🇻🇦 Vatican

10 best places in Vatican City

The world's smallest state fits into 44 hectares yet holds some of art and faith's greatest treasures, from St. Peter's Basilica to the Sistine Chapel.

Sight

St. Peter's Basilica

The largest church in Christendom, capped by Michelangelo's dome.

Sight

Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgment, a pinnacle of Renaissance art.

Museum

Vatican Museums

One of the world's largest museum complexes, spanning antiquity to Raphael.

Sight

St. Peter's Square

Bernini's oval piazza ringed by 284 columns, site of papal audiences.

Park

Vatican Gardens

Private grounds of fountains and grottoes, visitable only by guided tour.

Sight

Vatican Necropolis (Scavi)

An underground necropolis beneath the basilica holding the reputed tomb of St. Peter.

Museum

Pinacoteca Vaticana

The picture gallery holding works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Leonardo da Vinci.

District

Borgo Pio

A charming old street beside the Vatican walls, lined with trattorias and souvenir shops.

Café

Sciascia Caffè 1919

A historic Roman coffee bar near the Vatican, famous for its zabaione coffee.

Restaurant

Osteria dell'Angelo

A family-run trattoria in the Prati quarter serving classic Roman cooking.

FAQ

Do you need a visa for the Vatican?

There is no separate Vatican visa: the state has no border control of its own and you walk in from St. Peter's Square while, in practical terms, still in Italy. Whatever lets you be in the Schengen area covers it. Schengen entry rules keep evolving, including the EES and ETIAS systems, so check what applies to your passport before travelling.

How long do you need at the Vatican?

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel take three to four hours, and St. Peter's Basilica another hour or so, more if you climb the dome. A full day, or two visits at different times, is realistic. Book museum tickets online in advance, because the walk-up queue can run for hours.

Is there a dress code at St. Peter's Basilica?

Yes, and it is enforced: shoulders and knees must be covered or you will be turned away at the entrance. The same applies at the Vatican Museums. In summer, a light scarf in your bag solves the problem.

Can you become a Vatican citizen?

Effectively no. Vatican citizenship is tied to holding a post or serving the Holy See, ends when that role ends, and is not inherited. There is no way to move there as an ordinary resident, so if the goal is living in Rome, the paperwork you need is Italian, not Vatican.