Vatican City, officially known as the Vatican City State, is an independent city-state in Rome, Italy. It is the world’s smallest internationally recognized independent state in area and population.
It houses some of the most essential and iconic landmarks in the Catholic world, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums.
How to get there
You can take the Metro (Line A) from Rome city center and get off at the Ottaviano-S. Pietro stop, which is the closest station to Vatican City. It’s just a short walk from the station to the entrance of Vatican City.
Taxis are also widely available, and you can take a taxi from designated taxi stands throughout the city.
St. Peter Basilica
It is one of the world’s most iconic and significant Catholic churches. It is a primary pilgrimage site and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.
The Basilica is free to enter, but you need to go through security, and the lines can be very long during the day. Our recommendation is to visit it first thing in the morning. It opens at 7:00 am except for Wednesday when Pope addresses the audience.
Be prepared to go through a security check at the entrance. This process includes passing through metal detectors, so avoid carrying prohibited items such as large bags, weapons, or liquids exceeding the allowed limits.
The Nave and interior of St. Peter’s Basilica are vast and stunning. Take in the grandeur of the nave, with its rows of columns and intricate decorations. Admire the beautiful marble floors and the richly adorned ceilings.
Michelangelo’s Dome, also known as the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, is one of the most remarkable architectural achievements in the world and has an impressive diameter of about 42 meters (138 feet) and stands approximately 133 meters (434 feet) tall from the ground to the top of the lantern.
Baldachin by Bernini was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the towering bronze Baldachin stands over the papal altar. This elaborate canopy features twisting columns and intricate details, serving as a magnificent centerpiece within the basilica.
St. Peter’s Chair, also called the Throne of Peter, is an ornate bronze monument in the basilica’s apse. It represents the chair of St. Peter and symbolizes the Pope’s authority as the successor of St. Peter.
Michelangelo’s Pietà is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. This masterpiece depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus after his crucifixion.
Dome of St. Peter Basilica
Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica to enjoy a panoramic view of Vatican City and Rome. You can reach the dome by taking an elevator or climbing the stairs. You can admire the Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s Square, and the surrounding cityscape from the top.
Tickets for the Dome
The entrance to the dome climb is located within St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll find signs directing you toward the dome entrance as you enter the basilica. The tickets cost €8 for stairs with 551 steps and €10 for the elevators, which skip a significant portion of the climb and need to take the remaining 331 steps to the top.
The elevator takes you as far as the base of the dome, offering a great view of the domes.
You’ll also have a chance to see the statues on the dome’s exterior up close from here.
As you continue your climb, you’ll be able to appreciate the intricate details and vibrant colors of the mosaics that adorn the walls of St. Peter’s Basilica from the balcony.
Climb the rest of the stairs to reach the top of the dome; the stairs get narrower and narrower as you get to the top. Once there, you’ll step out onto an outdoor balcony, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Vatican City, Rome, and the surrounding area.
Vatican Museum
The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of art, sculptures, historical objects, and archaeological artifacts. They are among the world’s largest and most visited museums, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Vatican Museum Tickets
Purchase your tickets in advance to skip the long lines. You can buy the tickets online through the official website. The tickets cost ($17 + $5 fee) and are open for sale 60 days in advance. The tickets sell out quickly as they are available; you can buy from authorized ticket vendors if you cannot get them.
You can add an audio guide to your ticket, use the free Rick Steve guide, or take the guided tour for the full experience.
Things to see in Vatican Museum
The Vatican Pinacoteca houses a collection of paintings by notable Italian artists from the 12th to the 19th century. It includes works by Giotto, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian.
Bernini’s angels are known for their dynamic and lifelike qualities.
Pine Cone Courtyard, the Cortile della Pigna, is a picturesque courtyard with two giant statues – a shiny bronze sphere and a giant green pine cone.
Hall of Statues and Busts is a long hallway filled with statues and busts.
The Octagonal Courtyard is an outdoor space surrounded by colonnades adorned with ancient statues and a central fountain.
Laocoön and His Sons is a famous sculpture that portrays the Trojan priest Laocoön and his two sons entangled in the coils of two sea serpents.
Belvedere Torso is a fragmentary marble sculpture depicting the upper half of a male figure. Despite being a fragment, the sculpture is highly revered for its exceptional quality and artistic expression.
The Round Room is characterized by its circular shape and dome-shaped ceiling. It houses a collection of ancient Roman and Greek sculptures.
Sarcophagi are elaborate coffins made of stone, typically carved from marble, limestone, or granite. They are known for their intricate and detailed artistic decoration. There were two large Sarcophagi, one for mother Helena on the left and daughter Constanza on the right.
Hall of the Chariot has statues and sarcophagi that depict scenes from athletic competitions and circus games. It was roped off, but you can see it from outside.
The Gallery of Candelabra is a long corridor adorned with ancient Roman marble candelabra, decorative pedestals, and statues.
The candelabra is crafted from marble and feature detailed carvings and reliefs. They often depict intricate patterns, mythical creatures, and symbolic motifs.
The Gallery of Tapestries is a long corridor adorned with magnificent tapestries that line the walls. These tapestries are large, intricately woven textile artworks that depict various scenes and designs.
The Gallery of Maps is a long corridor with detailed maps depicting Italy’s regions. These colorful and intricately designed maps provide a unique glimpse into the geography and cartography of Italy during the Renaissance.
The map of Venice looks like a fish.
After his death, Raphael’s students completed the final room, the Stanza di Constantino. It features frescoes depicting scenes from Emperor Constantine’s life, including his conversion to Christianity and the Battle of Milvian Bridge.
Raphael Rooms, also called the Stanze di Raffaello, are magnificent rooms filled with frescoes.
The most famous is the Room of the Segnatura, which has beautifully detailed paintings, including “The School of Athens,” which depicts a gathering of great philosophers and thinkers.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most renowned attractions within the Vatican Museums. It is famous for its ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo, including the iconic “Creation of Adam,” where God reaches out to touch Adam’s finger. The Last Judgment, also painted by Michelangelo, adorns the altar wall.
It is included in the Vatican museum tickets. You’ll see the signs directing you to the chapel.
Photos are not allowed inside of Sistine Chapel. You are also not allowed to speak loudly while you are there. The room is big and usually very crowded; there are benches on the side of the room where you can sit and admire the paintings on the ceiling.
Let us know in the comment section below if you have any questions or suggestions.