Overview
At 0.44 km², Vatican City is the world's smallest independent state and the seat of the Catholic Church. The Vatican Museums hold Renaissance masterpieces including Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment (painted over four years) and Raphael's School of Athens. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica - the world's largest church - offers sweeping views over Rome, and Bernini's colonnade around St. Peter's Square is a breathtaking sight in itself. Vatican Museums admission about EUR 17 (online booking essential). 10-minute walk from Metro Ottaviano station (Line A).
Opening Hours
Vatican Museums: 08:00-19:00 (closed Sundays; free entry on the last Sunday of the month 09:00-14:00); St. Peter's Basilica: 07:00-18:30
Travel Tips
Book the Vatican Museums online in advance; the last Sunday of each month is free but extremely crowded. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica has a separate entry fee.
Hotels near Vatican City
Hotels and guesthouses in Rome, Vatican City, Rome
