Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

Last Updated: April 24, 2025

ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT VATICAN CITY AND THE SISTINE CHAPEL

HOW TO GET HERE | YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED | WHERE TO STAY | THINGS TO DO | NEARBY FOOD AND DRINK

Reading Time: 10 minutes | Written by Greg

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Visting Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel for the First Time?

Whether you merely dive into St Peter's Basilica or take a tour of the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel, you won't regret taking half a day out of your visit to Rome for this one.

Thankfully, I've had the pleasure of visiting the Vatican on two occasions now; visiting the Basilica, the museums and the Sistine Chapel. My most recent visit was in August 2022 during a six-day extravaganza in Rome.

In this article, I will cover what to expect during your visit, and more importantly, the do's and dont's. After all, you don't want to end up not being allowed in, or worse still, kicked out.

The stunning ceilings within the Vatican City and Sistine Chaep

Breathtaking, hey?

What's Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel Like?

Firstly, busy, and I mean busy. If you imagined the World Health Organisation legitimately saying there is a pill you can take that tastes like your favourite food, and after an hour, you'll be thin, have abs and can eat whatever you want for the rest of your life. Then saying it costs £20,000, but the first 1000 people get it for free at this location. Well, that's how busy Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel are.

Crowds descend into every hallway, gallery, pew, chapel and bathroom, and with that comes the murmur of chatter, laughter and a sheer buzz of excitement. It's thick in the air, so much so that you can feel it, hell, you can taste it.

Whilst this buzz and thrill runs through the corridors, there is also a hint of respect, of quiet trepidation, but no one knows why. It's like you've snuck into an over-eighteens movie when you're only fifteen.

Similarly, whether you're taking in the architecture outside or the interior designs and colour, you will be blown away by its beauty. St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican museums and chapels are swathed in statues, tapestries, artworks and some of the brightest, exceptional and kaleidoscopic ceilings you're ever likely to see.

Visiting Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel is phenomenal in every way. Just give yourself the time to take it all in.

Chaos at Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

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How to Get To Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

In reality, you're going to either be in Rome or heading to Rome for this visit to the Vatican.

If you're in Rome, you will know where the Vatican is, and getting to it is easy. There are many ways to do so.

However, if you're travelling to Rome, you'll probably arrive at Fiumicino International Airport. From here, the express train and buses drop you off at Rome's central transport hub - Roma Termini. Here you will find trains, buses, taxis and the metro.

You then have three realistic options, excluding the train:

Firstly, walk.

Walking to the Vatican will take roughly forty-five minutes to an hour.

Why walk?

Because, you can choose your route and pass by some of Rome's spectacular focal points and delicious food haunts, such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon or All'Antico Vinaio.

Aim west until you hit the Vittorio Emanuele II Bridge that crosses the River Tiber. From there, you're a stone's throw from the Vatican.

Secondly, the underground/metro.

The Metro runs every four minutes and takes just under fifteen minutes. You need to look for Roma Termini to Cipro. Get off at Ottaviano, which spits you out a few minute's walk from the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel entrance.

Finally, the Bus.

From Roma Termini, take either the forty, sixty-two or sixty-four.

For pure ease, I'd advise the sixty-four, where you can get off just outside St Peter's Basilica. Furthermore, the whole journey will only cost you €1.50

For a more in-depth look at getting to Rome, please click here.

Your Questions Answered

Below is a list of questions people have thrown at me previously. So, I thought it best to do a short question and answer section for you.

However, if you cannot find the answer to your question, please drop me a comment at the bottom of this blog. I will do my best to get back to you.

General Info about Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

Is the Vatican worth seeing?

If you have the time and don't mind large crowds, the answer is 100% yes. You don't have to be religious to enjoy the Vatican.

When was the Vatican Built?

St Peter's Basilica was the first of the Vatican's buildings, built in the 4th century AD, with construction said to have started in 324AD. However, other influential buildings within the Vatican, such as the Sistine Chapel, were built in the late 1400s after the return of the Christian faith from France in 1377.

