A Complete Guide to Vatican City! Avoid Pitfalls + Climb to the Top + Museum Tips (Including Best Photo Times)

If you only plan to read one Vatican travel guide—please save this one. I personally spent three days scouting and testing, encountering every possible pitfall. Now, I’m sharing the most practical visiting order, best times to climb, and the truth about queues all in one place. 🎯 Main Vatican Attractions (Choose 1 of 3 or visit all) 1️⃣ Visit St. Peter’s Basilica (Free) 2️⃣ Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica (€8 for stairs / €10 with elevator) 3️⃣ Vatican Museums (Regular ticket about €20+) 🚪 Don’t enter the wrong way! 📍 If you’re going to the [Basilica/Climb], line up directly on the right side of St. Peter’s Square. Only after security check will you officially “enter Vatican City.” 📍 If you’re going to the [Museums], don’t foolishly queue in the square! 👉 Enter from the museum entrance on the north side of the Vatican outer wall, and arrive 30 minutes before your ticket reservation time. ⏰ Recommended Best Visiting Times 💡 For climbers: Arrive at the square between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM At this time, there are fewer people and the lighting is perfect. The climb is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Climbing in the afternoon also gives you a chance to see the sunset and colorful skies, with photos completely free of backlight—super beautiful! ⸻ 💰 Ticket Experience Sharing • Climb tickets €8 for stairs only vs. €10 for elevator + stairs. ✨ Recommendation: Don’t save the €2! The elevator section is really steep and narrow, so save your energy for the last part by taking the elevator. • Museum tickets Official regular tickets cost about €20, best to buy online in advance. If you miss out, you can try your luck on-site. Even buying the day before, you can spend about €40 for a [skip-the-line + English guided tour ticket]—much more reliable than scalpers. • Never buy scalper tickets! The online panic about tickets being hard to get is mostly “manufactured anxiety.” In my experience, buying one or two days ahead is enough! ⸻ 🕒 About Queue Times (Tested) Don’t be scared by the “two-hour wait” rumors online! I queued three times at different times (8:10 AM / 3:50 PM / 5:10 PM) and averaged only about 30 minutes. ✅ After security, enter the basilica ✅ After climbing, you can enter the basilica interior directly from the top ✅ Exit the basilica afterward on your way out ⸻ 📸 For Photography Lovers • Best time to climb: Between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM • Angle suggestion: Overlook the entire city of Rome, with the distant dome lines showing great depth in the light and shadow • Equipment suggestion: Even regular smartphones can easily take great shots, no fear of backlight ⸻ 🧭 Recommended Route (Suggested Order) Vatican Museums → Climb St. Peter’s Basilica → Visit Basilica Interior This route is smooth, with good lighting and no backtracking. ⸻ ❤️ Final Tips • Dress modestly (shoulders and knees must be covered) • No large luggage allowed after security • In summer heat, bring water and a small fan ⸻ The most touching moment of this Vatican trip was the moment I reached the top and saw all of Rome quietly settling under the sunset. The golden dome and the slowly ringing bells made me suddenly understand the weight of the word “faith.” 📍 If you’re going to Rome, be sure to set aside half a day for the Vatican. This is not just a “check off the sights” trip, but a journey of the soul. ⸻