Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Things to do in Vatican City range from exploring its breathtaking art to experiencing its deep spiritual heritage. As the smallest independent state in the world, Vatican City is the epicenter of Catholicism and home to some of the most famous cultural treasures. The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, is an architectural marvel. Visitors can also witness the Pope’s blessing at St. Peter’s Square. Things to see in Vatican City offer a perfect blend of history, spirituality, and artistic brilliance.
Best Things To Do In Vatican City
Things to do in Vatican City include exploring sacred sites, witnessing papal blessings, and admiring world-famous art. Discover the top experiences!
1. Explore Architecture And Art At St. Peter’s Basilica
Photo: Didier Moïse / Wikimedia Commons
Explore St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, famous for its breathtaking architecture and art, including Michelangelo’s Pietà. Visitors can marvel at the stunning dome, climb to its summit for views of Vatican City, and wander through the Vatican Grottoes, where papal tombs are located. Don’t miss the chance to visit St. Peter’s Square and attend a papal mass if possible. For those interested in history, consider the Scavi Tour to see the ancient necropolis beneath the basilica. These are just a few of the things to do in Vatican City.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 35 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1 km (Ottaviano Metro Station)
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM (April to September), 7 AM – 6 PM (October to March)
Entry Fee: Free for Basilica; Dome climb €8 (approx. $9, ₹750) without lift, €10 (approx. $11, ₹900) with lift.
2. Marvel At The Sistine Chapel
Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis / Wikimedia Commons
The Sistine Chapel, popular for Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes, including “The Last Judgment,” is a highlight of things to do in Vatican City. Visitors can explore the Vatican Museums, home to the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms, before marvelling at the chapel’s stunning art. Guided tours offer insights into the history and significance of these masterpieces. Don’t miss the opportunity to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà at St. Peter’s Basilica nearby. The chapel also serves as a venue for papal conclaves, adding to its historical importance.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 30 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1 km (Ottaviano Metro Station)
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM)
Entry Fee: €17 (approx. $18.50, ₹1,550)
3. Tour The Vatican Museums
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Discover the Vatican Museums, a treasure trove of art and history, featuring masterpieces by Raphael, Michelangelo, and ancient Roman sculptures. Key highlights include the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, well-known for its stunning frescoes, and the Gallery of Maps, showcasing detailed geographical representations of Italy. Don’t miss the Pinacoteca for Renaissance paintings and the Pio Clementino Museum for classical sculptures. Enjoy guided tours that offer insights into these remarkable collections. When exploring, consider these things to do in Vatican City for an enriching experience.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 30 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1.5 km (Ottaviano Metro Station)
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM (last entry at 4 PM)
Entry Fee: €17 (approx. $18.50, ₹1,500)
4. Explore St. Peter’s Square
Photo: Ethan Doyle White / Wikimedia Commons
St. Peter’s Square, or Piazza San Pietro, is a large plaza in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1656 and 1667, the square is known for its impressive colonnades of 284 columns and 88 pilasters, topped with 140 statues of saints. In the square’s center is a 25-meter-high Egyptian obelisk that was moved to its current location in 1586. The square can hold over 300,000 people and is used for important religious events, including the Pope’s Easter and Christmas addresses.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 30 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1 km (Ottaviano Metro Station)
Best Time To Visit: Early in the morning, between 7am and 9am to avoid large crowds, or later in the evening around 6pm to 7pm.
5. Visit The Vatican Grottoes
Photo: Fallaner / Wikimedia Commons
The Vatican Grottoes, located beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, hold the tombs of numerous popes and are steeped in history. When considering things to do in Vatican City, exploring these grottoes offers a unique glimpse into papal burial sites and historical artefacts. Visitors can expect to spend 30 to 45 minutes exploring the tombs and appreciating the historical significance of the site. The grottoes can be accessed through the main entrance of the Basilica via a staircase near the papal altar.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 35 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1 km (Ottaviano Metro Station)
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit the Vatican tombs is early morning or late afternoon on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Timings: Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Be sure to enter at least one hour before closing.
6. Discover The Vatican Gardens
Photo: Marek.69 / Wikimedia Commons
The Vatican Gardens provide a peaceful retreat from the busy atmosphere of Vatican City, covering 23 hectares of beautifully kept grounds. Visitors can explore various attractions such as the Fountain of the Lion, Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Bramante’s Belvedere Courtyard. Guided tours reveal stunning terraces, fountains, and sculptures, showcasing a blend of Italian and French garden styles. Don’t miss the chance to see the Berlin Wall fragment and the picturesque Italian Garden. For those seeking unique experiences, these gardens are among the top things to do in Vatican City.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 30 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1 km (Ottaviano Metro Station)
Best Time To Visit: Spring (April to June) or Fall (September to October)
Timings: Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM; Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays
7. Check Out The Pinacoteca
Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons
The Pinacoteca, a hidden gem in Vatican City, displays masterpieces from well-known artists like Caravaggio and Raphael. Visitors can explore 18 rooms filled with approximately 460 works, including Raphael’s “Transfiguration” and Caravaggio’s “Deposition from the Cross.” Don’t miss Leonardo da Vinci’s “St. Jerome” and Titian’s “Vision of St. Helena.” Engaging with these masterpieces is one of the top things to do in Vatican City. Additionally, consider joining guided tours for deeper insights into the art and history of this remarkable gallery.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 30 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1 km (Ottaviano Metro Station)
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM (daily)
Entry Fee: €10, $10.50, ₹907
8. See Bernini’s Colonnade
As mentioned earlier, St. Peter’s Square was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. And the colossal Tuscan colonnades, arranged four columns deep, frame the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica. Bernini’s design aimed to allow the greatest number of people to witness the Pope’s blessings. The elliptical shape of the piazza encloses visitors in “the maternal arms of Mother Church,” as Bernini described it. Things to do in Vatican City include admiring the Vatican obelisk, an ancient Egyptian obelisk erected in 1586, and the granite fountains.
Distance From Nearest Airport: Approximately 30 kilometers from Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport.
Distance From Nearest Station: Approximately 2 kilometers from Roma San Pietro railway station.
Best Time To Visit: Spring or fall
9. Explore The Vatican Necropolis
Photo: Carole Raddato / Wikimedia Commons
Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica lies the Vatican Necropolis, an ancient burial site believed to contain the tomb of St. Peter, the first Pope. Visitors can explore this historical marvel, which features Roman-era tombs, mausolea, and artefacts dating back to the 1st century AD. The Vatican Necropolis has multiple entrances, including the Porta di Santa Rosa gate and the Via Paolo VI entrance. Things to do in Vatican City also encompass guided tours that provide insights into this sacred space. Due to limited access, booking in advance is essential for a visit.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 30 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 1 km (Ottaviano Metro Station
Best Time To Visit: April to June and September to October
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM)
Entry Fee: €13 (approximately $14.50 or ₹1,200)
10. Visit The Apostolic Palace
Photo: Livioandronico2013 / Wikimedia Commons
The Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, also known as the Papal Palace or Vatican Palace, is the Pope’s official residence and a symbol of the Catholic Church. Built between 1471 and 1605, it replaced the Lateran Palace. The palace houses the papal apartments, Vatican Library, Vatican Museums, and administrative offices. Things to do in Vatican City include visiting the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms. Around 20 rooms are accessible to the public. The Apostolic Palace is a major tourist attraction in Rome, recognized for its art, architecture, and historical significance.
Distance From Nearest Airport: 30 km (Fiumicino Airport)
Distance From Nearest Station: 7 km (Roma Termini station)
Timings: The attractions of the Apostolic Palace are open between 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. The Vatican is closed on Sundays.
Entry Fee: Standard entry for €17 (approx. $18.50, ₹1,550)
Things to do in Vatican City offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience of faith, history, and art. Whether you marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpieces, climb to St. Peter’s dome, or explore hidden Vatican treasures, each moment is awe-inspiring. Plan your visit wisely to avoid crowds and maximise your experience. A guided tour enhances your understanding of its cultural wealth. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the Pope’s address at St. Peter’s Square. Ready to embark on this sacred journey? Book your exclusive Vatican City travel package with TripXL today.
Cover Photo: Aliona & Pasha / Pexels
