Looking for the full Rome experience? Be sure to squeeze in the Vatican City into your itinerary! Apart from serving as the center of the Roman Catholic Church, this small city-state is rich with historical artifacts, vibrant art, and great architectural landmarks that you won’t want to skip.
Photo credit: Fabio Fistarol on Unsplash
And your visit doesn’t have to be expensive either. Save up on guided tour costs by DIY-ing your own Vatican tour. This gives you more flexibility to explore the city’s iconic spots at your own pace. Plus, you can easily tailor your trip to your interests!
In this guide, we’ll share tips on how to get to the city, the best times to visit, some travel essentials, top attractions, and how you can maximize a full day exploring the Vatican.
How to get from Rome’s city center to the Vatican City
No matter if you’re coming straight from the airport or from Rome’s city center, there are many transport options at your disposal. Check out how you can get to Vatican City:
By public transport
One of the most accessible and cheapest transport options is to hop on the metro train (around 2 euros). You can take Metro Line A (also known as the Orange Line) to either Ottaviano-San Pietro or Cipro station. And once you’re there, it’s just a short 5-10 minute walk to St. Peter’s Square.
Photo credit: Max Avans on Pexels
Klook tip: If you’re thinking of exploring most of Rome’s top attractions, make sure to book a Roma Pass or Omnia Card in advance. There are 24-hour to 72-hour packages that include access to public transportation, with some even offering discounts or admission to museums and monuments. ]
If you’re coming straight from the airport, you can ride the Leonardo Express Train to Termini (Rome’s main train station) before transferring over to Metro Line A. The total travel time from the airport is around 40 minutes.
From the city center, bus routes 40, 49, 64, 62, and 81 all have a stop at the Vatican. Bus 40 is especially convenient as it offers an express service from Termini Station. You can also jump on Tram 19, which stops at Piazza Risorgimento, only a quick 5-minute walk from the Vatican Museums.
By hop-on hop-off tourist bus or bus transfers
If you’re looking for something a little more tourist-friendly? Hop-on, hop-off tourist buses are another great way to get to the Vatican. You can opt for 1-day hop-on, hop-off bus tickets with audio guides. Or, you can get an Omnia Card and Roma Pass package to access hop-on, hop-off buses, tourist attractions, and other public transportation, all in one booking.
If you’ve just landed in the city, there are also direct bus transfers from Fiumicino Airport to Rome that you can take aside from the express train.
By taxi or ride-sharing services
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If you’re willing to spend a little extra (around 15 to 20 euros) for comfort, then taxis and ride-sharing apps like Uber and Free Now are convenient ways to get to the Vatican. The travel time takes roughly 15 minutes tops.
Klook tip: Plan and make sure you always have mobile data by getting a Europe 5G eSim. Being ready means you’ll easily be able to access your ride-sharing apps, no matter where you are in the city.]
Best times to visit
Seasonal Considerations
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The Vatican’s peak tourist season is during summer, from June to August. If you want to avoid the crowds while still enjoying pleasant weather, we recommend visiting the city during the shoulder seasons of April to May or September to October.
Although you can expect a bigger crowd, the Holy Week is another great time to visit. It usually happens around March to April and is considered one of the most important periods in the Catholic calendar. During this time, you can look forward to liturgical events like Palm Sunday Mass and Easter Mass (usually led by the Pope).
Day and Time Tips
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For a smoother, less crowded experience, try to visit the Vatican on weekdays, mainly Tuesday to Friday. Coming in earlier in the morning helps too. This gives you a chance to explore the museums and appreciate all the art without feeling too rushed.
Wednesdays are especially eventful because that’s when the weekly papal audience takes place.
Photo credit: Christian Lendl on Unsplash
DIY 1-Day Vatican Tour
As challenging as it seems, exploring the Vatican’s top attractions in a day is definitely doable! You just need a little bit of planning. Come along with us and start noting down some places to include in your DIY Vatican tour.
In the morning
Start your day off with a visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Mornings are usually less crowded, making it the perfect time to explore the famous sites.
Klook tip: Just a heads up that there’s going to be a lot of walking around the city. So before you start your Vatican tour, make sure to eat a good breakfast and put on some comfy clothes and trusty walking shoes!
Discover the city’s art and history at the Vatican Museums
Home to a massive collection of art and historical artifacts, the Vatican Museums display around 20,000 pieces accumulated by the Catholic Church over centuries. And did you know? They rank as one of the world’s most visited museums, second only to the Louvre in France.
You can walk through a total of 24 galleries, including the stunning Pio-Clementino Museum and Raphael Rooms, which showcase beautiful ancient sculptures. You can also tour the Chiaramonti Museum (filled with Egyptian and Etruscan relics) and the Vatican Historical Museum (featuring papal treasures).
And while you’re here, you can also check out the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the winding Bramante Staircase.
Klook tip: Feeling overwhelmed? If you only have a day to explore the city, it’s a good idea to do your research and pick out only a few key artworks or galleries that you really want to see!
Look up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Photo credit: Ilia Bronskiy on Pexels
After wandering through the endless galleries of the Vatican Museums, you'll finally arrive at the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
Don’t forget to look up to admire the chapel’s high vaulted ceiling. Adorned with Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, it features scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the Creation of Adam and Eve, as well as the story of Noah and the Great Flood.
