Guide to Vatican City

Vatican City (Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano; Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae) is the world's smallest country both by area and by population, and is the centre of Catholicism. This tiny country completely within Rome is packed with more history and artwork than most cities in the world, and indeed many countries. St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are all in Vatican City.

This article also covers the nearby Roman neighbourhoods of Borgo and Prati, which measure 49 and 127 hectares respectively (compared to the Vatican's 49 hectares).

The Vatican City is the temporal seat of the Pope, head of the worldwide Catholic Church. Situated within the city of Rome, the Vatican is the world's smallest sovereign state. You may also hear the term Holy See (Italian: Santa Sede; Latin: Sancta Sedes), which is used to refer to the Diocese of Rome—that is, the ecclesiastical and administrative authority of the Pope, rather than the sovereign governmental entity that is the Vatican City State.

Whenever a Pope dies or resigns, a new Pope is elected by the Papal Conclave, which is comprised of a group of senior clergy known as cardinals. The election takes place inside the Sistine Chapel, whose doors are locked during the proceedings. The ballot papers are burnt after each round of voting, with black smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicating that the previous round of voting was inconclusive and white smoke indicating that a new Pope has been chosen. After changing into his Papal vestments, the new Pope is then presented to the public from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

History

Vatican City is all that remains of the Papal States, the former temporal land holdings of the Pope. Over the years, this territory varied considerably in extent, and may be traced back to AD 756 with the "Donation of Pepin". However, the popes had been the de facto rulers of Rome and the surrounding province since the fall of the Roman Empire and the retreat of Byzantine power in Italy. Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the Pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome was annexed.

Disputes between a series of "prisoner" Popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City, granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy, recognised the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent. In 1984, the agreement was revised to eliminate Catholicism's position as the only state religion of Italy, but the essential features of the agreement remain in force today.

Diplomacy

The Holy See — the headquarters of the Catholic Church which is housed in Vatican City — has diplomatic recognition from the overwhelming majority of countries in the world and has permanent observer status in numerous international organisations, including the United Nations General Assembly.

Although there are apostolic nuncios (equivalent to ambassadors, also known as Papal nuncios or just nuncios) in many foreign capitals, due to its limited size the Vatican does not house any diplomatic missions; instead, foreign embassies to the Holy See are based in other parts of Rome. This means that Italy hosts its own Embassy of Italy to the Holy See. The diplomatic mission of the Holy See in a foreign country is known as an apostolic nunciature.

According to an agreement between the Holy See and Italy, foreign missions to Italy are not allowed to double as missions to the Holy See. Therefore, many countries have two embassies in Rome: one to Italy and another to the Holy See. Other countries that maintain diplomatic relations with the Holy See but don't have a second embassy in Rome have their missions in another country (usually in Bern, Switzerland) double as representatives to the Holy See.

Terrain

The Vatican is between 19 m (62 ft) and 75 m (246 ft) above sea level. With a perimeter of only 3.2 km (2 mi), the Vatican City is not just the smallest country in the world, it's smaller than some shopping malls! Most of the area consists of the Vatican Gardens.

Population

Although 1,000 people live in Vatican City, many dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican. It has about 800 citizens, making it the smallest nation by population on the globe. The Vatican fields a football team composed of members of the Swiss Guard, who hold dual citizenship.

Read

• Inside the Vatican (2009) by Bart McDowell, National Geographic Society, 978-1426204500. A light run-through of the history of the Vatican, with a particular focus on some of the recent popes. It is illustrated with extensive photographs of the going-ons in this tiny country.

Tourist information

• Vatican City State website

Although the Vatican City is an independent country, it does not issue visas or residency permits to visitors; it has open borders with Italy.

Since Italy is a part of the Schengen area, its common visa policy applies.

By foot

There are three road entrances to Vatican City: from Via della Stazione Vaticana, Via Paolo VI and Borgo Pio. The entrance from Borgo Pio leads to the Vatican Museum, and the other two entrances lead to St. Peter's Basilica.

By bus

There are several bus stations near the Vatican City. For the St. Peter's Basilica and Square, the #64 bus goes from central Rome right to the southern end of the Vatican, but it is filled with pickpockets so guard your valuables! From western Rome, the #46 bus also goes to St. Peter's Basilica and Square.

For the Vatican Museums, the #49 bus goes from western Rome to the northern end of Vatican City. The gate to the Vatican Museums is carved on the wall right beside the bus station.

By metro

Take the metro to for the museums, and for St. Peter's. To go from Cipro to the museums, go east through Via Candia and then turn right at Via Santamaura. To go from Ottaviano to St. Peter's, go south through Via Ottaviano. A fun trip is to take the tram to Piazza del Risorgimento.

Tour touts are often seen near Ottaviano station, and some may falsely claim that St. Peter's Basilica is closed (see Common scams).