Although interestingly, the Vatican only gained independence from Italy on the 11th of February 1929.

Who built St Peter's Basilica?

The original St Peter's basilica is said to have been commissioned by Emperor Constantine I over the site of St Peter's tomb on Vatican Hill.

When was the Sistine Chapel Painted?

The Sistene Chapel painting began in 1508, finally coming to an end in 1512AD.

Who painted the Sistine Chapel?

Julius II commissioned the painting of the Sistine Chapel, employing Michelangelo to carry out the work.

Is it free to visit the Vatican?

Yes, you can enter St Peter's square and Basilica for free. However, if you want to visit the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel, you have to pay.

Costs vary based on what sort of tour and access levels you want and where you purchase your ticket. I recommend going to a reputable name such as Get Your Guide, where prices start at around €26 (£22.75).

Whilst St Peter's Basilica is free to enter, I recommend getting a skip-the-queue ticket, as the old saying goes - time is money, and the queues can get lengthy.

Who lives in Vatican City?

Strangely, the bulk of the Vatican's residents doesn't live there. Around three hundred members of the clergy live abroad, working as diplomats.

However, within the walls themselves, there are approximately two hundred and thirty residents. These include the Swiss guards, Cardinals, the clergy and a nun. Yes, this does include the Pope, who resides in the Apostolic Palace.

The tapestry room

Pre-planning your trip to the Vatican

Should I pre-book skip-the-line online tickets for the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel?

If you're visiting Rome and don't have time to wait around, which, let's face it, you don't. I'd advise getting skip-the-queue tickets weeks in advance online. I recommend Get Your Guide.

What can I wear inside Vatican City and Sistine Chapel?

The correct answer is this - No matter if you're male or female, you should cover your knees and shoulders. Similarly, your clothes need to cover any offensive or religious tattoos. Furthermore, your clothes should not have any offensive imagery or language.

Although, on both of my visits, I have seen numerous people walking about carefree with both shoulders, knees and other items out on display. Just because others do it doesn't make it right. Be better.

How do I get to the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel?

Please see above.

Can I take food and water into the Vatican?

Whilst eating within the exhibition areas in the Vatican Museum is forbidden, you can carry food and water in your bag. There is an outdoor area where you can sit, relax and eat.

How long is the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel Tour?

If you have a skip-the-queue ticket and arrive twenty minutes before your entry time, you should only need around two and a half to three hours inside the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. Nevertheless, you can take it at your own pace. Some people will do the museum tour and Sistine Chapel in a couple of hours, whilst others may take four to five hours.

Bank on half a day to take it all in thoroughly.

How long do I need to visit St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tour?

In truth, unless you hold a skip-the-queue ticket for St Peter's Basilica, you will probably end up queuing for about the same length of time as you are in it. Frankly, you need an hour in the Basilica. So, add that to the above time frame.

Always looking up

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Where to Stay Whilst Visiting Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

If this isn't obvious already, there aren't going to be too many sofas to crash on here in the Vatican.

You will be staying in Rome. Which, let's face it, is not a bad substitute.

There are so many incredible places to stay within the city. All you have to do is pick one.

If you're interested in where I stayed and my thoughts on accommodation in Rome, you can check that out here.

Nevertheless, if that's not of interest to you and you want to check out some places in your own time, I have put my holy trinity of booking sites below.

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The best of Vatican City and Sistine Chapel

Ok, so there isn't much to say here, after all, the whole of Vatican City is only one-hundred and twenty-one acres. With this in mind, there won't be too much walking to do, even if one of the Vatican's corridors claims to be eight miles long. It isn't.

All you need to know is when can you visit.

The Vatican is open from 9am to 6pm every day bar Sundays, the 8th, 25th and 26th of December, the 1st and 6th of January, and again on Easter Sunday.

However, on the last Sunday of every month, there is a small window to pop your head in between 9am and 12:30pm.

