airbnb vatican tours

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The Most Fabulous Rome Airbnbs Minutes From St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City

L ocated in the heart of Rome , Vatican City is the world’s smallest country and home to the Pope, the largest church in the world , and is filled with centuries of history and culture. The Vatican Museums also hold some of the world’s most famous works of art, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling painting and Raphael’s School of Athens fresco. If you’re planning a trip to Rome, staying near Vatican City is an excellent choice. This is one of the most popular attractions in the world. Because of this, it’s incredibly busy all year round. Renting an Airbnb near Vatican City offers you proximity so you can spend a day or two exploring at your leisure. And after a long day in the city, you can retreat to a comfortable home and enjoy watching the sunset over Rome with a glass of Italian wine in hand. Here’s a selection of the most fabulous Airbnbs with outstanding views of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City.

Taking a trip to Italy? Check out Matador’s Italy accommodations guides: These dreamy Amalfi Coast Airbnbs are the perfect seaside escape 11 Rome Airbnbs With a Gorgeous View of the Colosseum The Best Airbnbs Near Lake Como To Live Out Your Italian Dream These Florence, Italy, Airbnbs put you close to the Duomo and the best of the city

We hope you love the Airbnbs near Vatican City we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.

Stunning terrace Airbnb near Vatican City

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Sipping a morning espresso with views of the Roman roofs from the large terrace of this apartment will set you up for a day exploring the Vatican. It is located on the prestigious street Via Giulia, which is famed for its picturesque architecture and charming cobblestone streets. Reaching the Vatican is easy. There’s a quick bus that takes only three minutes, or if you’d prefer you can walk.

The exclusive residence features a master bedroom with a double bed, a second bedroom with two single beds (a double can be provided on request), two bathrooms, and a big open-planned living room with a kitchen. The terrace has a large dining table (that seats six guests) and a comfortable couch area. It’s worth noting that this rental is on the fourth floor and there is no elevator access.

Four guests, two bedrooms Price: $825 per night

Spacious and modern apartment right next to Vatican City

This newly renovated house is a few minutes walk from Piazza Risorgimento, a lively neighborhood across the street from the walls of Vatican City. The home has two large double bedrooms and one single bedroom. The three marble bathrooms have walk-in showers and the colorful bright living room has a large wooden table where you can enjoy home-cooked meals. There is free parking close by and elevator access to the apartment’s third floor front door.

Seven guests, three bedrooms Price: $806 per night

Five-bedroom apartment with handcrafted furniture and custom-made beds

This luxury rental has a whopping five bedrooms and has added extras that you can request such as a private chef and personal driver. It’s also steps from the Vatican Museums. The sprawling Airbnb Plus accommodates up to twelve and its detail-driven interior is exquisite. Soft moss green is accented with terracotta leather and buttercup yellow textiles and the furniture has been handcrafted — so no two pieces are the same. The bathrooms are also impressive with muted blue and dusty pink tiles, Art Deco light fixtures, walk-in showers, and a Jacuzzi tub.

Twelve guests, five bedrooms Price: $725 per night

Cozy apartment with views of Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most iconic landmarks of Rome. The towering mausoleum in Parco Adriano is now a museum and offers some of the best views over the city from its terrace. The Vatican is connected to the neighborhood of this Airbnb by a short walk over the Angel Bridge. Past guest reviews of the apartment rave about the level of hospitality of the owners, the outstanding views, the location — especially its proximity to fantastic restaurants — and the open-planned layout of the four-bedroom rental. The two main bathrooms have beautiful soaking tubs, ideal after a day of museum hopping and walking around Rome.

Nine guests, four bedrooms Price: $720 per night

Family apartment next to the Vatican

This three-story townhouse has views of the Vatican’s dome that you can enjoy from bed or your private terrace. Perfect for a large family or a group of friends, the rental can comfortably sleep up to seven guests.

You’ll have to toss a coin for the master bedroom. It’s located in the attic and offers privacy — it’s separated from the rest of the home — and has a stunning bathroom with hand-painted walls and a Jacuzzi tub. There is a private entrance to the first floor where you’ll find the other three bedrooms. The rooms have windows with beautiful views of the Passetto di Borgo, the secret passage that links the Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo.

Seven guests, four bedrooms Price: $660 per night

Two-bedroom apartment with views of St. Peter’s Basilica

With special views of St. Peter’s dome, this two-bedroom, fourth-floor (with elevator access) apartment has been recently renovated and is one of the best Airbnbs near Vatican City for a small group or couple. It’s also one of the closest rentals to the Vatican walls. You can literally roll out of bed and walk to Piazza San Pietro in seconds.

