The Vatican City, located in Rome, Italy, is the smallest city in the world. This small city contains rich religious, cultural and artistic treasures and plays a decisive role in the world. The Vatican is a must-see for travelers who come to Rome. You can visit all the Vatican attractions in about one day, making it a very suitable place to arrange a day trip .
In this article includes the top ten must-see places to visit in the Vatican. Arranging your itinerary according to our guide will definitely make your trip to the Vatican fulfilling and interesting! So, pick up pen and paper and start planning an unforgettable one-day trip to the Vatican!
1. St. Peter’s Basilica
- St. Peter’s Basilica is definitely the most famous attraction in the Vatican.
- This is not only the largest church in the world, but also the center of Catholic faith around the world.
- This Catholic symbolic building was designed and built by Michelangelo and many Renaissance artists. Its spectacular domes and niches are not to be missed.
- Although it is free to visit the interior of the church, there are many people, so it is recommended to reserve more than an hour to queue up and go through the security check. There is an additional fee to climb the church dome. Passengers can choose to climb the stairs or take the elevator.
- It is recommended to sign up for a small group tour to learn more about the history of this popular Vatican!
2. Vatican Museum & Pinacoteca
- Besides St. Peter’s Basilica, another must-visit attraction must be the Vatican Museum! This museum displays the art collections of popes over the years. In addition to religious art, there are also works of art from ancient Egypt to modern times. The collection can be said to be one of the richest in the world.
- Visitors can appreciate the authentic works of Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci in the museum.
- The Vatican Gallery is a holy place for art history lovers. There are masterpieces among them. It is not a problem to spend more than four hours browsing carefully.
- The Vatican Museum is very crowded, and there is a limit on the number of people allowed during the peak season from March to September. It is strongly recommended to buy tickets online in advance.
- It is especially recommended to pre-purchase tickets on the tourist channel. As soon as you arrive, a dedicated person will guide you to enter without queuing, saving time and effort!
3. Gardens of Vatican City
- Known as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, the Vatican Gardens occupies half of the country and is a treasured spot perfect for resting.
- This Renaissance-style garden is filled with fountains, flowers, trees and a summer palace built by Leo XIII.
- In the garden you can also admire the sculpture “Broken Earth” designed by sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.
- The Vatican Gardens are a great place to take beautiful photos, and are also great for plant lovers to enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Europe.
4. Pio-Clementine Museum
- This is a must-visit museum in the Vatican Museums, which mainly displays a collection of sculptures from the Greco-Roman era.
- Among them are the three must-see treasures of the Vatican Museum: “The Broken Body”, “Apollo in the Temple of the Landscape” and “Laocoön and His Sons”, attracting art history enthusiasts from all over the world to come for pilgrimage .
- These three sculptures are all related to Greek mythology, telling the stories of Hercules, the sun god Apollo and the Trojan horse massacre respectively.
- It is especially recommended to book a dedicated tour guide, which will take you back to the ancient Greek era through lively and interesting explanations!
5. Sistine Chapel Sistine Chapel
- The Sistine Chapel is a must-visit attraction in the Vatican. Many tourists who come to the Vatican Museums come here for it!
- The most attractive thing in this chapel is the exquisite and gorgeous ceilings and murals. These paintings are all based on biblical stories. The most famous ones are “Genesis” and “The Last Judgment” painted by Michelangelo. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the pinnacle of Renaissance painting.
- This is also the place where the Pope is elected. The results of the election will be announced to the world according to the smoke from the chimney of the chapel, which is very interesting.
- Special reminder, you are not allowed to take pictures in the chapel!
6. Spiral Staircase Scala Elicoidale Momo
- The spiral staircase is located in the Vatican Museum. It is a classic Vatican attraction that is very suitable for taking IG photos.
- This spiral staircase is actually composed of two staircases, but currently only one of them is open for tourists to visit and take photos.
- The spiral staircase fence is decorated with beautiful carvings. It is very beautiful when you look down from any angle, and the photos left behind are even more amazing!
- According to the museum’s circulation, the spiral staircase is located behind the Sistine Chapel. If you take a shortcut directly to St. Peter’s Basilica after visiting the chapel, you will not pass it. You need to follow the museum’s circulation completely to get here.
7. Apostolic Palace
- The Apostolic Palace, built since the 12th century AD, is also known as the “Apostolic Palace”. It is the official residence of successive popes and the office space of the Catholic Church. It is also the place where the pope meets with heads of state.
- The famous Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel… must-visit attractions in the Vatican are all part of this palace.
- This palace is still quite mysterious to tourists. Only part of it is open for tourists to visit. Almost all the chapels in the palace that can be visited publicly are part of the Vatican Museums.
- The good news is that starting from 2019, the Apostolic Palace will be open to tourists on specific occasions.
- Interested travellers may wish to inquire for information in advance and seize the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of this magnificent building.
8. Vatican Necropolis, City of the Dead
- The City of the Dead is the tomb under St. Peter’s Basilica and is considered a niche attraction in the Vatican.
- This underground tomb can be traced back to the 2nd century AD. It was once the resting place of popes, Catholics and martyrs of all ages, and it plays a very important role in the archaeological community.
- This was also the resting place of Pope Pius XI.
- It is recommended that travellers who want to visit the City of the Dead sign up for a package tour with the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, and learn about the mysterious and charming places of this Catholic country through professional guides.
9. Egyptian Museum
- You read that right! In the Vatican, a country founded on Catholicism, there is also an Egyptian Museum!
- This museum is located in the Vatican Museums and was built by the former Pope Gregory XVI who loved ancient Egyptian culture.
- It contains cultural relics from many periods of ancient Egyptian civilization, including sculptures, papyrus manuscripts, mummies, etc. It is a precious resource in the history and archeology circles.
- Travelers who are interested in ancient Egyptian culture should not miss this rare one-day tour of the Vatican!
10. Pigna Courtyard
- The Pine Cone Courtyard is an open-air courtyard in the Vatican Museums. The most famous thing is the giant bronze pine cone sculpture standing at the north end of the garden.
- The history of this sculpture can be traced back to the 1st century AD. It was used to decorate ancient Roman buildings and was also mentioned in Dante’s “Divine Comedy”. It can be said that it has a great background.
- After the passage of time, this giant pine cone was placed at its current location in the early 18th century.
- When visiting this popular attraction, you might as well stop for a while in the semi-open-air pine cone courtyard. While breathing in the fresh air, you can also stop and admire this pine cone sculpture that transcends the ages.
Vatican Attractions FAQ
What are the must-see attractions in the Vatican?
St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome , Vatican Museums & Pinacoteca in Rome , and Pio-Clementine Museum are all must-see popular attractions in the Vatican.
What are the must-see outdoor attractions in the Vatican?
The Sistine Chapel and the spiral staircase Scala Elicoidale Momo are must-see indoor attractions in the Vatican.
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