Vatican City: A First-Timer’s Guide for What To See and Do

Vatican City is only 0.6 miles long and 0.5 miles wide, making it the smallest country in the world. Along with its tiny size comes a tiny population of fewer than 1000 people, one of which is the Pope – leader of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Vatican City is one of the most sacred places in the world, containing a multitude of religious and culturally significant sites. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in breathtaking architecture. If you want to learn more about the rich history, join our extremely knowledgeable local guides on our The Vatican & Sistine Chapel Walking Tour. Or opt for our Simply Italy 8-Day Tour that will see you embarking on a longer adventure through some of the most beautiful cities in Italy, including Vatican City. 

For a first-time visit to Vatican City, you only need one day to see all the main attractions. Here’s a first-timer’s guide for what to see and do in Vatican City.

St Peter’s Square is situated right at the core of the Vatican City. It’s an ancient plaza sitting directly in front of St Peter’s Basilica. The square can be accessed at any time and it is free to visit. Built during the mid-17th century, the square was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII as he wanted a place for people to gather to witness the Pope giving his blessings. Bernini’s Colonnade rises from the centre of St Peter’s Square and serves as a welcome to the millions of visitors that come here every year from all around the world. From a birds-eye view, the square resembles a keyhole shape, a nod to the keys to heaven and the church that were handed to Peter by Christ.

From St Peter’s Square, you can see a glimpse of the Pope’s living quarters within the Apostolic Palace: the Papal Apartments. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to witness the Papal Address, which typically takes place on Wednesdays (although the schedule can vary). 

On our The Vatican & Sistine Chapel Walking Tour, we’ll visit St Peter’s Square and go into more depth about the history and significance of the square.

St Peter’s Basilica is one of the largest churches ever built and is the focal point of St Peter’s Square. The basilica you see today is actually the second St Peter’s Basilica; the first basilica was built in the 4th century and by the 15th century, it had fallen into such disarray that it was rebuilt into the present-day church.

The basilica is free to visit but must adhere to a strict dress code covering both shoulders and knees. You must also check in any bags or bulky items in your possession. The basilica tends to get very busy, especially during peak season, so it’s best to get there early. There is a fee to climb up St Peter’s Dome and visit the basilica’s treasury but both are well worth it! On your visit to the basilica, you should also visit the Vatican Grottoes underneath the church. These chambers contain the tombs of over 90 popes. However, make sure you visit the Vatican Grottoes last as once you’ve toured them, the exit leads you out of the Basilica. 

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is located within the pope’s official residence and the Vatican Museums. Built in the 15th century, it is one of the most famous buildings in the world. The Sistine Chapel is regarded as the pinnacle of grand Italian architecture with its adorned ceilings and walls painted by the legendary Michangelo! 

Given its popularity, it’s recommended that you book skip-the-line tickets to avoid lengthy queues. Or opt to go on our The Vatican & Sistine Chapel Walking Tour. Our expert guides will be able to provide you with more insight into important paintings within the chapel, such as Michelangelo’s “Last Judgement”, and to explain how the chapel is still used in official ceremonies to this day. 

The Vatican Museums 

Make sure you set aside plenty of time to visit the Vatican Museums as with 54 museums in total, you’ll be hard-pressed to fit them all in. These museums contain collections that are estimated to be worth a staggering €15 billion. The collections amassed by the Catholic Church contain some of the most important Renaissance masterpieces in the world, from famous painters including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to countless others just as famous and others that are a little more obscure.

Some of the must-visit museums within the complex include the Tapestries Gallery, Gallery of the Maps, and the Museum Pio Clementino. We visit all of the aforementioned museums on our The Vatican & Sistine Chapel Walking Tour and you won’t need to worry about pesky queues as skip-the-line Vatican tickets are also included.

The Gardens of Vatican City 

Escape from the bustling St Peter’s Square to the Vatican Gardens that cover more than half of the country! Construction of the gardens began in the 13th century and they contain a collection of sculptures, fountains, and dedications to saints, as well as three garden styles: English, French, and Italian. 

To be able to visit the Vatican Gardens, you need to book a guided tour led by official Vatican staff. Due to this, there aren’t many tourists that visit the gardens which makes it more serene and relaxing. 

Our Longer Tours in Italy

At Italy on a Budget, we believe the best way to see Italy is on one of our longer tours. Our popular Simply Italy 8-Day Tour will take you on a guided tour of Venice, Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, and the Chianti Region. On this incredible tour, you’ll not only get to see all the highlights of Vatican City but you’ll also get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and go for a gondola ride through the Venetian canals. If you would like some more information about our tours or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!