By train

Roma San Pietro station is just south of the Vatican's borders. The Vatican has its own train station, however, there are no regular scheduled passenger services. Historically, it has been used by the Pope for special travel on Italian rail or to send off papal remains.

By plane

There is a heliport that is only used by the Pope. The closest airport is the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) of Rome.

On foot

With an area of 49 ha and a population of about 1,000 residents, the Vatican is small enough to be explored on foot. You can easily cover the Vatican in 30-60 minutes this way.

By car

It's a little-known fact that the Vatican issues vehicle registration plates.

Visitors (including Italian citizens) are not allowed to drive around the Vatican without permission from the Vatican authorities. Unless you're here for something incredibly important (e.g. the Pope wants to meet you personally, you are here on diplomatic business, you're an Italian policeman and you've been asked to patrol St. Peter's Basilica) it's highly unlikely that you'll be given permission to drive around.

In any case, you don't need to drive around to fully take in the beauty of the Vatican; the country's road network is small and limited.

Some streets of Borgo and most streets in Prati have one way traffic. Parking in the streets is available, but it will be difficult to find a free place. Big parkings are located SE of St. Peter's Square and under Piazza Cavour.

Also in this library: Italian phrasebook

The official languages of the Vatican are Italian and Latin.

Latin enthusiasts, rejoice! This is the only country in the world where Latin is an official language. Some members of the clergy (not everyone, however) know some Latin, and the Catholic Church routinely uses the language for official documents and announcements.

If you don't know any Latin, do not despair; Italian is the more widely spoken of the two official languages and is the working language of the Vatican.

Since the Vatican is home to and visited by people from all over the world, you can get by with English.

There is a lot of artwork to see in Vatican City.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

The centre of the Catholic world, this magnificent basilica with its Michelangelo-designed dome has an awe-inspiring interior. This place is huge, but everything is in such proportion that the scale escapes you. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not the Pope's cathedral; that honour lies with the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in San Giovanni.

Hours

Apr-Sep: 07:00-19:00, Oct-Mar: 07:00-18:00. Closed on Wed mornings for papal audiences and may be closed for other occasions.

Price

Free

Listing reviewed

2022-08-19

Local name

Basilica di San Pietro

Official website

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Construction of the basilica began in 1506 and it was not completed until the end of 1626. Thus it spans two architectural periods. The overall design by Bramante and Michelangelo is Late Renaissance but the façade designed by Maderno and the interior, which owes much to Bernini, are both Baroque in style. The interior is lavishly decorated and contains a large number of tombs of popes and others. There are also several sculptures in side chapels, including Michelangelo's Pietà.

A queue to enter may be long, but it moves quickly. All visitors pass through metal detectors and bags are screened. Visitors in very short shorts and skirts, and sleeveless tops, are offered a cover just before the entry. Photos are allowed to be taken inside, but not with a flash. Visits to the basilica are still possible while Mass is in progress.

• The dome, which dominates Vatican City, has a total height of 136.57 m (448 ft) from the floor of the basilica to the top of the external cross. It is the tallest dome in the world. Its internal diameter is 41.47 m (136 ft), slightly smaller than the Pantheon and the cathedral at Florence. Most of the final design was by Michelangelo, building on earlier designs by Bramante and Sangallo and taking much of his inspiration from the cathedral of Florence. After Michelangelo's death in 1564, the work was completed by Giacomo della Porta. You can take an elevator up to the roof and then make a long climb up 323 steps to the top of the dome for a spectacular view. Taking the elevator costs €10 (€8 to climb the stairs) and you should allow an hour to go up and down. During the climb and before reaching the very top, you will find yourself standing on the inside of the dome, looking down into the basilica itself. Be warned that there are a lot of stairs so it is not for the faint at heart (literally or figuratively) nor those suffering from claustrophobia as the very last section of the ascent is through little more than a shoulder-width spiral staircase. The dome opens one hour after the basilica and closes one hour before the basilica.
• In the first chapel on the right (nr. 9 on the map) as one enters the basilica is a Pietà, the first of four works on the same theme by Michelangelo depicting the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion. The sculpture, in Carrara marble, was made for the funeral monument of the French Cardinal Jean de Billheres and was moved to its current location in the eighteenth century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed. In 1972 the Pietà was attacked by a mentally disturbed person using a geologist's hammer, which is why it now appears behind a bullet-proof glass wall. Reconstruction was not helped by the fact that some onlookers helped themselves to fragments after the attack.
• Underneath the altar in the second chapel on the right (nr. 13 on the map) are the remains of Pope John Paul II.
• The first chapel in the south aisle, on the left as you enter, is the baptistry (nr. 93 on the map). The font is a fourth-century sarcophagus but its lid comes from another sarcophagus, which held the remains of Emperor Hadrian. This lid was dropped by workmen, broke into ten pieces, and was subject to expert restoration, with the gilt-bronze figure of the "Lamb of God" being added at that time. The tomb of Pope Alexander VII, towards the end of the aisle (nr. 47 on the map), is by Bernini and is considered a masterpiece of Baroque art. The tomb is supported by four female figures. The two at the front represent Charity and Truth. The foot of Truth rests upon a globe of the world, her toe being pierced by the thorn of Protestant England. The Baroque period coincided with the Reformation and St. Peter's was seen as an affirmation of Catholicism.
• The central internal feature is the Bernini-designed baldachin, or canopy (nr. 64 on the map), built over the Papal Altar underneath the dome. The baldachin had to be enormous to avoid being overwhelmed by the size of the basilica. To obtain the quantity of bronze required, Bernini was given permission by Pope Urban VIII to strip it from the portico of the Pantheon. It is considered to be one of the great works of the Baroque period and remains the largest bronze sculpture in the world.
• Against the north-east wall of the dome is a statue of St. Peter (nr. 71 on the map). One foot of the statue has been largely worn away by pilgrims kissing it over the centuries. Set in niches under the dome are four statues associated with holy relics held in the basilica including one of St. Longinus holding the spear that pierced the side of Jesus, by Bernini.
• In the apse, at the far end of the basilica, is a large bronze throne (nr. 39 on the map), also by Bernini. Known as the "Cathedra Petri" or throne of St. Peter the throne houses a chair which was claimed to have been used by Saint Peter, but is more likely to date from the twelfth century.

