How to Make Your Vatican City Tour Easier

If you are traveling to Italy, Rome is a must-visit. If you are in Rome, Vatican City is a must, too! The world-famous destination is always crowded and has so many things to do. So, how can you make the Vatican City tour easier? Find out in this article.

Why You Can't Miss Vatican City

There are plenty of reasons to visit Vatican City. Here are six of the most compelling:

• The world's smallest independent nation-state, spanning about 100 acres (0.44 square kilometres) and surrounded by a two-mile (3.5 km) border.
• Home to St Peter's Basilica, one of the grandest and most iconic churches in Italy and in the world.
• The spiritual heart of Christendom and headquarters of the Catholic Church.
• The Vatican Museums are regarded as one of the largest and most impressive art collections in the world.
• Well-known masterpiece of Renaissance art: Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling.
• The chance to attend a Papal Audience or receive a blessing in St. Peter's Square.

Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Choose the Best Time to Visit

With an average of 20,000 (winter) to 30,000 (summer) visitors per day, there is no real off-season in Vatican City. Even in winter, tourists from all over the world still flock to this site. Of course, the crowds are noticeably smaller compared to the peak season, summer.

I recommend you visit Vatican City in the spring or autumn. The weather is not too hot or cold, and even if you have to wait in a long queue, it will be much more bearable.

Besides, visiting on a weekday (Tuesday to Thursday are the best) and arriving early in the morning will help you avoid the biggest crowds.

Be aware that Vatican City gets extremely crowded on free-entry days (the last Sunday of each month) and during major religious holidays such as Easter Sunday and Christmas.

How to Access Vatican City More Easily

The best way to access Vatican City is to take a guided tour, like Odynovo's private tour, which can save you time to grab the ticket online and provide deeper insights into this fascinating place with a professional tour guide.

If you are not joining a guided tour, make sure to book your Vatican tickets online at least two months in advance. The official website (or some third-party platforms) offers several types of tickets, but some dates may be fully booked well ahead of time.

Booking online can help you save time for buying the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel tickets, which are often called "Vatican Skip-the-Line Tickets." However, please note that you will still need to queue for the security check, as it is mandatory for all visitors.

Don't Miss the Must-See Attractions in Vatican City

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums have two main floors open to visitors. The Vatican Museums have two main floors. The basement also features three museums, but you may not have enough time to visit them.

Here, I would like to suggest you not skip these museums:

What to See on the Ground Floor:

Ground Floor of Vatican Museums

• Pio Clementino Museum: classical Greek and Roman style sculptures, including the famous Laocoön and Apollo Belvedere.
• Gregorian Egyptian Museum: ancient Egyptian artifacts such as mummies, sarcophagi, and hieroglyphs, collected by the popes.
• New Wing (Braccio Nuovo): a neoclassical gallery displaying Roman statues and imperial portraits in a grand architectural setting.
• Pinacoteca (Vatican Art Gallery): collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio.
• Collection of Contemporary Art: expression of modern and contemporary works.

What to See on the Second Floor:

Second Floor of Vatican Museums

• Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello): frescoed masterpieces by Raphael, including the well-known The School of Athens.
• Gallery of Tapestries: based on Raphael's designs, these tapestries depicted scenes from the life of Christ.
• Gallery of Maps: a long corridor decorated with detailed 16th-century maps of Italy, celebrated for its ornate ceiling and cartographic beauty.

Gallery of Maps

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel belongs to the Vatican Museums, but it is often considered an independent highlight - it truly deserves a solo "wow."

Beyond its religious significance, the ceiling of this chapel is one of the most compelling reasons to visit. The fresco "The Creation of Adam" vividly depicts the Biblical story of creation, while the altar wall's "The Last Judgment" is a masterwork beyond compare. Both works showcase Michelangelo's artistic genius and the charms of Renaissance art.

Just a heads-up: looking up at the ceiling is a serious neck workout! Photography is not allowed, so you'll have to come and witness this amazing place for yourself.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, is a magnificent structure designed by a group of legendary architects, including Michelangelo, Bernini, Maderno, and Bramante. With each of them a master in their own right, you can imagine how extraordinary the result must be.

Entry to St. Peter's Basilica is free, but you'll need to go through security again. If you want to climb St. Peter's Dome, tickets must be purchased on-site. Even if you take the elevator, you'll still have to climb 320 steps - but it's worth it. Trust me!

Taking photos of the bird's-eye views from the top of the church is a must. In the afternoon, the lighting is better, making your photos look even nicer.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Square

St Peter's Square is not only a simple square. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, this big place can hold over 300,000 people. The square is surrounded by 284 colonnades and a massive Egyptian obelisk standing 90 feet high in the centre.

It plays an important role as the site for major religious ceremonies led by the Pope, such as the Easter Mass, Christmas blessings, and the weekly papal audience held every Wednesday. You will have a chance to see the pope's army - the Swiss Guard, with brightly colored outfits.

St. Peter's Square

Spiral Staircase

As one of the most iconic features, the Spiral Staircase is always mentioned when talking about the Vatican Museums. Its double-helix design is a brilliant example of architectural ingenuity. Capturing the perfect photo here is a challenge, as you need to wait for fewer people and take a whole picture of it. But it is worth doing it.

Spiral Staircase in Vantican Museums

Decide How Long to Spend

Vatican City is full of legends and wonders, ranging from history and culture to religion and art.

If you plan to take a Vatican City tour, 2 to 3 hours is the minimum time, which can only skim the surface of the Vatican Museums.

By spending at least half a day, you can cover the highlights of Vatican City, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.

For those who want to enjoy this amazing place in depth, they can spend a whole day here.

Plan Your Route Before Your Tour

As Vatican City is not easy to finish all the sites at one time, even if you spend a whole day. For first-time visitors, I recommend the best walking itinerary: start with the Vatican Museums, then proceed to the Sistine Chapel, and finish at St. Peter's Basilica.

It is not recommended to backtrack inside the Vatican Museums, and it is very hard to do so. Because it has heavy crowds and one-way walking routes. So planning your itinerary is very important.

You will also see the iconic spiral staircase (Bramante Staircase) when entering or exiting.

After completing the museums and the Sistine Chapel, head to St. Peter's Basilica.

If time permits, you can also explore St. Peter's Square, the Pinecone Courtyard, Vatican Gardens (by guided tour only), or other nearby attractions.

Best Route for Visiting Vatican City

Useful Travel Tips

Use a Guide or Audio Guide

With so much information to take in, the best way to explore Vatican City is with a tour guide, or, at the very least, by renting an audio guide.

A private tour guide can offer deeper insights into the destination's culture, history, art, and religion. They can also help you navigate the complex layout, especially in the Vatican Museums, where backtracking is generally not suggested.

Sometimes, guides are permitted to take a shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica with their customers, which can save a lot of time.

Dress Appropriately

There is a strict dress code in the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica: no sleeveless tops, low-cut shirts, or shorts above the knee.

Also, wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will need to walk or stand for several hours.

In summer, bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun while waiting outside or walking between sites.

Travel Light & Be Prepared for a Long Queue

Do not bring too many items with you to Vatican City. Essentials include water, light snacks, ID, and ticket confirmation emails. Due to security restrictions, large bags or luggage are not allowed to leave the depositary. Lines can be long, especially in peak seasons, so carry as little as possible.