The Apostolic Palace: Papal residence in Vatican City

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Small group exploring St. Peter's Basilica interior on guided tour, Vatican City.
Tour guide leading a group of tourists towards the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica on a sunny day in Vatican City
Tour guide leading a group of tourists towards St. Peter’s Basilica under a clear blue sky
Chair of Saint Peter inside St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, with ornate bronze sculpture and stained glass window.
Vatican grottoes with visitors exploring the Papal Tomb.
Tour group with guide at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, exploring architecture and historical landmarks.
The Pietà statue inside St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, with visitors observing.
Guided tour group inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, viewing Papal Tombs.
Tour group exploring the St Peters Basilica Tomb in the Grottoes, Rome
Statue of Veronica holding the Veil, a significant landmark inside St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Small group exploring St. Peter's Basilica interior on guided tour, Vatican City.
Tour guide leading a group of tourists towards the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica on a sunny day in Vatican City
Tour guide leading a group of tourists towards St. Peter’s Basilica under a clear blue sky
Chair of Saint Peter inside St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, with ornate bronze sculpture and stained glass window.
Vatican grottoes with visitors exploring the Papal Tomb.
Tour group with guide at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, exploring architecture and historical landmarks.
The Pietà statue inside St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, with visitors observing.
Guided tour group inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, viewing Papal Tombs.
Tour group exploring the St Peters Basilica Tomb in the Grottoes, Rome
Statue of Veronica holding the Veil, a significant landmark inside St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Small group exploring St. Peter's Basilica interior on guided tour, Vatican City.
Tour guide leading a group of tourists towards the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica on a sunny day in Vatican City
Tour guide leading a group of tourists towards St. Peter’s Basilica under a clear blue sky
Chair of Saint Peter inside St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, with ornate bronze sculpture and stained glass window.
Vatican grottoes with visitors exploring the Papal Tomb.
Tour group with guide at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, exploring architecture and historical landmarks.
The Pietà statue inside St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, with visitors observing.
Guided tour group inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, viewing Papal Tombs.
Tour group exploring the St Peters Basilica Tomb in the Grottoes, Rome
Statue of Veronica holding the Veil, a significant landmark inside St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Guided Tours
3.8(3,625)

St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

from
€14.90
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
1 hr.

Explore the chapels, altars, and crypts of St. Peter's Basilica with an expert guide.

  • An expert guide will lead you through the best of St. Peter's Basilica, from its chapels and altars to the sacred Papal Crypts.
  • Dive into art and architecture by Renaissance greats such as Donato Bramante and Carlo Maderno in your preferred language.
  • As you walk through the mosaic floors that tell the stories of saints and martyrs, keep an eye out for the awe-inspiring Baldachin by Bernini.
  • You can opt for a guide in your preferred language, with tours available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
  • After the tour, you can descend to the Vatican Grottoes and explore the Papal Tombs, learn about the legacy of the Clementine Chapel, and more.

Explore the chapels, altars, and crypts of St. Peter's Basilica with an expert guide.

  • An expert guide will lead you through the best of St. Peter's Basilica, from its chapels and altars to the sacred Papal Crypts.
  • Dive into art and architecture by Renaissance greats such as Donato Bramante and Carlo Maderno in your preferred language.
  • As you walk through the mosaic floors that tell the stories of saints and martyrs, keep an eye out for the awe-inspiring Baldachin by Bernini.
  • You can opt for a guide in your preferred language, with tours available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
  • After the tour, you can descend to the Vatican Grottoes and explore the Papal Tombs, learn about the legacy of the Clementine Chapel, and more.

