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Enclaved Holy See's independent city-state
Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Vatican City (Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano; Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae) is the world's smallest country both by area and by population, and is the centre of Catholicism. This tiny country completely within Rome is packed with more history and artwork than most cities in the world, and indeed many countries. St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are all in Vatican City.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Basilica di San Pietro
The centre of the Catholic world, this magnificent basilica with its Michelangelo-designed dome has an awe-inspiring interior. This place is huge, but everything is in such proportion that the scale escapes you. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not the Pope's cathedral; that honour lies with the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in San Giovanni.
Piazza di San Pietro
Most of the Piazza di San Pietro is actually an oval. There is a small, almost rectangular section immediately in front of the St Peter's and an opening to the Via della Conciliazione opposite the basilica.
One of the greatest art galleries in the world, the museum is most famous for its spiral staircase, the Raphael Rooms and the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel famous for Michelangelo's frescoes.
Corpo della Guardia Svizzera
They are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope. They wear very colourful clothing, similar to the uniforms worn by Renaissance-era soldiers. The Pontifical Swiss Guards is also the smallest and oldest standing army in the world, founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II. The origins of the Swiss guards, however, go back much further as the popes had regularly imported Swiss mercenaries during the 1400s.
Perhaps the most fascinating building in Rome. The core of the structure began life as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, built between 135 and 139 AD. Subsequent strongholds built on top of the mausoleum were in turn incorporated into a residence and castle by medieval Popes. The building was used as a prison until 1870 but now houses a museum. Opera buffs will be exhilarated to visit the balcony from which Tosca leaps to her death. Film buffs will recognise it as a setting from Angels and Demons.
Pope Nicholas III connected Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's by a covered fortified corridor called the Passetto di Borgo. This proved useful for Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome (1527). You can still see much of the Passetto by walking along the Borgo Sant'Angelo, which runs parallel to, and north of, the Via della Conciliazione.
Palace of Justice
Wandering around the shopping and residential district of Prati, close to the Vatican, you may notice rather a lot of lawyers' nameplates outside buildings. This is also Rome's legal district because of the proximity of the Palazzo di Giustizia or Palace of Justice. This massive monstrosity on the banks of the Tiber was built on alluvial soil, which necessitated a concrete platform to support the foundations. Despite this, later settlement of the building led to the need for restoration work in 1970 and it is said to be still sinking. There were many allegations of corruption during its construction, something not unknown in the Rome of today, and this, combined with its appearance, gave rise to its nickname of the Palazzaccio or Ugly Palace.
This is a footbridge connecting Castel Sant'Angelo with the other side of the Tiber. It is a Roman bridge completed in 134 AD by Hadrian, to give access to his newly constructed mausoleum. Pilgrims used this bridge to reach St Peter's Basilica, hence it was earlier known as the "bridge of Saint Peter". In the seventh century, the castle and the bridge took on the name Sant'Angelo, when it is said that an angel appeared on the roof of the castle to announce the end of a plague. The statues of ten angels on the bridge reflect its name.
Quick pasta and pizza restaurant, and portions are large. Very cheap.
Located across the street from the Vatican City wall if you're following it from San Pietro towards the Vatican Museum. Very cheap.
Part of a Rome-based chain, offers good salads and other food to both tourists and locals.
Good selection of craft beers, many on tap. If you're a beer lover, it's definitely worth going. Some snacks too, try some Trapizzino (triangular filled pizza).
With 24 single, twin, double, triple and quadruple rooms. All with private bath, shower, internet access, TV and telephone.
Seven dorms and wide selection of bedrooms with private showers, TV and a shared kitchen for this two star accommodation next to the Vatican City. Suitable for families and young travellers.
Bed and Breakfast with 5 double bedrooms. Three with private bath, two with a shared one.
Three colourful rooms are rented out in this B&B. Tours of the Vatican Museums are available here for €42.
A small Bed and Breakfast offering two rooms with private bathrooms and air-con.
A stylish bed & breakfast near the Vatican City.
Four-star 70 room hotel with rooftop terrace restaurant overlooking Saint Peter's. Also run the nearby Atlante Garden Hotel.
3 room B&B. Rooms come with sat TV, DVD player and free Wi-Fi.
Modern 4 room B&B on third floor of a nineteenth century building. Private bathrooms, LCD TVs with DVD players.
Two-star accommodation located around the Vatican area with 17 bedrooms divided into single, double, triple and family. Most of the rooms have private bath. Breakfast included.
Three blocks from the entrance to Vatican City, this independent bed and breakfast is clean and cosy. Breakfast included.
Two star hotel with single, double, triple and quadruple rooms. All with en suite private bath, shower, telephone and TV. Air-con and breakfast are available for a small supplement.
Comfortable bed and breakfast with single, double, triple and quadruple guest rooms with private bathroom, Wi-Fi connection, satellite TV and tea and coffee facilities.
Elegant bed and breakfast. It has six rooms, all with private bathroom and super-equipped with every comfort.
Cosy guest house with single, double and family rooms. All with Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, private bath, shower, air-con and cleaning services.
Sabatini is a short walk from the Vatican and one of the best camera shops in Rome.
Has jewellery, crosses and Catholic statues. The Pope blesses most things here.
Galleria San Pietro
A pretty expensive souvenir shop with some religious items. The bypass-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums are sold here.
By foot
There are three road entrances to Vatican City: from Via della Stazione Vaticana, Via Paolo VI and Borgo Pio.
By bus
There are several bus stations near the Vatican City. For the St.
By metro
Take the metro to {{station|Cipro|A}} for the museums, and {{station|Ottaviano|A}} for St. Peter's. To go from Cipro to the museums, go east through Via Candia and then turn right at Via Santamaura.
By train
Roma San Pietro station is just south of the Vatican's borders. The Vatican has its own train station, however, there are no regular scheduled passenger services.
By plane
There is a heliport that is only used by the Pope. The closest airport is the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) of Rome.
By car
It's a little-known fact that the Vatican issues vehicle registration plates.
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