Two days: the Vatican core, then Rome Vatican City is 44 hectares, the smallest country on earth, and you can walk its two big draws, St Peters and the Vatican Museums, in one focused day. This 2-day budget plan gives Day 1 to the Vatican itself and Day 2 to the free and cheap side of Rome next door. Want more room for Rome’s bigger sights? The 3-day plan adds the Colosseum and Forum; the 4-day version works in Trastevere properly.

Three days: the Vatican core, then Rome Vatican City is 44 hectares, the smallest country on earth, and its two big draws, St Peter’s and the Vatican Museums, fit into one full day. This 3-day budget plan gives Day 1 to the Vatican itself, Day 2 to ancient Rome’s paid sights, and Day 3 to Rome’s free historic centre. Want a tighter trip? The 2-day plan drops a Rome day; the 4-day version adds Trastevere and a slower pace.

Four days: the Vatican core, then Rome Vatican City is 44 hectares, the smallest country on earth, and its two big draws, St Peter’s and the Vatican Museums, fit into one full day. This 4-day budget plan gives Day 1 to the Vatican itself and Days 2 through 4 to Rome next door: ancient Rome, the free historic centre, and the Borghese Gallery. Shorter on time? The 2-day plan and 3-day plan keep the same Vatican-first spine.

Five days: the Vatican core, then a fuller Rome Vatican City covers 44 hectares, the smallest country on earth, and its two headline sights, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, fit into a single focused day. This 5-day budget plan gives Day 1 to the Vatican itself, then spreads four more days across Rome: ancient Rome, the free historic centre, the Borghese Gallery, and the Appian Way. Tighter trip? The 2-day , 3-day and 4-day plans use this same Day 1 and stop before the Borghese and Appian Way days below.

Six days: the Vatican core, then a full week of Rome Vatican City covers 44 hectares, the smallest country on earth, and its two headline sights, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, fit into one focused day. This 6-day budget plan gives Day 1 to the Vatican itself, then spreads five more days across Rome: ancient Rome, the free historic centre, the Borghese Gallery, the Appian Way, and a cheap day trip to Ostia Antica.

Seven days: the Vatican core, then a full Rome trip Vatican City covers 44 hectares, the smallest country on earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, and its two headline sights, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, fit into a single focused day. This 7-day budget plan gives Day 1 to the Vatican itself, then spreads six more days across Rome and two easy day trips. Tighter schedule?

The free-versus-paid picture in Vatican City You can spend nothing and still see the best of it: St Peter’s Basilica, St Peter’s Square, and the exterior ramparts cost zero euros. The one real spend most visitors need is the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, running roughly EUR 20-25 for a timed, booked-ahead ticket. Check availability and book Vatican Museums tickets on GetYourGuide as soon as your dates are fixed; slots for a good morning time do sell out.

Most of Vatican City costs nothing. St Peter’s Basilica, St Peter’s Square, Bernini’s colonnade and the ramparts views are all free, no ticket and no booking required. The one real spend is the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: a paid, timed-entry ticket running roughly EUR 20 to 25 that you should book online before you arrive, not at the door. Add EUR 8 to 10 if you climb St Peter’s dome.