A Complete Guide To Visiting The Vatican

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As the smallest country in the world, and known for its religious history and artwork, The Vatican is a destination that enchants any visitor.

Nestled within the heart of Rome, the Vatican City is not just a mere tourist spot; it’s a spiritual and cultural treasure trove that’s abounding in wonders waiting to be explored.

In this guide, we delve into the rich history, unmissable attractions, and important tips for visiting, so you can visit Vatican City without a hitch.

Whether you’re visiting The Vatican to marvel at the enormity of St. Peter’s Basilica, wander through centuries-old galleries adorned with masterpieces by renowned artists in The Vatican Museum, or stand in awe before the iconic Sistine Chapel, this guide will tell you how to tour The Vatican in the best way.

Our Small Group Tour of the Vatican

Before we dive into the history of the Vatican and the various things to see and do once inside, I want to share our experience, and what I think is the best tip for visiting the Vatican.

It’s important to understand the best way to see the Vatican, as it can be the difference between the worst experience ever to something valuable.

We learned this the hard way, by the making wrong decision when it came to visiting the Colosseum. We did it on our own, got swept up in the crazy crowds missed half of it and gained no insights into its importance or architectural magnificence.

In contrast, we visited the Vatican – equally intense with the crowds – on a small-group guided tour with Liv Tours and enjoyable the experience learning a lot about its historical significance along the way.

Our guide, Kathy (an art historian) was excellent at steering us around the crowd, showing us the most essential pieces of art and the Vatican so we didn’t miss it, and gave us a lot of insights into the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica. I never would have understood the meaning behind the Sistine Chapel frescos without her and it made it even more awe-inspiring to me.

There’s only a max of six people on the tour, which is also another great benefit. It’s easier to navigate into tight spaces to get up close to artifacts. Kathy was taking no prisoners and proudly let us know we could drop our politeness and be direct Europeans. 

This tour also includes skip the line…