Free 90-minute tours leave daily from the Tourist Information Centre at 14:15, many days also at 15:00. +39 06-6988-1662. €5 audio-guides can be rented from the cloakroom.

The Pope

If you want to see the Pope, you can either see a usual blessing from his apartment at the Apostolic Palace on noons on Sundays, just show up (but in the summer he gives it from his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, 25 km from Rome) or you can go to the more formal Wednesday appearance. The pope arrives in the popemobile at 10:30 to bless crowds from a balcony or platform, except in winter, when he speaks in the Aula Paolo VI Auditorium next to the square. You can easily watch from a distance, or get a free ticket, which you must get on the Tuesday before. There are a number of ways:

• Your hotelier may be able to book one for you
• You could wait in a long line at St. Peter's on Tuesday where the Swiss Guards hand out tickets at their post to the right of the basilica, after 12:00 on Tuesday
• You could book a ticket directly from the Vatican's website
• Finally, to book a free spot in the square or auditorium, +39 06-6988-4631

The pope also gives masses during Christmas and Easter. He may occasionally be away on a state visit, however. Please note that all of the above is also dependent on the state of the Pope's health — as seen during Pope Francis' pneumonia crisis in February 2025, health issues may impede the ability of the Pope to hold the usual audiences and blessings.

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Square

Most of the Piazza di San Pietro is actually an oval. There is a small, almost rectangular section immediately in front of the St Peter's and an opening to the Via della Conciliazione opposite the basilica.

Phone

+39 06 6982

Hours

Open 24 hours

Price

Free admission

Local name

Piazza di San Pietro

Official website

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There are two stones (one on each side of the square) between the obelisk and the fountains. If you stand by either of these stones, the four columns on the colonnades merge into one. In total there are 284 columns. When Bernini came to design the piazza he had to incorporate the obelisk and a fountain designed by Maderno, both of which were already there. The symmetry of the square was enhanced by the addition of another fountain, designed by Bernini.

The obelisk in the middle of the square was transported from Egypt to Rome in 37 AD by Emperor Gaius Caligula to mark the spine of a circus eventually completed by Emperor Nero. The so-called Circus of Nero was parallel to and to the south of the east-west axis of the current Basilica. It was here that Saint Peter was killed in the first official persecutions of Christians undertaken by Nero beginning in 64 AD, and continuing until his death in 67 AD. The original location of the obelisk is marked with a plaque located near the sacristy on the south side of the basilica, where it remained until it was moved in 1586 AD by Pope Sixtus V to its present location.

During the Middle Ages, the bronze ball on top of the obelisk was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar. When it was relocated it was opened and found to be empty. The present reliquary, the Chigi Star in honor of Pope Alexander VII, was added containing pieces of the "True Cross". This is the only Egyptian obelisk in Rome that has never toppled since being erected in Ancient Rome and is the second largest Egyptian obelisk after the Lateran obelisk. The obelisk nearly shattered while it was being moved. Upon orders of the pope, no one was to speak a word while it was being moved otherwise they would be excommunicated. However, a sailor shouted to water the ropes to prevent them from burning. He was forgiven and in gratitude for saving the day, the palms for Palm Sunday still come from the sailor's home town of Bordighera in Portugal. The moving of this obelisk was celebrated in engravings during its time to commemorate the Renaissance's recovery and mastery of ancient knowledge.

