling rushed. By choosing these months and times visitors can avoid long wait times extreme temperatures and overcrowding.
5. Budget Tips
1. Instead of paying €10 for the elevator, take the stairs for €8 and experience, the climb through the ancient spiral corridors. Save money and enjoy an authentic architectural experience.
2. Unlike the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter. Skip paid tours and explore at your own pace.
3. Instead of overpriced Vatican souvenirs send a postcard with Vatican City stamp from the official Vatican post office its a unique budget friendly keepsake for just €1-€2.
4. Restaurants near St. peters square are overpriced tourist traps. Walk a few streets away to Borgo Pio, a historic street with local cafe’s offering budget-friendly Italian meals.
5. Some tour operators mislead visitors by saying that in order to reach the Vatican Museums straight from St. Peter’s Basilica, you must reserve pricey trips. Instead, purchase a standard ticket for a fraction of the price and walk ten minutes to the official entrance on Viale Vaticano.
6.Tckets and Entry Fee
Places in Vatican City That Require Tickets
Attraction | Ticket Price | What's Included? | Booking Tips |
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel | €17 (Adults) | Vatican Museums (Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, Egyptian Museum, etc.) | Book online to skip long queues |
St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb | €10 (with elevator) | Climb to Michelangelo’s Dome | Go early (before 9 AM) for shorter wait times |
Vatican Gardens (Guided Tour Only) | €37 (Includes Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel) | Walk through private gardens (not open to the public) | Must book in advance (limited spots) |
Necropolis (Scavi Tour) – St. Peter’s Tomb | €13 (Strictly Limited Access) | Underground tour of St. Peter’s burial site | Must book months in advance via Vatican Scavi Office |
Vatican Apostolic Library | Special Access Only | View rare ancient manuscripts & papal archives | Only for researchers & scholars with permission |
Places in Vatican City That Doesn’t require Tickets
Attraction | What's Included? | Best Time to Visit |
St. Peter’s Basilica | Largest church in the world | Early morning (before 9 AM) or late afternoon to avoid crowds |
St. Peter’s Square | Iconic piazza with an Egyptian obelisk, two fountains, and 140 statues of saints | Anytime, but sunset and nighttime views are stunning |
Vatican Post Office | Send postcards with a Vatican City stamp | Open during Vatican working hours |
Papal Audience (Wednesdays only) | See the Pope in person (when he is in Vatican City) | Requires free registration (Get tickets from the Prefecture of the Papal Household) |
7. Photography Tips
1. Capture St Peter’s Basilica before sunrise so arrive there before 07:00 am for the best light making it look majestic without tourist in frame.
2. For the best aerial view pictures climb up the St Peter’s Basilica Dome for a perfect wide – angle shot.
3. Frame your shot with Colonnades in St. Peter’s Square use Bernini’s towering columns to add depth and symmetry creating a dramatic and professional looking composition.
4. Photograph the spiral Bramante staircase at the Vatican museum. This iconic double-helix staircase at the museum exit is one of the most photogenic spot inside Vatican city.
5. St. Peter’s Square and Basilica are beautifully lit after sunset, making for incredible long-exposure night photography.
8. FAQ’s
Is Vatican a city or a country?
It is a independent country, the smallest in the world.
Why is Vatican City famous for?
Vatican city is famous for being a spiritual center of the Catholic Church and home to Pope.
Who founded the Vatican?
Vatican City was officially established as a sovereign state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty, signed by Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini.
Can you live in Vatican City?
No you are not permitted to stay in Vatican city. Only clergy, Swiss Guards, and a few laypeople working for the Vatican can live there. Vatican citizenship is not permanent and is only granted to those with official roles.
Can you walk freely in Vatican City?
Yes you can walk freely in the Vatican city but some places like Vatican museum, Vatican Gardens and Sistine Chapel require tickets.
How much does it cost to enter the Vatican?
It is free to enter the Vatican city. However the places like Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel have tickets.
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