A trip to Rome isn’t complete with a complete tour of Vatican City, but it can be difficult to know where to begin. After all, the Vatican is technically an entire country – even if it is the smallest country in the world!

In this guide, we’re going to go over some of the best and most beautiful places to visit in Vatican City, from the world famous St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel, as well as some lesser known yet equally fascinating places, such as the Vatican Mosaic Studio. Let’s take a look!

What is the most unique part of Vatican city?

One of the most unique and fascinating parts of Vatican City has to be the Vatican Mosaic Studio, which isn’t open to the general public (although it can be visited via one of our private Vatican tours.) The Vatican Mosaic Studio was founded in the 1550s, and was used as a space to create the mosaics that decorate the ceilings and walls of some of the most iconic buildings in Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Basilica. With an expert tour guide and a private tour, a trip to the studio offers a unique opportunity to get some insight into how these incredible works of art were created.

Places to visit in Vatican City

Aside from the Mosaic Studio, here are some of the most unmissable sights that you simply have to see throughout your trip.

Benefits of a semi private tour

So, why opt for a semi private tour instead of a larger group one? While you might be put off by the possibility of an increased price, this type of tour offers the following benefits to your trip:

St Peter’s Basilica

Perhaps one of the best known places in Vatican City is St. Peter’s Basilica, which is considered to be one of the greatest architectural and artistic achievements in Italy, with its incredible frescoes, large dome and breathtakingly beautiful sculptures. It’s no wonder millions come from all over the world year after year to visit this magnificent church!

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is another must-see destination for those visiting the Vatican: originally built at the end of the 15th century, it is renowned for its ceiling and wall frescoes, which were painted by famous Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo. There’s no better place to get a feel for the Vatican’s rich cultural history – and it’s even better when you visit with an early access morning tour.

The Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens are another popular attraction in the city: stretching from St Peter’s Square to the walls of the city, the gardens are full of sculptures, fountains and lush greenery. It’s a great place to take in some fresh air and enjoy the peace and serenity of the Vatican – and if you time your visit well, you might even get to witness one of the Pope’s weekly audiences!

St. Peter’s Square

Besides being an astonishingly beautiful piece of architecture, St Peter’s Square is also home to much secretive symbolism and artwork – you can only see them when you look closely enough! St. Peter’s Square is also home to the famous obelisk in the centre of the square, which was gifted to Pope Sixtus V by Emperor Caligula in AD 37.

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums span 9 full miles – yes, 9 – of artwork, sculpture, tapestries and more. The Vatican Museums are the perfect place to go for those looking to explore and uncover some of the most remarkable pieces of artwork in Italian history – from classical sculpture to religious artefacts and paintings from famous Renaissance masters like Raphael.

Visiting Vatican City: tips and tricks

Before heading off on your visit to the Vatican, here are some free tips and tricks from us that’ll make the experience even better (and safer) when you arrive:

Know your dress code

The Vatican is, above all, a religious site, so it’s highly important for all visitors to respect the dress code. To be ensured entry, make sure you abide by the following dress code rules: no cleavage, no plunging necklines, no knees exposed, no obscene or offensive logos or images, shoulders covered, and all men must remove headwear when entering into the historic site. Simple!

Don’t bring prohibited times

Items such as pocket knives and glass water bottles are a no-no; bringing them with you is only going to make your security check take longer than necessary. It’s a good idea to get clued up on all prohibited items before heading to the Vatican for your trip; it’s also important to remember to leave your suitcases and any heavy baggage at your hotel; you won’t be granted entry with it.

Come with a private tour

One of the best ways to experience the Vatican is to come with a private tour guide, rather than opting for a large group tour. Large group tours can make it difficult for you to ask questions or have the time to appreciate all of the remarkable artwork, sculptures and frescoes. Private tours offer the opportunity for more in-depth discussions about the history of Vatican City, and also often come with exclusive benefits – this can include early access to some sites or special access to restricted areas.

