Are you looking for the best free things to do in Vatican City? Read on to find out what this micronation has to offer – for free!
Yes, Vatican City can be enjoyed without hurting your wallet. With many iconic sights to see, we’ve tried looking only for those best things to enjoy for free.
As a city-state in Rome, the Vatican is in a perfect location. It is not only the heart of the Roman Catholic religion but also a place visited by many tourists – believers and non-believers – in general. It’s a place you would not want to miss exploring when in Italy.
However, like any tourist magnet in the world, this tiny nation can be quite expensive. Fret not, though, because there are free activities in Vatican City that you can enjoy, too. All you have to do is plan your visit very well to take advantage of these free stuff.
8 Best Free Things To Do in Vatican City
Nothing is more enjoyable than the best things for free! So, without further ado, here are the best free things to do in Vatican City.
1. Wander around St. Peter’s Square
St. Peter’s Square is one of the must-see places in Vatican City for free. To wander around it without spending a penny is definitely the best thing you can do when in the Vatican.
The large plaza was built right in front of the St. Peter’s Basilica. Right at the center of St. Peter’s Square, you can take unlimited shots of Vatican City. The 25-meter tall ancient red granite-made Egyptian obelisk built in 1586 is one of the best backdrops. This is all thanks to the magical hands of Gian Lorenzo Bernini who designed the obelisk.
With the 284 columns and 88 pilasters, together with the 140 statues of saints, every corner of St. Peter’s Square can be the best angle.
2. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is not only for devout Roman Catholics but also for art enthusiasts or any visitors who appreciate landmarks, soul searchers, and all wanderers. This church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the rest of the Vatican, is a certified travelers’ favorite.
Visitors can enter the basilica for free provided you wear the appropriate attire. St. Peter’s Basilica and the museums require certain dress code when entering. Also, expect long lines before you can actually get inside.
So, what to expect from the free-entry church?
The interior of the church being the largest in the whole world is one of its main attractions. You might get a stiff neck looking up its captivating ceilings and sore eyes from staring at the basilica’s overall interior that consists of marbles, gildings, and sculptures.
An exquisite example of the superb Renaissance architectural designs, St. Peter’s Basilica is shaped like a cross and surrounded with different chapels and monuments of notable people.
Inside you can also find tombs of various popes and other remarkable personalities. Practically everything you can find in the basilica is worth checking out!
3. Locate the Porta Santa
You should not forget to locate the Porta Santa or the Holy Door which can be found in the St. Peter’s Basilica as it is free to see.
This door only opens during Jubilee Years or every 25 years, so the last time it opened was in the year 2000. The next year it will be opened is in 2025, so when you visit Vatican before this year, come and check it out.
The Porta Santa serves as the northernmost entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica. Though cemented and remains closed, it is designed with interesting drawings which make it fun to see without costing one a dime.
4. Check out the Pietà by Michelangelo
Right after entering St. Peter’s Basilica, you can see the Pietà on your left. The Pietà is the only work of Michelangelo Bounarroti with signature.
One of if the most iconic religious statue ever, seeing the Pietà is one of the best things to do in Vatican City for free. The Pietà features Mary carrying Jesus on her lap after he was crucified in this marble-made 1499 Michelangelo sculpture.
“Pietà” means pity or compassion. This famous statue has become a popular subject for many artists.
The Pietà measures around 5.70 feet in height and 6.40 feet in width. When in Vatican City, don’t ever miss checking out this masterpiece of the Renaissance.
5. Explore the Vatican Grottoes
St. Peter’s Basilica is so huge that it the free things to enjoy here when you visit Vatican City need to be enumerated.
Done with the superb ceiling designs? Let’s go down below the basilica then. There lie numerous tombs of former popes with other notable personalities, even royalties and other famous people. You can also find numerous statues and sculptures underneath. Even an empty tomb for Benedict XVI is waiting down there. St. Peter’s tomb can be found right below the altar of the Clementine Chapel underneath.
Take note to remain silent when inside the grottoes and that picture-taking is not allowed inside as well. Don’t miss this mind-blowing free visit when in Vatican City.
6. Spend your Last Sunday of the month visiting the Vatican Museums
If you are looking for things to do in Vatican City on a budget, this is definitely the best!
Yes. Every last Sunday of the month, admission to the Vatican Museums is free. Just get your patience ready for the long lines before you can actually get inside. Come in early so you can get a good spot in the queues.
Also take note of the holidays when the museums are inaccessible, too. But once inside, all the things that you endured out will be paid off.
Massive Catholic church-related collections – especially of the papacy – can be seen inside including some notable Roman sculptures and well-known Renaissance creations. There are also the exhibits related to modern religious art. The sculpture museums and the historical museum of Vatican itself with more exhibits about the papacy can as well be enjoyed for free on the last Sundays of the month.
With the immense collection that the Vatican Museums showcase, your free visit will surely be worthwhile.
ALSO READ: 11 Best Free Museums in Italy
7. Attend a mass and see the Pope
Every Wednesday and Sunday of the week, you’ll get a chance to see the pope personally in Vatican City.
If you are in the Vatican on the last Sunday of the month to take advantage of the free admissions at the Vatican Museums, you can then consider Wednesday to be your day to see the pope.
For practicing Catholics, attending a mass by the pope in person is a must and one the best free things to do in Vatican City. Here the Pope gives the Gospel at the St. Peter’s Square every Wednesday, which is the Papal Audience day.
Between 9 AM to 11:30 AM is the Papal Audience time. Just secure your ticket to the accommodation no matter how intimidating the Swiss Guards can be at times. Then, you can be one of the thousands to be seated at the plaza.
For groups, you can request online in advance to avoid the long lines. Seeing the Pope is free, but you need to exert some extra effort to secure your place, so come at the earliest time possible.
Check out this guide to the papal audience.
8. Experience Vatican City at night
Seeing Vatican by day is definitely worthwhile, but experiencing the night in the city is something you should not miss – for free!
Witness how this small yet historical place full of wonderful work of arts lighten up in the night.
The St. Peter’s Square is accessible, so marvel at the lights of the iconic structures around such as the St. Peter’s Basilica.
If you come during the summer, there are free concerts at night for a more energetic vibe to the night ambiance of the place.