Location: Vatican City
Top Things to do in Vatican City
Top Restaurants in Vatican City
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Things to do in Vatican City, Lazio: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Sure, Vatican City is tiny—110 acres—but it houses the world's largest Catholic church (St. Peter's Basilica) and has perhaps the best collection of artistic masterpieces in the world (the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Pieta, the Laocoon Group, etc.). And maybe only 800 people live here, but one of them's the Pope. It's a pretty good argument for quality over quantity.
Restaurants in Vatican City
1. Cupola di San Pietro
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,323 reviews
Reviewed By Jwallace_83 - San Mateo, United States
The views from above are wild!! You can see the entire Vatican City, and Rome on a clear day. Worth the steps and spiral staircase. Wasn’t sure where it was going at first but it was well worth it!!
2. Vatican Necropolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 858 reviews
When Pius XII ordered a thorough excavation of the area under the High Altar in St. Peter's Basilica, twisting stone passages were found leading to an ancient Roman necropolis, which contained chambers 10- to 15-feet wide with preserved frescoes and mosaics.
Reviewed By MandySSS - Minneapolis, United States
A truly one of a kid tour. The Necropolis was where Christians buried their own before Roman rulers converted and actually persecuted the Christians. Apostle Peters bones are here where they guide claims thee is a 95 % chance they are his. Truly a amazing site whether you are a Christian or not!! No pictures allowed and a sacred place so dress appropriately and bring a small flashlight if possible. Also must make reservations through the Scavi Office of the Vatican.
3. St. Peter's Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,805 reviews
This grand and magnificent square has retained its classical beauty and serves as the place from which the masses receive the Pope's weekly blessing.
Reviewed By Ius84 - Fairfax, United States
First, request or obtain (free) tickets to attend Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square (however, I was not asked for my ticket to enter, but it's a nice souvenir.) On the morning of the mass I took Uber from my hotel at 6:35 am and arrived at 6:50 am at the corner of Borgo Vittorio & Via di Porta Angelica . The streets were quiet and my driver had no trouble dropping me off near the Vatican Walls where the line began on the east side. Upon my arrival I found approximately 200-300 people already in line. At 7:35 am the entrance was open and groups of 30 were allowed to approach the security screens. Once I was through security I was able to pick up an olive branch from the pile set out for the congregants. Also, at the entrance to each of the seating areas congregants were given a booklet for mass and a wooden rosary. I then headed to the area where I could easily get an end row seat to see the Palm Processional (midway between the Vatican Obelisk and the altar.) From this vantage point I was one of the few visitors to be given a 6 foot palm to hold during the processional. I was also able to see the entire processional unobstructed including watching Pope Francis (just a few feet away) walking to the obelisk for the Blessing of the Palms and then walking back to the altar. The mass was an incredible and beautiful service. After the mass concluded Francis then was driven around the crowd in his popemobile and I had a third opportunity to see him up close as he went by. (Also, for Catholics...communion is available to the crowd. The system that is used is 1) communion is only given to the congregant by the mouth (taking the communion by hand is not allowed 2) the priest stands at the end of one of the rows and begins giving communion out to each person who approaches him (which means that the row will need to negotiate between the chairs and other congregants to make their way to the priest.) At 12:30 pm I was able to make my way out of St. Peter's Square. Also, the only restroom I was able to determine that were open were the ones near the Vatican gift store/museum shop on the left hand side of St. Peter's Square.
4. Porta Santa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 599 reviews
The Porta Santa, or Holy Door, was only opened by the Pope for Holy Year celebrations and closed at the end of 2000, and will remain sealed until 2025.
