5 Things You Must See In Vatican City 2024
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This post is about the 5 things you must see in Vatican City.
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.
It is an independent city-state that is surrounded on all sides by Rome, Italy. So it is essentially a country inside a country.
Also, Vatican City is the official residence of the Pope.
Every year, thousands of people flock to the tiny country to marvel at the art, architecture, and history it has to offer.
In this blog post, we will explore the 5 things you must see in Vatican City as well as how to get to it, where to stay near the Vatican etc.
There is a map of Vatican City at the end which shows the location of all the things I have mentioned.
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What Is The Most Famous Thing About Vatican City?
The most famous thing about Vatican City is the St. Peter’s Basilica and Square.
That is where you can see the Pope address the crowd of faithful followers.
Do You Need A Ticket For Vatican City?
You can access St.Peter’s Square and the Basilica for free so no ticket is needed for those.
However, you do need tickets to see the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and to climb St. Peter’s Dome.
5 Things You Must See In Vatican City
Let’s jump into it and see what are the 5 things you must see in Vatican City, on your next visit.
1. St. Peter’s Square
St. Peter’s Square is a large plaza that is located right in front of the St. Peter’s Basilica.
Peter was one of the leaders of the early Christian Church and was one of the twelve apostles as well as the first pope.
It is considered one of the largest and most famous squares in the world.
It was designed by Bernini and is meant to hold over 250k faithful.
In the center, there is a large Egyptian obelisk, with two fountains on each side.
Do I need a ticket to visit St. Peter’s Square?
No, you do not need a ticket to enter St. Peter’s Square.
To enter and walk around is completely free.
On the outside of the square, there are rows of columns on each side, which if you look towards the Square from the Basilica, resemble two hands.
A symbolic way of welcoming everyone to the heart of the Christian faith.
On top of the rows of columns, you will find statues of different saints and religious figures.
From the square, you can also see the Apostolic Palace to the right of St. Peter’s Basilica, which is the official residence of the Pope.
When I visited, there were rows and rows of chairs in the square because the Pope was due to come out of the balcony and speak to the crowd.
I was not able to stay and see that but it would have been pretty cool to see the Pope.
There were so many people waiting around because of that – it was pretty chaotic.
🦄 While you are in Vatican City, an great tour you can do is the Angels and Demons Tour based on the famous book by Dan Brown. I have written a whole post about it: Angels And Demons Tour In Rome. You visit St. Peter’s Square on that trip.
2. St. Peter’s Basilica
I have never seen such a huge church in my life!!
The ceiling is so high it is unbelievable that it still stands after two World Wars and countless earthquakes.
Is St. Peter’s Basilica the largest church in the world?
Yes, St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world!
Also, it is one of the most important buildings in the Christian world.
When you first walk in, you will see The Pieta to your right. It is a Renaissance sculpture, created by Michelangelo.
It depicts Mary who is holding Jesus’s dead body in her lap and mourning.
Other attractions to check out are St. Peter’s Baldachin, the statue of Saint Peter on a Throne, and the grottoes.
The right foot of the statue of Saint Peter on a Throne is worn down by people touching it for good luck. You will see a lineup of people waiting to touch the statue.
St. Peter’s Baldachin is a large bronze canopy that was designed by Bernini and it marks the exact place of St. Peter’s tomb underneath the Basilica.
Under the Basilica is where Saint Peter was buried, and where the name of the Church comes from. Under the huge Baldachin is the Papal Altar.
The grottoes are located beneath the main floor and contain the ornate tombs and sarcophagi of different popes (first picture).
Where is the Necropolis located?
The grottos are not the same as the Necropolis which is the original burial ground, 12 meters below the Basilica.
The grottos are free to enter and have only a few rooms (can see in 15 mins), while to visit the Necropolis you will need to book a special tour and need more time as there is more to see.
I did not have a chance to see the Necropolis but I want to visit it next time.
👉 I would probably go for this tour: Scavi Tour to the Tomb of St. Peter’s & Skip Line Guided Tour of the Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is so big it will take you a while to see all of the art, statues, etc. You would need at least an hour to walk around and take it all in.
When I was there, there was a wedding going on so part of it was sectioned off.
So expect different religious ceremonies to be happening inside of the Church when you visit and parts of it to be unavailable for that day.
When you exit through the main doors to the right you will see one of the Swiss Guard posts (they are the official military for the Vatican) in their colorful uniforms.
If you didn’t see a group of Swiss Guards walking around up to that point there is always one positioned beside the Basilica (see picture below).
Do I have to buy tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica?
It is free to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, however, the line to get in is extremely long and you might have to wait for at least an hour to get in.
3. Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
A lot of people don’t know this but you can actually access the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
However, it is one of the things you must see in Vatican City (if you can climb a lot of stairs)
There is an inside portion as well as an outside portion.
The inside portion consists of a thin walkway where you can see the inside of the Basilica as well as some of Michelangelo’s art that adores the Dome.