Until the Fascist era visitors approached St. Peter's Square from the Tiber River by two narrow parallel streets that did not provide the same views as seen today. Mussolini dictated that a warren of poor houses be knocked down to make way for the Via della Conciliazione and the new buildings alongside it. The name of the street commemorates the Lateran Treaty of 1929, under which the Vatican was recognised as an independent state by the Italian government.

The square is generally very crowded, even on weekdays, even during rain. Many times during the year, it will be full of barricades, tents or other objects. Do not have high hopes of getting a good picture of yourself in the St. Peters square without the crowd or other obstructions.

The Vatican Museum

The Vatican Museum

One of the greatest art galleries in the world, the museum is most famous for its spiral staircase, the Raphael Rooms and the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel famous for Michelangelo's frescoes.

Address

Viale Vaticano

Directions

Main (outside) entrance at Viale Vaticano e Via Tunisi. Visitors are initially divided into those who booked their tickets online and those who will be queuing at the box office. There are several queues before the entry. Ask which one to join based on your entry time. If your ticket includes a tour, validate the ticket in the guided tours office.

Phone

+39 06 69884676

Email

info.mv@scv.va

Hours

Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00 (ticket office closes at 16:00), Sun closed (except last Sun of the month, when it is free, crowded, and open 09:00-14:00 with the last admission at 12:30). The museum is closed for holidays on Jan 1 and 6, Feb 11 and 22, Mar 19 and 28, Jun 29, Aug 15, Nov 1, and Dec 8 and 26

Price

€16 adults, €8 concessions. Additional €4 booking fee per ticket if booked online in advance. As of 2025, the number of visitors is extremely high and often the only tickets available to book online include a guided tour - €40 per person.

Listing reviewed

2022-08-19

Official website

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Much of the museum is organised so you follow a one-way route leading to Raphael's rooms and the Sistine Chapel but there is much more to see as well. If you are very short of time, it will take at least an hour to visit the Sistine Chapel.

The Museum is usually crowded on Saturdays, Mondays, the last Sunday of the month, rainy days, and days before or after a holiday but, basically, it is crowded every day and if you want to see the gems that it contains you will have to tolerate the crowds or sign up to very expensive private tours after the museum is closed to everyone else. Dress code: no short shorts or bare shoulders. There are often lengthy queues from the entrance that stretch around the block in the early morning. Non-guided visitors should join the queue that is to the left as you are facing the entrance; the queue on the right is intended for guided group visitors. You can book online in advance and with a booking, you can skip the queue. Audio-guides are available from the top of the escalator/ramp for €7. Two people can share a single unit plugging in a standard set of earphones.

• The Sistine Chapel is a rectangular brick building with no exterior decoration. There is no exterior entrance, it being approached from within the Vatican buildings. Inside, the walls are divided into three levels. The lower is decorated with frescoed wall hangings. The middle of the walls has two cycles of paintings, "The Life of Moses" and "The Life of Christ", painted by Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Signorelli, Pinturicchio and Perugino, among others. The upper tier contains a Gallery of Popes. Around the tops of the windows are the "Ancestors of Christ", painted by Michelangelo as part of the ceiling. The ceiling proper contains nine paintings inspired by the Old Testament, showing God's Creation of the World, God's Relationship with Mankind, and Mankind's Fall from God's Grace. Michelangelo was reluctant to work on the ceiling but was unable to refuse an instruction by a pope, Julius II. He worked on it between May 1508 and October 1512, which included a one-year period when he did little work. Given that most of the painting was done by Michelangelo himself, rather than his pupils, completing it in such a short period was an amazing achievement. The ceiling had to be worked on piece by piece as frescoes require painting when the plaster is still damp and most of the time Michelangelo was lying on his back in considerable discomfort.

Photography and video recording are not allowed. Visitors are expected to be quiet at all times. The guards will regularly remind you of this.

• Raphael's papal apartments (Stanze) were begun in 1508 when the painter was summoned to Rome by Pope Julius II. The first room on which he worked was the Stanza della Segnatura, the pope's library and office. The four walls have the themes of Theology, Poetry, Jurisprudence and Philosophy. The Poetry wall contains portraits of Greek and Ancient Roman poets, as well as of contemporaries of Raphael, such as Dante. The most impressive of the four walls is The School of Athens, representing philosophy. Well-known Greek philosophers are represented, often with the faces of famous Italians of the time. Plato, for example, is believed based on Leonardo da Vinci; Euclid appears to be like Bramante, the first architect for the rebuilt St. Peter's. In the Stanza d'Eliodoro one of the characters bears a likeness to Raphael himself. Pope Julius II is also introduced into the scenes.
• It would be a big mistake to just visit Raphael's rooms and the Sistine Chapel and then leave the museum. The Pinacoteca should not be missed. Among other works of art, it contains one of the relatively few paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, the unfinished St. Jerome in the Wilderness, three paintings by Raphael, a triptych by Giotto, Caravaggio's Entombment and works by Perugino and Filippo Lippi.
• The contemporary art collection can be seen just before the Sistine Chapel. It includes the works of Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse and other masters. Photography is permitted.

