Boutique hotels in Vatican City

Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world, is an enclave inside Rome. It holds St. Peter's Basilica, with Michelangelo's dome, the great square by Bernini, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. There are no commercial hotels inside the walls, so travelers stay in the adjoining Roman neighborhoods of Borgo and Prati, within walking distance of the gates.

Seeing the Vatican

Book tickets for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel well ahead, and arrive early or late in the day to avoid the longest lines. Entry to St. Peter's Basilica is free but has a security queue. Climbing the dome gives the best view over Rome.

Where to stay

Borgo is the medieval quarter hard against the Vatican walls, with quiet lanes and views of the dome. Prati, just north, is a residential, tree-lined district with wide streets, good restaurants and the Mercato Trionfale food market.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant, though the crowds are heavier around Easter and Christmas. The Wednesday general audience in the square needs no ticket, but a free reservation is helpful.