Best things to do in Vatican City

Vatican City Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Sightseeing Marvels & Why This Tiny Country Packs a Heavenly Punch

If you blink, you might just miss it—but Vatican City is no ordinary speck on the map. Nestled in the heart of Rome’s historic center, this world’s smallest sovereign nation is just 0.49 km² of pure jaw-dropping magnificence. That’s right—this pint-sized powerhouse is home to some of the most famous religious and artistic landmarks in the world. Who said size matters?

Technically formed in 1929 (cheers to the very chill Lateran Treaty between the Catholic Church and Mussolini’s fascist regime), Vatican City has actually been the spiritual HQ of Catholicism for millennia. So whether you're religious, a history buff, or just love a solid photo op, the Vatican belongs on your list of places to visit.

Things to Do in Vatican City: Prepare to Be Spiritually (and Artistically) Overwhelmed

Let’s start with the big one—St. Peter’s Basilica, the literal heart of Vatican City and one of the most top attractions in Europe. Designed largely by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and finished in the 17th century, this baroque beauty is so stunning it might just convert you to something—if only the religion of wow, that ceiling!

Climb to the dome for panoramic sightseeing views of Rome or venture below to the crypts, where past Popes rest eternally (and probably judge your outfit). Outside in St. Peter’s Square, Bernini’s colonnades are ready to welcome you—along with a crowd of tourists and, if you're lucky, an actual Pope sighting. Yes, that can happen.

Must-See Places: Museums, Michelangelo & The Sistine Ceiling That Launched a Thousand Neck Cramps

If you only have time for one museum in your life, make it the Vatican Museums—because technically it’s about twenty museums rolled into one. It’s one of the largest and most impressive art collections on the planet, covering everything from ancient Roman sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces.

The ultimate showstopper? The Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes will have you saying, “Wow, that’s impressive,” and also, “Ow, my neck.” Bonus tip: try not to get shushed by the security guards when you whisper to your friend how ripped Adam looks.

Travel Guide Tips: What You Should Know Before You Go

• Dress modestly (this is still the Pope’s house, folks—short shorts and spaghetti straps are a no-go).

• Book tickets online to skip the infamously long lines.

• Mornings are best for sightseeing—unless you like your sacred spaces with a side of tourist elbow.

• Hungry? Venture just outside the walls for pizza, gelato, and espresso worthy of divine praise.

Final Thoughts: Small But Mighty

Vatican City may be the smallest country in the world, but it delivers a supersized serving of art, architecture, and spiritual grandeur. Whether you're ticking off bucket list places to visit or just popping in to say hi to the Pope, this compact country is one of Rome’s top attractions and a must-stop on any serious Italy travel guide.

After all, where else can you visit a whole country, marvel at Renaissance masterpieces, climb a dome, and maybe get a blessing—all before lunch?

• Sistine Chapel

  In the heart of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope’s residence, is the Sistine Chapel, which is one of the oldest buildings in the Vatican City and contains some of the world’s most priceless works of art. Most notably, the chapel is home to Michelangelo’s mammoth ceiling fresco and his The Last Judgement, both of which were painted in the early 16^th century. As the chapel is part of the Vatican Museums, guided tours are available regularly.

  Skip-the-Line Sistine Chapel

• Saint Peter’s Basilica

  No other church in the Italian Peninsula – maybe even the whole of Europe – can compare to Saint Peter’s Basilica. Consecrated in 1626 after more than a century of construction, the church was the crowning achievement of Michelangelo’s career as an artist-cum-architect and his dome remains one of the world’s largest. Beyond this, the cathedral is notable for Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s imposing baldachin that sits above the altar.

  Saint Peter's Basilica Tour

• Vatican Museums

  Founded in the 16^th century by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums have since expanded into one of the world’s largest collections of art. The museums are housed in the Apostolic Palace and the works displayed range from ancient Egyptian mummies to Etruscan artifacts and pieces of art produced by modern masters. Tickets to the museums also give you access to the dazzling Sistine Chapel.

  Skip-the-Line Vatican Museums Tour

• Vatican Gardens

  While the typical image of the Vatican is of the monumental Saint Peter’s Square, much of the territory is in fact covered with immaculately maintained verdant gardens that can be visited as part of a guided tour. The gardens contain everything from underground grottos to medieval fortifications and grandiose monuments to popes gone by.

  Vatican Gardens Tour

• Saint Peter’s Square

  Dominated by the towering façade of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the square of the same name is one of the most impressive public spaces in Europe. Ringed by colonnaded arcades that funnel visitors towards the vast basilica – they are rightly known as ‘the motherly arms of the church’ – the square is worth lingering in to admire the picture-perfect views of Saint Peter’s.

• Tomb of Saint Peter

  Beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica is the remains of a much earlier church, which was consecrated sometime in the 3^rd century AD by the Roman emperor Constantine. Recent archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of this ancient structure and what is believed to be the even earlier tomb of Saint Peter, who was buried there in the 1^st century AD. Visits to this archaeological treasure trove are by guided tour only.

  Vatican Necropoli Tour

Best places to stay in Vatican City

Vatican City tours featuring Vatican City