Inclusions

  • Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica with skip-the-line entry
  • Expert English, French, Italian or Spanish-speaking guide
  • Assistance at meeting point
  • Tip: Check out Pietro Cavallini's Madonna della Bocciata fresco in the Vatican Grottoes and hear the story behind its unique name.
  • Strict dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
  • Mobile phones must remain on silent mode inside the Basilica.
  • This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. The right semicircle of Saint Peter’s Square is equipped with ramp access to the Basilica. For any special requirements, contact accoglienza@fsp.va in advance.
  • Sign language guided tours are available in Italian at the Basilica. This service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at the following email address: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
  • Expect a long wait at security, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to 2 hours!
  • Around religious holidays at the Vatican, parts of the tour, such as the Papal Tombs, may not be open. In this case, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
St. Peter’s Basilica facade with tourists in Vatican City.
Visitors exploring the Vatican Museums with a guide, viewing art and architecture, Rome, Italy.
Vatican Museums guided tour with visitors admiring Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome.
Vatican Museum Gallery visitors admiring artwork in Sistine Chapel, Rome.
Tour group admiring Sistine Chapel ceiling during Vatican Museums guided tour, Rome.
Vatican Museums guided tour group viewing Sistine Chapel ceiling artwork.
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
St. Peter’s Basilica facade with tourists in Vatican City.
Visitors exploring the Vatican Museums with a guide, viewing art and architecture, Rome, Italy.
Vatican Museums guided tour with visitors admiring Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome.
Vatican Museum Gallery visitors admiring artwork in Sistine Chapel, Rome.
Tour group admiring Sistine Chapel ceiling during Vatican Museums guided tour, Rome.
Vatican Museums guided tour group viewing Sistine Chapel ceiling artwork.
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
St. Peter’s Basilica facade with tourists in Vatican City.
Visitors exploring the Vatican Museums with a guide, viewing art and architecture, Rome, Italy.
Vatican Museums guided tour with visitors admiring Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome.
Vatican Museum Gallery visitors admiring artwork in Sistine Chapel, Rome.
Tour group admiring Sistine Chapel ceiling during Vatican Museums guided tour, Rome.
Vatican Museums guided tour group viewing Sistine Chapel ceiling artwork.
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
Guided Tours
4.2(17,033)

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour

from
€69
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
2 hr. - 3 hr.

Complete Vatican tour including Museums, Chapel and exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilic via a hidden passage.

  • Save 2-3 hours by skipping the ticketing queues at the Vatican's top three - Museums, Chapel, and Basilica.
  • Navigate the Museums' legendary galleries and rooms with your guide who shares exciting insights in your preferred language.
  • Hear key facts before walking in and admiring Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel many frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
  • Skip the usual 2-hour Basilica queue and enter directly from the Sistine Chapel via a hidden door.
  • Upgrade for a fully guided experience inside St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Bernini’s Baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà.

Complete Vatican tour including Museums, Chapel and exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilic via a hidden passage.

  • Save 2-3 hours by skipping the ticketing queues at the Vatican's top three - Museums, Chapel, and Basilica.
  • Navigate the Museums' legendary galleries and rooms with your guide who shares exciting insights in your preferred language.
  • Hear key facts before walking in and admiring Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel many frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
  • Skip the usual 2-hour Basilica queue and enter directly from the Sistine Chapel via a hidden door.
  • Upgrade for a fully guided experience inside St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Bernini’s Baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà.

Inclusions

  • Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
  • Skip-the-line entry or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
  • Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
  • Headphones

Exclusions

  • Gratuities
  • Entry to St. Peter's Basilica Dome
  • Names on tickets must match a valid photo ID. Double-check the details at checkout for a smooth entry.
  • Your ticket includes a specific entry time. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your chosen slot.
  • Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
  • While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
  • When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.
  • Expect a considerable wait at the security line, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!
  • Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures. These circumstances are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
  • The Vatican Museums reserve the right to close any section, including the Sistine Chapel, due to unforeseen circumstances. The closure of any museum section does not entitle visitors to any refund.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
St. Peter’s Basilica Dome view from the rooftop in Rome during a guided tour.
Statues on the  St. Peter’s Basilica Terrace
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
View from St. Peter’s Basilica Dome overlooking Vatican City rooftops and Rome skyline.
Visitors descending the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, with panoramic city views.
St. Peter's Basilica interior with ornate dome and intricate architectural details in Rome.
St. Peter's Basilica interior with ornate dome and intricate architectural details in Rome.
Statue of St Sebastian at St. Peter’s Basilica
Details of the Interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
St. Peter’s Basilica Dome view from the rooftop in Rome during a guided tour.
Statues on the  St. Peter’s Basilica Terrace
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
View from St. Peter’s Basilica Dome overlooking Vatican City rooftops and Rome skyline.
Visitors descending the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, with panoramic city views.
St. Peter's Basilica interior with ornate dome and intricate architectural details in Rome.
St. Peter's Basilica interior with ornate dome and intricate architectural details in Rome.
Statue of St Sebastian at St. Peter’s Basilica
Details of the Interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
St. Peter’s Basilica Dome view from the rooftop in Rome during a guided tour.
Statues on the  St. Peter’s Basilica Terrace
Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.
View from St. Peter’s Basilica Dome overlooking Vatican City rooftops and Rome skyline.
Visitors descending the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, with panoramic city views.
St. Peter's Basilica interior with ornate dome and intricate architectural details in Rome.
St. Peter's Basilica interior with ornate dome and intricate architectural details in Rome.
Statue of St Sebastian at St. Peter’s Basilica
Details of the Interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica
Guided Tours
4.2(3,274)

