Cultural places to visit in Vatican City - the world’s smallest state
Crammed with ancient architecture, vast museums, and manicured gardens, Vatican City merits a full-day visit – or three! If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to explore everything from iconic Saint Peter’s Square to the mesmerizing Sistine Chapel. With a handy combination pass, an expert guide can escort you around all the most famous sights, happily skipping the queues as you go.
Have a look at our top 10 places to visit in Vatican City and see where your visit might lead!
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1. Admire the grandeur of St Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica Credits to: Chait Goli via Pexels
Step inside the biggest building in the centre of Rome. As one of Catholicism’s holiest sites, this intricately designed church is crowned by a stately dome and has interiors so grand they’ll likely leave you speechless.
St. Peter's Baldachin Credits to: Yevhenii Deshko via Pexels
Wind your way past huge frescoes and gaze up at St Peter’s Baldachin, an ornate pavilion-style canopy that looms over the high altar, crafted entirely from bronze by the Baroque sculptor Bernini.
To really get the most out of your visit, Klook for a dedicated access tour – and try not to look too smug as you whizz past the lines with your multilingual guide.
Klook Tip: Make a note not to wear sleeveless tops, shorts, or miniskirts here as a form of respect! If you wear one, bring a shawl to cover up exposed areas.
2. Pop to the pope’s pad at the Apostolic Palace
This is where the pontiff gets his beauty sleep, the Apostolic Palace is made up of various sites, including the Papal Apartments. Although some sections are closed to visitors, you can still access many top attractions such as the Vatican Library and the Vatican Museums.
Credits to: Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz via Pexels
Look out for the Swiss Guard, the pope’s personal army, who still wear their full medieval uniform: striped tunics, white ruffs and plumed helmets!
Credits to: Life On White
Located within the Apostolic Palace, this 15th-century chapel is a must-see monument. As the sacred site of the papal conclave, it’s where cardinals congregate and vote to elect a new pope.
You have to catch the iconic ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (an enormous fresco called The Last Judgement), which was painstakingly painted over four years by Renaissance genius Michelangelo. It is covered with awe-inspiring scenes of the Christian story, featuring over 300 finely detailed figures!
With over five million tourists entering this church annually, make sure to book a fast-track entry pass on Klook to avoid the long queues!
4. Experience culture and creativity at the Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are gigantic: there are 54 galleries, housing more than 70,000 artworks. Just over a quarter of these are on display to the public – that’s over 20,000 individual pieces – so there’s plenty to see!
If you're a fan of visiting museums, don’t miss the chance to get the OMNIA Vatican and Rome Card which gives you entry to this 16th-century complex, as well as over 30 more museums like the Colosseum across Rome!
5. Get snapped in St Peter’s Square
Credits to: Davide Cacciatori via Pexels
St Peter’s Square is an iconic piazza that’s right in front of St Peter’s Basilica! This is the place to come for some seriously Instagrammable photos: as well as the many historic buildings surrounding it, there are imposing colonnades and a giant granite Egyptian obelisk that dates back to 37 AD.
With an I Love Rome bus pass, a double-decker hop-on, hop-off bus will drop you just moments from this renowned landmark.
6. View the hidden treasures of the Vatican Necropolis
Credits to: Official Vatican Museums Website
An underground city of the dead, the Vatican Necropolis is hidden right beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. It is a labyrinthine burial ground and a carefully preserved museum decked out with paintings, woodwork, sculptures and artefacts. It is even believed to contain the bones of Saint Peter the Apostle himself!
You’ll need an advanced reservation to visit, so while you’re waiting for your slot, spend a few hours exploring Rome. Zip around the sights on a fun segway tour or explore the rest of Vatican City before returning just in time for your Necropolis adventure.
7. Discover an ancient culture in the Etruscan Museum
Never heard of the Etruscans? You’re definitely not alone. Dating back to 900 BC, this civilisation is still pretty mysterious, but the National Etruscan Museum is dedicated to changing that. You’ll have your eyes opened by the collection of ivory, bronze and glass artefacts that sit proudly on display.
The museum’s manageable size makes it a good place to squeeze in at the end of your Italy trip, so drop your bags at a nearby luggage storage and enjoy an educational wander over here!
Make sure to also check out the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, one of the most significant Etruscan museums, housing some of the most important and impressive Etruscan artifacts.
8. Peruse the picture-perfect paintings at the Pinacoteca
The Pinacoteca is part of the Vatican Museums, but worthy of its own shout-out for the incredible artwork it houses. If you love Leonardo da Vinci as much as we do, then this is the place for you. Gaze at his unfinished masterpiece Saint Jerome in the Wilderness, then take in world-renowned works by the likes of Caravaggio and Giotto.
The fascinating Angels and Demons Tour, inspired by the book and the film, will set the scene for your visit here – and finishes conveniently close to the gallery.
9. Be transported to Cairo at the Egyptian Museum
There are nine thrilling rooms at the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, each with artefacts you might not expect to find in the heart of Italy. Cast your eyes over Egyptian hieroglyphic-inscribed stones, wooden coffins, and even mummified heads! Learn about Rome’s ancient ties with Cairo as you soak up the thoroughly Egyptian flavour of this 19th-century museum.
For a jam-packed day of discovering historical gems, go on a Vatican and Rome Combo Tour, exploring iconic sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum – be sure to not miss anything!
10. Unwind among the greenery of Vatican Gardens
Credits to: Massimo Merlini from Getty Images Signature
Once you’ve taken in the striking architecture of Vatican City, there’s still more to discover at the meticulously laid-out Vatican Gardens. You’ll need to plan ahead with this one, as the gardens are only open to those with a reservation. Make sure to arrive especially early to catch the fountains, flowers, and landscaped spaces bathed in the morning light!
After a full day of exploration, what's better than cooling down with a refreshing gelato tasting tour, starting just outside the Vatican gates?
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Don’t limit yourselves to Vatican City—Rome and the rest of Italy are calling for you! From marveling at the Sistine Chapel to savoring gelato by the Colosseum or tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, Rome’s got endless surprises awaiting you!
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