Vatican City guide: Our guide on how, when and why you should visit the world’s smallest state

  • Pope Francis, the 266th and current Pope of the Catholic Church, lives in the Vatican City
  • St Peter’s Square was designed by Bernini from 1656 to 1667 Michelangelo’s
  • ‘Pietà’ – one of his greatest sculptures – can be found in the Vatican 

It may only be 110 acres in size, but the Vatican City packs in enough history, architectural grandeur and artistic wonder to keep you happily wonderstruck, no matter how long your visit. An independent state ruled by the Bishop of Rome (the Pope, to you and me), and with a population of just 800, the Vatican City is home to the world’s largest Catholic church, St Peter’s Basilica, and such treasures as the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s ‘Pietà’, and works by Raphael, Botticelli and Fra Angelico.

Your first experience of the Vatican City is likely to be the spectacular sweep of St Peter’s Square, drawing you with open arms towards the mighty St Peter’s Basilica. The centre of the Roman Catholic world, St Peter’s is a perfect blend of jaw-dropping scale and sublime proportion. Take the lift and staircase to enjoy the view from the great dome, designed by Michelangelo, then head to the Vatican Museums, packed with one the world’s greatest collections of medieval and Renaissance art.

The famous Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City

The famous Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City

Visiting the Vatican: Practical information

Tickets: There's a range of ticket and tour options available. Standard on-the-day tickets are €16, with half-price admission for under-19s, students and other concessions. The Vatican is one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, so expect crowds whenever you go. Book skip-the-line tickets for an extra €4 from its website to avoid the worst of the queues.

Opening times: St Peter’s Basilica is open daily, 0700–1900 from April to September, and 0700–1800 between October and March. The Vatican Museums are open Monday–Saturday, 0900–1800, and admission includes the museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Getting there: The Vatican City is easily reached via Rome’s busy public transport systems. The metro A-line stations of Ottaviano and Cipro are a short walk from its walls, and the Vatican is also ringed by bus and coach stations covering a large number of routes. San Pietro train station is a 10-minute walk from St Peter’s Square, and connects to a citywide rail network that includes Civitavecchia, Rome’s chief cruise port. Cabs are also available, but given the busy roads and the fact that the city centre is only a 20-minute walk away, you might prefer to enjoy a pleasant stroll to the Vatican’s gates.

Vatican must-sees

On entering St Peter’s Basilica, your eyes will be drawn to St Peter’s baldachin, a monumental Baroque canopy with twisted bronze columns, which protects the high altar and stands over St Peter’s tomb. Michelangelo’s ‘Pietà’ is one of his greatest sculptures, depicting Mary cradling Jesus in her lap after the crucifixion – you'll find it in the first chapel on the right as you enter the Basilica. Michelangelo also worked on the design of the Basilica’s great dome – ride the elevator and brace yourself for a climb of 323 steps to enjoy a panoramic view across St Peter’s Square and the city.

The square is one of the world’s great city spaces. Really an ellipse, it was designed by Bernini from 1656 to 1667, and its centrepiece is a 25 metre Egyptian obelisk of red granite. Papal Audiences are held in the Square on Wednesdays in the summer season (if the Pope is in Rome).

Culture vultures should allow themselves several hours to enjoy the very best of the Vatican Museums’ vast collections. Must-sees include the ancient Greek sculpture of ‘Laocoön and His Sons’, depicting a dramatic scene from the story of the Trojan War. The Pinacoteca Vaticana gallery houses works by Giotto, Raphael and Caravaggio, as well as Leonardo’s ‘St. Jerome in the Wilderness’. The New Wing is home to the ‘Augustus of Prima Porta’, a marble statue of the Emperor Augustus and a classic depiction of Roman pomp and power. Modern art fans will head to the Collection of Modern Religious Art, for important pieces by Picasso, Dali, Chagall and van Gogh.

No visit to the Vatican is complete without a view of the Sistine Chapel. The site of the Papal conclave, by which a new Pope is elected, the chapel is dominated by Michelangelo’s ceiling, a labour that took him four years and includes some of the most famous images in European art, such as God giving life to Adam with the touch of a finger, and his depiction of the ‘Last Judgement’.

‘Pietà’, one of Michelangelo's most famous sculptures

‘Pietà’, one of Michelangelo's most famous sculptures

Guided tours

To get the most information out of your visit, guided tours of St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums are available, and include a fast track entry to sidestep the worst of the queues. The knowledgeable guides will help you manage your time by focusing on the highlights and offering expert insights. Go to the museums’ website to browse the tours offered by the Vatican.

Where to eat on a visit to the Vatican City

The Vatican Museums have a cafeteria, pizzeria and a bar, which are open during museum hours (and helpfully remain open for an hour after closing). There is a wide choice of eateries and bars within a short walk of the Vatican’s walls, providing every kind of Italian dish and a range of international cuisines. Arlu on Via Borgo Pio, La Zanzara on Via Crescenzio and Bonci Pizzarium on Via della Meloria are our top three picks in the area.