Top 15 Must-Experience Activities in Vatican City

The distinction of smallest country on Earth (by size AND population) goes to Vatican City.

Located within Rome, Italy, Vatican City has less than 1000 inhabitants and has maintained its status as an independent country since 1929.

Also known as the Holy See, it has served as the residence of the Catholic Pope since the 14th century and is regarded as the center of worldwide Catholicism.

Each year, approximately five million visitors come to this diminutive nation, with all entry designated through St. Peter’s Square.

Despite its modest size of only 44 hectares (110 acres), there is much to experience, alongside centuries of history, culture, and religion to explore.

Let’s examine the best attractions in Vatican City:

1. Saint Peter’s Basilica

Constructed over the burial site of Saint Peter, this is one of the largest and most visually stunning churches in the world.

The present edifice was finalized in the 17th century and built atop an earlier 4th century church. The completion spanned approximately 120 years, rich with historical significance.

Admission is free; however, a dress code is enforced, and once inside, visitors will encounter three of the most acclaimed masterpieces of any era: Bernini’s 29-meter-high baldachin over the papal altar, Michelangelo’s Pietà, and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.

2. Saint Peter’s Square

Designed in the 17th century by Bernini, Saint Peter’s Square serves as the principal entrance to the basilica and to Vatican City.

The area is divided into two sections, with Bernini striving to create an effect that would honor ‘the matrix of all the churches.’

The square is adorned with 140 statues of saints along the balustrade, two impressive fountains, Michelangelo’s Pietà, a broad promenade leading to the basilica, and statues of Saints Peter and Paul.

Visitors appreciate the Royal Staircase leading to the Vatican Palaces, which is approximately 60 meters high, appearing even longer due to its progressive narrowing as it rises.

3. Sistine Chapel

Constructed in the 15th century as the pope’s private chapel and the venue for the election of new popes, the Sistine Chapel is a truly spectacular sight.

It stands as the most visited and renowned attraction within Vatican City, showcasing Michelangelo’s fresco masterpieces on the ceiling and behind the altar.

The ceiling portrays notable Old Testament stories, while behind the altar is The Last Judgement, depicting the second coming of Christ and the Day of Judgement.

The walls are adorned with frescoes by artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Roselli, and Perugino.

4. Saint Peter’s Tomb

Below the modern basilica lie remnants of the original 4th century church.

Excavations at this site have unveiled what archaeologists believe to be the tomb of Saint Peter, who is thought to have died around 64 to 67 AD.

Bones of an elderly and robust man were discovered in a box behind a wall there in 1942.

The Vatican has never made a definitive declaration regarding the identity of the bones, though Pope Paul VI affirmed that the identification process was ‘compelling.’

5. Ponte Sant’Angelo

In the second century, Emperor Hadrian commissioned Ponte Sant’Angelo, a bridge crafted to serve as a grand approach to his mausoleum, Castel Sant’Angelo.

Translating to Bridge of the Holy Angel, it spans the Tiber River and was transformed into a masterpiece by Bernini in the 17th century.

He designed ten angel statues, each holding a symbol related to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—including a whip and thorns.

6. Castel Sant’Angelo

Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum is renowned as Castel Sant’Angelo, and with its bold round exterior, it is one of Vatican City’s most recognizable edifices.

In the contemporary era, it houses the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo, which boasts an impressive collection of sculptures, paintings, medieval weaponry, and other military artifacts.

Once utilized as a fortress, there exists a secret passageway, established in the 13th century, that allowed escape for the pope’s senior clergy.

Upstairs, visitors will admire the elaborate Renaissance interiors and the terrace offering stunning views over the city of Rome.

7. Vatican Museums

Initially established in the 16th century by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums house one of the most extensive art collections of any nation.

Spanning roughly seven kilometers of corridors, visitors will encounter Egyptian mummies, Etruscan artifacts, Renaissance masterpieces, and modern art.

Be sure not to miss the classical statuary in the Museo Pio-Clementino and the Raphael frescoes.

