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St. Peter's Basilica dome and bridge at twilight

Vatican City travel guide

A tiny state for a short, focused visit built around art, history and faith

Best: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

Photo: nimrodins / Pixabay

Capital
Vatican City
Languages
Italian, Latin
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Vatican City

Vatican City suits a short, focused trip for travellers interested in art, history and religion. The best months to go are April, May, September and October. You pay in euros, and the official languages are Italian and Latin. Be honest with yourself about its size. With a population of just 882, this is a place for a brief visit, not a base for a longer stay, so plan it as one part of a wider trip.

  • A country of just 882 people

    Vatican City has a population of only 882. Few places let you visit a whole sovereign country with so few residents. It is a rare chance to see how a state works on such a small human scale.

  • Good weather in spring and autumn

    The best months to visit are April, May, September and October. Plan your trip for these months. Other times of year are less recommended, so check the conditions before you book.

  • Latin is still an official language

    Vatican City lists Latin as an official language, next to Italian. Latin is rarely used in daily life anywhere today, so this makes the country unusual. Italian is the language you will hear and use most.

  • Simple money for euro users

    The currency is the euro. If you already travel in Southern Europe or live in the eurozone, you will not need to change money. This makes a short visit easy to plan.

  • Easy practical basics for Europeans

    The time zone is UTC+01:00, and the emergency number is 112, as in much of Europe. Traffic drives on the right. If you travel around Europe, very little here will be unfamiliar.

Is Vatican City right for you?

Great for

  • Spring visitors in April or May, when highs are 19 to 23°C
  • Autumn trips in September or October, with highs of 27°C and 22°C
  • Travellers from Euro countries, since the currency is the Euro
  • Winter visitors who accept cool days, with January highs of about 12°C
  • Anyone who wants a very small place, with a population of only 882

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in July and August, when highs reach 32 to 33°C
  • November trips, the wettest month with 156 mm over about 13 rain days
  • Travellers who want many cities or regions in one country trip

Vatican City right now: September

7.5/10
Avg high
27°C
Avg low
17°C
Rain days
10

Averages for Vatican City.

Weather by month

Climate data for Vatican City (2015–2024) shows that April, May, September and October are the best months, with highs of 19 to 27°C, although October brings 123 mm of rain. Avoid July and August if you dislike heat, because highs reach 33°C and 32°C, and note that November is the wettest month, with 156 mm.

Average highs and lows in Vatican City by month January: high 12°C, low 4°C , 11 rain days . February: high 14°C, low 5°C , 10 rain days . March: high 16°C, low 6°C , 11 rain days . April: high 19°C, low 9°C , 9 rain days . May: high 23°C, low 13°C , 12 rain days . June: high 29°C, low 18°C , 6 rain days . July: high 33°C, low 21°C , 4 rain days . August: high 32°C, low 21°C , 5 rain days . September: high 27°C, low 17°C , 10 rain days . October: high 22°C, low 13°C , 12 rain days . November: high 17°C, low 9°C , 13 rain days . December: high 14°C, low 5°C , 11 rain days . 12°C 4°C JAN 11d 14°C 5°C FEB 10d 16°C 6°C MAR 11d 19°C 9°C APR 9d 23°C 13°C MAY 12d 29°C 18°C JUN 6d 33°C 21°C JUL 4d 32°C 21°C AUG 5d 27°C 17°C SEP 10d 22°C 13°C OCT 12d 17°C 9°C NOV 13d 14°C 5°C DEC 11d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Vatican City (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Vatican City: month-by-month weather →

Food to try in Vatican City

Spaghetti alla carbonara

A Roman pasta made with egg, cured pork cheek (guanciale), pecorino cheese and black pepper. Vatican City has no cuisine of its own, so you eat it in Rome's restaurants nearby.

Cacio e pepe

A simple Roman pasta of pecorino cheese and black pepper. It is a lunch or dinner dish, served in trattorias across Rome, including the streets just outside Vatican City.

Supplì

Fried rice balls, usually with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella inside. Romans eat them as a snack or starter, often from pizza shops and takeaway counters.

Pizza al taglio

Rectangular pizza sold by weight and cut into slices. It is a quick, cheap lunch between sights, sold in small shops around Rome rather than inside the Vatican itself.

Gelato

Italian ice cream, denser than most ice cream elsewhere. Italians eat it at any time of day, often while walking, from gelaterias found all over Rome.

Espresso

A short, strong coffee that Italians usually drink standing at a bar counter. Order it simply as "un caffè". Milky coffees like cappuccino are mainly a morning drink.

Know before you go

  • Currency: Vatican City uses the euro. If you already carry euros, you do not need to change money before you visit.
  • Languages: The listed languages are Italian and Latin. Learning a few basic Italian phrases can help you with signs and short everyday conversations.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 in an emergency. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you can find it quickly.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. Remember this when you cross roads, especially if you come from a country that drives on the left.
  • Calling code: The international calling code is +379. Check your phone plan before you travel, because roaming rules differ between providers.
  • Time zone: Vatican City uses UTC+01:00. Check the time difference from home so you do not miss bookings or tours.
  • Very small state: Vatican City has a population of about 882 people. Most visits are short, so plan where you will sleep and eat.
  • Plugs and voltage: Our data does not cover plug types or voltage here. Check a reliable source before you pack chargers or adapters.

Vatican City: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Vatican City?

The best months are April, May, September and October. April scores highest at 8.1, with mild highs of 19.4°C and lows of 8.9°C. May reaches 23.2°C and September 27°C, both comfortable for walking. October is still warm at 22.3°C, but it gets 123 mm of rain over about 11.7 days, so pack an umbrella.

Is Vatican City good to visit in August?

August is possible but not ideal. It scores only 4.3, the joint lowest with July. Highs average 32.3°C and nights stay warm at 21.1°C, which makes time spent outdoors tiring. The upside is dry weather: just 5.4 rain days and 34 mm of rain. If heat bothers you, choose June (29°C) or September (27°C) instead.

What is the rainiest month in Vatican City?

November is the wettest month. It averages 156 mm of rain over 13.2 rain days, and gets only 6.9 hours of sun a day. Even so, it still scores 6.6 thanks to mild highs of 17.1°C. The driest month is July, with 21 mm of rain over 3.8 days.

Is Vatican City worth visiting in winter?

Yes, if you accept cool, often wet days. January scores 4.7, with highs of 12.2°C and lows of 3.9°C. December scores 5.4 but brings 106 mm of rain. February is the best winter choice, scoring 6.2, with highs of 14.2°C and less rain at 77 mm.

What currency and language are used in Vatican City?

Vatican City uses the Euro. The official languages are Italian and Latin. The time zone is UTC+01:00, and the international calling code is +379. In an emergency, dial 112.

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