According to medicinelearners, Vatican City (Italian: Città del Vaticano, Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae) is a dwarf state in Italy (Europe) completely enclosed by Rome (capital of Italy). Vatican City is the smallest independent country in the world.
Vatican City is known as Papal State. The Roman Catholic Church is housed in this state. The pope is the head of the dwarf state. In Vatican City you will also find the Apostolic Palace. This is the residence of the Pope and his chamberlain. Its area is only 0.44 km². In this area you can visit the Apostolic Palace, St. Peter’s Basilica on St. Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with the Vatican Gardens. Every Sunday at noon, the Pope gives the blessing to all visitors in St. Peter’s Square.
Where is Vatican City?
Travel information of Vatican City
Official name: State of the Vatican City
Continent: Europe
Area: 0.44 km²
Capital: Vatican City (Vatican City)
Country code: VA, VAT
Population: 1,000 inhabitants (2019)
Form of government: Pontificate
Highest point: 75 m
Distance (Amsterdam – Vatican City): 1,292 km
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Vatican City that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Vatican City, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
At the moment there are no travel organizations that offer travel to Vatican City. If you want to put together your own trip or are looking for separate travel components such as hotels, airline tickets and a rental car, please visit our travel offer page.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about the Vatican City?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, guided tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Vatican City at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Vatican City has a Mediterranean climate. The temperatures are around 5 to 10 degrees in the winter months and around 20 to 30 degrees in the summer months.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Vatican City can be found on our extensive weather page.
Extensive information about the climate of Vatican City can be found at Climate info.
Best time
April, May, June, September and October are the best months to travel to Vatican City. In these months you have the best chance of pleasant temperatures without being bothered by mass tourism.
Language
Latin is the official language in Vatican City. Italian is the most spoken language in Vatican City.
Would you like to translate from or into Latin for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid identity card or passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Vatican City: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Apostolic Nunciature of Vatican City in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations for a visit to Vatican City.
Money and Currency
In Vatican City, payment is made with the euro (EUR).
An overview of all ATMs in Vatican City can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
The prices in Vatican City are slightly higher than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is +10% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (8% cheaper), food (27% more expensive), imported beer in catering (14% more expensive), cigarettes (17% cheaper) and public transport (48% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
It is not customary to tip in Vatican City, but it is appreciated. If there is no service charge on the receipt yet and the service is good, tip approximately 5-10%.
Time difference
There is no time difference with the Netherlands.
Summer time in Vatican City is the same as in the Netherlands.
The local time, date and time zone for Vatican City can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Vatican City you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Vatican City.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Vatican City.
Electricity
The same plugs and sockets are used in Vatican City as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity in Vatican City can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 113 or 112
– Fire: 115 or 112
– Ambulance: 118 or 112
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Vatican City can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Vatican City can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Vatican City websites end in.va.
Vatican City official websites: vatican.va and vaticanstate.va.
Telephone
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Vatican City is 00379 or +379.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Vatican City? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Vatican City.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos of the Vatican City.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Vatican City can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Vatican City, supplemented with photos, videos and points of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about the Vatican City?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Vatican City. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Vatican City can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Vatican City can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Vatican City? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Vatican City.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 16.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.5 (0 for novice drivers up to 3 years old).
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Vatican City is completely enclosed by Rome?
…The incumbent Pope is the head of government of Vatican City?
…Vatican City has less than 1000 inhabitants?
…Vatican City is the smallest country in the world?
…Vatican City still uses Swiss mercenaries?
…The museums in the Vatican City together hold more than 9 million pieces?