The museums occupy two palaces: the Vatican Palace and the Belvedere Palace.

Within the premises, you will discover three remarkable courtyards: the Cortile della Biblioteca, the Cortile della Pigna, and the Cortile del Belvedere.

Given the vast array of exhibits, it is impractical to absorb it all in a single day, hence it is advisable to plan ahead and prioritize your ‘must-see’ exhibits.

8. Complesso Monumentale Santo Spirito in Saxia

This 8th century structure was formerly accommodation for Saxon pilgrims and was later converted into a hospital complex by Pope Innocent III.

Sixtus IV enhanced the site by adding a beautiful courtyard and two halls adorned with frescoes.

Currently privately operated for conferences, this massive building is an unmissable sight that inspires awe in all who visit.

9. See the Pope

If your visit coincides with a Wednesday, you will have the rare opportunity to see the Pope, as Wednesday serves as his audience day.

He makes his appearance in Saint Peter’s Square, and the atmosphere of the crowd rivals the experience of seeing the Pope himself.

Typically, the Pope greets various groups of visitors, offers a prayer, blesses any religious artifacts brought by attendees, and concludes with a blessing.

The majority of the square’s seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is wise to arrive early for optimal view.

10. Vatican Gardens

Covering more than half of the total 110 acres of Vatican City, the Vatican Gardens span approximately 57 acres, occupying the western portion of the country.

Within the gardens, one can find monuments and buildings that date back to the 9th century, medieval fortifications, the Vatican Radio Station, the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, as well as numerous sculptures and fountains.

Initially established during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the contemporary layout of the gardens is attributed to Pope Nicholas III, who enclosed the area and planted orchards when relocating the papal residence to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace.

11. The Sacred Grottoes

The Sacred Grottoes serve as the final resting place for the popes.

Located beneath the basilica, a glance up at the ceiling reveals the iron flooring.

Several popes, including Pope Hadrian IV, Pope Boniface VIII, and Pope Paul VI, have been interred here.

Pope John Paul II was initially laid to rest in this site before being relocated to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian in 2011 following his Beatification.

12. Vatican Necropolis

Often mistaken for the Sacred Grottoes, the Vatican Necropolis is also located beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica.

The necropolis traces its origins to Imperial times, fluctuating between five and twelve meters below ground level, with a significant excavation conducted in the 1940s.

This excavation was commissioned by Pope Pius XI, who wished to be buried as close to Saint Peter’s remains as possible.

Look out for the tomb of the Julii, dating back to the 3rd century.

13. The Apostolic Palace

The official residence of the current pope is the Apostolic Palace, situated in the northeastern section of Saint Peter’s Basilica, adjacent to the Palace of Gregory XIII and the Bastion of Nicholas V.

This structure, dating back to the 16th century, is also referred to as the Vatican Palace and encompasses various Papal apartments, Catholic Church administrative offices, Vatican Museums, the Vatican Library, the Vatican Observatory, along with several private and public chapels.

Within the palace’s premises, approximately 1,000 rooms are present, including Raphael’s rooms and the Sistine Chapel.

14. The Cappella Paolina

One of the chapels within the Apostolic Palace is the Cappella Paolina.

Commissioned by Pope Paul III, the chapel is located behind the portico of Saint Peter’s Basilica and connects the palace with the basilica.

This symbolic connection illustrates the integration of papal authority, ceremony, and ritual.

All frescoes within the Cappella Paolina were created by Michelangelo.

Today, this chapel is the preferred venue for papal meetings.

Additionally, be sure to explore the nearby Sala Ducale, Portone di Bronzo, and Sala Regia.

15. St Stephen of the Abyssinians

This Roman Catholic church located in Vatican City is dedicated to Stephen the Protomartyr and serves as the national church of Ethiopia.

The liturgy here is conducted according to the Alexandrian rites of the Ethiopian church, making it one of the few structures to survive the devastation of the original Saint Peter’s Basilica, thus marking it as the oldest surviving church in Vatican City.