St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Dome Access

from
€39
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
2 hr. - 3 hr.

Explore the Basilica with an expert guide and climb the dome for great city views.

  • Walk with an expert through the art-filled interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica, including the iconic Pietà and the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes.
  • Admire Michelangelo's genius up close while climbing the Dome—this is one photo op you won't want to miss!
  • Begin your day with an optional breakfast before the tour—an exclusive offering for French and English language options.

Explore the Basilica with an expert guide and climb the dome for great city views.

  • Walk with an expert through the art-filled interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica, including the iconic Pietà and the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes.
  • Admire Michelangelo's genius up close while climbing the Dome—this is one photo op you won't want to miss!
  • Begin your day with an optional breakfast before the tour—an exclusive offering for French and English language options.

Inclusions

  • Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Dome with entry
  • Expert English, Spanish, French, German or Italian-speaking guide
  • Access by elevator to the base and stairs to the top
  • Breakfast (for French and English options, if selected)

Exclusions

  • Entry to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
  • Entry to the Necropolis / St. Peter’s Tomb / Scavi
  • Tip: While climbing the Dome, peek through special windows for rare views of the Basilica’s interiors below.
  • Knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
  • The Dome is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with vertigo or claustrophobia. Even with elevator access, 320 steps must be climbed to reach the cupola.
  • Expect extended wait times at security, especially during peak hours, which may exceed 2 hours. Patience is key!
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Vatican TicketsApostolic Palace

What is the Apostolic Palace? 

Situated in Vatican City, to the northeast of St. Peter’s Basilica, is the Apostolic Palace is known as the official residence of the reigning pope.

Not to be confused the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the former summer palace of the Pope; the Apostolic Palace is the formal residence of the Pope. The palace comprises over 1000 rooms, excluding which there are several Papal Apartments, the Vatican Library, a few Catholic Church’s government offices as well as numerous private and public chapels among other buildings. 

Apart from being the Pope’s formal home, the Apostolic Palace consists of several administrative offices which are used to administer the function of the Vatican State. Perhaps the most important part of the Pope’s home is the fact that it has become a tourist-facing component in Rome. The several gardens, fishponds, attractive museums, library, and natural conservatories, to name a few, are amongst the few outstanding features that the Palace is known for and is a spot to be explored. The palace is also otherwise known as the Papal Palace, the Vatican Palace, the Vatican Palace, and also the Palace of the Vatican. 

Plan your visit to the Apostolic Palace

Timings
Location
Tickets
Rules
Apostolic Palace Timings

Vatican Tickets
Apostolic Palace Rules

Structure of the Apostolic Palace

Arranged around the Courtyard of Sixtus V, the Apostolic Palace is a series of self-contained buildings consisting of a recognized outer structure. 

Sistine Chapel at Apostolic Palace
Raphael Rooms at Apostolic Palace

Raphael Rooms

The Raphael Rooms are a suite of reception rooms in the Apostolic Palace, which is now a portion of the Vatican Museums, in Vatican City. These rooms are popular for their frescoes, done by a team of artists who were guided under Raphael.  Commonly known as the Stanze, situated above Alexander’s Borgia Apartments, the Raphael Rooms were the apartments intended for Pope Julius II. He decided to redecorate the interiors of the rooms entirely, possibly to outshine the apartments of his predecessor. 

