What is the Vatican?

The Vatican is home to some of the world’s most famous museums and churches.

The Vatican is the smallest city in the world and is known for being the centre of Christianity.

Even though a lot of the buildings in the Vatican are hundreds of years old, the Vatican only became an official city on 11 February 1929!

Where is the Vatican?

Vatican City sits inside the centre of Rome. You can easily get to the city from Rome by walking from a nearby bus stop or the Rome Metro. There are also tours where you will see parts of Rome and also the Vatican.

What to see at the Vatican

The Vatican has some important and world-famous Renaissance architecture and artwork that you can see.

• St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s biggest church and is over 350 years old! The Basilica was designed by Michelangelo, Bernini, Bramante, and Maderno.

Today the Basilica is known for being the symbol of Renaissance architecture and where all the Popes are now buried.

• Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museum is considered one of the most famous museums in the world. Inside is the immense collection that all previous Popes have collected since the 17th century. During your time inside the Vatican Musuems, ensure you check out one of the main attractions, the Raphael’s Rooms. These rooms have some magnificent frescos that Pope Julius II commissioned for Raphael to paint.

• Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is the official residence of the Pope and has some world-famous artworks. You can visit the Sistine Chapel via the Vatican Museums to see Michelagelo’s incredible Renaissance frescoes.

• Gardens of Vatican City

The Gardens of Vatican City is owned by the Pope and covers over half of the country. Join a tour and walk the paths of the Vatican Gardens and see the different characteristics of the gardens.

How long do I need in Vatican City?

Depending exactly on what you want to see, you may only need four hours max. Lines for some of the attractions can be very long, so it’s best to book a tour or buy skip the line tickets to avoid waiting.

The best time of year to visit the Vatican is between September to February to avoid the larger crowds during the summer. Outside of summer, tickets, accommodation, and transport can be cheaper as it’s off-peak season.