Vatican City
St. Peters Square at night
The Vatican is a city-state that is located in the heart of Rome. The Vatican City is world famous as the nerve centre of the Catholic Church.
To give you an idea of the dimensions of the Vatican, the first thing to consider is that it is the smallest state in Europe. It is only 0.44 square kilometres and is inhabited by fewer than 1,000 people within its walls.
In this limited space you can find the residence of the Pope, a palace surrounded by gardens that can be visited with prior reservation.
The independence of the Holy See from Italy was declared on 11 February 1929 in the Lateran Treaty.
What is there to see in the Vatican City?
In the Vatican City there are three visits that shine with their own light: St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, the precinct in which the Sistine Chapel is found.
The St. Peter's Square is perhaps the best-known square in the world and also one of the most beautiful. It was built by Bernini in the middle of the 17th century and can hold over 300,000 people.
St. Peter's Basilica is the most important religious building in Catholicism. Inside, the Pope celebrates the most important liturgies and its interior belongs to the Holy See.
With more than 4 million visitors annually, the Vatican Museums are one of the main tourist attractions in Rome. In its interior you can view thousands of works of art collected by the Roman Catholic Church over more than five centuries.
Considered to be Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel is one of those places that everyone should see at least once in their lives.
How much time is needed to visit the Vatican?
If you want to visit the Vatican and to enjoy everything that it offers, it is necessary to dedicate at least a whole morning.
If besides completing the tours you want to expand your knowledge and hear surprising stories, do not miss our guided tours in English. The best thing to do is to begin by taking the Guided tour of the Vatican.
Location
On the west side of the Tiber River.
Transport
Metro: Ottaviano, line A (red).
Map
Closest attractions
Sistine Chapel (0.08 miles)St. Peter's Basilica (0.12 miles)
St. Peter's Square (0.24 miles)
Vatican Museums (0.25 miles)
Castel Sant'Angelo (0.7 miles)
Hotels nearby
Hotel Alimandi Vaticano
(0.25 miles)
Michelangelo Suites
(0.25 miles)
Chroma Tria
(0.26 miles)
Le Cupole
(0.25 miles)