Swiss Guard

Swiss Papal Guards

They are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope. They wear very colourful clothing, similar to the uniforms worn by Renaissance-era soldiers. The Pontifical Swiss Guards is also the smallest and oldest standing army in the world, founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II. The origins of the Swiss guards, however, go back much further as the popes had regularly imported Swiss mercenaries during the 1400s.

Local name

Corpo della Guardia Svizzera

Official website

Borgo and Prati

Castel Sant'Angelo

Perhaps the most fascinating building in Rome. The core of the structure began life as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, built between 135 and 139 AD. Subsequent strongholds built on top of the mausoleum were in turn incorporated into a residence and castle by medieval Popes. The building was used as a prison until 1870 but now houses a museum. Opera buffs will be exhilarated to visit the balcony from which Tosca leaps to her death. Film buffs will recognise it as a setting from Angels and Demons.

Address

Lungotevere Castello 50

Phone

+39 06 32810

Hours

Daily 09:00-19:30 (last entry 1h before closing)

Price

€10, with reductions. Roma Pass accepted

Listing reviewed

2022-08-19

Official website

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Passetto di Borgo

Pope Nicholas III connected Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's by a covered fortified corridor called the Passetto di Borgo. This proved useful for Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome (1527). You can still see much of the Passetto by walking along the Borgo Sant'Angelo, which runs parallel to, and north of, the Via della Conciliazione.

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Palazzo di Giustizia

Wandering around the shopping and residential district of Prati, close to the Vatican, you may notice rather a lot of lawyers' nameplates outside buildings. This is also Rome's legal district because of the proximity of the Palazzo di Giustizia or Palace of Justice. This massive monstrosity on the banks of the Tiber was built on alluvial soil, which necessitated a concrete platform to support the foundations. Despite this, later settlement of the building led to the need for restoration work in 1970 and it is said to be still sinking. There were many allegations of corruption during its construction, something not unknown in the Rome of today, and this, combined with its appearance, gave rise to its nickname of the Palazzaccio or Ugly Palace.

Local name

Palace of Justice

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Ponte Sant'Angelo

This is a footbridge connecting Castel Sant'Angelo with the other side of the Tiber. It is a Roman bridge completed in 134 AD by Hadrian, to give access to his newly constructed mausoleum. Pilgrims used this bridge to reach St Peter's Basilica, hence it was earlier known as the "bridge of Saint Peter". In the seventh century, the castle and the bridge took on the name Sant'Angelo, when it is said that an angel appeared on the roof of the castle to announce the end of a plague. The statues of ten angels on the bridge reflect its name.

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While guidebooks do their best to provide an aid for viewing the collections inside the Vatican, a guided tour is a far better way to make sure you get the most out of your visit.

Vatican tours

Guided tours are provided by the Vatican itself for the cost of €30. These may be requested in advance by fax from one month to one week before the requested tour date, or online from two months before the requested tour date. The Vatican is notorious for failing to reply via fax, and repeat requests are often necessary.

Two-hour English tours of the Vatican Museum cost €31 and include museum admission, and leave at 10:30, 12:00 and 14:00 in summer, and 10:30 and 11:15 in winter. To reserve, book online. Other contact details: for groups visiteguidategruppi.musei@scv.va, for individuals: visiteguidatesingoli.musei@scv.va, +39 06 69883145 or +39 06 69884676, fax +39 06 69873250. With a booking you skip the queue and enter through the exit, next to the entry, to go to the guided tours desk.

Guided tours are the only way to see the quiet and peaceful Vatican Gardens, either by foot (€32, duration 2 hr) or by open bus (€36, duration 40 min). Ticket prices for both types of tours include access (without a guide) to the Vatican Museum. Book at least a day in advance by calling +39 06-6988-4676 or book online. Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday at 10:00, depart from tour desk and finish in St. Peter's Square.

Another guided tour is called: Vaticano In Treno – Vaticano Full Day. You visit the museum, the Sistine Chapel, the gardens, leave for Castel Gandolfo by train from the Vatican railway station, and visit Castel Gandolfo. Making it the only possibility to go by train from the Vatican Railway Station.

To tour the Necropolis and Saint's Tomb, call the excavations office at least a week in advance at +39 06-6988-5318, €10 for a 2-hour tour, office open Monday to Saturday 09:00-17:00.

Go to Mass

If you're Catholic (or even if you're not), you can go to religious services in any of the four Basilicas of the City, including St. Peter's. All four have Mass daily, some hourly during daylight hours (generally 07:00–15:00). Confession is also available daily in these basilicas, and is offered in multiple languages.

Mass in St Peter's Basilica is held daily at 07:00, 07:30, 08:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 17:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Saturday, and 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 09:45, 10:30, 12:30, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00 on Sundays and religious holidays. Visits to the basilica are still possible while Mass is in progress. Masses are conducted in Latin from Monday to Friday, and in Italian on Saturday and Sunday. There are no English Masses.

