Travel Tips
Vatican City
The smallest country in the world holds St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and centuries of art, all inside Rome.
- Capital
- Vatican City
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Italian, Latin
- Best overall
- October to April for smaller crowds
- Emergency
- 112
- Electricity
- 230V, plug types C, F and L
Top Destinations
There are no separate entry checks from Italy. You enter through Rome, so the Italian and Schengen rules apply. Passport validity rules vary, so check the requirements before you book.
Read about visa on arrival, e-visas and online registration →
Still have specific visa questions?
Lines are shorter outside summer and away from major Catholic holidays. Check for papal events, which can affect access.
Not sure which month suits your trip?
St Peter's Basilica
The huge Renaissance church and its climbable dome.
Vatican Museums
Papal collections stretching for miles.
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's famous ceiling. Photos are not allowed.
St Peter's Square
Bernini's vast colonnaded square.
Vatican Gardens
Quiet formal gardens, seen by guided tour.
Need help choosing where to go?
- Morning Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Afternoon St Peter's Basilica and dome
- Evening St Peter's Square
Want a route planned around your dates?
- The Rome Metro's Ottaviano stop is the usual way in.
- Walking is the way to get around. Everything is close together.
Not sure how to get between places?
- Prices are in euros, and cards work at most major sites.
- Buy an eSIM before you fly or a local SIM on arrival, so maps work from day one.
Questions about costs, cash or SIM cards?
- There is little to eat inside, so eat nearby in Rome's Prati area.
- Roman pizza by the slice.
- Gelato near the Vatican walls.
Want tips on what and where to eat?
- Cover your shoulders and knees, or you may be refused entry.
- Book the Vatican Museums in advance, and beware of unofficial ticket sellers.
Planning a trip to Vatican City?
Book a one-on-one call and bring your questions about your route, costs and visa.
Information on this page may change, so please confirm the latest visa and entry requirements and your government travel advice on official websites before you travel.