Vatican: St. Peter's Basilica & Sistine Chapel

The Vatican is not only the center of the Catholic world but also one of the largest art collections of humanity. Two highlights stand out:

St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)

The largest church in the world impresses with sheer dimensions: 187 meters long, 46 meters high, accommodating 20,000 people. Michelangelo's Pietà (right after the entrance, behind glass) is one of the most moving artworks of all time. Bernini's Baldachin over the papal altar (29 m high, made of bronze) and the Dome (ascent: 551 steps or elevator + 320 steps, €8) with its panoramic view over Rome are further highlights. Admission: free! Strict dress code: knees and shoulders covered.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums comprise 54 galleries with artworks from antiquity to modern times — one could spend days here. The highlight is, of course, the Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) with Michelangelo's ceiling fresco (1508–1512) and the Last Judgment on the altar wall (1536–1541). The intensity of these images is overwhelming even after the hundredth time. The chapel is at the end of the museum tour — plan 2–3 hours for the museums in total.

Online tickets are mandatory — the queue without a reservation can exceed 3 hours. Friday evenings (7:00–10:30 PM, summer only) offer a special, quieter atmosphere.