Church, mosque or temple
Sistine Chapel
Vatican City, Vatican City
The chapel with Michelangelo's famous ceiling and the Last Judgment.
City · Vatican City · Vatican City
Vatican City
The walled city-state at the centre of the Catholic Church, packed with art.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Vatican City matters
Vatican City is a tiny enclave inside Rome, ruled by the Pope. Within its walls are St Peter's Basilica, a huge square, the Apostolic Palace, gardens and some of the greatest art collections in the world. You can see the main sights in a day, though the museums alone can fill a morning.
Talking points
- It is surrounded by Rome and is the smallest country in the world.
- St Peter's Square can hold huge crowds.
- The museums hold masterpieces across many centuries.
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What to see in Vatican City
Church, mosque or temple
St Peter's Basilica
Vatican City, Vatican City
The greatest church of Catholicism, with a soaring Renaissance dome.
Museum
Vatican Museums
Vatican City, Vatican City
A vast complex of galleries holding some of the world's finest art.
Square
St Peter's Square
Vatican City, Vatican City
Bernini's huge oval square, framed by curved colonnades.
Viewpoint
Dome of St Peter's
Vatican City, Vatican City
Climb Michelangelo's dome for a panorama over Rome.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.