{"id":23862,"date":"2025-09-16T16:50:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T15:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=23862"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:15:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T13:15:50","slug":"vatican-city-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary","title":{"rendered":"Vatican City Itinerary: History, Highlights &#038; Must-See Landmarks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vatican City <\/span>is <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the smallest country and sovereign state in the world. That said, there is an abundance of things and spaces to explore in this tiny nation. This insight into the <strong>history, highlights and must-see landmarks for a Vatican City itinerary<\/strong> will help you get the most out of your visit. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16243\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16243\" class=\"wp-image-16243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Vatican.jpg\" alt=\"Vatican: Bernini's Colonnade\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em> St. Peter\u00b4s Basilica is the most important church in Catholicism, <\/em>located in <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Vatican City<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#Vatican_City_%E2%80%93_Fun_Facts\" >Vatican City &#8211; Fun Facts!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#A_Brief_History\" >A Brief History<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#What_should_your_Vatican_City_Itinerary_contain\" >What should your Vatican City Itinerary contain?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#St_Peters_Square\" >St. Peter\u2019s Square<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#St_Peters_Basilica\" >St. Peter\u2019s Basilica\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#St_Peter%C2%B4s_Dome_Cupula_Climb\" >St. Peter\u00b4s Dome \/ Cupula Climb<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#The_Vatican_Museums\" >The Vatican Museums<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#The_Sistine_Chapel\" >The Sistine Chapel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#Castel_SantAngelo\" >Castel Sant&#8217;Angelo<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#Suggested_1%E2%80%932_Day_Vatican_City_Itinerary\" >Suggested 1\u20132 Day Vatican City Itinerary<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#One_Day_Itinerary\" >One Day Itinerary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#Two_Day_Itinerary\" >Two Day Itinerary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#FAQs_%E2%80%93_Vatican_City_Itinerary\" >FAQs &#8211; Vatican City Itinerary<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#Why_should_you_take_a_guided_tour\" >Why should you take a guided tour?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#What_time_does_the_tour_start_and_how_long_does_it_last\" >What time does the tour start and how long does it last?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#When_is_the_best_time_to_visit_Rome_and_Vatican_City\" >When is the best time to visit Rome and Vatican City?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/vatican-city-itinerary\/#One_Last_Word_%E2%80%A6\" >One Last Word \u2026<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vatican_City_%E2%80%93_Fun_Facts\"><\/span>Vatican City &#8211; Fun Facts!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firstly, to whet you appetite for this amazing place, here are some fun facts about this diminutive nation&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world, with an area of approximately 0.44 square kilometers (0.17 square miles). It is about 0.6 miles (1.05 kilometers) long and 0.5 miles (0.85 kilometers) wide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It is the only UNESCO World Heritage site that makes up an entire country.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vatican City has its own <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/vatican-city-post-office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unique postal service<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, autonomous (and some say much more efficient) from that of Italy<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can even conduct an ATM transaction in Latin while in the Vatican City<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has the highest per capita wine consumption in the world<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Roman times, Pliny the Elder, the first-century philosopher, remarked that Vatican Hill (as it was known at the time) was only known for snakes and bad wine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>Insider Tip: for more details on the above and other fun facts, read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/facts-about-vatican-city\">Facts about Vatican City<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_19078\" style=\"width: 1340px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19078\" class=\"wp-image-19078 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/poste-vaticane.jpg\" alt=\"A yellow mailbox in Vatican City which reads 'Poste Vaticane'\" width=\"1330\" height=\"1286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/poste-vaticane.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/poste-vaticane-768x743.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-19078\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Send a letter from the smallest postal service in the world &#8211; &#8216;Poste Vaticane&#8217;<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Brief_History\"><\/span>A Brief History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before diving into your visit, it helps to understand how Vatican City came to be.<\/p>\n<p>The area dates back to ancient Rome, when Vatican Hill lay outside the city walls. Its importance grew in the 4th century, when Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of the original St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, over the site of the tomb of Saint Peter, one of Christianity\u2019s most important figures.<\/p>\n<p>Over the centuries, the site evolved as the heart of the Catholic Church, governed by the Pope as part of the Papal States. However, the modern Vatican City as we know it today, was only officially established in 1929, upon the signing of the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy. This agreement recognised it as an independent sovereign state, separate from Rome. Today it stands as the world\u00b4s smallest country , and as a global centre of religion, art and history!