The Vatican has a unique, non-commercial economy supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics worldwide. It also sells postage stamps, tourist mementoes, and publications. Fees for admission to museums also go into church coffers.

The Vatican euro coins are the rarest in circulation among European countries, so don't spend them! They are worth a lot more than their face value. Collecting Vatican coins is a popular hobby among numismatists, as the coins of the Vatican City carry a great deal of historical and religious significance. Vatican coins often depict images of popes, saints, and scenes from the Bible and can be a great way to commemorate a special event or admire the coins' beauty. Collecting Vatican coins also offers the chance to learn more about the history of the Vatican and the Catholic faith.

Sabatini

Sabatini is a short walk from the Vatican and one of the best camera shops in Rome.

Address

Via Germanico, 168/A

Phone

+39 06 36003966

Hours

Mon-Fri 09:00–13:00, 15:00-19:00; Sat 09:00-13:00

Official website

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Savelli Religious

Has jewellery, crosses and Catholic statues. The Pope blesses most things here.

Address

Via Paolo VI, 27-29

Directions

Across the street from St. Peter's Square

Phone

+39 06 6830 7017

Hours

Mon-Sat 09:00–18:30; Sun 09:00-13:30

Official website

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St. Peter's Gallery

A pretty expensive souvenir shop with some religious items. The bypass-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums are sold here.

Address

Largo del Colonnato, 5

Phone

+39 06 686 5450

Email

info@galleriasanpietro.com

Hours

Open 24 hours

Local name

Galleria San Pietro

Official website

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The Catholic Church is the Vatican's sole employer. Many jobs in the Vatican require you to be baptised into the Catholic faith.

This is not a place you can just move to for work; the hiring process is informal, meaning that someone from the Vatican has to recommend you for a position.

Male citizens of Switzerland may serve as Pontifical Swiss Guards if they have completed their mandatory military service, are Catholic, have a professional or high school diploma, and stand at least 174cm tall.

Once you manage to get a job at the Vatican, you will immediately become a citizen of the Vatican. Vatican citizenship is unique in the sense that it is based on jus officii, i.e. holding a position in the Catholic Church. As stated in the Lateran treaty, if you lose Vatican citizenship, you will immediately become an Italian citizen, provided you do not hold other citizenships.

The Vatican Museums have a reasonable cafeteria-style restaurant, a bar, and a pizzeria, all of which are open during museum opening hours, and until about one hour after closing. As you might expect, the food is a little overpriced and not exactly gourmet, but when you get hungry halfway through the museums, it does the trick.

Borgo

Pastasciutta

Quick pasta and pizza restaurant, and portions are large. Very cheap.

Address

Via delle Grazie, 5

Phone

+39 349 258 6793

Hours

Mon-Sat 10:30-18:30 Sun 10:30-18:00

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Prati

Old Bridge Gelateria

Located across the street from the Vatican City wall if you're following it from San Pietro towards the Vatican Museum. Very cheap.

Address

Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo, 5

Phone

+39 06 4559-9961

Hours

Daily 11:00-23:00

Official website

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L'Insalata Ricca

Part of a Rome-based chain, offers good salads and other food to both tourists and locals.

Address

Piazza del Risorgimento, 5

Directions

West of the Piazza Risorgimento o Piazza del Risorgimento e Via Vespaisano.

Phone

+39 06 3973-0387

Hours

Daily 12:00-15:30 & 18:00-23:30

Price

Cheap

Listing reviewed

2022-08-19

Official website

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Be.Re

Good selection of craft beers, many on tap. If you're a beer lover, it's definitely worth going. Some snacks too, try some Trapizzino (triangular filled pizza).

Address

Via Vespasiano, 2

Phone

+39 06 944 218 54

Hours

Daily 11:00-2:00

Listing reviewed

2022-08-19

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Unless you count the Pope as a good friend (and he concurs), there are no lodging opportunities in the Vatican City itself. However, there are many hotels in the surrounding Vaticano neighbourhood of Rome.

Budget

Catone District Hotel

With 24 single, twin, double, triple and quadruple rooms. All with private bath, shower, internet access, TV and telephone.

Address

Via Catone, 34

Phone

+39 06 39735082

Fax

+39 06 39754358

Price

From €63

Listing reviewed

2021-12-20

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Hotel Colors

Seven dorms and wide selection of bedrooms with private showers, TV and a shared kitchen for this two star accommodation next to the Vatican City. Suitable for families and young travellers.

Address

Via Boezio, 31

Phone

+39 06 6874030

Fax

+39 06 6867947

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B&B Eldorado Rome

Bed and Breakfast with 5 double bedrooms. Three with private bath, two with a shared one.

