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Vatican City is the smallest independent city-state in the world, yet one of the most significant cultural and religious centers. Nestled within the heart of Rome, this tiny enclave is a treasure trove of art, history, and spirituality. Never immune from controversy however, it reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of the Vatican’s role in global religious, political, human rights and financial affairs. We’re not big fans of religion but we love history and since we were spending a few days in Rome, we thought it would be a great opportunity to visit the Vatican and its museums. There is so much to see that it can easily overwhelm you. The sheer number of treasures that are displayed and housed there makes it seem like more of a repository for art and less about the religion. Just thinking we didn’t even see the half of it just boggles the mind.

After a 25-minute taxi drive from our hotel in central Rome, we arrived early with our pre ordered tickets, the so called “skip the line” kind, but all this means is that you avoid the really, really long line that snakes all around the block and settle for a long line. The only way around it is to book a private tour that shuttles you in right away. On entering the museum, we were subject to a security screening, similar to airport security. Backpacks, large bags, and umbrellas must be checked in at the cloakroom. Modest dress is required which means shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the museums and religious sites. Audio guides in various languages are available for rent and provide detailed information about the exhibits.

Courtyards of the Vatican Museums

In addition to all the beautiful displays of artwork and other historical treasures, the Vatican is renowned for its courtyards and stunning architecture. Early into our visit, we ventured outside to see the first courtyard.

Courtyard of the Pinecone (Cortile della Pigna)

• Pinecone Sculpture: The courtyard gets its name from the large bronze pinecone statue, originally part of a Roman fountain.
• Architecture: Surrounded by beautifully designed colonnades and buildings, it’s a perfect spot to take in the grandeur of the Vatican.
• Modern Art: There are also modern sculptures and artworks displayed here, providing a fascinating contrast to the ancient artifacts.

Octagonal Courtyard (Cortile Ottagono)

This courtyard provides a calm and peaceful setting. It’s a great place to admire the collection of marble tubs with relief sculptures and the architectural beauty of the surrounding buildings. Even though it was early morning, we could sense the buildup of the trailing crowd behind us. Moving along and trying to see as much as possible without the swarm was the order of the day.

Once inside again, we made our way from gallery to gallery admiring all the exquisite pieces just marveling at the skill of the artists who created them.

As you gaze upon the ceilings and walls, don’t forget to look down as there’s more beautiful works right beneath your feet. The Vatican Museums are renowned for their stunning tile and mosaic flooring, which adds to the grandeur and historical significance of the site. Here are some highlights.

Next up is the Gallery of the Tapestries (Galleria Degli Arazzi,) a stunning corridor lined with an extraordinary collection of large, intricately woven tapestries from the 16th century depicting various religious themes. Originally created to decorate the walls of the Sistine Chapel, they are now displayed in this gallery. This section stretches for about 75 meters (246 feet) and is part of the grand corridor that you walk through on the way to the Sistine Chapel. It is divided into two sections. On the left, you’ll find tapestries depicting scenes from the life of Christ, while on the right, tapestries illustrate the life of Pope Urban VIII. We loved the way the dim lighting enhanced the vivid colours of the artworks.

Some of the tapestries.

In the Vatican Museums, the constant upward gaze is a common sight among visitors, and it’s easy to understand why. The ceilings and domes throughout the museums are adorned with magnificent works of art that compel you to look up and admire their beauty. We took small breaks in order to not strain our necks.

After winding our way through the many galleries and seemingly endless pieces of artworks, we made it to the final payoff, the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s famous works. While the ceiling is the main attraction, the floor of the Sistine Chapel also features beautiful mosaics, but the crush of the crowd makes it impossible to see and fully enjoy. Throughout the museum, there are a number of security guards but even more so in the Sistine Chapel. From the moment you enter, you’re asked to move along. The chapel itself is smaller than we realized with some seating along the sides but those were already taken by the time we entered. I think some visitors bypass the regular route and go directly to the Sistine Chapel, hence the large crowd when we arrived there. There’s a small sign as you enter stating “no photography or video allowed” but we didn’t see it and proceeded to take pictures like so many others were doing, only to be warned very sternly by security, “no photo” and ushering us along. The entire Sistine experience felt a bit rushed as there wasn’t much time to stop and really soak it all in, there’s no quiet contemplation. Despite it all, we’re still glad that we were able to be a part of it. More on the “no photo” rule HERE.

Exiting the Vatican Museums is an experience in itself, as the journey leads you past some more impressive art works and continues on even to the gift shops where you’ll find a wide range of souvenirs, religious items, books, and art prints. Just thinking we’ve seen so much already but it’s probably only a fraction of the treasures that the Vatican holds.

How often do you see a gift and souvenir shop that looks like this?

The Spiral Staircase: It’s one of the most photographed spots in the museum.

The exit route took us down the famous and visually stunning double helix spiral staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932. That itself is a truly magnificent piece of art.

After exiting the museum building, we made our way over to St. Peter’s Square, a place so vast, it can accommodate an estimated 500,000 people for events like Easter and Christmas Mass. St. Peter’s Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles, is one of the most renowned and magnificent churches in the world. It is the principal church of the Pope, and the central place of worship and administrative centre for the Catholic Church. It’s not just a church but a living symbol of faith, history, and art. It hosts numerous significant religious events and is said to be able to hold about 60,000 people. Whether you are a pilgrim, a tourist, or an art lover, the Basilica offers a profound and enriching experience. For millions of Catholics worldwide, it’s a major pilgrimage destination where they come to pray, attend Mass, and seek spiritual solace. We would’ve loved to tour the inside, but by this time, it had gotten very crowded, and the lines were quite long so we skipped and just explored the square and its surroundings.

We stayed

Planning Your Visit

Tickets

• Online Booking: It is highly recommended to book your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines. You can do this through the official Vatican Museums website.
• Ticket Options: There are various ticket options available, including standard entry, guided tours, and combination tickets with access to the Vatican Gardens or St. Peter’s Basilica.

Timing

• Opening Hours: The museums are open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:00 PM. They are also open on the last Sunday of every month with free admission from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (last entry at 12:30 PM).
• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid peak crowds.

Accommodations:

We stayed at the centrally located Colonna Suite del Corso guest house, located on a cobblestone street with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby and within walking distance to some of the major attractions like the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum.