Your cartIn my opinion, it is impossible to visit Rome without even admire the majestic Vatican City. Rome is the centre of the Catholic faith and the destination for many pilgrimages and events with a deeply religious significance. Exactly in the capital city of Italy, you will find some of the best monuments and historic places: just think about St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, the heart of Catholic Church and Vatican City itself.
Here 15 interesting things that will help you plan the perfect visit to Vatican City.
1) When is the best time to visit the Vatican?
Always! I mean Vatican City is enclaved in Rome and its weather conditions are optimal all year round, as the Roman ones. But I think that Springtime is the best moment! When nature is blooming so the city will. The weather is mild and during Easter there are lots of religious celebrations.
However you should not underestimate autumn! The climate is pleasant and the amount of tourists decreases.
2) How to get to the Vatican from airport or train stations?
You can reach Vatican City by train or by bus, whether from Fiumicino or Ciampino airport. Both means of transports will bring you until Termini Station, where you can take the metro A line – the orange one – following Battistini direction and get off at Ottaviano or Cipro stop. Otherwise, you can take a taxi, or you can book a private driver as well.
3) Is Vatican City a country?
Yes, it is the smallest country in the world and its status as the sovereign city-state is universally recognised by the International Law.
4) What to see in Vatican City?
Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with its breathtaking frescoes – like Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgement” – of course! Talking about the Vatican Museums, it is made of 54 sections, for example the Vatican Pinacoteca, Pio-Clementino Museum, Egypt Museum, Raphael Rooms, the Niccoline Chapel, the Gallery of the Maps, the Bramante Staircase and so on. Many artworks by great Italian masters are hosted in the Vatican Museums, such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and many others.
5) How to dress to visit the Vatican?
Being a holy place it has a dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered, even during dog days, or you will not be able to enter Churches. At least put a shawl in your bag or little backpack, just to be sure your entrance won’t be rejected!
6) Where is the entrance?
Viale Vaticano 100, 00192, Rome.
7) Where to eat near Vatican City?
The district around Vatican City is known with the name “Prati”. It is a trendy area where you can find a place for a slice of pizza, a brunch or an Italian “aperitivo” in every corner. You can choose between a sandwich at “Panineria 200 grade”, an aperitif or grilled meat at the popular “La Zanzara”, homemade pasta at traditional taverns like “Zia Rilla” or something ethnic at “Temakinho” with its fusion of Japanese and Brazilian cooking.
All you have to do is choose what you would like to eat and looking around for the right place!
8) How much is a ticket to the Vatican?
Just contact Rome Private Guides booking department. They will be glad to customize the perfect itinerary that fits your needs at best.
Discover our ➡️ Vatican Small Group Tours
9) Do you need a passport to go to the Vatican?
No, you do not need to bring your passport with you. Even if you are entering another state and Vatican City has its own passports, postal service and stamps, bank and euro, telephone system, radio station, pharmacy and national football team too!
10) Is entrance to St Peter's Basilica free?
Yes, you can enter it for free, but you need to queue to get through security – sometimes for a long time–.
But if you purchase the tickets for the Vatican Museums, you will enter the Basilica through a corridor directly from the Sistine Chapel.
11) What time does the Vatican open?
If you choose to enter the Vatican buying your tickets on site, you will enter from 9 am until 6 pm.
However if you book your tour with Rome Private Guides you will have the chance to enter the museums with our pre-purchased skip the line tickets at 8 am, before the Vatican opens its doors to the general public.
12) How do you get to the Sistine Chapel?
You will get there passing through the Vatican Museums – the same ticket will allow you into the Museums and the Sistine Chapel as well! –.
13) How do I skip the lines at the Vatican?
Our booking department. Will help you to beat the crowds and enter the Vatican without queuing!
14) How do you visit the Vatican Gardens?
You can visit Vatican Gardens only accompanied by a guide. The tour lasts around 45 minutes and the tickets include the Sistine Chapel too – this one without the guide –. It will be a visit by minibus and headsets will be provided to each participant.
15) Can you see the Sistine Chapel without crowds?
By booking early entrance tickets you will enter the Museums before the Vatican opens its doors to the general public. In this way you are allowed to enter the Sistine Chapel with few people!
Otherwise, why don’t you visit Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel (St.Peter’s Basilica is not included!) in an unusual way? The Vatican at night is the best chance to visit the Vatican without crowds and enjoying a magical night-time atmosphere – every Friday at 7 pm just in the summertime! –.
The Vatican Museums are some of the largest Museums in the world. The treasure it hosts inside are pieces of art collected by the Popes during the centuries and, as a whole, they create an 8 miles long exhibition.
The wide variety of artworks gathered will allow everybody to find something that suits their own interests.
If you are planning to visit Rome, you can’t miss a tour of Vatican City!
