Location: Vatican City
Top Things to do in Vatican City
Top Restaurants in Vatican City
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What to do and see in Vatican City, Lazio: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. La Pieta
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,551 reviews
The most beautiful work inside St. Peter's Cathedral is Michelangelo's famous La Pietà, considered by many to be the most moving piece of sculpture ever created.
Reviewed By ChiefGuru - Decatur, United States
Michelangelo Buonarroti was only twenty four years old when he created this magnificent Renaissance sculpture: “the pity”. The Pietà is considered by many to be his greatest work, besting even David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He carved this from one piece of white Carrara marble over the course of two years (1498-1499). This is the only signed work of Michelangelo. La Pieta is housed with St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Upon entering St. Peter's Basilica, La Pieta can be found on the right hand side in the first chapel. La Pieta is Michelangelo's unprecedented interpretation of he body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after his Crucifixion. He decided to give Mary a youthful appearance to demonstrate her closeness to God as well as a reflection of her internal beauty. Both Mary and Jesus have a look of peace and acceptance on their faces. The sculpture is five feet nine inches by six feet five inches. French Cardinal Jean de Billheres, who served the church in Rome, wanted to be remembered after he died. He hired Michelangelo to achieve his goal by making a memorial for his tomb that would capture a popular Northern European art scene: the tragic moment of the Virgin Mary taking Jesus down from the cross. La Pieta is indeed a stupendous work of sculpture and should definitely be seen when visiting Rome.
2. LivItaly Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 281 reviews
Silver Collaborators of the Vatican Museums, LivItaly Tours offers Vatican Small Group Tours with max 6 participants guaranteed, unique in the industry. Vatican Private Tours. Vatican Early Entrance with skip the line access and exclusive entrance before the general public and access to the Secret Rooms of the Vatican
3. 7 Hills Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 707 reviews
Vatican Museums English guided tours given by professional tour guides. We offer tours of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. If you use the 7 hills Vatican Tours special reservations, skipping the long security line!!!. Enjoy 2 full hours in the most beautiful and important collection of art in the world, seeing the Raphael Rooms, Greek and Roman sculptures, tapestries, works by Michelangelo and many other artists of the Renaissance.7 hills tours operates at the Vatican Museums since 2005.
4. What a Life Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,380 reviews
In 2006 we began as a group of young and energetic Rome enthusiasts hoping to find a way to share our passion for this wonderful city with people from all over the world. We created a team made up of insider experts, savvy local guides and specialists in food, art and culture, developing what we believe is the most personal and authentic approach to tourism on the market. We’re all about enhancing the experience for you, the customer, because we used to be just like you – foreigners in this beautiful city, with high expectations on how we wanted to experience it. We genuinely want you to gain unforgettable, stress-free, local insight on your visit. So forget what you know about the typical commercial ‘tour guide’ with a raised umbrella and a rehearsed speech – let us show you the real heart of Italy and ensure you fall in love with this country, just as we have! - The What a Life Tours team
5. 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!!
6. Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
Guided Tours of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Basilica of St. Peter with a local authorized English speaking guide.
7. City Wonders
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,305 reviews
City Wonders (Formerly Dark Rome) provides the best possible tours of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and more via its partnership with the Vatican. Be sure to visit out website to explore the various tour options we offer with exclusive, Skip the Line Access to your favorite attractions.
8. 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.
9. St. Peter Enthroned
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
This masterpiece shows St. Peter sitting bearded and dressed as a philosopher, with his left hand carrying keys, the right hand being raised in blessing.
Reviewed By Y8837LLgabriela - Ploiesti, Romania
The bronze statue of St Peter sitting on a throne, with the keys of heaven in hand is situated in St Peter's Basilica. Other times it was possible to touch the foot of the statue, but with the new security regulations, you can't reach near the statue.
10. Touristation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
La TOURISTATION è un Tour Operator specializzato nella produzione, prestazione e promozione di servizi turistici, tour, visite guidate e musei. Dislocata in 7 punti centrali della città come Piazza Navona, Piazza D'Ara Coeli, Viale Vaticano offre esperienza di accoglienza e conoscenza del territorio, promozione turistica e servizi turistici.
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