If you visit Rome, don’t forget to save time to explore one day in Vatican City, the home of the Pope and the smallest fully independent nation in the entire world! It’s technically situated inside Rome, yet is a completely different entity.
The most famous landmarks inside this UNESCO World Heritage Site are the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. However, there is so much more to see and do than meets the eye in this beautiful, cultural treasure.
Many people overlook the Vatican Gardens and the Scavi tour, which takes you to the Necropolis underneath the city! With a bit of planning, you can see the best that the Vatican has to offer.
Regardless of your faith, Vatican City is an absolute must-see when you are in Rome. They have designed it to be a place of “beauty and welcome”, open to people of all cultures and religions. So set a day aside to come and enjoy all the beauty and history that is packed within these Renaissance walls!
How to Move Around Vatican City
Vatican City is a very small nation, so all the main attractions are relatively close together. However, there is a lot to explore in this area, so wear your walking shoes because there is a lot of ground to cover.
You should be aware there aren’t many food options in Vatican City itself unless you want to eat in the cafeteria of the museum, which actually isn’t too bad. However, there are an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and bars right outside of the city walls that are easily accessible.
Want to See the Pope?
Papal Audiences are Wednesdays and start around 9-10 AM, and usually last 1.5-2 hours. Many people start lining up as early as 7:30 AM to get a good spot.
There is also an opportunity on Sunday at 12 PM where he will appear from a window to impart blessings, which usually lasts around 15-20 minutes. This is all dependent on if the Pope is in Rome during this time.
Since we have a lot to do and see, I won’t be including the Papal Audience in this itinerary. However, if it’s something that you’d like to see, you might want to consider spending two days in Vatican City.
Morning
Breakfast at Caffe Delle Commari
Before you head into the first attraction, stop by Caffe Delle Commari for a quick coffee and croissant.
This local caffe has delicious focaccia sandwiches, different types of croissants and pastries, delicious coffee, and excellent service!
It’s located near the south entrance of the Vatican, where you’ll be entering shortly. I especially like the pistachio maritozzo, so give it a try before you start the day!
Morning Activities:
Scavi Vatican Tour
Today, we’re going to start off with the Scavi Vatican Tour, a highly exclusive tour that brings you to the Necropolis under the Vatican and to the tomb of Saint Peter.
This is a true hidden gem of Vatican City and an absolutely amazing experience–but takes a bit of planning ahead as you will have to email the ticketing office a few months before your trip. Tickets are 13€ (around $16.50). The tours only accept 250 people per day, and there are 12 people per group.
Yes, it is a little difficult to book this tour, but it is astounding! If you want to see everything there is in Vatican City in one day, we can’t leave this experience out.
To get tickets to this tour, email the ticketing office at scavi@fsp.a 3-5 months before your trip. You will need to provide the following information:
- Exact number of participants
- Names
- Languages needed
- Possible dates (the more availability, the better)
- Email address/fax number/physical address
If you manage to get tickets to the Scavi Tour, get ready for a life-changing experience! Hopefully you’ve gotten a morning tour, as it is easier to see the Museum afterward. However, if you get an afternoon slot you can switch the museum to be in the morning.
In this 1.5-hour tour, you will be guided through the Necropolis that lies underneath the Vatican, through ancient mausoleums and Roman tombs.
Towards the end of the tour, you will visit the Tomb of Saint Peter, the patron saint of Rome, who is widely regarded as the first Pope! You will get a first-person view of his tomb and remnants. St. Peter’s Basilica was built on top of his tomb, which has been in the same place for 2000 years!
St. Peter’s Basilica
Your tour will end at St. Peter’s Basilica, an incredible cathedral with a stunning Renaissance architecture.
St Peter’s basilica is built on top of his martyrdom and reflects the importance of his influence on Christianity and Rome itself. Every inch of the church looks as if it’s made of marble and gold. It’s simply huge and takes about 15 minutes to walk from end to end.
Climb St. Peter’s Cupola
While you’re in the Basilica, you have the choice to climb the dome of St. Peter’s, which is the highest point in Rome and gives you panoramic views of Vatican City and beyond.
You’ll get to see the beautiful artwork as you ascend the stairs, but keep in mind that there are a lot of stairs, so it may not be suitable for those who are mobility impaired.
A regular ticket is €8 to start heading to the top via the stairs. However, for €10 there is a second ticket option that includes an elevator ride part-way up to the dome, which is well worth the extra €2 in my opinion. The best view is at the top, so you won’t be missing out.
After you’ve enjoyed your time at St. Peter’s, you’ll exit the walls of Vatican City to take a short lunch break before the next stop!
Lunch at 200 Gradi
You’re going to exit Vatican City from the south entrance but will have to eventually make your way up to the north entrance to see the Museum. Walk for about 10 minutes before stopping by 200 Gradi for lunch, a great spot that’s close to your next destination.
200 Gradi is a local favorite well known for their huge Italian sandwiches for an affordable price! They have an enormous selection, with porchetta, turkey, and also offer halal, gluten-free, and vegan options.