Bring appropriate footwear

Walking around the Vatican City is no easy task, so it’s important to bring appropriate footwear – think flats or trainers, not heels! The cobblestone streets and uneven terrain in the gardens can be quite difficult to navigate in unsuitable shoes, so choose comfort over style when getting ready for your visit.

Be on the lookout for scams

Unfortunately, the Vatican is not immune to scams – so it pays to be wary of anyone offering you an ‘exclusive’ tour or deal. Some scammers even wear faux staff uniforms to feign credibility, but don’t buy tickets from anyone flogging them at the Vatican entrance – if they’re particularly insistent, threatening, or unpleasant, it’s most likely a scammer.

Protect your valuables

As Vatican City is one of the most popular tourist sites in the world, it’s no surprise that the area is plagued by thieves and pickpockets who target tourists. To protect yourself from theft, it’s important to be extra careful when it comes to protecting your valuables; make sure you keep your bags close, and keep your phone in a bumbag where possible. It’s also a good idea to leave any unnecessary items at your hotel or in a safe place before heading out for the day – this will help ensure that all of your belongings stay safe for the duration of your trip.

A skip the line tour is one of the best ways to tour the Vatican sites without spending hours melting away in the Italian heat – especially if you’re visiting in high season during the summer months!

However, don’t forget that even with a skip the line tour, you’ll still need to pass through security in order to be granted access to the site. So, how long does a security take, and does it still take as long when passing through as part of a private tour group? Let’s take a look.

What are skip the line tours?

Skip the line tours Vatican are a type of guided tour that allows those who book to bypass the long queues and make their way safely into the Vatican area without waiting for hours in the long waiting line outside. This is made possible through special arrangements with the authorities, allowing private tour groups to pass unhindered through the various checkpoints; however, they are still subject to standard security checks – and these can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes to complete.

So, while a skip the line tour does save valuable time and energy, it is important to bear in mind that security checks are still required before entry can be granted. As such, it pays to double-check your booking and arrive with plenty of time to spare – both for the security check itself, as well as for the tour itself! It’s also important to check what can and cannot be taken into the Vatican site; this will help the security check process move faster, and prevent you from having to throw away any valuable – but prohibited – items.

How long does a Vatican security check take?

When you arrive at the Vatican, you’ll be obliged to perform the following security checks:

• Walking through an advanced metal detector
• Placing certain items (such as phones) in a tray to be scanned
• Throw away any prohibited items (such as glass water bottles)
• Have your clothing and attire checked by a security guard

In general, the security check at the Vatican can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your group, and whether or not the security guards find an issue with any of your belongings, attire, or bags. It’s a bit like an airport security check; the more items you have to remove and scan, the longer it’ll take to reach the airport lounge – so keep that in mind before arriving.

If you’re arriving as part of a skip the line tour, you’ll likely be able to get through security much quicker, and be granted entry into the site within 5-10 minutes. Again, this process can be complicated if a member of your group is carrying prohibited items, wearing obscene or offensive clothing, or is wearing lots of metal items (such as watches, belts, and jewelry) that needs to be removed before the security check can be considered complete.

What not to bring to the Vatican

If you want to get through security quicker, it pays to double-check what you can and cannot bring into the site. Generally speaking, any dangerous items (such as weapons, pocket knives, or other sharp objects) are not allowed, as are large bags or suitcases. If your bag is deemed unsuitable by security guards, they may ask you to return it to your hotel, as there’s no storage space within the Vatican itself. This can be a massive waste of time and money, so never bring your luggage with you on your visit to the Vatican (or any other historic Italian site for that matter)!

What not to wear at the Vatican

While entering the Vatican, it’s important to remember that you’re entering a sacred religious site, so many staff members and guards will also be obliged to carry out outfit checks and ensure that all guests and visitors are dressed in appropriate attire.

