Vatican City Travel Guide: 10 Must-See Attractions and Ticket Purchases

Want to visit the Vatican? This guide will tell you what must-see attractions and recommended activities are in this city-state known as the Holy See.

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican. The world’s smallest country is located west of the Tiber River (Italian: Tevere) and is visited by millions of pilgrims and tourists every year. Most tourists visit the must-see attractions in the Vatican, such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel.

Vatican City Timetable

• St. Peter’s Basilica: April 1 – September 30, open from 7am to 7pm. October 1 – March 31, open from 7am to 6.30pm.
• Cathedral Dome: Winter opening hours (October to March): 8am to 5pm daily. Summer opening hours (April to September): 8am to 6pm.
• Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums: Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (last admission 5:45 pm). Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (last admission 7:45 pm).

How to Get to the Vatican

• Metro: Line A, Ottaviano or Cipro stations
• Bus: 492, 49, 23 and 81.

1. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums (Italian: Musei Vaticani) are 11 in total and are considered one of the best museums in the world, housing many of the most famous paintings, sculptures and art masterpieces collected by successive popes over the centuries. Tickets cost 16 euros per adult. You may consider booking your tickets online (4 euros extra, purchased on the official website) to avoid long lines. Please note that the entrance to the museums is not in St. Peter’s Square, but on the right side of the square, a 10-15 minute walk away. Please check the map . You can also check the website for the museums’ closing days, which are many throughout the year.

How to visit the Vatican Museums without waiting in line?

– You can buy your tickets for the Vatican Museums in advance through the official Vatican website. This means you don’t have to queue up on site to buy your tickets. However, you will have to wait in a short line for other people who have bought tickets in advance like you to collect them. You will also have to go through security like everyone else.