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Vatican City Vatican City travel guide
30 things to do in Vatican City, where to stay, airport transfers, 3 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Vatican City
- Colosseum — ancient Roman amphitheatre, a landmark of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. Peter's Basilica — church in Vatican City (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sistine Chapel — chapel in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pantheon — ancient Roman temple in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Roman Forum — Ancient Roman center of the city, a landmark of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Trevi Fountain — Baroque fountain in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Saint Peter's Square — piazza in Vatican City (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Vatican Museums — museums of the Vatican City (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Archbasilica of St. John Lateran — cathedral in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Palatine Hill — centremost of the seven hills of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Apostolic Palace — official residence of the Pope in Vatican City (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls — church in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Castel Sant'Angelo — castle and museum in Rome, formerly the imperial mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian and subsequent Roman emperors (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — largest Catholic Marian church in Rome (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Trajan's Column — ancient Roman victory column, a landmark of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Quirinal Palace — historic building in Rome, Italy; official residence of the President of the Italian Republic (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Circus Maximus — Ancient Roman circus in Rome (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Arch of Constantine — triumphal arch in Rome (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Aurelian Walls — historic line of walls built around the city of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Galleria Borghese — Art museum in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Trajan's Forum — Trajan's Forum was the last of the Imperial fora to be constructed in ancient Rome. The architect Apollodorus of Damascus oversaw its construction. monumental square in Rome (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Piazza Navona — public square in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Capitoline Museums — municipal museum of the city of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Baths of Caracalla — public baths in ancient Rome (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Altare della Patria — monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel II of Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Arch of Titus — triumphal arch in Rome (constructed c. 81 AD) (visit ≈ 60 min)
- San Pietro in Vincoli — church in Rome (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ara Pacis — ancient Roman monument in Rome (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Mausoleum of Augustus — building in Campo Marzio, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Church of the Gesù — church in Rome, Italy, and precursor of the Baroque style (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Vatican City walking itinerary
Starting point: Borgo Pio. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.4 km · 11,370 steps · 1 h 52 min on the way): Vatican Museums → Sistine Chapel → St. Peter's Basilica → Saint Peter's Square → Pantheon → Roman Forum
- Day 2 (≈ 8.4 km · 11,280 steps · 1 h 51 min on the way): Colosseum → Trevi Fountain
Where to stay in Vatican City
- Borgo Pio: A few minutes from St Peter’s; narrow, charming lanes.
- Prati: Calm, orderly district on metro line A.
- Aurelio: Cheaper stays just behind the Vatican.
Getting from the airport to Vatican City
- Fiumicino (FCO): Leonardo Express to Termini ≈ 32 min, then metro A ≈ 15 min
- Ciampino (CIA): Bus to Termini ≈ 40 min, then metro A ≈ 15 min
Getting around
The Vatican is explored on foot; Ottaviano metro station is ≈ 10 min walk from the Vatican Museums.
Classic places to eat
- Old Bridge: Beloved gelato shop right by the Vatican Museums queue.
- Pizzarium: Gabriele Bonci’s pizza by the slice; eaten standing up.
- Castroni: Long-established deli and coffee shop.
- Sciascia Caffè: Coffee since 1919; famous chocolate-lined espresso.
- Il Sorpasso: Cured-meat boards and Roman dishes in Prati.
- Dino e Toni: Family-run trattoria near the Vatican.
- Gelateria dei Gracchi: Famous gelato made with natural ingredients.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- La Pergola — 3 MICHELIN stars, Mediterranean, creative
- Il Pagliaccio — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Pipero — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Italian
Romantic views
- St. Peter's Square (Evening): Walking among the floodlit colonnades at night is striking.
- St. Peter's Dome (Early morning): From the top of the dome you see all of Rome and the Vatican Gardens.
- Ponte Sant'Angelo (Sunset): The angel-lined bridge crosses the Tiber to the castle.
- Janiculum Hill (Sunset): From the terrace, Rome's domes turn golden at sunset.
- Via della Conciliazione (Evening): The wide avenue leads straight to the lit basilica at night.
Football stadiums in Vatican City
- Stadio Olimpico: Home of AS Roma, SS Lazio
Day trips
- Hadrian's Villa — 27 km from the centre
- Ostia — 22 km from the centre
- Villa d'Este — 29 km from the centre
- Alba Longa — 24 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Vatican City
- Fine: Photos and video are banned in the Sistine Chapel, and silence is requested.
- Fine: Flying drones is banned.
- Warning: St Peter's Basilica and the museums require covered shoulders and knees or you'll be refused.
- Warning: Large backpacks, knives and glass bottles aren't allowed through security.
- Papal audience tickets are free; get them only through official channels.
- Book museum tickets on the official site; queue touts charge more.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F/L, 230V
- Tap water: Drinking fountains are safe.
- Tipping: There's no tipping custom.
Sources: Musei Vaticani — official site, Wikivoyage — Vatican City, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Vatican City travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Vatican City?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Hadrian's Villa and Ostia).
- What are the top things to do in Vatican City?
- Highlights: Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon and Roman Forum. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Vatican City?
- Borgo Pio: A few minutes from St Peter’s; narrow, charming lanes. Other options: Prati and Aurelio.
- How do you get from the airport to Vatican City city centre?
- Fiumicino (FCO): Leonardo Express to Termini ≈ 32 min, then metro A ≈ 15 min · Ciampino (CIA): Bus to Termini ≈ 40 min, then metro A ≈ 15 min
- How do you get around Vatican City?
- The Vatican is explored on foot; Ottaviano metro station is ≈ 10 min walk from the Vatican Museums.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Vatican City?
- According to the last known data there are 3 starred restaurants: La Pergola (3 stars), Il Pagliaccio (2 stars), Pipero (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Vatican City?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Vatican City?
- There's no tipping custom.
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