In order to get approved entry as quickly as possible, dress in modest clothing and follow the instructions laid out by the Vatican to a T. This means that you must cover your shoulders and knees (you can wrap a shawl around your shoulders if need be), cover any décolleté, avoid all plunging necklines or overly tight clothing, and wear appropriate footwear )- while heels aren’t banned, they’re highly impractical. In addition to this, men must remove all headwear before being granted access to the site, although women are permitted to keep hats on.

You should also make sure that you don’t arrive wearing any obscene logos or graphic images on your clothing, jewelry or bags; t-shirts or jewelry items that feature nudity, obscene symbols, profanity, or any other image that could be deemed as offensive to the Catholic faith could result in you being asked to leave.

Plus, if you want to make things really quick, leave your jewelry, watches, and other metal accessories at the hotel – you’ll speed through security faster than you can say ciao!

A trip to the Colosseum is an absolute must if you’re visiting Rome, but many tourists end up either being denied entry, blistering their feet, or altogether having a forgettable experience. And no, it’s not because the Colosseum doesn’t live up to expectations – quite the contrary!
It’s because a trip to the Colosseum requires a little bit of pre-planning.

In this guide, we’re going to go over 10 mistakes to avoid when visiting the Colosseum, so you can make the most of your trip and avoid common tourist pit-falls. Let’s take a look!

Forgetting to book tickets in advance

The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions, which means that it’s always crowded and almost always fully booked for the day. It’s important to remember that you can only enter the Colosseum with approved Colosseum tours and tour guides, so it’s highly recommended to book your tickets online in advance. Not only will this ensure that you gain entry to the site, but it’ll also save you time spent waiting around in long lines.

Not wearing comfortable shoes

It’s easy to forget how much walking you’ll do when visiting the Colosseum, but you’ll be doing a fair bit of it! Not only that, but the grounds of the Colosseum are quite uneven and rocky, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes that provide good support. Flip-flops are a definite no-no, as are high heels; opt for trainers or hiking boots if you want to make sure your feet don’t get too sore during the day.

Not scheduling enough time

With all the things to see at the Colosseum, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of time to explore everything it has to offer. Many tourists end up skipping incredible sites, such as the Roman Forum, as they don’t programme enough time for sightseeing into their day. This is another reason that pre-booked tickets are a must!

Visiting during high season

If you’re visiting the Colosseum during the high season, you can expect to encounter large crowds and long waiting times – even if you have a pre-booked ticket. One of the easiest ways to avoid the tourist crowd is to visit the Colosseum during quiet periods, such as the winter months. While you can still expect to run into crowds, it won’t be nearly as hectic as during the summer months.

Not bringing a water bottle

Lots of walking + unpredictable Italian weather = dehydration. Make sure to bring a bottle of water with you when visiting the Colosseum, especially if it’s hot out; dehydration can set in quickly with all the walking! Plus, Rome is filled with public water fountains where you can fill up your bottle for free, so it’s a must-have for any sightseeing trip in the Italian capital.

Getting the wrong ticket

When booking your tour tickets for the Colosseum, it’s important to remember to pick a tour that actually interests you; there are different tickets for different sites, such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. You can even opt for an audio tour, which is great for those who are interested in learning more about the historical sites while also wanting to explore the site at their own leisure.

Going at the wrong time of day

Just like the high seasons, certain times of day are more crowded than others at the Colosseum. It’s best to avoid visiting during peak hours (between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm), as this is when most tourists flock to the site. Try and visit in the early morning if you want to be one of the first visitors to the famous amphitheater.

Bringing a rolling bag or large rucksack

Getting denied entry to the Colosseum can put a damper on anyone’s holiday, but this can easily be avoided by paying attention to the size of your bag. Due to security concerns, rolling bags, suitcases and large backpacks are strictly prohibited in the Colosseum – make sure you check the size of yours before heading off! If you’re looking to do a quick tour of the Colosseum on the day you leave for the airport, you can easily find somewhere to store your luggage for the duration of your tour.

