Fun fact: Vatican City has been a separate country from Italy since 1929, although its borders are fully within the city of Rome! 

Its official name is Vatican City State, and it has its own flag, coat of arms, and national anthem. It’s the smallest sovereign state in the world, and it’s been home to the Roman Catholic Pope since the 14th century. I recently visited for the first time, and I definitely learned a thing or two! Here are the tips you need for your visit to Vatican City.

You can walk right in.

You’ll see Swiss Guards around, but the border is completely open. You can walk right from Rome into the Vatican and into St. Peter’s Square. Pop in and out throughout the day if you want! Just want to say you’ve been? Step in for a quick selfie and be on your way! You don’t need a visa, reservation, appointment, or anything else—just walk right in. 

But you may want to stay a while: The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Vatican City

Sorry, you won’t get a passport stamp.

Vatican City does not issue passport stamps. Sorry! The closest you can get is a postmark, but only on an envelope or post card. You can buy a card and postage stamp and send it from a few places within Vatican City, however, including St. Peter’s Square (to the left as you’re looking at the Basilica) and just prior to exiting the Vatican Museums. 

More here: Your Ultimate Guide to Passports

You’ll go through security to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.

This can take quite a while, so plan accordingly. We visited in mid-December, and even in the middle of the day, we only waited 30 minutes to go through. In the summer or other busy times of year, it will certainly take longer. There are multiple security stations, so security can be fairly efficient, but it will still take time.

Note: This is not the security line for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. That entrance is quite far around the outside of the Vatican City walls, so don’t wait in this line and then realize you missed your entry time to the Museums!

Also helpful: Tips for Visiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

The entrance to the Vatican Museums is outside the city walls, on the north side. 

We did not realize this, and our map app was leading us inside Vatican City, so we nearly missed our entry time! I’m glad we asked one of the Swiss guards, otherwise we would have missed it entirely. There is signage, but the location still wasn’t abundantly clear at first. Make sure you’re looking for the signs, and don’t actually go into Vatican City—the Museum entrance is on the outer walls, and it’s about a 15-20 minute walk from the Vatican City entrance.

Keep reading: What to Know Before You Visit Rome

You can go way up into the Basilica dome and cupola. 

This was super worthwhile for us, but it entirely depends on your fitness level. There is an elevator to take you most of the way up to the dome, but you will still need to go up several steps to get there. We walked all the way up into the cupola, and it was actually pretty fun, though not for the claustrophobic. As you get closer to the top, the stairway narrows and curves in, so you know you’re almost there! For your planning purposes, the walk up to the cupola will be 320 stairs with the elevator; 551 stairs without.

Visiting the Basilica is FREE, but there is a charge to go up into the dome and cupola. When we visited in December 2024, the cost was €10 to walk up and €15 to take the elevator up to the dome level. There is also a grab-and-go cafe up there, so plan to grab a coffee and a sandwich, and make it a picnic with a view of Vatican City!

Read next: The Top 7 Things to Do Outdoors in Rome

The Pope’s audience is on Wednesdays.

If this is an experience you want to have, you can plan to visit on a Wednesday. If you’re like us and you prefer to avoid crowds (to the extent that’s possible), plan to visit any other day! If you do want to attend the Papal audience, you can arrive early to secure your spot, or you can request FREE tickets here.

Also read: The Top 10 Places to Travel Before You Die

The Swiss Guards wear some pretty distinctive uniforms.

Those guys who look like court jesters? Those are the Swiss Guards. No, really. They have a variety of uniforms, and you’ll see them in various outfits throughout and around Vatican City, but the ones you’ll certainly notice are the ones in the blue and yellow striped outfits. Color commentary aside, the Pontifical Swiss Guard has been protecting the Pope since Pope Julius II in 1506. It’s one of the oldest military units in continuous operation, and they’ve had a reputation as one of the best in the world. 

More here: The Best Places to Eat in Rome

You may want a tour guide.

It’s not entirely necessary, but it’s beneficial to visit Vatican City with a tour guide if you want the particulars and enjoy asking questions. There is plenty of symbolism and history involved here, and having someone there who can point things out and explain the nuances to you is definitely worth considering. 

Read next: The 5 Mistakes I Made in Rome (and how to avoid them)

There is a dress code. 

It’s true. Yes, even in the heat of summer. No hats or shorts for men, and no tee shirts with offensive language or logos. For women, no bare shoulders, short skirts or dresses, no shorts, and no low-cut or crop tops. So, dress conservatively, or at least bring something to cover yourself up while you’re in Vatican City. Check this website for the most updated information. 

Keep reading: Tips to Avoid Pickpockets in Rome

Want more? Get everything you need on my dedicated Vatican City Page!

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