Open Hours for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel:
- Mondays to Saturdays - 8 am to 8 pm (final entry at 6 pm)
- Every last Sunday of the month (free entry) - 9 am to 2 pm (final entry at 12:30 pm)
Klook tip: Silence is key here, so remember to keep your voices down. If you're part of a private tour, you'll receive earphones to enjoy your guide's insights.
From midday to the afternoon
After grabbing some lunch, head over to the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square and take a moment to appreciate the beautiful architecture.
Do note that the crowds usually start getting bigger around this time, but don’t let that stop you from seeing the city’s best spots.
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica and see La Pietà in person
St. Peter’s Basilica is a focal point of the Vatican City and a definite must-see on your Vatican tour. This church is one of the largest in the world, known for its grand columns, exquisite mosaics, and famous sculptures.
It’s also believed to be the spot where St. Peter is buried, making it an important site for Catholics and visitors alike.
Inside the Basilica, you’ll find Michelangelo’s stunning Pietà sculpture and the enormous main dome, which you can climb for a panoramic view of Rome. If you’re thinking of heading up to the dome, make sure to book a ticket first since there’s an entrance fee.
Admire the sights around St. Peter’s Square
After exploring the Basilica, step outside into the grand open space of St. Peter’s Square. It’s usually the first stop on many Vatican tours, but we recommend putting it at the tail end of your itinerary so you can relax as you take in the architecture of the square.
First thing you’ll notice here is the central obelisk, over 25 meters tall, and surrounded by two beautiful fountains. It was brought over from Egypt to Rome, making it an important piece of history. You can also look up to see 140 statues of saints sitting atop the colonnade, all watching over the square.
And fun fact! The whole area can hold up to 300,000 people, so there’s plenty of space, even during busy periods like the Holy Week.
Photo credit: Ricardo Loaiza on Unsplash
Open Hours for St. Peter’s Basilica:
- Summer period (1 April - 30 September) Daily from 7 am to 6 pm
- Winter period (1 October - 31 March) Daily from 7 am to 5 pm
Additional Info:
- The basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings for the Papal Audience.
- It has modified hours during holidays.
- The dome usually opens 30 minutes later and closes slightly earlier than the rest of the Basilica. ]
Optional side quests
If you’ve still got time for some extra stops, don’t hesitate to add these to your itinerary.
Take a detour to Castel Sant’Angelo
Photo credit: Angelo Casto on Unsplash
About a 30-minute walk away from the Vatican, you’ll find a towering archeological site, the Castel Sant'Angelo. It was originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and over the centuries, served as a papal residence and military fortress in Rome.
It’s now transformed into a museum, where you can learn more about its extensive history and enjoy scenic views of the Tiber River.
Open Hours for Castel Sant’Angelo:
- Tuesdays to Sundays - 9 am to 7:30 pm (final entry at 6:30 pm) ]
Explore the underground Vatican Necropolis
Tucked beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Necropolis is a hidden gem that makes you feel like you’re stepping into an ancient underground city. Its narrow paths are lined with both brick and beautiful mosaics, with its key highlight being the believed tomb of Saint Peter.
With only about 250 visitors allowed each day, it’s a good move to book a private tour in advance for a more intimate experience.
Open Hours for Vatican Necropolis:
- Mondays to Fridays - 9 am to 4:15 pm (final entry at 3:30 pm)
- Saturdays - 9 am to 12:30 pm (final entry at 12:30 pm)
Other travel tips
Before you head over to the city, consider these additional travel tips, including dress codes and some go-to souvenir shops and restaurants:
Dress code:
- Modest and respectful (especially when entering religious sites like St. Peter’s Basilica)
- Shoulders and knees should be covered
- Avoid wearing short shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops
- Bring a sweater or a shawl to cover up bare shoulders
Religious souvenir spots:
- The Vatican Gift Shop
- Comandini
- Mondo Cattolico
- Borgo Pio street
Places to eat:
- Il Segreto
- Pizzarium
- Caffetteria Ruberto
- Sciascia Caffè
- La Nicchia Café
- Gelateria dei Gracchi
Ready to kick off your Vatican adventure?
Now that you’re more familiar with the Vatican City’s best offerings, start setting things in motion and book your activities ahead of time. And, if you’re venturing beyond the Vatican, be sure to check out the Klook Pass Rome for easy access to other popular sites. Happy exploring!
FAQs about Vatican tour
Which tour of the Vatican is best?
This depends on your preference, travel style, time, and budget. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly and flexible, DIY tours, skip-the-line tickets, and audio guides are the way to go.
On the other hand, if you want to hear fascinating stories and have a more in-depth grasp of the Vatican’s rich history, guided tours or small private tours are your best bet.
Is it worth getting a guided tour of the Vatican?
Many visitors find that guided tours are well worth the money. Aside from perks like skipping long entry lines, a good tour guide can bring places to life with stories, additional historical context, and important highlights.
Can I wear jeans to the Vatican?
Yes, you can wear jeans to the Vatican, as long as they are modest. Avoid ripped, extremely tight, or overly distressed jeans, and you’re good to go.
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