Bringing prohibited items

Alongside large bags and suitcases, there are also a number of prohibited items that could see you being denied entry to the Colosseum. These include pets, sharp objects (including small scissors), glass bottles, and selfie sticks (yes, really!) You’ll also be unable to enter the Colosseum if you have an aerosol spray with you, so if you’ve been carrying deodorant in your handbag to combat the summer sweats, make sure you’ve disposed of this before trying to enter the site.

Forgetting to use sun protection

In Rome, temperatures can easily soar in the summertime – meaning it’s important to remember to bring sunscreen with you, even if you’re visiting in the Autumn or Winter months. Rome weather can be incredibly unpredictable, and you don’t want to leave your holiday with unsightly, painful sunburn! Apply sunscreen before your visit just in case – you never know when a Rome heatwave might decide to hit.

Vatican City is one of Italy’s most popular tourist sites; home to Catholicism, the Pope, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica, the historic site attracts millions of visitors each year. Unfortunately, with this popularity comes long queues and potential overcrowding.

If you’re looking to avoid the massive queues in Vatican City, there are a number of measures you can take, and we’re going to go over each of them in the following blog. From pre-booking your tour tickets to visiting outside the high season, these tips can help you make the most of your Vatican City experience – without spending your holiday in long queues. Let’s take a look.

Buy tickets in advance

While there’s no rule preventing you from turning up at the Vatican without tickets, doing so risks the possibility of being unable to visit the historic ticketed sites, such as the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. If you turn up on the day without a pre-booked tour, there’s a good chance that the tickets could be sold out, or that you’ll end up waiting in lines for hours waiting for a space to open up. To avoid this, make sure that you pre-purchase tickets online and in advance of your visit.

Opt for ‘skip the line’ tickets

If you really don’t have the time for a long queue, you can buy Vatican Tours Skip the Line tickets and enjoy the Vatican as a VIP. With Skip the Line tickets, you won’t need to wait in the tourist queue, and you’ll be granted entry to the Vatican with your tour guide at your chosen time. Skip the Line tickets are exclusive to small, private groups, usually up to 6 at a time. The benefit of a private tour (as opposed to a group tour) is that you’ll be able to enjoy the Vatican experience in a more intimate setting; you won’t need to raise your hand to ask questions or fight to be heard in a large crowd.

Visit outside the high season

Rome is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, so it’s no surprise that the city is flowing with tourists in the summer months. The summer season is probably the worst time to visit the Vatican if you hate long queues; not only are the waiting lines longer, but you’ll also have to deal with the hot Italian sun, which can be overbearing and even dangerous to those not used to it. If you want to skip the queues and enjoy the Vatican in peace and quiet, consider visiting during the off-season (November–March) when crowds are much smaller. Visit early in the morning Another easy way to beat the long queues and waiting times is to visit the Vatican early in the morning. The Vatican site opens at 9am Monday to Saturday, so you can easily avoid the rush and get a head start on your sightseeing.

Be aware of dress codes and rules

Don’t forget that much of the time you’ll spend waiting around in queues at the Vatican will be spent going through security checks; the Vatican enforces a strict policy when it comes to both dress code and prohibited items. If you want to spend less time going through security checks, make sure that you and your group are appropriately dressed, and aren’t carrying any prohibited items.

For appropriate attire, make sure your shoulders, upper arms, and knees are covered. Avoid long, plunging necklines, and absolutely refrain from wearing any offensive or obscene symbols on your clothes. When it comes to prohibited items, note that the following items are not allowed into the Vatican:

• Weapons (guns, knives, etc)
• Food and drinks (in Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica)
• Illegal substances
• Backpacks or large bags
• Pets or animals of any kind
• Selfie sticks or camera tripods

FAQs

What is the best time to queue for the Vatican?

The best time to visit the Vatican is in the early morning; there will be fewer tourist groups, and you won’t have to wait as long to gain entry to the site.

What is the least busy day to visit the Vatican?