Without further ado, I will jump into the three areas of Vatican City you need to explore.

Relish in the Beauty of St Peter's Square
Enter the grandeur of St Peter's Basilica
Take the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Tour

Relish in the Beauty of St Peter's Square

Vatican And Sistine Chapel from St Peter's Square

Simply stunning!

Why: The architecture is mesmerising, elegant and historical. Furthermore, it's a great place to sit and watch the world go by.
Where: On the west bank of the River Tiber, a short walk from Castel Sant'Angelo. (map)
How long: Some spend ten minutes, others an hour soaking it in. Realistically, somewhere in the middle is good.
How much: Free

Whilst crowds can gather in their hundreds, a blanket of calm surrounds St Peter's Square.

Within the square, flanked by a half circle of 284 columns, stands an ancient Egyptian obelisk erected in 1586 and a couple of large fountains and statues.

At night the columns, street lights and St Peters Basilica are decoratively lit, making it the best time to visit St Peter's Square.

Enter the grandeur of St Peter's Basilica

Vatican City and Sistine Chapel - Inside St Peter's Basilica

Benedicto XV

Why: It is a building that holds immense historical importance and contains the tombs of 91 popes. Plus, it's genuinely pretty.
Where: Look up the steps from St Peter's Square. (map)
How long: Around an hour should be grand. Plus, however long the queue is on that particular date and time.
How much: Free unless you head up into the dome. Prices are €10 for the elevator and €8 if you take the stairs.

Once you enter, you will find incredible Renaissance design, artwork and artefacts. Every inch of wall, floor or ceiling is covered in exquisite beauty. There is no time to rest your eyes as you scan left and right, up and down.

Personally, one of the most stunning objects on display is the large bronze St. Peter's Baldacchino over the high altar where St Peter lays. Pick your own favourite. You have plenty to choose from. After all, there are more than sixty statues and 24 altars, not to mention the rows of pews within numerous chapels.

Every pope has something here, be it a final resting place, a sculpture, a portrait or simply a story written about them in Latin.

Be prepared for sheer jaw-dropping beauty.

Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Tour

Vatican And Sistine Chapel - A look inside

Not everything is as you'd expect in the Vatican

Why: Two words - Sistine Chapel. Yet, for me, it was an anti-climax. Everything else within the Vatican outshone the Sistine Chapel.
Where: The museum and Sistine Chapel entrance is around the corner from St Peter's Square, on Viale Vaticano. (map)
How long: Realistically, you should set aside half a day. Although, two and a half hours to three should be adequate.
How much: In truth, this depends on what tour and who you book with. Go with Get Your Guide, where prices start at €26 (£22.75).

Much like St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel are an assault on the eyes. It's impossible to imagine until you have witnessed it for yourself.

The intricacy, design and volume of these works are endless. Each item, room, courtyard or corridor blends with the next whilst keeping its unique style. Again, there are fifty-four different museums within the Vatican.

Now you can start to imagine just how much there is to see.

You're in for a treat.

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Nearby Food and Drink

Whilst eating within the exhibition areas in the Vatican Museum is forbidden, you can carry food and water in your bag. There is an outdoor area where you can sit, relax and eat.

Similarly, there's also a restaurant and pizzeria within the grounds that shut around 4pm. I haven't eaten here, but the prices looked more than reasonable for where you are.

Outside the Vatican, there's the vast and incredibly beautiful city of Rome which knows a thing or two about food and drink. For a complete guide on Rome, please check out my Rome blog or scoot straight to the food and drink section here.

If Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel have won your heart and you cannot tear yourself away upon closing time, fear not. The below photo was taken from a rooftop bar a short distance away called Terrazza Les Etoiles Rooftop Bar.

Yes, it is pricey, and ideally, I should have dressed a bit smarter. However, it allows for that last hoorah to the Vatican as you gaze out over it lit against the night sky. That cocktail is worth €20, right?