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_8922\" style=\"width: 1510px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8922\" class=\"wp-image-8922 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/RomeVatican-18-copy.jpg\" alt=\"The School of Athens, by Raphael, in the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican.\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/RomeVatican-18-copy.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/RomeVatican-18-copy-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-8922\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The School of Athens, by Raphael, in the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_your_Vatican_City_Itinerary_contain\"><\/span>What should your Vatican City Itinerary contain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"St_Peters_Square\"><\/span>St. Peter\u2019s Square<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piazza San Pietro, or the Square of St. Peter, is one of the most iconic public spaces on the planet. Nearly everyone in the world with a TV has seen images of the pope standing on the balcony of the Basilica of St. Peter overlooking a massive flock of the faithful in the square.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The square was designed by the great artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the second half of the 17th century. The reason why the space is so wide open, embraced by two huge colonnaded \u201carms\u201d on each side, is that the pope at the time, Pope Alexander VII, requested a wide-open space so that it could accommodate as many people as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the center of the square is an 85-foot-tall Egyptian obelisk, originally taken from Heliopolis in ancient Egypt. During medieval times, there was an unfounded belief that the gilt ball atop the obelisk contained the ashes of Julius Caesar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"2210\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1md8hlz\" data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"2005\"><strong data-start=\"1965\" data-end=\"1978\">Location:<\/strong> In front of the basilica<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"zkfsns\" data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2042\"><strong data-start=\"2008\" data-end=\"2026\">Time to spend:<\/strong> 20\u201340 minutes<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1g1nxhm\" data-start=\"2043\" data-end=\"2210\"><strong data-start=\"2045\" data-end=\"2054\">Tips:<\/strong>\n<ul data-start=\"2059\" data-end=\"2210\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1eu14g6\" data-start=\"2059\" data-end=\"2100\">Best enjoyed early morning or evening<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"fu0ng4\" data-start=\"2103\" data-end=\"2168\">Great photo spot, especially from the centre near the obelisk<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"y3srnf\" data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2210\">Check if a Papal event is scheduled<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_15675\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15675\" class=\"wp-image-15675 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/St-Peters-Square-Vatican-City.jpg\" alt=\"Enjoy the view more than 425 feet high\u00a0from\u00a0the Basilica's massive dome.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15675\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Enjoy the view more than 425 feet high from the Basilica&#8217;s massive dome.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"St_Peters_Basilica\"><\/span>St. Peter\u2019s Basilica<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This grand basilica is the most famous Christian place of worship in the world. The gargantuan structure was completed in the early 17<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> century, almost exactly 1,300 years after the first St. Peter\u2019s was completed on this site. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An all-star team of legendary Renaissance and Baroque architects and artists gave a hand in building the \u201cnew\u201d St. Peters, including Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini. Interior highlights that can\u2019t be missed are Michelangelo\u2019s \u201cPieta\u201d and Bernini\u2019s monumental brass \u201cBaldacchino,\u201d a 100-foot tall \u201ccanopy\u201d that serves as the focal point of the church.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is traditionally believed that the bronze used to make the \u201cBaldacchino\u201d was stripped from the roof of the Pantheon nearby. Likewise, legend has it that much of the marble used to build St. Peter\u2019s was filched from the Colosseum and that Pope Nicholas II had wagonloads of marble brought over from the ancient stadium.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1356\" data-end=\"1639\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1vo2fbm\" data-start=\"1356\" data-end=\"1404\"><strong data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1371\">Location:<\/strong> Adjacent to St. Peter\u2019s Square<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"bbmjg3\" data-start=\"1405\" data-end=\"1437\"><strong data-start=\"1407\" data-end=\"1425\">Time to spend:<\/strong> 1\u20132 hours<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1t385rt\" data-start=\"1438\" data-end=\"1639\"><strong data-start=\"1440\" data-end=\"1449\">Tips:<\/strong>\n<ul data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1639\">\n<li data-section-id=\"pqxdx3\" data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1503\">Entry is free, but security lines can be long<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1dq56wn\" data-start=\"1506\" data-end=\"1554\">Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered)<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"161pe0q\" data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1639\">Try to enter directly from the Sistine Chapel via a guided tour to skip queues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_3386\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3386\" class=\"wp-image-3386 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vatican-st-peters.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"395\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3386\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The interior of St. Pater\u00b4s Basilica is a sight to behold!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"1641\" data-end=\"1667\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"St_Peter%C2%B4s_Dome_Cupula_Climb\"><\/span>St. Peter\u00b4s Dome \/ Cupula Climb<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"7ed89536-104f-4d01-a3c0-ad51b873ba27\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\">Climbing the dome of <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica<\/span><\/span> is one of the most rewarding experiences in <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Rome<\/span><\/span>, offering a unique perspective both inside and above this iconic landmark. The ascent takes you up through the inner structure of Michelangelo\u2019s masterpiece, where you can admire the intricate mosaics up close before continuing to the summit. From the top, you\u2019re treated to breath-taking 360-degree views over <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Vatican City<\/span><\/span> and the wider city of Rome, making the climb well worth the effort for one of the best viewpoints in the Eternal City.<\/div>\n<ul data-start=\"1668\" data-end=\"1916\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1fpo2ew\" data-start=\"1668\" data-end=\"1713\"><strong data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1683\">Location:<\/strong> Inside St. Peter\u2019s Basilica<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"s62aqe\" data-start=\"1714\" data-end=\"1750\"><strong data-start=\"1716\" data-end=\"1734\">Time to spend:<\/strong> 45\u201390 minutes<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1adigiw\" data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1916\"><strong data-start=\"1753\" data-end=\"1762\">Tips:<\/strong>\n<ul data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1916\">\n<li data-section-id=\"jvsba3\" data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1813\">Choose between stairs or elevator + stairs<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"mek420\" data-start=\"1816\" data-end=\"1870\">Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1oxc2k8\" data-start=\"1873\" data-end=\"1916\">Not ideal for those with claustrophobia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>Insider Tip: Read on to find out more about<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/visiting-st-peters-basilica\">\u00a0visiting St. Peter\u00b4s Basilica<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_17348\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17348\" class=\"wp-image-17348 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Walks_Vatican-Highlights-WEB-0011.jpg\" alt=\"Michelangelo's works of architecture and painting\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-17348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Michelangelo&#8217;s works of architecture and painting in the cupula\/dome of St. Peter\u00b4s Basilica<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Vatican_Museums\"><\/span>The Vatican Museums<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vatican Museums are one of the most important museum complexes in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The collection, founded 400 years ago, boasts some of the world\u2019s most iconic art, including frescoes by Raphael, and, of course, Michelangelo\u2019s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The long fresco-bedecked halls, crammed with ancient statuary and centuries-old maps of the then known world, make for a fascinating few hours of gawking at art. For our Vatican City itinerary, if you want to ensure you appreciate what you\u2019re looking at, consider taking a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/complete-vatican-tour\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guided walking tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"711\" data-end=\"1024\">\n<li data-section-id=\"xurr5n\" data-start=\"711\" data-end=\"804\"><strong data-start=\"713\" data-end=\"726\">Location:<\/strong> Northern part of Vatican City (separate entrance from St. Peter\u2019s Basilica)<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1c86gmu\" data-start=\"805\" data-end=\"837\"><strong data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"825\">Time to spend:<\/strong> 2\u20134 hours<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"bkkfxh\" data-start=\"838\" data-end=\"1024\"><strong data-start=\"840\" data-end=\"849\">Tips:<\/strong>\n<ul data-start=\"854\" data-end=\"1024\">\n<li data-section-id=\"p4nu7h\" data-start=\"854\" data-end=\"902\">Book tickets in advance to avoid long queues<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"kb4iuy\" data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"970\">Consider early-entry or guided tours for a quieter experience<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"192uxn5\" data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"1024\">Wear comfortable shoes\u2014there\u2019s a lot of walking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_19073\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-image-19073 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg\" alt=\"Inside the Vatican\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Vatican-After-Hours-WEB-0001resize-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-19073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of art and artifacts amassed by the Catholic Church over centuries.