Guests state that the apartment is more impressive in real life, which is hard to believe because it looks exquisite. The interior mirrors the historical building. Each room has a different color scheme with luxury textured wallpaper, chandeliers, antique upholstered chairs, and mahogany furniture.

Four guests, two bedrooms Price: $644 per night

One-bedroom in historic Borgo Pio district

This one-bedroom is in the Borgo district, a quiet and elegant area a few steps from St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. It is set in an 1800s historic building and is a luxury Airbnb Plus for a couple with a double bedroom with a bathroom with a hot tub. The modern kitchen has everything you need for a city getaway including a Nespresso machine and a handy stovetop. Pretty, colorful art is peppered throughout, and old wooden beams frame the ceilings.

Four guests, one bedroom Price: $220 per night

Luxury hideaway for a romantic Rome vacation

The light blue and white color pallet of this one-bedroom apartment is absolutely gorgeous. From the turquoise palm tree patterned wallpaper, and the light blue textured pillows, to the elegant mosaic tiling, there’s a lot of love in this Airbnb. It’s also literally steps from the Vatican walls, fantastic restaurants (one of which can be found outside the front door), and wine bars. For $220 per night — this affordable and chic Airbnb is one to bookmark.

Three guests, one bedroom Price: $220 per night

Is it free to go into St Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City?

Visiting St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is free, but it comes with a price — long queues. You can expect to wait up to two hours before entering the Basilica.

How many days are enough for Vatican City?

The answer depends on your preferences and how much time you have available. If you only have half a day, you can still see some of the main attractions such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the museums. However, if you want to explore more of what the city has to offer, then it’s best to set aside at least one full day for your visit. This will give you enough time to take in all of the sights and sounds that make Vatican City so special.

Can you spend the night in Vatican City?

Unfortunately, you cannot spend the night in Vatican City. The city closes and there are no hotels or restaurants available for tourists to stay overnight.

Top things to do in Vatican City

• Visit St. Peter’s Basilica — This iconic basilica is one of the most important religious sites in the world. Its stunning architecture and art make it a must-see destination for any visitor to Vatican City.
• See Bernini’s Colonnade at Saint Peter’s Square — This impressive square is surrounded by Bernini’s colonnade, which features four rows of columns topped with statues of saints. The square also offers great views of St. Peter’s Basilica and its dome.
• Take in the Sistine Chapel — The Sistine Chapel is one of the most iconic works of art in the world and a must-see attraction when visiting Vatican City. It features Michelangelo’s famous frescoes on its ceiling and walls, as well as other works by Renaissance masters such as Botticelli and Perugino.
• The Vatican Museums — The Vatican Museums are home to some of the world’s greatest works of art. There are several different galleries to explore here, so you could easily spend an entire day wandering around these incredible collections.
• Climb up St Peter’s Dome — For those who don’t mind heights or tight spaces, climbing up St Peter’s Dome is an unforgettable experience that offers spectacular views over Rome from atop one of its most iconic landmarks.

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3 Hour Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour

• guided visit of Vatican Museums
• headphones for bettr hearing
• booking fee for Vatican Museums skip line admissions
• fee for pre booked admission to Vatican Museum at Euro 35/adult and Euro 25/child free for under 5
• Entry/Admission - Vatican Museums
• Entry/Admission - Sistine Chapel
• Via della Conciliazione, 51, 00193 Roma RM, Italy outside entrance to hotel Palazzo Cesi
• Vatican Museums, 00120, Vatican City
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Most travelers can participate
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• Sistine Chapel
• Vatican Museums
• St. Peter's Basilica

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Via della Conciliazione, 51 Via della Conciliazione, 51, 00193 Roma RM, Italy outside entrance to hotel Palazzo Cesi See address & details
• 1 St. Peter's Basilica Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 2 Vatican Museums Stop: 15 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 3 Vatican Museums Stop: 30 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 4 Vatican Museums Stop: 15 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 5 Vatican Museums Stop: 30 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 6 Sistine Chapel Stop: 30 minutes - Admission excluded See details Pass by Vatican Museums
• You'll end at Vatican Museums 00120, Vatican City See address & details

