A Visit to the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica

My tour of the Vatican City was one of the highlights of my trip to Rome. The tour took us through the Vatican Museums, Raphael’s Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. All of which were breathtakingly beautiful. At the end of the tour we were free to explore St Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, something that has to be seen with your own eyes to appreciate the grand scale and beauty of the place. We exited the Vatican by walking through St Peter’s square, where we could stand and take in the grandeur of an amazing site.

Most of my photos are of the Vatican Museums, as you are not allowed to take photos in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s rooms due to the damage that the flash can do to the artwork. I noticed a lot of people ignoring these rules which annoyed me quite a lot. It is a privilege to be allowed in these places, not a right.  Photos would not really be able to show the impressiveness of the artwork anyway; it is something that needs to be seen with your own eyes. You can take photos in St Peter’s Basilica, however my camera battery ran out of power just as I entered. I’ll use that as an excuse to go back. (*Update: I did go back and I got some great shots in St Peter’s Basilica, added below)

Vatican Museums

St Peter’s Basilica

How to Visit the Vatican City

Here’s some practical information to help plan your visit:

1. Location: Vatican City is located within the city of Rome, Italy. Its main entrance is through St. Peter’s Square, which is easily accessible from various parts of Rome by foot, public transportation, or taxi. The Vatican Museum entrance is on Viale Vaticano.
2. Getting There:
   • By Metro: The closest metro station to Vatican City is Ottaviano-S. Pietro, which is on Line A (red line). From the station, it’s a short walk to St. Peter’s Square.
   • By Bus: Several bus lines serve Vatican City, with stops near St. Peter’s Square. Bus numbers 40 and 64 are popular options.
   • By Foot: If you’re staying in central Rome, Vatican City is within walking distance for many visitors, especially from areas such as the historic centre or Trastevere.
3. Opening Hours:
   • St. Peter’s Basilica: Generally open daily from early morning to late afternoon, though hours may vary depending on religious ceremonies and events.
   • Vatican Museums: Open Monday to Saturday, with varying hours depending on the season. Closed on Sundays and certain holidays.
   • Vatican Gardens: Accessible by guided tour only, which must be booked in advance.
4. Tickets:
   • St. Peter’s Basilica: Admission to the basilica is free, but there may be long queues to enter, especially during peak tourist seasons. Consider booking a guided tour to skip-the-line.
   • Vatican Museums: Tickets for the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, can be purchased online in advance or at the ticket office on-site. Again, skip-the-line tickets or guided tours are recommended to avoid long waits. Guided tours of the museums generally have a special entrance to St Peter’s Basilica afterwards, allowing you to skip the long lines.
   • Vatican Gardens: Guided tours of the Vatican Gardens must be booked in advance through the Vatican Museums website.
5. Dress Code: As Vatican City is a religious site, visitors are expected to dress appropriately. Both men and women should avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, and hats inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.
6. Security: Security checks are conducted at the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Large bags, backpacks, and sharp objects are not allowed inside. Plan accordingly to avoid delays.
7. Guided Tours: Guided tours of Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Vatican Gardens, are available and highly recommended for a deeper understanding of the history, art, and significance of these sites. See below for some options.