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Sistine_Chapel\"><\/span>The Sistine Chapel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the early 16<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> century, Michelangelo was asked to paint something simple on the ceiling of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/the-sistine-chapel-in-the-vatican-museums\">the Sistine Chapel<\/a><\/strong>. But the famed artist, who at this time was more well known as an architect, decided to challenge himself. The result is possibly the most famous fresco in the world. It took the great artist four and a half years standing on a 60-foot-high scaffolding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1309\">\n<li data-section-id=\"kqdjhi\" data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1128\"><strong data-start=\"1073\" data-end=\"1086\">Location:<\/strong> At the end of the Vatican Museums route<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"12lqiix\" data-start=\"1129\" data-end=\"1190\"><strong data-start=\"1131\" data-end=\"1149\">Time to spend:<\/strong> 20\u201330 minutes (longer if less crowded)<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"3h36a0\" data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1309\"><strong data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1202\">Tips:<\/strong>\n<ul data-start=\"1207\" data-end=\"1309\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1dtb2f0\" data-start=\"1207\" data-end=\"1237\">Silence is required inside<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"14n7f66\" data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1261\">No photos allowed<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"wls7mh\" data-start=\"1264\" data-end=\"1309\">Visit earlier in the day for fewer crowds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Insider Tip<\/strong>: Discover more with our <a title=\"Best tips for visiting the Vatican Museums\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/attractions\/the-sistine-chapel-in-the-vatican-museums\">best tips for visiting the Vatican Museums<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_13034\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13034\" class=\"wp-image-13034 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Michelangelos-painting-on-the-Sistine-Chapel-Vatican-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"The Vatican Museums: Sistine Chapel ceiling\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Michelangelos-painting-on-the-Sistine-Chapel-Vatican-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Michelangelos-painting-on-the-Sistine-Chapel-Vatican-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Michelangelos-painting-on-the-Sistine-Chapel-Vatican-1536x1026.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13034\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">See the Sistine Chapel without the crowds on an early-entry visit to the Vatican<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"3369\" data-end=\"3423\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Castel_SantAngelo\"><\/span><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Castel Sant&#8217;Angelo<\/span><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Just a short walk from <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Vatican City<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Castel Sant&#8217;Angelo<\/span><\/span> is one of the most fascinating landmarks in <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Rome<\/span><\/span>. Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century, it has since served as a fortress, papal residence, and even a prison. Today, visitors can explore its layered history through a series of rooms, corridors, and terraces, culminating in a panoramic rooftop with stunning views over the Tiber River and the Vatican.<\/p>\n<p>Connected to the Vatican by the Passetto di Borgo, a secret elevated passage used by popes in times of danger, it\u2019s a perfect addition to any Vatican itinerary, offering both history and some of the best views in the city.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3424\" data-end=\"3671\">\n<li data-section-id=\"wyj3cj\" data-start=\"3424\" data-end=\"3485\"><strong data-start=\"3426\" data-end=\"3439\">Location:<\/strong> Just outside Vatican City, across the river<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"bbmjg3\" data-start=\"3486\" data-end=\"3518\"><strong data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3506\">Time to spend:<\/strong> 1\u20132 hours<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1q0bsfz\" data-start=\"3519\" data-end=\"3671\"><strong data-start=\"3521\" data-end=\"3530\">Tips:<\/strong>\n<ul data-start=\"3535\" data-end=\"3671\">\n<li data-section-id=\"5t2mg3\" data-start=\"3535\" data-end=\"3585\">Offers fantastic views back toward the Vatican<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1dnonmh\" data-start=\"3588\" data-end=\"3627\">Great add-on if you have extra time<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"ls6812\" data-start=\"3630\" data-end=\"3671\">Book tickets ahead during peak season<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_25125\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25125\" class=\"wp-image-25125 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Walks_Rome_Alone-in-the-Catacombs_0036-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25125\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The River Tiber, with the St. Peter\u00b4s dome\/cupula in the distance<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1eg4tzf\" data-start=\"1450\" data-end=\"1497\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Suggested_1%E2%80%932_Day_Vatican_City_Itinerary\"><\/span>Suggested 1\u20132 Day Vatican City Itinerary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"2130\">To make the most of your visit to <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Vatican City<\/span><\/span>, it\u2019s worth planning your time carefully, even in such a small country, there\u2019s a lot to see.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"2130\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"One_Day_Itinerary\"><\/span>One Day Itinerary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"2130\">If you only have <strong data-start=\"1681\" data-end=\"1692\">one day<\/strong>, start early with the Vatican Museums to beat the crowds, making your way through the galleries before reaching the Sistine Chapel. From there, continue into St. Peter\u2019s Basilica to admire masterpieces like Michelangelo\u2019s Piet\u00e0 and Bernini\u2019s Baldacchino, before climbing the dome for panoramic views over <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Rome<\/span><\/span>. Finish your visit in St. Peter\u2019s Square, taking time to appreciate Bernini\u2019s grand colonnade.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"2130\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Two_Day_Itinerary\"><\/span>Two Day Itinerary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2132\" data-end=\"2679\">If you have <strong data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2156\">two days<\/strong>, you can enjoy a more relaxed experience. Dedicate your first day to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, allowing time to explore at a slower pace or join a guided tour for deeper insight. On day two, focus on St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, arrive early to attend Mass if you wish, explore the interior in detail, visit the papal crypts, and climb the dome without rushing. You can then spend time soaking up the atmosphere in St. Peter\u2019s Square or exploring nearby areas like Castel Sant\u2019Angelo just outside Vatican walls.