Vatican City

Southern Europe

Vatican City is a country in Southern Europe, home to 800 people, with an area of 0.49 km². Its capital is Vatican City.

Capital: Vatican City
Population: 800
Area: 0.49 km²
Region: Southern Europe
Density: 1,633 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Vatican City · Southern Europe · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Vatican City is known for

Vatican City is best known for Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and Vatican Gardens.

The Holy See, also known as the Vatican City State, is a city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. It is the smallest independent state in the world, with an area of approximately 44 hectares (110 acres). The Holy See is the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope.

Vatican City at a glance

Language: Italian and Latin are the official languages, with Italian being the most widely spoken
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Religion: Roman Catholicism is the official religion of the Holy See
Climate: The Holy See has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cool winters. Rainfall is generally limited and occurs mainly in the fall and winter months
Main industries: The Holy See has no significant industries, with the economy being primarily supported by donations and tourism

Things to do in Vatican City

Some of the main tourist attractions in the Holy See include:

St. Peter's Basilica: a major basilica in Vatican City, known for its stunning Baroque architecture and housing some of the most important works of art in the world.
Sistine Chapel a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, renowned for its beautiful frescoes by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists.
Vatican Museums a complex of museums and galleries in Vatican City, featuring an extensive collection of art and artifacts from ancient times to the present day.
St. Peter's Square: a large public square in front of St. Peter's Basilica, featuring a beautiful colonnade and obelisk.
Vatican Gardens a collection of landscaped gardens and parks within the Vatican City, offering a peaceful retreat from the busy city streets.
Castel Sant'Angelo a historic fortress and museum in Rome, located just outside Vatican City and offering stunning views of the city.
Papal Audience a chance to attend a public audience with the Pope, held on Wednesdays (when the Pope is in Rome) in St. Peter's Square.
Vatican Library one of the oldest and most important libraries in the world, housing a vast collection of manuscripts, books, and other historical documents.
Vatican Necropolis an ancient Roman cemetery located beneath St. Peter's Basilica, featuring the tombs of many popes and other important figures.
Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo a collection of historic villas and gardens located in the nearby town of Castel Gandolfo, serving as the summer residence of the Pope.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that the Holy See has to offer. As the spiritual center of the Catholic Church and the home of some of the most important works of art and architecture in the world, it is a unique and fascinating destination for travelers of all backgrounds.