The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Vatican City, Lazio

October 31, 2021 Osvaldo Hartline

Sure, Vatican City is tiny—110 acres—but it houses the world's largest Catholic church (St. Peter's Basilica) and has perhaps the best collection of artistic masterpieces in the world (the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Pieta, the Laocoon Group, etc.). And maybe only 800 people live here, but one of them's the Pope. It's a pretty good argument for quality over quantity.
Restaurants in Vatican City

1. La Pieta

Chapel of the Pieta Basilica Di San Pietro, Vatican City Italy +39 06 6988 1840 http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html
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5.0 based on 4,551 reviews

La Pieta

The most beautiful work inside St. Peter's Cathedral is Michelangelo's famous La Pietà, considered by many to be the most moving piece of sculpture ever created.

Reviewed By ChiefGuru - Decatur, United States

Michelangelo Buonarroti was only twenty four years old when he created this magnificent Renaissance sculpture: “the pity”. The Pietà is considered by many to be his greatest work, besting even David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He carved this from one piece of white Carrara marble over the course of two years (1498-1499). This is the only signed work of Michelangelo. La Pieta is housed with St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Upon entering St. Peter's Basilica, La Pieta can be found on the right hand side in the first chapel. La Pieta is Michelangelo's unprecedented interpretation of he body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after his Crucifixion. He decided to give Mary a youthful appearance to demonstrate her closeness to God as well as a reflection of her internal beauty. Both Mary and Jesus have a look of peace and acceptance on their faces. The sculpture is five feet nine inches by six feet five inches. French Cardinal Jean de Billheres, who served the church in Rome, wanted to be remembered after he died. He hired Michelangelo to achieve his goal by making a memorial for his tomb that would capture a popular Northern European art scene: the tragic moment of the Virgin Mary taking Jesus down from the cross. La Pieta is indeed a stupendous work of sculpture and should definitely be seen when visiting Rome.

2. LivItaly Tours

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5.0 based on 281 reviews

LivItaly Tours

Silver Collaborators of the Vatican Museums, LivItaly Tours offers Vatican Small Group Tours with max 6 participants guaranteed, unique in the industry. Vatican Private Tours. Vatican Early Entrance with skip the line access and exclusive entrance before the general public and access to the Secret Rooms of the Vatican

3. 7 Hills Tours

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5.0 based on 707 reviews

7 Hills Tours

Vatican Museums English guided tours given by professional tour guides. We offer tours of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. If you use the 7 hills Vatican Tours special reservations, skipping the long security line!!!. Enjoy 2 full hours in the most beautiful and important collection of art in the world, seeing the Raphael Rooms, Greek and Roman sculptures, tapestries, works by Michelangelo and many other artists of the Renaissance.7 hills tours operates at the Vatican Museums since 2005.

4. What a Life Tours

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5.0 based on 4,380 reviews

What a Life Tours

In 2006 we began as a group of young and energetic Rome enthusiasts hoping to find a way to share our passion for this wonderful city with people from all over the world. We created a team made up of insider experts, savvy local guides and specialists in food, art and culture, developing what we believe is the most personal and authentic approach to tourism on the market. We’re all about enhancing the experience for you, the customer, because we used to be just like you – foreigners in this beautiful city, with high expectations on how we wanted to experience it. We genuinely want you to gain unforgettable, stress-free, local insight on your visit. So forget what you know about the typical commercial ‘tour guide’ with a raised umbrella and a rehearsed speech – let us show you the real heart of Italy and ensure you fall in love with this country, just as we have! - The What a Life Tours team

5. Stanze di Raffaello

Viale Vaticano, Vatican City Italy http://mv.vatican.va/2_IT/pages/SDR/SDR_00_Main.html
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5.0 based on 1,217 reviews

Stanze di Raffaello

Reviewed By gkw09 - Cambridge, United Kingdom

Four rooms with incredible artwork can be seen during your journey through the Vatican galleries on the way to the Sistine Chapel. Take time to internalise everything you see on the way, especially in these rooms, as I found people would just be aiming for the Sistine Chapel without fully appreciating everything there is before it. Raphael was part of the High Renaissance masters (the others being Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo) and was buried in the Pantheon - a personal favourite landmark of mine in Rome, Italy.