It can be a little crowded, but to-go options are available. The staff have great English skills that make ordering easy.
I made my own sandwich with salmon, mozzarella and lettuce and loved it. It’s a great place to have a quick bite to eat before heading back out!
Dessert: Old Bridge Gelateria
Before you head back to Vatican City, stop by Old Bridge Gelateria for a delicious gelato break. They have amazing flavors, and you can pick three flavors regardless of the size you buy.
It’s the best gelato store around Vatican City, so don’t miss this stop if you have a sweet tooth.
Afternoon
Now, after lunch and a good rest, we’ll head over to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.
The Vatican Museum houses an immense collection of art and artifacts from the Renaissance, Egypt, and more. Find works from famous artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, and Raphael, the list is endless.
You can either choose to purchase an entry ticket for the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel for about $20, or you can choose a guided tour. The guided tour from the museum is around €40 ($43).
If the guided tour from the museum is sold out, I recommend this skip-the-line guided tour that includes both attractions for around $65. I went on this tour and was able to skip the tremendously long line because we got our own private entry! The museum is absolutely massive and a bit overwhelming, so a tour guide really helped me focus on the most famous pieces and learn about the history.
If you don’t want a guided tour, you can opt for an audio guide instead. The tours will be around 3 hours and will take up the rest of your day. Book the museum at least 4 hours from your entry to the Scavi Tour to have room for lunch.
The Vatican Museum
After having lunch, you should be closer to the north entrance. When you’re ready, head on in.
The line to the museum will always be a little crazy, but hopefully you purchased a skip-the-line ticket and will bypass everyone.
Once you’re inside, you will be able to stroll through over 20,000 pieces of their collection. The sheer number of priceless artifacts in this museum can be a lot, so don’t lose your group in the chaos!
Make sure to see Laocoon and His Sons, the Vatican’s first acquisition purchased back in the 16th century that is located in the Octagonal Court.
Sistine Chapel
Your next stop, and my personal favorite, is the Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo’s frescoes spanning the entire ceiling.
It is an absolute masterpiece–when I saw it, it took my breath away. Whatever you decide to do while you’re in Vatican City, please don’t skip out on this exhibit!
Created at the beginning of the 16th century, it took Michelangelo four years to complete the paintings of the Sistine Chapel. The technique and skill to paint on the ceiling is just mind-blowing.
After visiting all of these attractions, I have a feeling you’re done for the day and ready to eat. Once you’ve finished admiring the Sistine Chapel, you’ll exit from the south again.
Dinner at Papa Rex Ristorante
I recommend going to Papa Rex Ristorante for dinner. They’re been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1991, and it’s very close to the south entrance of the Vatican!
It’s a traditional Italian restaurant serving classic recipes like spaghetti with clams, calamari, Florentine steak, and gnocchi. My absolute favorite is the carbonara, but all their pastas are to die for.
Murals and stone columns provide the perfect Roman Holiday ambiance. It’s so close to the Vatican that you don’t have to commute far to reach it, after being exhausted from walking the whole day. Also, the staff are excellent and treat you like family.
Night: Roof Garden & Bar
If you have the energy and want to end the night with a drink and a view, you can take a quick taxi (5 minutes) or walk (20 mins) to Roof Garden & Bar, a rooftop bar that has stunning views of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica.
It can be a tad pricey, around $45 for drinks and finger food, but the sunset view of the Vatican is gorgeous and lights up when it gets dark enough. If you make a reservation, make sure to distinguish between the bar reservation and the dinner reservation, as the food can be expensive.
Spending the night?
If you’re spending the night and want to stay near Vatican City, I have a couple of recommendations for you. Regular people can’t stay inside the Vatican obviously, but you can stay close by! And when you are visiting Rome, exploring the city and touring the Colosseum, the hotels around the Vatican provide a good location for your base in the city.
Option 1: Orazio Palace Hotel
Orazio Palace Hotel is located in Rome’s Prati quarter, and is walking distance to Vatican City, Piazza Navona, and Castello D’Angelo. The hotel rooms are modern, and there is a stunning rooftop where you can see the cityscape of Rome. Click here to see the latest rates.
Option 2: Hotel La Rovere
If you want to stay closer to Travestere, a popular neighborhood in Rome with amazing food options and bars, Hotel La Rovere is perfect! It’s in Travestere so you have lots of access to food spots, and is an 8-minute walk to the Vatican. Click here to see the latest rates.
Conclusion: A Day in Vatican City
Vatican City has so many enchanting artifacts filled with history, that it’s impossible to explore everything in a day. However, if you manage to score tickets to see the Scavi and Vatican Museum, I promise you that it will change your perspective of the world in some way.
These timeless works are truly moving to see in person, and you don’t quite feel the weight of the history that is in this city until you see it for yourself.
Author’s Box: Audrey is a registered nurse, travel blogger, and writer. She loves exploring different cultures throughout the world and learning about the legacies they’ve left behind. Her favorite part is creating itineraries of places that have inspired her, so that she can share them with you!
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