Reviewed By ChiefGuru - Decatur, United States
When visiting Vatican City, one essential stop is St. Peter's Basilica. After clearing through security and walking up to St. Peter's Basilica, visitors will observe the sealed Holy Door. This is the northernmost entrance (last door on the right) of the basilica and characterized by its sixteen panels. As per Christian tradition, the entry way is only opened on Jubilee years. In Christianity, a Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. In Western Christianity, the tradition dates to 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII initiated a holy year tradition, following which ordinary jubilees have been celebrated every 100 years. Pope Clement VI reduced the period to every 50 years, Pope Urban VI to 35 and Pope Paul II to 25, with extraordinary jubilees in addition depending on need. In the case of St. Peter's, 2000 was a jubilee year and the next formal jubilee will be 2015. In the last century two extraordinary Holy Years of Redemption were also celebrated on the anniversary of Jesus' death on the Cross: 1933 (order by Pope Pius XI) and 1983 (ordered by John Paul II). More recently, on December 8, 2015, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, marking the official start of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Porta Sancta is bricked up on the inside. On the first day of the Holy Year the Pope strikes the brick wall with a hammer, and so opens the door to let in the pilgrims enter St. Peter's. It is also closed by the Pope at the end of the Holy Year. The Holy Door represents Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the gate of the sheep pen: "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). This entryway was traditionally blocked or barricaded to prevent use. Pope Benedict XIV (1748) commissioned a wood door installed. As the door fell into bad condition, Pope Pius XII (after closing the Holy Year 1950 on Christmas day) replaced them with the 16-panel bronze doors (modeled by Vico Consorti and cast by Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry) that is present today. The door is a work of art of symmetric structure, divided into sixteen rectangular panels distributed in four rows of four, divided by the coat-of-arms of the thirty six Popes, who had celebrated the ordinary Holy Years. The panels right to left and then top to bottom starting in the top left are 'The Angle at the Gates of Paradise,' 'The Fall,' 'Mary The Annunciation,' 'The Angel of the Annunciation,' 'Christ's Baptism in the Jordan,' 'The Lost Sheep,' 'The Merciful Father,' 'The Cure of a Paralytic,' 'The Woman who was a Sinner,' 'The Need for Forgiveness,' 'Peter's Denial,' 'In Front of the Crucifix The Good Thief,' 'The Appearance of Thomas,' 'Christ's Appearance to the Disciples,' 'The Conversion of Saul,' and 'Opening the Holy Door.' This historic door and its significance to Western Christianity should be observed when visiting Vatican City.
5. Via Triumphalis Necropolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By majesty318 - Rahway, United States
This is one of the top two things I did in Rome (the other being the Domus Aurea). You have to keep checking the Vatican website for tickets to become available. Note it is not the same as the Vatican Scavi tour (which I also did, but preferred this one). When you arrive at the entrance to the Vatican museums, have your emailed confirmation printed out and you can go in the shorter line for pre-booked tours. You have to go through security like everyone else, then stay to the left and go up a short flight of stairs to the tour desks. There you exchange your emailed confirmation for an actual ticket, get your headset, and meet your guide. I was lucky to be in a small group of about 10 people. The guide, Serena, was excellent - knowledgeable and easy to understand. It is pretty incredible that this was all discovered simply when they wanted to build a parking lot. The level of preservation is stunning. I could have spent a lot longer here reading every inscription. After the tour, the guide leaves you in the entrance hall of the museum so you can visit the Sistine Chapel etc. at your leisure.
6. Tomba di Giovanni Paolo II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 485 reviews
Reviewed By Kleime
Located in St Peter's Basilica is this chapel, crypt space with benches where you can sit and say a prayer. There is a mosaic picture at the altar and under the altar are the remains of Pope St John Paul II. Very peaceful and holy.
7. Aula Paolo VI o Sala Nervi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By jimkL8931XT - Bristol, United Kingdom
In winter (and possibly other times when the weather is bad) this building hosts the Papal Audience on Wednesday morning. It is a good 'lecture theatre' style hall which comfortably holds at least 6,000 people on a slight incline so that those in front don't block your view very much. There are video screens to more easily see the Pope from further away. Before the event you have to go through security in the north-west area of St. Peter's Square - this seems to open around 8am. It only took a few minutes when I arrived at 08:30 and I still got a good seat inside, but this was in winter, not in school holidays and there were no other religious activities - many others suggest arriving before 8am. At around 9am various cardinals got up on stage and welcomed people in around 8 languages, taking around 20min. At around 9:30 the Pope came in and walked from the back to the front of the hall along the centre isle - people got excited and stood up to take photos while he shook hands etc. After that the audience took about an hour where the message was translated into the 8 languages (Italian, French, English, German, Polish, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese when I attended). Although the entry/exit doors are sealed by the police during the service, there are toilets at the back of the hall which are accessed by a staircase from INSIDE the hall - so the toilets are available throughout the entire service! Make sure you get a ticket before attending - I got mine the day before at around 3pm from the Swiss Guards at the huge bronze doors on the north-east corner of St. Peter's Square just after going through security - this is an exciting little event in itself!
8. Fontane di Piazza San Pietro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By AMohsen - Port Said, Egypt
What a wonderful center would be such a popular spot to be decorated by a vibrant pretty fountain beside a glorious Egyptian Obelisk.
9. Palazzo del Governatorato
10. Vaticano Egyptian Obelisk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 727 reviews
Reviewed By GatorSenior
Take a long look at the Egyptian obelisk. It was placed there when the land was a Roman racetrack.Later, as Christianity became acceptable, the land was given for a church to be build there as St. Peter was said to have been martyred and buried there. The Church and Vatican museum are worth a visit and see the Sistine Chapel too.
