Make the Most of Your Visit to the Vatican 

Compared to the city of Rome, of course, Vatican City is tiny. But it is its own city-state, about a half a square mile (roughly 1/8th the size of Central Park in NYC), valued at about $20 billion. 

Its feeling of expansiveness and grandeur no doubt comes from the fact that it holds so many jaw-dropping treasures, so many wonders of art and architecture, and so much beauty around every corner.

As a certified Rome travel expert who specializes in designing custom itineraries for independent travelers, what I have found is that any visit to the Vatican requires a certain kind of preparation to really get the most out of it. Not complicated, but intentional. This is not a destination that is well suited for “winging it.” When travelers do that, they often wind up stressed, exhausted, and lost in lines and crowds. 

The good news is that there is a way to plan your visit to the Vatican that minimizes stress and maximizes your experience of this extraordinary place. Whether you choose one day or two, here are a few of my must-sees, plus some insider tips to make sure your visit to the Vatican is as smooth as possible. 

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are actually a huge conglomerate of many sub-museums. The 1,400 rooms and vaulted hallways are filled with works that offer an extraordinary window into more than 5,000 years of human history — from ancient Egyptian artifacts to collections of contemporary religious art. And all of it leads to the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. 

There are a few ways to approach your visit to the Vatican Museums:

• You can visit independently 
• You can visit with a group tour
• You can visit with your own private tour guide

Tours have the added bonus of skipping the inevitably long lines and being guided by people who are passionate experts in the museum’s contents. And by far my biggest recommendation is to take this tour and experience the museum before it opens. It’s quiet and wide open. It’s serene. It enhances the sense of awe.   

St. Peter’s Basilica

Full disclosure: this is my favorite building of all time. I always include a stop on my personal visits to the Vatican. 

Stepping through the main entrance is where most people, as famous Europe expert Rick Steves says, have one of Europe’s greatest “wow” experiences: it takes a moment for the brain to adjust to the massive scale of this church, and everyone around you will be gaping in open-mouthed wonder. 

When you’re standing in the nave, near the entrance, the back of the church is two football fields away. And the ornate bronze canopy over the altar? It’s the height of a 7-story building. 

Everywhere you turn will be another famous work of art: Michelangelo’s Pietà, a mosaic copy of Raphael’s Transfiguration, and the mind-boggling Dove Window and Throne of St. Peter, both by Bernini. 

And of course, there is the world-famous dome. Speaking of which, if you’re feeling adventurous…  

Dome (Cupola) Climb

There’s nothing quite like the experience of climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica on your visit to the Vatican. There are two levels you can choose. 

The first level can be made on foot or via elevator and will drop you at the rooftop of the church. From here, you will be able to look out over the expanse of Rome across the Tiber River, and you’ll have a birds eye view of St. Peter’s Square below. The towering dome itself will be directly behind you. 

From this first level, you can also pop inside the church and access the gallery that rings the interior of the dome, offering a view of the tiny pilgrims milling about the basilica below. 

The second level involves climbing a narrow, winding staircase with 323 steps to the very top of the dome. The sensation of ascending, along with hundreds of other climbers, as the curved ceiling angles in, is its own kind of adventure. 

And the top — oh, the top. From here, all of Rome is laid out before you: Bernini’s encircling columns, the Pantheon, the Vatican Museums and lush grounds, and well beyond. 

Your quads will be shaking, and you’ll probably be quite sweaty … but man, so worth it. 

Necropolis Tour

A little less well-known but certainly no less fascinating is the necropolis that lies 15-40 feet beneath the Basilica. 

The current Basilica was built on the spot where the original Old St. Peter’s Church was built in A.D. 326. In 1940, when that area underneath the Basilica was opened for archeological study, bones were discovered of a 1st-century man, with the words Peter is here scrawled on the wall near the tomb.  

This engaging tour provides small groups the opportunity to see the tombs of Julias Caesar’s family, various popes throughout history, and the tomb of St. Peter himself. Because each tour’s size is limited to about 12 people, advance reservations are a must!    

Things To Plan For On Your Visit To The Vatican

There are a few important things that all travelers should know before they make their way to the wonders of the Vatican. 

As I mentioned, the lines are always long. Plan ahead, make reservations if possible, get tickets, opt for the tour when you can. You can usually avoid the worst crowds in the early morning (before 10am) and then after 4pm — though the altar area is often roped off in the late afternoon. I always feel that it’s worth it to spring a few extra Euros in exchange to not have to deal with the hassle and stress that comes with standing in winding lines, especially with little kids.  

There is a dress code, and it is enforced. For men, women, and children, no shorts, above-the-knee skirts, or bare shoulders are allowed. Tuck a wrap or shawl in your bag.

Set an easy, highly visible, designated meeting place in case you get separated from your travel companions. These buildings are huge, and it’s possible to find yourself lost in a sea of tourists.  

When you have your plan down, and you know how you’re going to move through and between your chosen sights — you’re ready for a truly transformative experience with the vastness, beauty, and grandeur that is the Vatican!