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2681\" data-end=\"2876\">By spreading your visit across one or two days, you\u2019ll ensure you experience the highlights without feeling overwhelmed\u2014and truly appreciate everything this remarkable destination has to offer.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13093\" style=\"width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13093\" class=\"wp-image-13093 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1.jpg\" alt=\"A guided tour group in the Vatican museums \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Vatican-Museums-on-the-Pristine-Sistine-with-Walks-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13093\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A guided tour makes all the difference, as there is so much history in the walls, ceilings and artwork all around you!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_%E2%80%93_Vatican_City_Itinerary\"><\/span>FAQs &#8211; Vatican City Itinerary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_should_you_take_a_guided_tour\"><\/span>Why should you take a guided tour?<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vatican City can really pack a big punch for such a diminutive place. You can try to do it on your own\u2014and people have\u2014but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/complete-vatican-tour\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with a tour guide to lead you around<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you\u2019ll get speedy, skip-the-line access and shepherded right to the most iconic structures and pieces of art you came there to see. No planning at all for your Vatican City itinerary; just leave it all up to the guide. Plus, you\u2019ll then be debriefed on exactly what makes the objects in the Vatican are so invaluable and important to humanity. It\u2019s a win-win.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_time_does_the_tour_start_and_how_long_does_it_last\"><\/span>What time does the tour start and how long does it last?<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put yourself in the hands of our experienced local guides to walk you through the very best of Vatican City on an action-packed 3.5-hour <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/complete-vatican-tour\/\">Complete Vatican Tour<\/a>. The starting time depends on what day you would like to take a tour. The tours, which are offered once or twice per day, are offered in the morning and sometimes in the morning and just after lunch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_is_the_best_time_to_visit_Rome_and_Vatican_City\"><\/span>When is the best time to visit Rome and Vatican City?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of weather, Rome can swelter in the summer months and drop down to heavy jacket weather in the winter. For optimum temperatures, the shoulder season\u2014March to May and September-October\u2014are perfect. Also, there are fewer crowds during shoulder season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15690\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15690\" class=\"wp-image-15690 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7-Rome_Pristine-Sistine-High-Res-0017.jpg\" alt=\"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-15690\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A tour guide will bring the monuments to life with stories of past, present and future!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"One_Last_Word_%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>One Last Word \u2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for a deeper dive into Vatican City, one where you can let the guide to all the planning for you, make sure to sign up for one of our small group<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/vatican-tours\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vatican City tours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Led by local guides, you\u2019ll not only be able to skip the lines, but will have privileged access to this Sistine Chapel at night or early in the morning, enjoying your time in this beautiful site without the massive crowds that build up throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Vatican City is the smallest country and sovereign state in the world. That said, there is an abundance of things and spaces to explore in this tiny nation. This insight into the history, highlights and must-see landmarks for a Vatican City itinerary will help you get the most out of your visit. Vatican City [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":12184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[211],"ppma_author":[181],"class_list":["post-23862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-culture","tag-vatican-city"],"authors":[{"term_id":181,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"david-farley","display_name":"David Farley","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Farley_AuthorPhoto.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Farley_AuthorPhoto.jpg"},"user_url":"","last_name":"Farley","first_name":"David","job_title":"","description":"David Farley is a West Village-based food and travel writer whose work appears regularly in the New York Times, National Geographic, BBC, and Food &amp; Wine, among other publications. He\u2019s the author of three books, including \u201cAn Irreverent Curiosity: In Search of the Church\u2019s Strangest Relic in Italy\u2019s Oddest Town,\u201d which was made into a documentary by the National Geographic Channel. You can find Farley\u2019s online homes at https:\/\/dfarley.com\/index.html and https:\/\/www.tripout.online\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23862"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/73"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23862"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23862\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25279,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23862\/revisions\/25279"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23862"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=23862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}