9 Best Things to Do in Vatican City
What is Vatican City Most Famous For?
The best things to do in the Vatican City let you explore a rich history that had a major impact on the rest of Europe. The world’s smallest city is one of the most well-known destinations in the world thanks to its incredible sights and religious significance for Catholics.
Throughout the area, you’ll see incredible architectural works in the form of churches and chapels. Local museums are especially enlightening, but there’s nothing quite like visiting a historical spot on your own. Take a look at some of the most famous Vatican City landmarks.
1. Saint Peter’s Basilica
A vast and iconic church
Good for: History, Photo
Saint Peter’s Basilica is a truly iconic church and one of the most prominent in the entire city of Rome. Inside and out, you’ll find impressive architecture and significant works of art. The church as it stands today dates back to the 17th century, but the site it’s built on once contained an ancient church where Saint Peter is allegedly buried.
Inside the church, you’ll find a great many outstanding works of art, including the only work with Michelangelo’s signature. There’s also a bronze baldachin (canopy) that is massive in size and was crafted by Bernini. This unmissable destination is located on the south side of the Vatican City, and it’s so huge, you won’t be able to miss it. Read more
Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Open: Daily from 7 am to 7.10 pm
Phone: +39 06 6988 3462
Saint Peter’s Basilica
2. Sistine Chapel
The Pope’s official residence
Good for: History, Photo
The Sistine Chapel is a famous chapel that’s also the home of the pope, officially. It contains historic artwork by the legendary Michelangelo. The chapel dates back to 1483, when it was officially consecrated under Pope Sixtus IV, although construction wasn’t entirely completed until 1508.
When you visit this chapel, the artwork will probably stand out above all else. On the ceiling of the chapel’s eastern side, you’ll see Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment”, his famous fresco depicting the Second Coming of Christ. The Sistine Chapel is located along the north side of Saint Peter’s Basilica, near the center of Vatican City.
Location: 00120 Vatican City
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +39 06 6988 3145
Sistine Chapel
3. Castel Sant’Angelo
A towering fortress to explore
Good for: History, Photo
Although not technically inside the Vatican City, the nearby Castel Sant’Angelo is a vast fortress, that dates back well over a thousand years to the time of Emperor Hadrian, and now serves as a museum. It was originally founded in the 2nd century as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian, but was eventually turned into a fortress for the papacy.
Inside, you’ll find a variety of artifacts from the time of ancient Rome to the present. Look up to see the statue of Michael the Archangel representing the alleged apparition of Michael sheathing his sword in the year 590. It is perched on the top of the castle. Castel Sant’Angelo is located right across the ancient Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge. Read more
Location: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 7.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +39 06 681 9111
Castel Sant’Angelo
4. Vatican Museums
The Catholic church’s immense collections
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The Vatican Museums are a collection of public museums showcasing the vast collection of the Catholic Church, where you’ll find sculptures and paintings from many centuries. There are about 70,000 works in total in the collection, although only 20,000 are on display at any given time.
Visiting these museums will let you see some truly incredible masterpieces, including sculptures and carved reliefs from the ancient world. Much of the sculpture dates back to antiquity, while the paintings are more likely to be from the Renaissance era. These world famous museums are located by the northern border of the Vatican City. Read more
Location: 00120 Vatican City
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +39 06 6988 3145
Vatican Museums
5. Vatican Gardens (Giardini Vaticani)
Glorious greenery in the Vatican City gardens
Good for: History, Photo
The Gardens of Vatican City consist of a vast greenspace that encompasses a fair portion of the entire city that’s open to the public. These gardens cover about 23 hectares of land, which is most of the Vatican Hill area.
While you explore this lovely area, you’ll find an immaculate landscape boasting colorful flowers, monuments, fountains, and sculptures. While these gardens used to be private, Pope Francis opened them to the public in 2015. You’ll find the gardens stretching out through most of the western side of the city.
Location: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +39 06 6988 4676
Vatican Gardens (Giardini Vaticani)
6. Vatican Necropolis
An ancient, underground burial ground
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The Vatican Necropolis is a city of the dead underneath the Vatican, where you’ll find historic tombs and mausoleums that have been hidden away for centuries. The cemetery dates back to the Roman era, and you’ll find remnants from the 1st and the 4th centuries.
One of the primary allures of this particular attraction is that it is allegedly the burial site of St. Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles and the first pope. Plus, Emperor Constantine’s Temple is here, along with various Christian and Pagan burial sites. You can book a guided tour of the place. It’s located underneath the basilica, on the southern side of the city.
Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Open: Monday–Thursday from 7 am to 7 pm, Friday 7 am to 8 pm, Saturday 7 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +39 06 6988 5318
Vatican Necropolis
7. St Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro)
The iconic site of the Pope’s address
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
St Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro) is an immense public square, famously known as the location where the Pope addresses the people. Even when the Pope is not speaking, it’s worth a visit to take in the lovely surroundings and to appreciate the incredible architecture. The square itself was built in the mid-17th century, and it can hold over 300,000 people.
The square is truly an impressive, imposing space, where you won’t be able to help but feel awe-struck. Towering columns surround you on virtually all sides, with a prominent monolith standing tall in the center at the basilica’s foot. It’s located in the south-eastern corner of the city.
Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
St Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro)
8. Papal Audience
Witness the Pope’s public address
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
The Papal Audience is an unforgettable event in which the pope gives a speech before visitors in Saint Peter’s Square, often followed by prayers and singing. You’ll need to get tickets to the event, but they’re free and relatively easy to claim, depending on when you plan to attend.
A Papal Audience is notably different from a Papal Mass, which is a full Catholic religious service. Christmas- and Easter-time tickets can be challenging to obtain, but you don’t have to plan that far in advance for a typical mid-week audience. You’ll find Saint Peter’s Square in the south-eastern part of the city.
Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Papal Audience
9. Prati
The nightlife-heavy neighborhood next door to the Vatican
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Prati is an neighborhood adjacent to the Vatican that you won’t want to miss out on. It provides easy access to exciting Roman nightlife that you won’t find in the Vatican territory. The district itself is primarily residential, but the nightlife offerings include a good selection of bars and some nightclubs, too.
One of the best benefits of this region is that, while it’s outside of the Vatican, it’s still far from the hustle and bustle of central Rome. That means you get to enjoy a laid back atmosphere during your visit. Prati is located just north of the Vatican City. Read more
Location: Rione XXII Prati Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital
Prati
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.