Travel in the Vatican: when to go, places and advice
The smallest state in the world concentrates a density of art without equal on Earth: St Peter's basilica and its Michelangelo dome, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and their seven kilometres of masterpieces, the square and its Bernini colonnade. Whether you come as a pilgrim or an art lover, the visit takes preparation: museum reservations, proper dress and an early start for the dome. A dense day in the heart of Rome, outside time.
- Capital
- Vatican City
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- Italian, Latin official
- Direct flight
- Via Rome, ≈ 2 hr from Paris
- Time difference
- None from central Europe
Itineraries
Our trip ideas in the Vatican
The itineraries in the Vatican are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.
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The right season
When to go in the Vatican?
April-June and September-October offer the ideal Roman light and bearable queues, outside Holy Week when Rome overflows. July-August crush the city with heat and crowds, favour the early openings and the museums' nocturnes. Winter is the secret season: a breathable Sistine, the crib and tree on St Peter's Square, gentle Rome all around.
- January : In-between
- February : In-between
- March : Pleasant
- April : Ideal
- May : Ideal
- June : Pleasant
- July : In-between
- August : In-between
- September : Ideal
- October : Ideal
- November : Pleasant
- December : In-between
- Ideal
- Pleasant
- In-between
- Avoid
Quick guide
Understanding the Vatican
Getting around
The Vatican is reached on foot from central Rome, or by metro A (Ottaviano) and buses 40 and 64. Everything is visited on foot; the San Pietro station serves the gardens of Castel Gandolfo.
Money
The euro (€), with Vatican coins minted for collectors. Museum tickets online only, to avoid a two-hour queue; the basilica is free, the dome is paid.
Language
Italian in daily life, Latin for official acts. Audioguides and tours in every major language; the Swiss Guards gladly answer in several.
Useful apps
The Vatican Museums' official ticketing (the only up-to-date site), the basilica's official audioguide and a live-mass app for the Wednesday papal audiences.
Accommodation
You do not sleep in the Vatican: the Prati district, its elegant buildings and its trattorias, puts St Peter's Square ten minutes away on foot for the morning light.
Etiquette
Shoulders and knees covered, silence in the Sistine where photography is forbidden, and patience at the checks. For the Wednesday papal audience, tickets are free but must be reserved.
The iconic places
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican City
The largest church in the world, Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's baldachin. The 551 steps of the dome are worth every effort.
Sistine Chapel
Vatican Museums
Michelangelo's ceiling and the Last Judgement, the absolute summit of the Renaissance. Enter at opening time or on the Friday nocturne.
Vatican Museums
Vatican City
Seven kilometres of galleries: the Raphael rooms, Bramante's staircase, the map gallery and antiquities by the thousand.
St Peter's Square
Vatican City
Bernini's ellipse and its 284 columns embracing the pilgrims. Look for the two marble discs that line up the colonnades.
Vatican Gardens
Vatican City
The green half of the state, fountains and groves reserved for guided visits: the secret Vatican, absolute calm above Rome.
Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.
- St Peter's Basilica : The largest church in the world
- St Peter's Square : Bernini's ellipse
- Vatican Museums : 7 km of masterpieces
- Sistine Chapel : Michelangelo's ceiling
- Vatican Gardens : The green half of the state
- Castel Sant'Angelo : The popes' mausoleum-fortress, in Rome