3 Epic Highlights of a Vatican City Half Day Trip: An Honest Review
Visiting The Smallest Country In The World
During our trip to Rome, Italy in 2017, we spent half a day at the Vatican City enjoying the beauty that it had to offer. Here is exactly what we did in the smallest country in the world during our short visit.
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Arriving in Vatican City
- Via Train or Bus: Vatican City is an independent city-state nestled in the heart of Rome, making it incredibly easy to reach by rail or road. While the Vatican has its own ceremonial railway station, regular passenger trains and buses run directly into Rome’s central hubs. To compare the best routes and prices for your trip, you can book through busbud here.
- Via Flight: Land at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA), both of which serve as the primary gateways to the Vatican and are located about 30 to 45 minutes from the holy see. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Essential Travel Resources for Your Trip
- Over-night Stays: To book a hotel, explore the options available here.
- Stay Connected: Stay connected without worrying about roaming fees. Grab a local eSIM that fits your data needs here:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs.Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Pro-tip: Vatican Museums are an extremely population tourist spot. Secure your ticket in-advance using the widget below.
The Vatican Museums were a 25 minute walk from Castel Sant’Angelo. We had bought our tickets online in advance, which is highly recommended for a tight schedule, and we only had to wait for 15 minutes in the queue.
We spent 2 hours exploring the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The museum collection was enormous, so we had to rush through some of the parts. However, the visit was totally worth it and we learned a lot about Papal history. The art decorating the Sistine Chapel was absolutely breathtaking.
St. Peter’s Square
After exploring the museums, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant and then walked towards St. Peter’s Square.
Due to the weekend crowd, St. Peter’s Basilica had a very long queue at the entrance. We decided to skip going inside the basilica and spent 30 minutes exploring St. Peter’s Square instead.
I am a huge Dan Brown fan. Ever since I read Angels and Demons, I always wanted to visit the Vatican City locations featured in the book. We walked around the square and I successfully identified the West Ponente Wind tile mentioned in the story. In that moment, I felt as if I myself was Robert Langdon.
Final Remarks on Our Vatican Experience
We enjoyed the walk around St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums had an enormous impressive collection. If you love architecture and history, don’t forget to plan a visit to the Vatican City during your trip to Rome.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Vatican City in half a day?
Yes, a half day trip lasting around 3 to 4 hours is enough to see the exterior highlights like St. Peter’s Square and tour the main galleries of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
Is it necessary to buy Vatican Museum tickets in advance for a short visit?
Yes, buying tickets online beforehand is highly recommended. It saves you from waiting in lines that can last for hours, which would otherwise ruin a half day itinerary.
Where is the West Ponente tile from Angels and Demons located?
The West Ponente wind rose tile is embedded in the pavement of St. Peter’s Square, surrounding the central obelisk.