• jcummingsjr2 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An amazing tour! Without question the Scavi excavation site tour was the highlight of our 10 day travel to Rome! The one hour tour was led by a highly informed Vatican employee and guide. The small group tour (7 in total) felt as if we were privy to something special! In our group we were blessed to be joined by a Canadian priest who was studying in Rome! He shared many insights about the important role of Saint Peter in the history of the church! Read more Written April 12, 2024
• John C 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Tour tix combined with other couple - not good outcome The tour itself was good but the TripAdvisor administration was horrible. The tour included the necropolis and St Peters Basilica. TripAdvisors tour company put us and another couple on the same ticket to St Peters Basilica. After the necropolis tour, the other couple disappeared with the ticket leaving us hanging. Make sure you have your own individual tickets for any tour. Read more Written February 29, 2024
• mikebV1788GY 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles It would be a sin to miss this experience. The young seminarian who led the tour was very knowledgeable. My general impression had been that St. Peter's being built on the grave of St. Peter was more or less a legend. Not so. The historical and archeological record very much supports the conclusion that we were seeing the final resting place of Peter. A very moving and profound experience. Read more Written February 16, 2024
• Ralber01 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles AVOID!!! - EVITA !!! - GO TO SCAVI - DIRECTLY -- NO REFUND - NO REIMBOSLE. As we have booked many tours in Italy through Viator, such as the Sistine Chapel tour which we did on a separate day trip and it was fantastic. In our ignorance, we booked the Scavi Tour through Viator. Viator should not sell this tour. You can walk into the Basilica for Free. The Scavi tour cost 13.00 Euros. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS TOUR unless you like giving money away for FREE WE purchased this tour and did not recieve any service Except being taken to the SCAVI door @!!!! DO not purchase this TOUR and look for the proper SCAVI office. Viator took over 97 Euros per person and WE received NO extra tour except being taken to the OFFICE - That is ALL. DO NOT TAKE. EVITA EL TOUR. Read more Written February 11, 2024
• Dream11678125199 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour and guide! She was incredibly knowledgeable! Her personality shined. This is a tour that everyone should take the tim The guide made the tour, Agnes was pleasant, obviously, loved the history of the Vatican and Popes. She kept us interested and enthused. Read more Written November 15, 2023
• Ralber01 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Warning of Viator Scavi Tour - We will walk you to the Scavi office for 107 dollars. As we have booked many tours in Italy through Viator, such as the Sistine Chapel tour which we did on a separate day trip and it was fantastic. In our ignorance, we booked the Scavi Tour through Viator. Our expectation was not meet after paying 107 dollars per person for two people. The tour did not include transportation. We had to figure and pay for our transportation. It did not include a Viator presence. The Viator portion of the Scavi consisted of a 15 minute introduction of what we would see and than we were walked for 10 minutes to the Scavi office. We were dropped off with a warm smile and Good Bye. Be Warned and do not purchase the Viator Tour for 107 dollars. The Scavi office is the only official office that manages the tour for 13 Euros. Do I feel taken advantage of? YES!! Should Viator sell this tour ? NO !!! Also they would not refund the purchase so take this warning. Viator should seriously not represent the Scavi portion of the tour. Read more Written November 11, 2023
• normanp311 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Very interesting. We started with a semi exclusive tour of the Vatican Necropolis; which allows access to archeological ruins, graves and the final resting places of past Popes - all that lie underneath what is now St Peter’s Basillica. The highlight was seeing the actual burial site of Saint Peter, the disciple. Very interesting. [The tour is very limited; we had to arrange ~6 mths ago]. Read more Written November 7, 2023
• Kelly0032003 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Got way more then I ever expected! My family gave me a trip to Rome as a 40th birthday present. Due to Covid I couldn't go in 2020 which would have been my 15th wedding anniversary. 3 years later I finally was able to go. The most important thing to me was seeing the Holy Father. I researched plenty of tour options looking for the best option to see the Holy Father. I originally went with a different tour company that was much more expensive but seemed to offer more value. But when they started to back out of what they were offering I started looking around for other options. I found Vatican City Tour and Tickets and from the reviews sounded like I had a good chance of getting close. So I purchased it and was not disappointed. Agnes was our guide and she was great. She gave the friend I was travelling with a break by pushing my wheelchair the entire time she was with us. She got us extremely close to the Holy Father. (I thought it was 5 meters or less my friend thought it was 10 meters.) Whatever it was, it was the second row. Finally the unbelievable happened. We got to shake hands and speak to the Holy Father. Thank you Agnes for giving me the best day of my life. Read more Written September 20, 2023
