Know Before You Go: Visiting the Vatican

Visitors can tour many Vatican attractions, including St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Gardens, and the Necropolis (St. Peter’s Tomb). Other areas inside the Vatican are closed to visitors, including the papal apartments and the administrative offices of Vatican City and the Roman Catholic Church. There are also a few restricted wonders that are normally closed to the public but can occasionally be explored if you join special guided tours run by companies with exclusive access. These areas include the Bramante Staircase, the Niccoline Chapel, and the Cabinet of Masks.

Insider tip: The Vatican generally only opens restricted areas a few times a year, so it takes advance planning to visit them.

If you are simply interested in visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and Square and the Vatican Museums (including the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel), you can tour on your own, with or without an audio guide to help get your bearings. Alternatively, for a more informative, personalized experience, you can visit these highlights with a private guide or as part of a group tour. Some guided tours also offer access to otherwise-restricted parts of the Vatican, including the Gardens, Necropolis, Bramante Staircase, Niccoline Chapel, and Cabinet of Masks.

Insider tip: Skip-the-line tickets are a must for visiting the Vatican Museums—whether you’re using a guide or not. You do not need a ticket to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and Square.

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel can be accessed by purchasing an admission ticket, and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square are free and open to the public (though you have to purchase a ticket once inside if you want to climb to the top of the dome). That said, these important sites overflow with art and architecture, and going alone can be overwhelming. Visiting the Vatican with a tour will help you focus on the highlights, so you can cover more ground, and tours provide historical context to help you understand and appreciate the significance of works by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael.

Insider tip: If you tour the Vatican Museums, you can take advantage of priority access to St. Peter’s Basilica via an internal passage and bypass the long security check outside the church’s main entrance.

A private or small-group guided tour is by far the best way to see the Vatican. Most guided tours include time-saving skip-the-line Vatican Museums tickets, and guides know how to get you to the site’s blockbuster artworks while skirting the crowds. In addition, visiting with a guide will give you a much better understanding of and appreciation for the groundbreaking art and architecture in the galleries, the Sistine Chapel, and the church.

Insider tip: To really beat the crowds, join an early-access Vatican tour that includes admission to the Vatican Museums before they open their doors to the public, plus entry to the Basilica just as the doors are opening.

The only part of the Vatican that is open on Sundays is St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. The Vatican Museums are closed, as are the Vatican Gardens and Necropolis, so if you visit on a Sunday, you’ll only be able to see the church and square. Additionally, Sunday is the day on which Mass is held, so the church and square get very crowded. If you specifically want to visit on a Sunday when the Pope is holding Mass, you’ll need to reserve (free) tickets to attend via the Vatican’s website (other visitors are not permitted entry on those days).

Insider tip: The Vatican Museums are open for free on the last Sunday of each month, but these days draw huge crowds, so navigating through the galleries can be extremely difficult.

The Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica are two of the most popular attractions in Rome, so tickets and tours often sell out—especially in the busy season between May and September. Reserve your private or small-group tour well ahead of your travel dates to ensure that you are able to visit on a date and time that suits your travel schedule. The Basilica is also sometimes closed to the public (for papal events), so keep an eye on the calendar before you try to book.

Insider tip: If you can’t find an available tour at the exact time you want, be flexible. Try to book an early-access tour or check times in the early afternoon when the morning rush is over.

The “best” tour of the Vatican is subjective—what’s best for you will depend on your budget, interests, and group. Group tours are ideal for visiting the Museums and Basilica without breaking the bank, while private tours are more expensive but offer more one-on-one attention and a more relaxed pace. Family-friendly options keep kids engaged with interactive games and activities, while behind-the-scenes access tours are ideal for art and history buffs who want to visit hard-to-access spots. Finally, a tour of the Vatican Gardens is a great add-on for gardening and nature enthusiasts.

Insider tip: Always check your tour inclusions carefully, as there are many different options. Some Vatican Museums tours include a guided visit inside St. Peter’s Basilica, for example, while others leave you to explore the church on your own.

It takes about three hours to cover the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s Square with a guide. If you’re visiting on your own, you’ll need to add extra time as you will have to pass through the main entrance of the basilica where there is a long line to get through security. If you also want to climb to the top of the dome, visit the Vatican Grottoes or Gardens, or tour restricted areas of the Vatican, add at least another hour to your tour time.

Insider tip: If your time is limited, focus your visit on St. Peter’s Basilica. You will have to pass through the security line, but once you’re in the church, you can linger as long as your schedule permits.

The least expensive way to tour the Vatican is with an audio guide. They’re included with many skip-the-line tickets and can also be purchased separately. Group tours are another budget-friendly way to explore the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica; some group tours even include St. Peter’s Dome.

Private tours are the most expensive option. That said, if you’re traveling with a large family or group of friends, they can sometimes actually be the most cost-efficient option. Expect to pay more for tours that include access to the restricted areas of the Vatican, especially if they are private and customized for your group.

Insider tip: St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter, so it’s a great option for travelers on a tight budget. You must, however, purchase a ticket to climb to the top of the dome.

Much of the Vatican, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (located inside the Vatican Museums), is considered a holy site. You’ll need to cover knees, shoulders, and midriffs to enter, but sandals are fine, and you do not need to cover your head. Vatican guards are famously strict about the dress code, so when in doubt, opt for more coverage rather than less. Keep in mind that large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside; there are storage lockers at the Vatican Museums but not at the church entrance.

Insider tip: There are vendors outside of St. Peter’s Square who hawk short-sleeved t-shirts and large scarf-like wraps to visitors who forget the dress code.

Most of the Vatican Museums (with the exception of the Bramante Staircase) are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, and there is a suggested route through the museums that offers a hassle-free way to navigate through the sites; wheelchairs are available at the entrance. The Vatican also offers an accessible tour of the Vatican Gardens. St. Peter’s Basilica is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers though the top of the dome and the Vatican Grottoes can both only be accessed via stairs.

Insider tip: Disabled visitors with a certificate of invalidity of more than 74 percent can enter the Vatican Museums for free along with a companion. Priority admission tickets are available at the reception desk at the museums’ entrance.

How big are the Vatican Museums? There are more than 50 museums and galleries inside the Vatican Museums, with roughly 1,400 rooms and chapels stretching about 9 miles (14 kilometers).

How many steps are there to the top of St. Peter’s Dome? There are 551 steps to the top of St. Peter’s Dome, though there is an elevator that covers part of the climb. If you take the elevator, there are just over 300 steps.

When was the Vatican built? The first basilica erected over St. Peter’s tomb was built in the 4th century, but the current St. Peter’s Basilica was finished in the 17th century. The Vatican Museums were founded in the 16th century but only opened to the public two centuries later.

Is the Vatican a country or a city? The Vatican is a city-state with its own independent government. It is completely surrounded by Rome, and visitors do not need a passport to enter.