How to visit the Vatican?

Booking tours of the Vatican is probably the number one thing to do when visiting Rome.  

Officially known as the Vatican City State, the country is the smallest independent state in the world. Home to the Pope, it’s the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church. 

The Vatican also houses some of the world's most famous religious and historical landmarks within its complex. They include: 

• St. Peter's Basilica, the largest Christian church in the world, and 
• the Vatican Museums, home to the Sistine Chapel 

In this post, I’ll be listing the best ways on how to visit the Vatican.

They’ll include the 10 top Vatican tours and the best guided Vatican Museum tours for you to compare. I’ll also provide my reasons as to why I think each Vatican City tour makes a good choice.  

Booking Vatican City tours are a great way to get the most out of your Vatican visit. Some come with a professional expert that will ensure you have the most enjoyable and educational experience.

However, choosing which tour of the Vatican City to book can be a tough choice. This post aims to make the process much easier. 

Ideal material for your Italy bucket list, use this post to help plan your trip to Italy. 

Where is the Vatican? 

The Vatican City State (Città del Vaticano) is located within Rome. It’s not far from the landmark of Castel San Angelo and it sits west of the Tiber River. 

Easily reachable by bus, tram or Metro, the closest Metro stations to the Vatican City are Cipro and Ottaviano. 

Things to know before visiting the Vatican 

Take note of the following things to know before visiting the Vatican: 

• Bring an official form of ID (passport, driver’s license) as you may be asked for some upon entry. The same applies for children 
• Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting the Vatican. You may be refused entry if you don’t adhere to the dress code 
• Everyone must pass through airport-style security before entering The Vatican. During peak season, this can take up to 30 minutes 

How to visit the Vatican 

Join the queue to enter

If you plan to simply enter the Vatican and see St. Peter's Basilica without the museums you can join the queue.

Suffice it to say, the Vatican queues fill up quickly and waiting times can be as long as 3 hours during peak periods.

However, it's free to enter and ideal if visiting Rome on a budget. Needless to say, if you plan to take this option arrive as early as possible to avoid long lines.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel entrance ticket 

One of way of avoiding waiting in long lines for the Vatican is to book entry tickets in advance.

This Vatican City tour is ideal if you just want an entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

It’s a good option if you want to tour the Vatican on your own and at your own pace. 

It also has the bonus of being a skip-the-line ticket plus you get a separate priority entrance to the museums.  

There are options available (at booking) that include an audio guide and access to the Vatican gardens.  

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Official Guided Tour 

If you prefer to visit the Vatican with a knowledgeable guide, consider booking this Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Official Guided Tour. 

Skip the long lines with priority entrance and enjoy in-depth explanations from your guide about the museum’s art and architecture. 

The tour lasts 2 hours. 

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Basilica Tour 

Enjoy a 3-in-1 ticket by booking this Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Basilica Tour. 

This guided walking Vatican tour includes a visit to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. 

The tour lasts from 2.5 to 3 hours. 

Semi-private Papal Audience With Vatican Museum Tour 

Take advantage of the opportunity to book this 3.3hr Semi-private Papal Audience With Vatican Museum Tour.  

Every Wednesday morning, the Pope comes out to greet and bless the audience in St. Peter’s Square. This tour adds something extra to the Vatican Museums tour and it’s also memorable for families visiting the Vatican. 

You must book this tour at least 48 hours in advance.  

Map of the Vatican City State

Private Tour Of The Vatican Museums And Sistine Chapel 

One of the most common complaints about visiting the Vatican are the crowds. And, despite there being reserved entry tickets, there’s no getting around the sheer volume of people.  

But there is a solution and it’s to go private. This Private Tour Of The Vatican Museum And Sistine Chapel lasts for 2.5hr and is reserved for small groups only.  

Prices are around €360 ($381/312) for a group of up to 5 people. Depending on your group’s size, it may be worth considering if it means being able to avoid the mass crowds. 

Early Entrance At Vatican City, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica 

Beat the crowds by booking this Early Entrance At Vatican City, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica tour. 

A private, skip-the-line tour, you’ll enjoy all the attractions within the Vatican City and in relative peace. What’s more, you’ll get exclusive entry to a usually restricted area. 

Combined Vatican Museums Tour and 24-Hr Bus 

Start your morning in the Vatican City by learning about the treasures of Italian art inside the Vatican Museums.  

Once the tour has ended, this Combined Vatican Museums Tour and 24-Hr Bus tour keeps on going. 

Including tickets for the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus, it’s ideal for visiting Rome’s most spectacular landmarks.  

Valid for 24 hours from the time you activate it, you can get on and off as many times as you want. Perfect for families visiting Rome, the tour lasts 2.5 hours. 

Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour 

Discover the best of the Vatican in a single visit on this Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour. 

A professional guide will take you around the key attractions, including the private Papal apartments of the Raphael Rooms. A room often overlooked in favor of the Sistine Chapel, this tour ensures you’ve plenty of time to explore inside. 

The tour lasts 3 hours. 

Guided Tour Of St. Peter’s Basilica With Dome Climb 

Enjoy a Guided Tour Of St. Peter’s Basilica With Dome Climb when visiting the Vatican. Under the guidance of your very own art historian, you’ll learn about the intricate details inside the church. 

To the top

For the second part of the tour, you’ll take the elevator up halfway towards the top of the Dome. From here, it’s a couple of steps before you reach the viewing deck.  

Soak up the views of the mosaics inside the dome before admiring St. Peter's Square and the Vatican Gardens below. 

The tour lasts around 2 hours. 

Private Tour Of St. Peter's Basilica From The Top of Dome To The Underground Grottos 

Treat yourself to a Private Tour Of St. Peter's Basilica From The Top of Dome To The Underground Grottos. 

Lasting around 2 hours, this tour begins with a journey to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica dome. 

From here, your professional guide will tell you about the history and details of Michelangelo’s dome. After this, you’ll have some time to explore and enjoy the birds-eye views over the Vatican City and Rome.  

Skip the long lines and head directly into St. Peter’s Basilica for the next part of your tour. The last part of this Vatican tour will take you underground to the Basilica’s grottoes and to St. Peter’s Tomb.  

What are your thoughts on this post detailing how to visit the Vatican? Are there any of these best Vatican tours you’d like to book? Let me know in the comments below.  

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