Address

Via Fabio Massimo, 72

Phone

+39 329 0707988

Check-in

00:00

Check-out

10:30

Price

Breakfast included. Rates change according to the season. Single: €50–100 Double: €60–140 Triple: €80–160

Listing reviewed

2021-12-20

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B&B Gli Artisti

Three colourful rooms are rented out in this B&B. Tours of the Vatican Museums are available here for €42.

Address

Via degli Scipioni, 53

Directions

a little less than a kilometre from the main entrance to the Vatican

Phone

+39 338 207 8356

Price

From €99

Listing reviewed

2021-12-20

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Prati BB

A small Bed and Breakfast offering two rooms with private bathrooms and air-con.

Address

Via degli Scipioni, 135

Phone

+39 06 321 1329

Email

info@pratibb.it

Price

From €49

Listing reviewed

2021-12-20

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Mid-range

Amor Bed & Breakfast

A stylish bed & breakfast near the Vatican City.

Address

Viale Giulio Cesare, 183

Phone

+39 335 568 9388

Email

info@amor-bb.com

Check-in

12:00

Check-out

11:00

Price

From €80

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Atlante Star Hotel

Four-star 70 room hotel with rooftop terrace restaurant overlooking Saint Peter's. Also run the nearby Atlante Garden Hotel.

Address

Via Giovanni Vitelleschi, 34

Phone

+39 06 687 3233

Check-in

14:00

Check-out

11:00

Price

From €52

Listing reviewed

2021-12-20

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B&B Sistine

3 room B&B. Rooms come with sat TV, DVD player and free Wi-Fi.

Address

Via Duilio, 6

Phone

+39 335 871 4840

Price

From €120

Listing reviewed

2021-12-20

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Best Vatican

Modern 4 room B&B on third floor of a nineteenth century building. Private bathrooms, LCD TVs with DVD players.

Address

Via degli Scipioni, 135

Phone

+39 335 871 4840

Price

From €120

Listing reviewed

2021-12-20

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Hotel Joli Rome

Two-star accommodation located around the Vatican area with 17 bedrooms divided into single, double, triple and family. Most of the rooms have private bath. Breakfast included.

Address

Via Cola di Rienzo, 243

Phone

+39 06 324 1854

Fax

+39 06 360 06637

Price

€109, single €99

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Leone B&B

Three blocks from the entrance to Vatican City, this independent bed and breakfast is clean and cosy. Breakfast included.

Address

Via Leone IV, 109

Phone

+39 338 611 2656

Fax

+39 06 320 3663

Email

info@leonebb.it

Price

€90, single €70

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Hotel Silla Rome

Two star hotel with single, double, triple and quadruple rooms. All with en suite private bath, shower, telephone and TV. Air-con and breakfast are available for a small supplement.

Address

Via Silla 3

Phone

+39 06 372 1922

Fax

+39 06 372 1922

Price

Change seasonally: single €70-110, double €85-150, triple €120-175, quadruple €140-200

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Maison Vaticana Rome

Comfortable bed and breakfast with single, double, triple and quadruple guest rooms with private bathroom, Wi-Fi connection, satellite TV and tea and coffee facilities.

Address

Via Ottaviano, 42

Phone

+39 06 39728070

Fax

+39 06 233249447

Price

Double bedrooms €85

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Rome Armony Suites B&B

Elegant bed and breakfast. It has six rooms, all with private bathroom and super-equipped with every comfort.

Address

Via Orazio, 3

Phone

+39 06 9784 1129

Fax

+39 06 9784 1129

Email

info@romearmonysuites.com

Price

From €80

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Splurge

Residenza dei Gracchi Rome

Cosy guest house with single, double and family rooms. All with Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, private bath, shower, air-con and cleaning services.

Address

Via dei Gracchi, 84

Phone

+39 06 320 8226

Price

€80-180

Listing reviewed

2022-08-19

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You should not assume that the Vatican only attracts the honest. Since the Vatican receives so many people from around the world, there are also those who try to deprive people of their personal property. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

The Vatican City has its own laws and the Vatican legal system is based on canon law, which means you can expect to be treated with a degree of leniency in the unlikely event you are arrested. In October 2012, the Pope's former butler was arrested and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, but was pardoned by the pope two months later. Do not let the highly forgiving nature of Vatican law fool you; Vatican authorities regularly collaborate with Italian authorities and you can also expect to be prosecuted under Italian laws.

The Vatican can get overcrowded at times. If you're travelling with family members or with a friend, stick together. Supervise your children (if you have any) closely to make sure they are not lost among the crowd.

As is the case throughout Europe, the local emergency number here is 112.

All Vatican law enforcement officials (known as the Gendarmerie) are male and are between the ages of 21 and 25 (as required by Vatican law). They are generally courteous, professional, and helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them for any help.

There are no hospitals or medical clinics in the Vatican. If you require urgent medical attention or health services of any kind, it is strongly recommended that you go to a hospital or a clinic in Rome.