Midweek is a great time to visit the Vatican; Tuesday-Thursday tend to have fewer crowds and shorter entry lines. Saturday tends to be the busiest day for the Vatican, although this can vary season to season.

How long does it take to get through Vatican security?

The time it takes to pass through Vatican security will depend on whether or not anybody in your group is wearing inappropriate clothing or carrying prohibited items. To speed up the process, ensure that everyone in your group is appropriately dressed and not carrying any prohibited items.

 

If you’re planning a trip to the historic city of Rome, you can’t pass up on the opportunity to visit the Vatican. Known as the home of Catholicism – as well as the home of St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel – the Vatican is a must-see tourist site for visitors of all ages.

While visiting the Vatican alone is free, many visitors opt to take a private tour in order to gain deeper insights into the art, architecture and history of the site. Private tours typically include an experienced guide, who will provide detailed information about the different sites and monuments while leading you through the Vatican’s grounds.

But how much does a private tour of the Vatican cost, and what do you get for your money? In this blog, we’re going to take a look at different types of private tour packages, so you can decide which one is the best option for your trip – and your budget.

How much does a private tour of the Vatican cost?

The cost of a Vatican private tour will depend on the size of your group and the type of tour you’re opting for; although generally speaking, a private tour will accommodate around 6 people, with some tours allowing groups of up to 12 people. The cost of a private Vatican tour can range anywhere between $83 and $769 for more VIP packages, while larger group tours offered by the Vatican itself begin at $46 (€43).

Different types of private Vatican Tours

So, what are the different options available if you’re looking to tour the Vatican with a private guide? Here are the most common tours available at the historic site, available either through the Vatican itself or via third-party tour guides like us:

Group tours

Group tours are the most economical option and can cost anywhere between $40 to $100 euros per person. These tours typically last between 2-3 hours and provide an overview of the major sites within the Vatican walls. However, you won’t get the most intimate experience with a group tour; Q&As might be limited, and you most likely won’t get to skip the long waiting lines.

Private guided tour

veli.Private guided tours are ideal if you’d like more time at each site, or if you have a specific interest in the history and culture of the Vatican and want to ask lots of questions! Private tours generally last between 2.5-4 hours, and can cost anywhere from $82 to $769 per person, depending on what type of tour you opt for. Factors that influence the cost of a private guided tour include:

• Early access – early access tours allow you to visit the historic Vatican before the crowds arrive, so you can explore the site at your leisure.
• Skip the line tours – Skip the line tours allow you to skip the long waiting times and enjoy instant access to the Vatican site, saving potentially hours wasted under the hot Italian sun.
• Joint tours – At What a Life Tours, we offer joint and combination tours in Rome, where you’ll be able to tour Rome’s historic sites with the same tour guide. From our Rome in a Day: Full-Day Private Tour ($789 per person), to our Colosseum Arena Floor & Vatican Afternoon Tour ($199 per person) you’ll be able to plan your sight-seeing efficiently.

Vatican Under the Stars tour

If you want to experience the historic Vatican under the Italian moonlight, we offer a private Under the Stars Vatican tour for up to 12 people, at $89 per person. You’ll get to explore the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel under a totally different light – literally!

Is a guided tour of the Vatican worth the money?

We certainly think so! With a guided tour of the Vatican, you’ll be able to ask as many questions as you like, tour the site with a smaller, more intimate-sized group, and even skip those long waiting lines if you opt for a skip-the-lines package.

Can I visit the Vatican for free?

If you don’t have the budget for a private guided tour, you’ll still be able to enter the historic Vatican site for free. However, if you want to visit the Sistine Chapel or the Vatican Museums, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee, which is around $8.50-$18 (€8-17).

However, the Vatican opens its doors to everyone every last Sunday of the month, where you’ll be able to access the usually paid attractions free of charge from 9am until 2pm. Although do note that there will usually be lots of visitors on free days, so it’s not the best option if you’re hoping for a more private, intimate tour.