What is the capital of Vatican City?
The capital of Vatican City is Vatican City.
Why visit Vatican City
Vatican City is in Southern Europe, Europe, with Vatican City as its capital. Use this guide for trip planning — best time, budget ranges, cities and practical tips.
This Vatican City travel guide covers the best time to visit, top cities, sample routes, budget ranges and how to travel to Vatican City — including visa requirements.
Most first-time trips to Vatican City work in 5–7 days: fly into Vatican City, then move only as far as your energy allows. Start in Vatican City and add nearby cities only if you have the days. Mid-range travellers typically budget $75–170 per person per day on the ground (flights extra). Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. This route, cost band and city shortlist are Global Itinerary’s own planning layer — not a copy of another guidebook.
Capital
Vatican City
Population
0
Currency
€ · Euro (EUR)
Languages
Italian, Latin
Timezone
Europe/Vatican · UTC+02:00
Calling code
+3
History
Vatican City has a rich history shaped by its position in Europe and the cultures of Southern Europe, leaving a legacy visible in its landmarks, cities and traditions today.
Culture
Culture in Vatican City is expressed through its food, festivals, music and daily rhythms — a warm invitation to experience local life first-hand.
Best time to visit
Good months to visitJJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Plan with confidence
Know before you go
Getting in & visas
Although the Vatican City is an independent country, it does not issue visas or residency permits to visitors; it has open borders with Italy. Since Italy is a part of the Schengen area, its common visa policy applies.
Money & costs
The Vatican has a unique, non-commercial economy supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics worldwide. It also sells postage stamps, tourist mementoes, and publications. Fees for admission to museums also go into church coffers.
Getting around
On foot
With an area of and a population of about 1,000 residents, the Vatican is small enough to be explored on foot. You can easily cover the Vatican in 30-60 minutes this way.
By car
It's a little-known fact that the Vatican issues vehicle registration plates.
Language
The official languages of the Vatican are Italian and Latin. Latin enthusiasts, rejoice! This is the only country in the world where Latin is an official language. Some members of the clergy (not everyone, however) know some Latin, and the Catholic Church routinely uses the language for official documents and announcements.
Staying safe
You should not assume that the Vatican only attracts the honest. Since the Vatican receives so many people from around the world, there are also those who try to deprive people of their personal property. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
Health
There are no hospitals or medical clinics in the Vatican. If you require urgent medical attention or health services of any kind, it is strongly recommended that you go to a hospital or a clinic in Rome.
Staying connected
By phone
Telephone numbers in Vatican City are integrated into the Italian telephone numbering plan. ITU-T has assigned country code +379 to Vatican City, but this is not in use. Vatican telephone numbers are in the form of "+39 06 698xxxxx", "+39" being the country code for Italy and "06" the area code for Rome (the city surrounding Vatican City). Dialling the country code for calls within Vatican City or between Italy and Vatican City is not required, but the area code must always be dia…
Local etiquette
Many tips in the Christianity article will come in handy when visiting. Respect the Catholic Church, its practices and its doctrine. You don't have to praise the Pope or the Catholic Church; as long as you are polite and refrain from discussing controversial subjects (e.g. birth control and contraceptives), you will be fine.
Practical guidance for Vatican City is summarised from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Always confirm official visa, health and safety requirements before you travel.
Getting around & staying connected
Cheapest ways to travel in Vatican City
Ride apps & transport
- 1Bolt
Estonian rival to Uber, typically 10–20% cheaper; also e-scooters and bikes.
- 2Uber
App-based cars with upfront fares — usually the cheapest metered ride in big cities.
- 3FREENOW
Hail licensed local taxis from one app across Western Europe.
Ride-hailing coverage varies here — check whether these apps are live in your city before relying on them.
Cheapest SIM for foreigners
Local prepaid SIM
Buy a tourist SIM from an official operator kiosk at the airport (bring your passport) — usually the cheapest data.
eSIM (Airalo / Holafly) lets you get online the moment you land — handy if you don't want to queue for a SIM.
Prices and app coverage change often — figures are indicative for 2026, so confirm the current tourist plan in the app or at the airport kiosk.
Where to go
Top cities in Vatican City
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
Location
Find it on the map
Plan your trip
Travel cost for Vatican City
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's mid-range daily budget ($75–170 per person on the ground). Flights are a separate estimate and vary by origin.
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.
Is Vatican City worth visiting?
Yes — travellers visit Vatican City for its landscapes, cities and culture. Start with Vatican City, then explore the top regions on this Vatican City travel guide for a realistic itinerary.
Do I need a visa to travel to Vatican City?
Visa rules for Vatican City depend on your passport — use the visa checker on this site for a nationality-specific answer. Use our Vatican City visa checker for rules by nationality before you book flights.
How much does a trip to Vatican City cost?
Budget roughly $75–170 per person per day for mid-range travel in Vatican City, not including long-haul flights. Costs vary by season and how much you move between cities.
Is Vatican City safe for tourists?
Check current travel advice for Vatican City before you go.
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