6. Cupola di San Pietro

Piazza san Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy +39 06 6988 3731 http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/it/cupola/orari.htm
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5.0 based on 3,323 reviews

Cupola di San Pietro

Reviewed By Jwallace_83 - San Mateo, United States

The views from above are wild!! You can see the entire Vatican City, and Rome on a clear day. Worth the steps and spiral staircase. Wasn’t sure where it was going at first but it was well worth it!!

7. Cappella Redemptoris Mater

Palazzo Apostolico, Vatican City Italy http://www.vatican.va/redemptoris_mater/index.htm
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5.0 based on 14 reviews

Cappella Redemptoris Mater

8. St. Peter's Square

Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy +39 06 6988 1840 https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/monumenti/basilica-di-san-pietro/la-piazza.html
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4.5 based on 8,805 reviews

St. Peter's Square

This grand and magnificent square has retained its classical beauty and serves as the place from which the masses receive the Pope's weekly blessing.

Reviewed By Ius84 - Fairfax, United States

First, request or obtain (free) tickets to attend Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square (however, I was not asked for my ticket to enter, but it's a nice souvenir.) On the morning of the mass I took Uber from my hotel at 6:35 am and arrived at 6:50 am at the corner of Borgo Vittorio & Via di Porta Angelica . The streets were quiet and my driver had no trouble dropping me off near the Vatican Walls where the line began on the east side. Upon my arrival I found approximately 200-300 people already in line. At 7:35 am the entrance was open and groups of 30 were allowed to approach the security screens. Once I was through security I was able to pick up an olive branch from the pile set out for the congregants. Also, at the entrance to each of the seating areas congregants were given a booklet for mass and a wooden rosary. I then headed to the area where I could easily get an end row seat to see the Palm Processional (midway between the Vatican Obelisk and the altar.) From this vantage point I was one of the few visitors to be given a 6 foot palm to hold during the processional. I was also able to see the entire processional unobstructed including watching Pope Francis (just a few feet away) walking to the obelisk for the Blessing of the Palms and then walking back to the altar. The mass was an incredible and beautiful service. After the mass concluded Francis then was driven around the crowd in his popemobile and I had a third opportunity to see him up close as he went by. (Also, for Catholics...communion is available to the crowd. The system that is used is 1) communion is only given to the congregant by the mouth (taking the communion by hand is not allowed 2) the priest stands at the end of one of the rows and begins giving communion out to each person who approaches him (which means that the row will need to negotiate between the chairs and other congregants to make their way to the priest.) At 12:30 pm I was able to make my way out of St. Peter's Square. Also, the only restroom I was able to determine that were open were the ones near the Vatican gift store/museum shop on the left hand side of St. Peter's Square.

9. St. Peter Enthroned

Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City Italy http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di-s-pietro.html
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4.5 based on 315 reviews

St. Peter Enthroned

This masterpiece shows St. Peter sitting bearded and dressed as a philosopher, with his left hand carrying keys, the right hand being raised in blessing.

Reviewed By Y8837LLgabriela - Ploiesti, Romania

The bronze statue of St Peter sitting on a throne, with the keys of heaven in hand is situated in St Peter's Basilica. Other times it was possible to touch the foot of the statue, but with the new security regulations, you can't reach near the statue.

10. Vatican Grottoes

Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City Italy http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di-s-pietro/le-grotte-vaticane.html
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4.5 based on 446 reviews

Vatican Grottoes

Beneath the main floor of St. Peter's Basilica are the tombs of several popes and saints.

Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia

Visit to St. Peter's Basilica is a special experience. And visiting the Vatican grottoes is also extremely interesting. Extending beneath St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes contain the tombs and sarcophagi of numerous popes, as well as several huge columns from the original 4th-century basilica. In addition the grottoes also include some tombs of secular monarchs such as the tomb of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus, the tomb of the Stuarts, and the tomb of Queen Christina of Sweden. The entrance is in the Pier of St Andrew near the high altar. The place is full of fascinating tombs and sarcophagus, tunnels, chambers and Italian art. We loved seeing this part, because it is a very peaceful and serene walk past the remains of the popes who presided over the catholic church. Very interesting visit.

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