The Vatican City

Vatican City situated within the capital city of Italy features as one of the major attractions in the world. The smallest state in the world, this one was built over the tomb of Saint Peter. Spread over a hill west of the Tiber River, this tourist attraction is popular for its architectural marvels. The city-state is home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican museum offering a significant guide to the cultural history of Rome and Italy. This place holds great attraction among the Christian community. The season of Christmas and Easter attracts or witnesses maximum number of visitors to this part of the city. The Vatican museum and St. Peter’s Basilica are the two most famous Vatican City attractions. The museum witnesses maximum number of visitors.

Getting to Vatican City

You can reach Vatican City through railways that run from Vatican into Italy. This is the own railway of the Vatican City. You can also reach the tourist place of interest by car services. If you are planning to book a flight travel, then consider Rome as your destination. You can get to book car services from then capital city and as well as other parts of the city to reach Vatican City.

Attractions in Vatican City

The place of tourist interest is mostly popular for being home to architectural masterpieces promoting the rich culture of the country along with gardens, fountains, pool, and a palace. The popular attractions of this place of tourist interest feature the likes of –

• St Peter’s Basilica Church,
• St Peter’s Square
• The Vatican Museum
• The Vatican Gardens
• Sistine Chapel

Here is a detailed look at some of the popular attractions in Vatican City attracting a significant number of tourists to the independent sovereign state.

Saint Peter’s Basilica

One of the top tourist attractions in Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica boasts of being the largest basilica in the world. Constructed in the year 1506 over the tomb remains of St. Peter’s, this cathedral is famous internationally. You can also book a guided tour to visit this place of Roman attractions. Several tour operators offer different tour packages to this attraction. Tours to St. Peter’s Basilica also offers the opportunity of avoiding the long lines and catching a glimpse of the interiors of the church. You can visit the Treasury in the Basilica, the dome, and the Vatican Grottoes.

Opening hours of the Treasury

In general, from 9 am to 6 pm and from 9 am to 5 pm during October to March.

Opening hours of the Vatican Grottoes

In general, from 1pm – 6pm and from 7am – 5pm during October – March

Opening hours of the Domes

In general, from 8am – 6pm and from 8am – 4.30pm during October – March

In general, the basilica remains open to the visitors from 7 am to 7 pm daily.

Vatican Museum

The Vatican museum is another popular attraction of Rome and the Vatican City. The museum boasts of some of the finest collection of artworks. This museum is home to around 11 galleries and museums that display an impressive collection of artworks dating back to the renaissance period. The museum also organizes exhibitions promoting the cultural history and appeal of the nation on a frequent basis along with other events.

The popular section or the museums of this attraction in Vatican City are as follows:

• the Etruscan Museum – featuring 18 rooms of Etruscan artifacts and Greek statuary
• the Egyptian Museum – displaying statues brought from Egypt in the imperial age
• the Tapestry Gallery – that is home to tapestries by Raphael’s school can be admired
• The Pinacoteca, a picture gallery is another popular attraction within the Vatican museum.
• The other popular museums in the Vatican Museum are as follows –
• the Profane Gregorian Museum – displaying classical statuary
• the Pio-Christian Museum – featuring works from the excavation of catacombs
• the Missionary-Ethnological Museum – highlighting works from extra-European cultures

The other attractions of the Vatican City, the Raphel’s Room and the Sistine Chapel are just 20—30 minutes walk away from the museum.

Hours of Operation

• Mondays – Fridays 9am – 5pm
• Saturdays 9am – 2pm
• October – June
• Mondays – Saturdays – 9am – 2pm
• Last Sunday of the month 9am – 5pm (October – June 9am – 2pm)

Transports: Bus 64 to Piazza San Pietro; Buses 28, 81, 492 to Piazza del Risorgimento or Metro: Ottaviano

Vatican Gardens – The Vatican Gardens within the Vatican City is another major attraction of the city-state. The gardens featuring spectacular decoration of fountains and sculptors of the Renaissance and Baroque era is a major tourist attraction. This garden spanning an area of 23 hectares (57 acres) maximum of the Vatican Hill dates back to the medieval times.

A visit to the Vatican City is sure to introduce you the wonderful and rich art and cultural history of Rome.