Vatican City
Vatican City · 19 m
Description
Vatican City (Città del Vaticano) is the world’s smallest sovereign state and the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church. The enclave of just 44 hectares in the heart of Rome is renowned for the monumental St. Peter’s Basilica with Michelangelo’s famous Pietà, St. Peter’s Square framed by Bernini’s grand colonnades, and the Vatican Museums, home to some of the world’s greatest artistic treasures. Highlights include the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s celebrated frescoes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, Vatican City brings together religion, history, Renaissance and Baroque art, and centuries of papal tradition within a remarkably small area.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: March – June
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- St Peter's Basilica & Michelangelo's Pietà
- Sistine Chapel & Michelangelo's Frescoes
- Vatican Museums
- St Peter's Square & Bernini's Colonnades
- St Peter's Dome & Rome Panorama
- Raphael Rooms
- Gallery of Maps
- Gallery of Tapestries
- Gallery of Candelabra
- Pio-Clementine Museum
- Gregorian Egyptian Museum
- Gregorian Etruscan Museum
- Pinacoteca Vaticana
- Borgia Apartments
- Bramante Staircase
- Vatican Necropolis & Tomb of St Peter
- Vatican Grottoes & Papal Tombs
- Vatican Gardens (guided tour)
- Swiss Guard
- Apostolic Palace
- Sala Regia
- Cortile della Pigna
- Mater Ecclesiae Monastery
- Vatican Post Office
- Audience with the Pope (Wednesday, subject to schedule)
- Papal Blessing Urbi et Orbi (Christmas & Easter)
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Città del Vaticano, Cipro, Roma San Pietro