Borgia Apartments at Apostolic Palaces

Borgia Apartments

The Borgia Apartments consists of a suite of rooms that were for the personal usage of Pope Alexander VI. The apartments were decorated lavishly with frescoes and used iconic themes from medieval encyclopedias, to add meaning and to celebrate the divine origins of Borgias. 

The rooms are a part of the Vatican Library and Museums. Currently, these rooms are used for the Vatican Collection of Modern Religious Art, by Pope Paul VI in 1973. 

Clementine Hall at Apostolic Palace

Clementine Hall

The Clementine Hall, also called the Sala Clementina, was created in the 16th century in honor of the third Pope, Pope Clement I, by Pope Clement VIII. Just like the other apartments, the Clementine Hall also consists of numerous large collections of artifacts and frescos, that make the Clementine Hall a famous structure in itself.  It is used by the pope as a reception room and sometimes as a site of various ceremonies and rituals. It is in the Clementine Hall that the body of the pope lies for private visitation by officials of the Vatican until it is moved to St. Peter's Basilica or the Basilica of San Giovanni.

Who lives in the Vatican Palace?

Pope at the Apostolic Palace

The Apostolic Palace is home to the Pope and numerous officials involved in religious and administrative functions. It functions similarly to a state residence, managing the Vatican's various responsibilities.

Can visitors go inside the Vatican Palace? 

Visitors can explore parts of the Apostolic Palace, including the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and Borgia Apartments. Some areas like the Sala Regia and Cappella Paolina are not open to the public. 

Plan your visit to Vatican Museums

Paintings inside Vatican Palace

Pinacoteca , Apostolic Palace

Apostolic Palace of Vatican | Site of administrative functions of the Holy See

Apostolic Palace

Apart from being home to the Pope, the Apostolic Palace serves many functions. The Palace is used for performing several administrative meetings of the Vatican in terms of political, social, and economic aspects as a State. The palace has within it beautiful gardens, museums, a library, and more. Hence, this structure has become one of the top tourist attractions in the city of Rome, Italy. 

Due to its dual nature as being the home to the pope as well as the site of administrative functions of the Holy See, it has assumed the same stature as the White House. It is a space that exercises various economic, political, and social responsibilities as a State. The term Apostolic Palace has, hence, come to be used as a metonym for the papacy itself, and not just the physical building. 

History of the Apostolic Palace

Construction of the Apostolic Palace began between 1471 and 1605. It evolved from an earlier papal residence built by Pope Symmachus to serve as an alternative residence to the Lateran Palace.

Pope Eugene III sponsored the construction of a second fortified palace. This palace was extensively modified under Pope Innocent III in the twelfth century.

In 1447, Pope Nicholas V razed the ancient fortified palace of Eugene III to erect a new building, thus giving birth to the current Apostolic Palace.

Over the next 150 years, the Papal Palace went through major additions and decorations.

The current structure was developed under Pope Sixtus V and his successors, culminating in the 20th century with additional expansions by Pope Pius XI.

History of the Vatican

Frequently asked questions about the Apostolic Palace

What is the Apostolic Palace?

The massive Apostolic Palace is the Pope’s place of residence. It's also home to various apartments, museums, offices, public and private chapels, to name a few amongst the lot. The Palace is inclusive of rooms such as the Sistine Chapel as well as Raphael’s room famous for its paintings and architecture. The Palace serves as a space to perform the religious and administrative functions of the city.

Where is the Apostolic Palace located?

The Apostolic Palace is situated within Vatican City, just northeast of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Who lives inside the Apostolic Palace?

The Pope resides in the Apostolic Palace. It is also home to various Vatican officials and staff who manage religious and administrative functions.

Can I enter the Apostolic Palace?

Yes, around 20 rooms of the Apostolic Palace are accessible to the public, including notable areas such as the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and Borgia Apartments. Some sections, like the Sala Regia and Cappella Paolina, are not open to the public.

How far is the Apostolic Palace from St Peter's Square?

The Papal Palace is hardly two minutes away from St. Peter’s Square.

When was the Apostolic Palace built?

The construction of the Apostolic Palace (the Vatican or Papal Palace) in the Vatican City, was done between 1471 and 1605.

Why was the Apostolic Palace built?

It was built as a replacement for the Lateran Palace, which served as the primary residence of the popes for over a millennium. The new Palace was intended to enhance the papal residence and administrative capabilities.