• ulsterekf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Moving and amazing We booked direct with the Vatican scavi team; was simple enough, by email, but does need to be done well in advance. It’s also not massively clear when you first arrive exactly where you go but you do get to have a close encounter with the Swiss guards which is quite exciting (they were very nice and helpful). The tour itself is just stupendous. There were only ten people and the guide was magnificent, knowledgeable and built up the story of the excavations in an expert way. It was quite warm down there, though not unbearable, and not really claustrophobic after you get through the first couple of very small chambers (I am slightly claustrophobic so was sensitive to this but had no problems). Seeing what is almost certainly the tomb of St Peter was a deeply moving experience; I’ll never forget it. The guide spontaneously led us in the Lord’s Prayer as we stood there. You then come out via through the crypt with the tombs of many previous popes and then up inside St Peter’s itself (with no more queuing). The best thing we did in Rome bar none. Fascinating for historians; very moving for Christians. Read more Written September 8, 2023
• M F 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles SOLD ME TICKETS WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE WEBSITE THAT POPE IS NOT APPEARING ON THE DAY I PAID FOR . Unreliable. Not Helpful at all. Agents are not helpful as well. Can’t depend on them . Unprofessional , I was at the Vatican the day I paid for with no refund and indeed it’s true THERE IS NO PAPAL AUDIENCE that day. $ 211 was not refunded at all. Read more Written September 2, 2023
• travelswithmrsgaston 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Research yourself. Don’t believe the tour guides/groups The tour group sellers saying it’s sold out and you can’t book through 2023 are LYING! Do your research!!! You CAN book this at literally less than a quarter of what it these tour groups ask for. RESEARCH!! You can get it. Read more Written August 6, 2023
• 578martae 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Incredible experience but make sure you are entirely clear on how to get to Scavi entrance Before our Scavi experience, we had a very thorough tour of St. Peter's Basilica which was a great precursor. The only bump was getting to the Scavi entrance afterward. Our guide had to leave and despite telling us exactly where to go, the Vatican guards were confused and not very helpful. Luckily, another family was also trying to find the entrance and it's only because of them that we made it in. We even technically missed our time slot, but the Scavi workers were kind enough to still let us in. I don't blame our guide for this since she likely had a legitimate reason she had to go, but certainly try and get yours to stay by your side until you get to the security line even simply for translating purposes since the Vatican officers had trouble understanding us. Read more Written July 31, 2023
• Tari L 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beyond amazying. The highlight of my trip to Rome. Words cannot express how impressive this tour is. I was surprised to be able to secure tickets through the vatican website. The process was quite quick. Upon arrival we had to check in at the security and ticket areas. We waited a bit for our guide (as we arrived early as directed). We were taken into a museum area that had artifacts and a model of the original tomb of St. Peter. Our guide explained in detail the original tomb and all the modifications over the years, showing us pictures so that we could fully understand how the area we were about to see came to be. We were then taken into the excavation. The area was simply amazing. Being so far underground with a massive structure above you is almost unthinkable. the best way I can describe the area to you is to imagine Pompeii buried a couple layers deep. We walked along what was once a walkway that was at ground level. We saw tombs that were like modern day mausoleums, each one made for a wealthy family and ornately decorated (some of the decorations remaining). We were told how the area was excavated over 10 years by 4 men sworn to secrecy to protect the area during WWII. The tour culminated with a glimpse of the bones of St. Peter and a portion of the alter built above his remains. After the tour, you are free to explore St. Peter's Basilica on your own. I recommend you also do the dome of St. Peters for some magnificent views and to see the mosaics that you cannot see well from the basilica. If you have a chance, you really must go and see this treasure for yourself. Read more Written July 27, 2023
• JWarren8 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Not what we expected. The tour guide for the Scavi was great. The problem was that we submitted eleven names with complete dates of birth hoping to get approval for a private tour. We understood that normally the Scavi requires ages 15 and over. We received approval but upon arriving three of our group were denied entry. Finally, the St. Peter's tour failed due to the equipment problems ... no one could hear the guide. The tour operator, Viator, declined our request for refund. Read more Written July 23, 2023
• mkthrow 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Don’t Miss This Evperience! This was an amazing tour and I am so happy we decided to do this one. The guide was friendly and k knowledgeable and met up with us outside the Vatican to give us some history and overview. She then assisted by guiding us to the Scavi office to pick up our tickets and await the Scavi tour. The historian leading the Scavi tour was very informative and the experience was very memorable. This must be booked well in advance of your trip as only approximately 150 people are permitted to enter this area per day. Definitely worth your time and money and you will not regret it. Read more Written July 13, 2023

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3 Hour Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour provided by Vatican City Tour and Tickets