Essential Tips for Visiting the Vatican with Kids

One of the most common questions we get asked by our Italy travel planning clients is, “Should we take our kids to the Vatican?” If it’s high on your wish list, the answer is yes … with caveats. The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica are unquestionable highlights of a visit to Rome, yet they can overwhelm little ones if you come without a strategy. This is one place where advance planning pays off — winging it rarely works well.

Visiting the Vatican with Kids: What to Know

Book an early morning or late evening tour. There is no real low season in Rome. Lines at the Vatican Museums can be as long as several hours, and crowds are shoulder to shoulder year-round. The best approach? Opt for an early-hours or after-hours tour. It’s expensive but worth every penny, as you not only skip the line but truly get to engage with the art. Kids will have ample room to walk around and look at the things that catch their eye. These types of tours are offered in both small-group and private versions; our CB Travel Advisor team can help you book one that’s vetted for quality and kid-friendliness.

Avoid “free Sundays.” While the Vatican Museums are closed most Sundays, they provide free entry from 9 am-2 pm (last entry at 12:30 pm) on the last Sunday of the month. Talk about jam-packed! It’s hard to view the treasures on display as you make your way through the throng, let alone appreciate them, especially for kids who can’t see over anyone’s head. Bottom line, the savings aren’t worth the hassle. If this is absolutely the only time you can go, get in line at least 2 hours ahead of opening.

Our preferred Italy travel partner also hosts an express tour that bypasses most of the museum galleries to focus on the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Most Vatican tours follow a path that winds through the museums first, so this is a good option if you’re on a tight timetable or just want to see the famous frescoes (you can’t visit them separately without museum entry). Again, our Travel Advisor team can help you book.

With older kids, consider a private tour that includes VIP access to the secret rooms containing priceless busts and masks, along with the Hall of Animals — filled with sculptures that make up a “stone zoo” of sorts. The tour takes a full four hours, so it’s not ideal for wee ones.

Don’t even entertain the idea of taking kids to the museums without a guide. It’s a recipe for meltdowns and general frustration.

Know the ropes for St. Peter’s Basilica. Your guide will most likely escort you into St. Peter’s Basilica directly through a side entrance from the Sistine Chapel, and after he or she says goodbye, you can generally stay as long as you like. Visitors who don’t use a guide must exit the chapel and join the separate line for security and entrance into the basilica; it can get almost as lengthy as the one for the museums.

St. Peter’s Basilica and dome are typically closed during the General Audience that the Pope holds in St. Peter’s Square most Wednesday mornings, reopening later in the day. (The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel remain open.) Certain areas of the basilica may be restricted during Sunday mass times as well.

Fill up first. Start your tour with a full stomach. Most take anywhere from two to four hours due to the size of the museums, and it’s easy for kids to get hungry and cranky before you’re through. Pack a light snack if necessary. There’s also a cafe onsite, though it is pricey and the food isn’t great. One of our favorite places to get a quick lunch nearby is Bonci Pizzarium, which serves creative Roman-style pizza from a takeaway counter.

Dress appropriately. Vatican sites require modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders. Little kids might have a bit of leeway, but older ones are expected to adhere to the dress code. In the summer heat, convertible pants are a lifesaver — just zip off the legs when you’re done. Carry a thin scarf or wrap to throw over a sleeveless top.

Consider skipping the museums altogether if you have very small kids. Almost everywhere in Italy is a tot-friendly paradise, but the Vatican Museums may be better saved for a future trip when the children are older. Given the slow-moving crowds, the amount of walking (strollers are not advised) and the sheer volume of art and artifacts to see, the reality is that the museums just aren’t well suited for littles. They’ll be much happier chasing pigeons in St. Peter’s Square. If you need to bring them, book an off-hours or express tour such as the ones described above to keep your visit as smooth as possible.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly activities and accommodations in Rome on Ciao Bambino

52 things to know before traveling to Italy with kids

72 hours in Rome with kids

Travel guide to the 2025 Rome Jubilee

12 delicious family-friendly restaurants in Rome

5 favorite family-friendly luxury hotels in Italy

1 to 2 weeks in Italy: The best itinerary for families

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.