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Vatican City is a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, home to the Pope, as well as boasts collections of world famous paintings and sculptures. Within Vatican City are numerous religious and cultural sites visited by people throughout the world of all faiths.

Travel tip #1: To experience all Vatican City has to offer, budget an entire day for this city-state. You can easily spend half a day in the Vatican Museums, which means starting early in the day is best to allow ample time for all main sites.

Vatican City Dress Code

Basic dress code within Vatican City is that all individuals should keep covered the areas above their knees and upper arms. Shorts, skirts, and dresses above the knee are prohibited, as are sleeveless tops and low-cut shirts. It’s best to take off hats and sunglasses, too.

Top Places to Visit in Vatican City

Vatican Gardens: A natural, architectural, and artistic space of beauty and spirituality that occupies the western side of the city-state.

Saint Peter’s Basilica: Officially known as The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, this church is built in the Renaissance style. Catholic tradition holds that this is the burial site of Saint Peter, chief among Jesus’s apostles, and also the first Pope. Climb the famous dome, which boasts stunning views of Vatican City and Rome.

Vatican Museums: Home to ancient Roman sculptures such as “Laocoön and His Sons,” as well as many other Renaissance works. Find a plethora of magnificently decorated rooms by the greatest artists of their time, including Michelangelo and Raphael.

Sistine Chapel: Located within the Vatican Museums, go here to revel at Michelangelo’s famous artwork on the ceiling. No photography is allowed, so be prepared. Additionally, it gets uncomfortably warm due to all of the people in an enclosed, mostly unventilated space.

Travel tip #2: The beauty of the Vatican is unparalleled, with every inch being rich in art and history. Be sure to purchase tickets for top sites ahead of time, especially during peak tourist season, as they do sell-out. For example, purchase tickets for the Vatican Museum through the official website to avoid scams.

Nearby Cities to Visit

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It’s encircled by a 2-mile border and is an independent city-state that covers just over 100 acres. (Fun fact, this tiny country is one-eighth the size of New York City‘s Central Park!) Seeing as it is quite small in size, visiting nearby cities within Italy is definitely recommended to make the most of your time. Both Rome and Florence are amazing cities to explore after spending time in Vatican City, especially if you enjoy history, art, and architecture.

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This travel guide is based on travels from March 2022 and information has not been updated since that time. Some businesses may not be in operation or information may have changed since the creation of this guide.