Vatican City
The world's smallest state holds an outsized share of Western art and faith: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling and Last Judgement, Raphael's frescoed rooms, and St Peter's Basilica, raised over what is venerated as the apostle's tomb and crowned by Michelangelo's dome. It is a half-day or full-day add-on to Rome, best tackled early with tickets booked well ahead.
Overview
Vatican City covers just 44 hectares inside Rome, walled except where St Peter's Square opens onto Via della Conciliazione. A visit has two distinct halves. The Vatican Museums, entered from Viale Vaticano on the north side, lead through classical sculpture galleries, the Gallery of Maps and the Raphael Rooms to the Sistine Chapel. St Peter's Basilica, on the east side, is entered separately from St Peter's Square through security, and its dome can be climbed. Most visitors do one in the morning and the other after lunch, staying in Rome's neighbouring Prati or Borgo districts. The Vatican Gardens and the Scavi necropolis need separate advance bookings.
Crowds define the experience. The Museums can receive more than 20,000 visitors a day in peak season, and the Sistine Chapel is often shoulder to shoulder, so timed tickets, early-entry slots or late-afternoon visits make a real difference. Costs are those of Rome, with museum tickets the main extra expense; entry to the basilica itself is free. It suits art lovers and pilgrims, though even the unreligious find St Peter's overwhelming. Many people are surprised by how much walking is involved, by the strict dress code and enforced hush in the chapel, and by the small trappings of statehood: Swiss Guards, Vatican stamps and its own post office.
Map of Vatican City
Top 5 highlights
- 1Culture
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo painted the ceiling between 1508 and 1512 and returned in the 1530s to paint the Last Judgement on the altar wall. Photography is banned and silence requested; this is also where conclaves elect new popes.
- 2Sacred site
St Peter's Basilica
The Renaissance and Baroque masterpiece of Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini, home to Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's bronze baldacchino. Entry is free but involves airport-style security queues, so arrive at opening time.
- 3Culture
Raphael Rooms
Four rooms in the papal apartments frescoed by Raphael and his workshop for Pope Julius II and his successor, including The School of Athens. They sit on the one-way Museums route towards the Sistine Chapel.
- 4Architecture
St Peter's dome
Climb Michelangelo's dome, by lift and then about 320 steps or 551 steps on foot, through narrowing, slanted passages to the lantern gallery for the finest view over St Peter's Square and Rome.
- 5History
Vatican Necropolis (Scavi)
Small-group tours run by the Excavations Office descend beneath the basilica to a Roman street of tombs and the site venerated as St Peter's grave. Places are very limited, so apply months ahead.
Biggest cities
Vatican City
The entire state is one walled precinct of palaces, courtyards and gardens; most residents are clergy and Swiss Guards, and visitors see only the museums, basilica and square.
Vatican City is a single city-state of about 44 hectares with no separate towns; visitors stay in neighbouring Rome, usually in the Prati or Borgo districts.
When to go to Vatican City
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Rome
Festivals & events
- Mar–AprEaster
Holy Week brings the Pope's Palm Sunday Mass, the Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum, and Easter Sunday Mass with the Urbi et Orbi blessing in St Peter's Square.
- JunFeast of Saints Peter and Paul
On 29 June, Rome's patronal feast, the Pope celebrates Mass in St Peter's and blesses the pallia of newly appointed metropolitan archbishops; it is also a public holiday in Rome.
- DecChristmas
Christmas Eve Mass in St Peter's Basilica, a giant tree and nativity scene in the square, and the Pope's Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia at noon on Christmas Day.
How much does Vatican City cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Spaghetti alla carbonara
Rome's signature pasta: guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino romano and black pepper, never cream. Try it in the trattorias of Borgo and Prati beside the Vatican.
Pizza al taglio
Rectangular pizza sold by weight and cut with scissors; the streets north of the Museums' entrance, around Cipro metro, have some of Rome's most celebrated.
Supplì
Fried rice croquettes with tomato and a molten mozzarella centre, Rome's favourite snack and ideal fuel before the Museums queue.
Getting around
Vatican City is entirely walkable, and most visitors arrive on foot from Rome. Metro line A stops at Ottaviano and Cipro, both a short walk from the Museums entrance; buses 40 and 64 run from Termini towards St Peter's, and tram 19 serves the Museums side. Rome's taxis are metered, and Roma San Pietro railway station sits just south of the square.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CFL230V — bring a UK-to-C/F/L adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +39
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected; Roman restaurants may charge a per-person coperto (cover). Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is plenty.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel, where staff turn away anyone who doesn't. Keep your voice down in the chapel, and don't take photographs there.
- Main airports
- Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Rome — across the border; Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA), Rome — across the border
Visas & entry for Vatican City
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Italy are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat LyssavirusTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Vatican City
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | All Souls' Day |
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Thu 24 Dec 2026 | Christmas Eve |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Saint Stephen's Day |
| Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Saint John the Evangelist's Day |
| Thu 31 Dec 2026 | Last Day of the Year |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Thu 11 Feb 2027 | Anniversary of the Foundation of Vatican City |
| Fri 19 Mar 2027 | Saint Joseph's Day |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Maundy Thursday |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 27 Mar 2027 | Holy Saturday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Tue 30 Mar 2027 | Easter Tuesday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Saint Joseph the Worker's Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sat 8 May 2027 | Anniversary of the Election of the Holy Father |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Solemnity of Pentecost |
| Sun 23 May 2027 | Solemnity of Holy Trinity |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Domini |
| Tue 29 Jun 2027 | Saints Peter and Paul's Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Day Before Assumption of Mary |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption of Mary Day |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Day After Assumption of Mary |
| Fri 17 Sep 2027 | Name Day of the Holy Father |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Italian
| English | Italian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Buongiorno | bwon-JOR-noh |
| Thank you | Grazie | GRAHT-see-eh |
| Please | Per favore | pehr fah-VOH-reh |
| Excuse me | Mi scusi | mee SKOO-zee |
| How much is this? | Quanto costa? | KWAN-toh KOS-tah |
Know before you go
- Buy Vatican Museums tickets on the official museivaticani.va website or through reputable tour firms; touts outside the walls resell tickets and 'skip-the-line' tours at a big markup.
- The Museums close on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free and queues are enormous. On Wednesday mornings the papal audience usually fills St Peter's Square.
- Free tickets for the Wednesday papal audience are issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household; request them in advance, then collect them from the Swiss Guards at the Bronze Door.
Vatican City travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Vatican City?
The best time to visit Vatican City is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Rome range from 12°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Vatican City cost per day?
Roughly £70 a day on a tight budget, £160 mid-range and £350+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Vatican City?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Vatican City use?
Type C, F and L sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Vatican City?
Traffic drives on the right in Vatican City, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Vatican City?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Vatican City?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Vatican City before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Vatican City?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
