Dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican City
Generally, people associate the Vatican City with the official residence of the Pope. The smallest state in the world, both by the number of inhabitants and area, Vatican pulses with a strong sense of spiritual life inside Italy’s capital, Rome.
The city has become one of the most popular destinations in the world for tourists, both young and old. What was once but an ecclesiastical state is in our days a major attraction, both from the religious and the touristic point of view.
Here is what you have to know when traveling to the Vatican City:
When to Go to the Vatican City
In terms of seasons, winter seems to be the most convenient for the tourists who don’t necessarily like crowded places. Take into account one aspect though: avoid the period between December 20th and January 6th, when the main religious services take place for the holidays.
There’s no day of the week with fewer people walking the streets of the Vatican City. However, you might find it more suitable to visit it in the early morning, as the majority of tourists prefer the afternoon hours.
How to Get to the Vatican
Booking a ticket and getting to Rome was probably the most difficult part of the journey. Luckily for all the foreigners who have decided that this is the perfect spot for their vacation, there is a simple and very efficient way to reach the Vatican once in Rome: use the subway.
The subway has a station just outside the state’s walls, and it will take you no more than 10 minutes to go to St. Peter’s Square from there.
Another easy method would be taking the bus. There are many buses that pass nearby the city’s walls, and some even have it as a terminal point. You won’t wait much for the next bus to take you there.
If you like to see more of the surrounding area, then the natural solution would be walking. Take full advantage of your time in Rome and the Vatican City, as you never know when you’ll come back.
What to See
Saint Peter’s Basilica is probably the main touristic attraction on the state’s territory. Most people come to the city of Vatican to see it, as it is home to a very famous piece of art, Michelangelo’s Pieta.
The Vatican Museums are another central point of your visit there. The magnificent Sistine Chapel with its ceiling frescos and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo, will bring to live even the most tired of tourists.
One simple tip: if you want to avoid being pushed from side to side or save some time, then go first to the Museums and then to St. Peter’s Basilica. There is a passage between the two that starts from the Sistine Chapel and leads to the Basilica, but not the other way around, unfortunately.
Gallery of Pictures of Vatican City
Finally, to save time, make sure you purchase the ticket for the Museums ahead of time. Meanwhile, click the button below and catch a glimpse of what the the Vatican City has in store for you, through our extensive, high-quality photo gallery.