Planning to Visit the Vatican? Read This First

It’s been a couple months since Pope Leo’s inauguration, and as I think about it, I can’t help but feel nostalgic for our trip to Rome during Easter 2024. My husband and I spent a week soaking in the beauty, history, and wonder of the Eternal City. From ancient ruins to corner cafes, we truly loved our time there—and we’d go back in a heartbeat.

But if I’m being honest, there’s one part we didn’t love: visiting the Vatican.

We’d dreamed of seeing the priceless art, the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica, and—of course—the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel. We booked our Vatican tour in advance through Walks, planning for the Thursday after Easter to avoid the peak crowds on Easter Sunday and Monday.

If you’re not familiar, visiting “the Vatican” usually means two things:

• The Vatican Museums (home to the Sistine Chapel and an overwhelming collection of art)

• St. Peter’s Basilica, which sits in Vatican City proper

Both require separate planning, and both can be a lot to take in—literally and emotionally.

We stayed in Campo de’ Fiori (highly recommend!) and took an Uber across town to the Vatican. It was a bit of a trek, but we were prepared. We even followed all the rules:

• Brought passports

• Wore respectful clothing (shoulders covered, no hats, nothing sheer or short)

• Booked a guided tour with skip-the-line access

In other words, we did everything right—and still walked away exhausted and frustrated.

We were so excited...at first

The short version? It was so crowded.

We were part of a small group of 10, led by a fantastic tour guide who knew her stuff. She walked us through the museums, offering insights and pointing out hidden gems. But the sheer volume of people made it almost impossible to enjoy.

We were constantly jostled, separated from our group, or blocked by other visitors taking photos. (And yes, I was probably guilty of the same.) There’s so much art—room after room after room—that it quickly became overwhelming. You could spend years studying it all and still not take it all in.

When we finally arrived at the Sistine Chapel, we were awestruck… and then shuffled along. You’re supposed to stay quiet inside—it’s a chapel, after all—but with hundreds of people crowding in, reverence was hard to come by.

We made our way into St. Peter’s Basilica after the museums, and honestly? That made the whole day worth it. Seeing Michelangelo’s La Pietà in person nearly took my breath away. The scale and splendor of the basilica is unlike anything else in Rome. If you can, save it for the end of your trip—because everything else will pale in comparison.

Overwhelmed by crowds

Would I go back? Yes. But I’d plan differently. Here’s what I’d change:

1. Book an Early or Evening Tour

Crowd levels make or break your experience. Look for early access or evening tours—even if they cost a little more. It’s worth it.

2. Grab a Snack

There are cafes inside the museums. I wish we’d paused to sit, rest our feet, and regroup. We were so focused on “seeing everything” that we ended up hangry and overstimulated.

3. Know What You Want to See

Do a little research ahead of time and let your guide know your priorities. You can’t absorb it all, so it helps to know what matters most to you.

4. Put the Camera Down

Some of my best memories were not the ones I captured on camera. I wish I’d taken fewer photos and listened more deeply to our guide’s stories.

What I wish I would have done differently

As a Protestant, I was curious to visit the Vatican—and grateful for the chance. There’s no denying its cultural and spiritual significance. But I walked away with mixed emotions: amazed, exhausted, and ready to sit down with a plate of pasta and a big glass of water.

So yes, visit the Vatican. But go in prepared: not just with tickets and dress code compliance, but with a plan for how you’ll protect your peace and preserve the wonder.

A final note

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