A Day in the Vatican

A quick Google search of ‘Vatican City’ reveals more things to see and do in this miniature and devotional city than one can fit within a day. A landlocked enclave within Rome, it’s rightfully the world’s smallest independent state, with an area of just 0.44 km2. Although small in size, it’s giant in its historical and cultural impact.

Here are our favourite three must-see’s in the City.

1. The Vatican Museum: from the Archaic to the Modern

A ‘Skip-the-Line’ entrance to the Vatican Museum is where your adventure starts. With only a day-long dive into the history of Vatican, you cannot afford hours of waiting!

Grab an expert guide and visit the famous Raphael’s Rooms, see the Pine Courtyard and, of course, Pio Clementine Museum. If you don’t have them on your bucket list yet, you’d enjoy discovering the Gallery of the Maps, the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Candelabra. Finally, step inside the stunning Sistine Chapel and admire Michelangelo’s famous frescos, The Last Judgement and The Creation of Adam. Head into St. Peter’s Basilica and admire the famous La Pieta created by Michelangelo, Bernini’s Baldachino and so much more.

Due to a new Vatican partnership, our tours provide VIP access through a reserved door, allowing you to skip all the lines, even the priority lines.

2. Vatican Necropolis: the Subterranean

St. Peter’s Basilica is an astounding and massive wonder, filled with sculptures, art, frescoes, woodworking and other reliquaries. Hidden beneath the famous architectural masterpiece is a city of the dead that may hold the remains of St. Peter himself.

The submerged city lies at depths varying between 5–12 meters below Saint Peter’s Basilica. This is a true time machine taking visitors back as far as 1st century AD.

The Necropolis was not originally one of the underground Catacombs of Rome, but an open air cemetery with tombs and mausolea.

3. A stroll through history: Gardens of Vatican City

Giardini Vaticani are 57 acres of private urban gardens and parks which cover more than half of the country and are owned by the Pope. They have been a place of quiet and meditation for the popes since 1279.

The gardens date back to medieval times when orchards and vineyards extended to the north of the Papal Apostolic Palace in the 13th century, receiving a major re-landscaping at the beginning of the 16th century.

There is no general public access, but guided tours are available to limited numbers.

If you want help picking your best Italian experience, just give our team a call on 1800 242 353.