The outside offers a stunning view of St Peter’s Square, Rome as well as all of the Vatican.
Some of the gardens and buildings in the Vatican can only be seen from this vantage point.
👉 If you want to see the gardens, you can do this exclusive tour: Vatican Gardens: Exclusive bus tour. You can also see the gardens as a part of a combo tour!
Is St. Peter’s Basilica dome free?
Unfortunately, climbing the Dome is not free.
The Dome climb can be added to a bunch of different tours depending on what you want to see.
👉 If you want to do a Guided Tour of St. Peter’s Basilica that includes a climb to the Dome, check out this tour: St. Peter’s Basilica: Tour with Dome Climb
The one downside is that you have to climb the stairs on your own (551 in total).
However, there is an elevator that can take you up to a certain point but you will still have to climb the majority of the steps (over 300 still left).
Keep in mind Saint Peter’s Basilica Dome is the tallest Dome in the world.
Is St. Peter’s Basilica dome worth it?
It is totally worth it but you need to have the right expectations going in.
The stairs are steep and narrow and for someone like me who is extremely claustrophobic, I have to say it was pretty challenging especially because it was ridiculously hot outside.
I’m glad I did it though because the view from the top was stunning.
So if you are ok with the never-ending climb and don’t mind tight staircases then you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view.
Also, a little tip if you’re looking to buy any souvenirs or religious items.
There is a shop on the roof (the largest one actually) and there will be a way smaller lineup.
And it is a huge store so you will find everything there.
A visit to the Dome, including the climb, would probably add another two hours to your visit.
4. Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are a long hallway where there are all sorts of rooms that hold different treasures.
Displayed, you will see the extraordinary art & sculptures that the Catholic Church has acquired throughout the ages.
There are a total of 54 museums. But don’t worry, you will be able to see everything that is open to the public within an hour or so.
Some of the main attractions to see are the Gallery of Geographic Maps, Raphael’s Rooms, the Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Helical Staircase.
When I visited, I pre-booked a skip-the-line ticket that included a guided tour of Vatican City – the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
You will be given an audio headset so you can hear the guide clearly.
👉 This is the exact Vatican City tour that I did: Skip-the-Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Small-Group Tour
What’s the best way to see the Vatican Museums?
Pre-booking a skip-the-line ticket is by far the best way to see the Vatican Museums.
The ticket was for the fastest entry possible, if you simply show up you will be stuck in line for hours.
I highly recommend it, I mean you don’t want to spend your whole vacation waiting in lines, do you?
Do you need to book the Vatican Museums tickets in advance?
You should book your ticket in advance because they tend to sell out.
If you show up on the day you will be stuck in a long queue, only to find out the tickets are sold out.
If I had a chance to go back again I would probably do a private or before-hours tour instead because there were so many people everywhere.
One of the most exciting attractions for me to see was the School of Athens fresco by Raphael (above).
I used to take a lot of art history classes back in high school and college.
So having the chance to see so much art that I have learned about, was a dream come true.
Keep in mind you cannot enter the museums from St. Peter’s Square, the entrance is along the wall surrounding the Vatican.
Look at the map at the bottom of this post, under number 4 to see the exact entrance.
🦄 If you want to explore the Vatican Museums at night, check out this blog post: 17 Best Rome Tours By Night
5. Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is totally worth the hype! Highly recommend seeing it!
It is one of the things you must see in Vatican City for sure!
Can you take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel?
No, you are not allowed to take any pictures, including without a flash.
That includes cell phone pictures as well as actual cameras.
There is a bunch of security personnel walking around constantly yelling NO CAMERA NO PHOTO!!
If they still catch you taking pictures they will ask you to leave.
**More on picture taking below!
This is why I do not have any pictures from it, the images in this blog post are stock pictures.
Another thing is that you have to keep silent, you are not allowed to speak while you are in the Chapel.
The tour guide will tell you about the art inside before you enter.
Also, you need to remember that you cannot access the Sistine Chapel on its own. You will have to go through the Vatican Museums.
The Sistine Chapel is located at the end of the large hallway that houses the Vatican Museums.
After you leave the chapel you will find yourself inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
The main thing to see in the Sistine Chapel is the gorgeous Renaissance frescoes by the genius Michelangelo.
The two most famous ones are The Creation of Adam (on the ceiling) and The Last Judgment (the entire altar wall).
So essentially the Sistine Chapel is a large room, completely covered in art.
FAQs: Things You Must See In Vatican City
Let’s take a look at some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to things you must see in Vatican City.
Is Vatican City located in Rome?
Yes, the Vatican (a country) is located inside Rome (a city in Italy).
So it is a country surrounded by Rome.
🦄 If you want to learn more about Rome, check out this blog post: 7 Things You Must See In Rome If It’s Your First Visit
Do you need a passport to enter Vatican City?
You do not need a passport to go between Rome and the Vatican but you will have to go through airport-style security.
What does the inside of the Vatican look like?
The Vatican is surrounded by a tall wall that separates it from the rest of Rome.
Inside you are only allowed to visit the following: the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and Square, or do a guided tour of parts of the gardens or the Necropolis.
The rest of the Vatican is not open to tourists.
Is there a dress code in Vatican City?
You will need to follow a dress code everywhere in the Vatican (including the Sistine Chapel) – no shorts or skirts above the knee and no shirts that show your shoulders or with too much cleavage or bareback.
That applies to both men and women who want to visit the Vatican.
Also, you need to be respectful, don’t make a lot of noise or display discourteous behavior
Can you wear jeans to the Vatican?
Jeans are fine to wear as long as they go below the knee and have no rips. I did wear jeans myself and was fine.
Can you wear sneakers or sandals in the Vatican?
There are no restrictions on shoes in the Vatican. However, I would avoid flip-flops as they appear too casual. I wore black running shoes.
Are there any other restrictions for entering Vatican City?
Small purses and day backpacks are allowed. However, large backpacks and luggage are not permitted.
You cannot wear a hat indoors, regardless of the type of hat.
Avoid see-through or tight clothing. No T-shirts with offensive slogans are permitted as well.
Also, cannot bring any sharp or pointy objects that can be used as weapons.
Can you take pictures in the Vatican?
You are allowed to take photos everywhere except inside the Sistine Chapel.
If you want to take pictures elsewhere inside, you should do so without a flash.
📷 If you want to see more pictures from the Vatican, check out my Instagram page
How much time do you need for visiting the Vatican?
If you have everything pre-booked then you can do it all in one day (will be a busy day, but it is manageable, I did it).
If you don’t and have to wait in line, then you will probably need two days.
Is the Vatican worth visiting?
Yes, one hundred percent it is worth seeing.
Even if you are not Christian or religious, there is so much art and history that it will make it worth your time.
Is the Vatican City surrounded by a wall?
Yes, Vatican City is surrounded by walls.
The walls not only provide a physical barrier but also symbolize the security and autonomy of the smallest independent state in the world.
While the walls are not intended to keep people out, they do mark the boundaries of Vatican City and contribute to its distinct identity within the city of Rome.
What language does Vatican City speak?
The official language of Vatican City is Latin.
However, in daily life and communication, Italian is predominantly spoken.
Italian is the language of the surrounding country, Italy, and is used in everyday interactions, administration, and communication within Vatican City.
How Do You Get To The Vatican?
There are no cars or buses allowed in the Vatican.
You can use the metro to get close to it and then walk. The two stops closest to the Vatican are Ottaviano and Cipro.
If you are going to St. Peter’s Square first, get off Ottaviano Metro Station as that one is closer.
If you are starting at the Vatican Museums, then get off at Cipro Metro Station.
Both are located on the Orange Metro Line.
Get ready for a lot of walking when you visit the Vatican, as there won’t be any transportation inside the walls.
Check out the Rome Metro site if you need more info.
Are There Any Restaurants In Vatican City?
There are no restaurants inside Vatican City.
However, the streets of Rome that border the Vatican Wall have plenty of food.
One restaurant to stop for lunch or dinner is Angelo Ristorante Trattoria which is conveniently located close to the main entrance/exit to the Vatican.
It offers traditional food and has indoor and outdoor seating.
If you are looking for somewhere to grab a bite instead, then check out Pizza & Sandwich da Pasquale where you will find sandwiches and mini pizzas.
Where To Stay In Vatican City?
There are no hotels in Vatican City.
However, there are hotels located around the Vatican Wall where you could stay, if you want to be close to the Holy City.
Tmark Hotel Vaticano
- Tmark Hotel Vaticano is located right in front of the Vatican Museums
- 10 min walk to St. Peter’s Square
- Terrace overlooking the Vatican
- Airport shuttle available (additional cost)
- Close to Ottaviano Metro Station
- Parking available (50 EUR a day; Free WiFi)
👉 Check availability for your dates: Tmark Hotel Vaticano
Relais della Torre (Guest House, Budget Option)
- Relais della Torre is located 12 min walk to St. Peter Square; 13 min walk to Castel Sant’Angelo; 10 min to the Vatican Museums
- Close to Ottaviano Metro Station
- Free WiFI everywhere
- Parking available (20 EUR a day)
- Airport shuttle available (additional cost)
👉 Check availability for your dates: Relais della Torre
🦄 If you are looking for accommodations in Rome, check out these two posts:
17 Best Rome Hotels Near Termini Station
21 Best Rome Hotels Near The Trevi Fountain
Map Of The 5 Things You Must See In Vatican City
Conclusion: 5 Things You Must See In Vatican City
In conclusion, Vatican City provides a glimpse into the realms of spirituality, history, and artistry.
Each destination, from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Vatican Museums, carries its own historical and cultural weight.
Whether your interest lies in the religious significance or the artistic treasures, a visit to these sites provides a comprehensive experience of the city-state’s heritage.