Vatican Pharmacy

Said to be the "busiest pharmacy" in the world, the pharmacy receives thousands of visitors every day. If you wish to utilise the services of the pharmacy, you need a prescription, a form of identification, and a permit from the Vatican's registry office. Do not expect to find products that go against the doctrines of the Catholic Church (such as contraceptives or medicinal marijuana). You can buy products from the pharmacy online, but you should know that the pharmacy only ships to one country: Italy.

Address

Via della Posta, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

Phone

+39 06 6988 9806

Email

spedizioni.farmacia@scv.va

Listing reviewed

2022-07-17

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By mail

Vatican City Main Post Office

Since Vatican City is a separate sovereign state, it also has its own postal service, which is generally considered to be more reliable than that of surrounding Italy. Send a postcard to your friends and it will be postmarked from Vatican City and buy extra (Vatican City) stamps as souvenirs. Italian stamps cannot be used to send mail from the Vatican City.

Address

Via della Posta, snc 00120 Città del Vaticano

Directions

Next to Palazzo Apostolico Building

Phone

+39 06-6989-0400

Hours

Mon-Fri 08:00-18:30; Sat 08:08-13:30

Listing reviewed

2026-01-23

Local name

Poste Vaticane e Filatelia

Official website

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Roma 47 Post Office

Nearest Italian Post Office branch outside the walls of Vatican City. Vatican postage stamps are not accepted for sending mail from Italy.

Address

Via di Porta Angelica, 23

Phone

+39 06-6839-5059

Listing reviewed

2020-07-06

Local name

Poste Italiane

Official website

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By phone

Telephone numbers in Vatican City are integrated into the Italian telephone numbering plan. ITU-T has assigned country code +379 to Vatican City, but this is not in use.

Vatican telephone numbers are in the form of "+39 06 698xxxxx", "+39" being the country code for Italy and "06" the area code for Rome (the city surrounding Vatican City). Dialling the country code for calls within Vatican City or between Italy and Vatican City is not required, but the area code must always be dialled, as for any other call within Italy.

The telecommunications provider of Vatican City is the Vatican Telephone Service (part of the Governorate's Department of Telecommunications since 2002).

Many tips in the Christianity article will come in handy when visiting. Respect the Catholic Church, its practices and its doctrine. You don't have to praise the Pope or the Catholic Church; as long as you are polite and refrain from discussing controversial subjects (e.g. birth control and contraceptives), you will be fine.

While everyone is welcome to attend Mass in the Vatican – as in any Catholic church around the world – if you are not a baptized and confirmed Catholic, you should not receive Holy Communion. It is a serious matter for practising Catholics. Depending on the church, you may be able to receive a blessing from the priest instead.

Dress appropriately — no sleeveless shirts, shorts, flip-flops, trainers, or skirts that do not cover the knee — or else you will be refused entry to various places around the Vatican.

The Vatican is a holy place for millions of Christians around the world. Be open to new experiences, and don't feel afraid of communicating with anyone.

Photography and filming in the Vatican are permitted, except in the Sistine Chapel. You are not allowed to use your flash or to bring selfie sticks, professional photography equipment or tripods. If you want to take photographs of Swiss guards, ask respectfully.

Smoking has been banned by the Vatican since 2002; anyone caught smoking risks being fined or disciplined by the Vatican authorities.

Media

It is a little-known fact that the Vatican has a few media outlets. Exposing yourself to Vatican media is a good way to better understand the Catholic Church, how it is actively involved in global affairs, and understand how things work in the world's smallest country. Go ahead and explore!

L'Osservatore Romano

The main newspaper of the Vatican. It is published in Italian, English, French, German, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. You can read the newspaper online and subscribe to it.

Listing reviewed

2022-06-24

Local name

The Roman Observer

Official website

Vatican News

Provides information on what's happening in the Vatican. Available in a wide range of languages such as Latin, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Armenian, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Hebrew, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Polish, Romanian, Albanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Swedish, Russian, Ukrainian, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Listing reviewed

2022-06-24

Official website

Diplomatic missions

There are Embassies to the Holy See of many countries in this district, but there are no diplomatic missions inside Vatican City itself.

Right outside the borders, the amazing attractions of the global city of Rome await you. If you're up for some more historic sightseeing, visit the beautiful piazzas and palazzos of Old Rome or head to the ancient Roman ruins in the Colosseo district. If not, the hustle and bustle of the Modern Centre with all its shopping opportunities and colourful nightlife might be just what you are looking for.

If you can't get enough of the papal atmosphere, head to the San Giovanni neighbourhood to visit San Giovanni in Laterano, the Pope's cathedral in his role as Bishop of Rome. The small city of Viterbo also makes a good next stop. This is where popes took refuge when they were driven out of Rome and where six of the 13th-century popes had their seat. Castel Gandolfo, overlooking Lake Albano, is another location where the pope's summer residence is.