What are the best things to do in Vatican City?
Top picks in Vatican City include St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, The Vatican Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Vatican City travel guide.
🇻🇦 Vatican City travel guide
Europe · Southern Europe
Vatican City Travel Guide
Vatican City, Vatican City
Why visit Vatican City
Travel guide for Vatican City, Vatican City — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Vatican City is a stop in Vatican City, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, The Vatican Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 75–170 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Vatican City
1
St. Peter's Basilica
2
St. Peter's Square
3
The Vatican Museum
Plan your trip
Vatican City itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit St. Peter's Basilica
- Visit St. Peter's Square
- Visit The Vatican Museum
- Eat at Pastasciutta
Budget
Vatican City trip cost
Budget
USD 35–55
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 75–170
per person / day
Luxury
USD 195–325+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Vatican City, Vatican City. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Vatican City
Estimated total (USD)
$2,460
≈ $1,230 per person · $351 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $120/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Vatican City mid-range ground costs (budget 35–55 · mid 75–170 · luxury 195–325+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Pastasciutta
Quick pasta and pizza restaurant, and portions are large. Very cheap.
Old Bridge Gelateria
Located across the street from the Vatican City wall if you're following it from San Pietro towards the Vatican Museum. Very cheap.
- $
L'Insalata Ricca
Part of a Rome-based chain, offers good salads and other food to both tourists and locals.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $
Catone District Hotel
With 24 single, twin, double, triple and quadruple rooms. All with private bath, shower, internet access, TV and telephone.
Hotel Colors
Seven dorms and wide selection of bedrooms with private showers, TV and a shared kitchen for this two star accommodation next to the Vatican
- $
Atlante Star Hotel
Four-star 70 room hotel with rooftop terrace restaurant overlooking Saint Peter's. Also run the nearby Atlante Garden Hotel.
- $
Hotel Joli Rome
Two-star accommodation located around the Vatican area with 17 bedrooms divided into single, double, triple and family. Most of the rooms ha
- $
B&B Eldorado Rome
Bed and Breakfast with 5 double bedrooms. Three with private bath, two with a shared one.
Shopping
- Sabatini
- Savelli Religious
- St. Peter's Gallery
Nightlife
- Be.Re
Museums & culture
- St. Peter's Basilica
- The Vatican Museum
In pictures
Vatican City gallery
Photos: Stefan Bauer, http://www.ferras.at, Livioandronico2013, No 2 Army Film & Photographic Unit, Radford (Sgt), Diliff — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Vatican City travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Vatican City?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Vatican City?
Plan at least 1 days in Vatican City for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Vatican City?
Popular stays in Vatican City include Catone District Hotel, Hotel Colors, Atlante Star Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Vatican City cost?
On the ground in Vatican City (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 35–55 per person per day, mid-range about 75–170, and luxury about 195–325+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Vatican City, Vatican City. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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