Vatican Gardens
Discover the serene beauty of the Vatican Gardens, a lush 23-hectare oasis of fountains, sculptures, and historical charm.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Vatican Gardens
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover the serene beauty of the Vatican Gardens, a lush 23-hectare oasis of fountains, sculptures, and historical charm.
"A peaceful and unforgettable part of our Jubilee pilgrimage, the open bus tour was a highlight."
Book Garden Tours in Advance
Limited spots! Book weeks ahead, especially for guided tours.
Open Bus Tour for Overview
Great for seeing more with less walking. Often includes museum entry.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 2,601 reviews
Type
Garden
Website
museivaticani.vaHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Renaissance Fountains
Throughout the Gardens
Marvel at ornate fountains, some dating back centuries, adding a serene and artistic touch to the lush greenery.
The Vatican Grottoes
Beneath St. Peter's Basilica
Discover a sacred space with tombs of popes and historical artifacts, offering a profound glimpse into Vatican history.
The Papal Palace Gardens
Adjacent to Papal Apartments
Experience the meticulously manicured gardens that offer a tranquil retreat for the Pope, showcasing diverse flora.
The Swiss Guard Monument
Central Gardens
A poignant tribute to the brave Swiss Guards, this monument stands as a symbol of loyalty and protection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Vatican Gardens Access Early
Choose Your Garden Experience Wisely
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Garden Tours in Advance
Limited spots! Book weeks ahead, especially for guided tours.
Open Bus Tour for Overview
Great for seeing more with less walking. Often includes museum entry.
Water Bottles are Key
Bring reusable bottles; there are refill stations inside.
Peaceful Escape
A serene break from museum crowds. Highly underrated!
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Garden Tours in Advance
Limited spots! Book weeks ahead, especially for guided tours.
Open Bus Tour for Overview
Great for seeing more with less walking. Often includes museum entry.
Water Bottles are Key
Bring reusable bottles; there are refill stations inside.
Peaceful Escape
A serene break from museum crowds. Highly underrated!
Combine with Sistine Chapel
Many tours lead directly to the Sistine Chapel, skipping museum lines.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Vatican Gardens as a peaceful, beautiful, and underrated escape from the crowds of the Vatican Museums. The serene atmosphere, lush greenery, and historical fountains are highlights, offering a unique and memorable perspective of Vatican City. Some find the limited access and tour-only nature restrictive, but most agree it's a worthwhile addition to a Vatican visit.
"Behind St Peter’s, the Vatican Gardens occupy about half of Vatican City, enclosed by the old Leonine walls. First laid out as a papal viridarium in the thirteenth century, they were reshaped in the Renaissance and Baroque periods and today combine Italian, French and English-style sectors with woodland, fountains and shrines. The pope uses the gardens for walks and prayer, and Marian images from many countries, including the Lourdes Grotto, make them a concentrated devotional route. At the same time, key utilities sit here: the Governor’s Palace, media buildings, heliport and water infrastructure. Access is by paid guided tour, so the gardens function as both a working core of the microstate and a tightly managed heritage experience."
Loo Yeo
"What a real gem to experience. I booked a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel/Museums which first included access to these gardens. I would definitely recommend it because they only do a select few tours a day inside the gardens so it’s a nice break from the crowds inside the Vatican Museums! Our guide spent nearly 1.5 hours walking us around - we thoroughly enjoyed it, plenty of places to fill up water bottles as well which is really needed on hot days!"
Josh Mahon
"The Vatican gardens are extremely beautiful. It’s possible to book an open bus tour (~45min) and then see the rest of the Vatican museum. I have been to the museum many times and always loved the views of the gardens from windows so I was thrilled to get to see more of them. For me, the 45 min tour felt like 3 min, it’s so captivating. I went in December and I’d imagine it’s a beautiful tour anytime of year. This is a very special additional tour."
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What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Access to the Vatican Gardens is exclusively via pre-booked tours. You'll typically meet your guide at a designated point within Vatican City, often near the Vatican Museums entrance. Check your tour confirmation for precise meeting instructions.
No, independent access to the Vatican Gardens is not permitted. Entry is strictly controlled and only possible through official guided tours, either walking or by open bus.
There is no direct parking for the Vatican Gardens. Visitors usually arrive via public transport or taxi to the Vatican City area and then proceed to their tour meeting point.
The most convenient ways to reach Vatican City are by metro (Ottaviano-S. Pietro station) or by bus. Taxis are also readily available.
Some tours, particularly the open bus tours, may offer pick-up points in Rome, but these are not standard shuttle services. Always confirm with your tour provider.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets for the Vatican Gardens must be purchased in advance through the official Vatican Museums website or authorized tour operators. They are not sold on-site.
The price varies depending on the tour type (walking or bus) and inclusions. Expect to pay around €30-€50 per person. Check the official Vatican Museums website for current pricing.
Yes, most Vatican Gardens tours include entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, allowing you to bypass the main museum queues.
The gardens are accessible only during scheduled tour times, typically in the morning. Specific hours vary by season and day.
No, independent visits are not allowed. You must book a guided tour, either a walking tour or an open bus tour, to enter the Vatican Gardens.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Absolutely! Many visitors find the gardens a peaceful, beautiful, and often more memorable experience than the crowded museums. It's a unique perspective of Vatican City.
The walking tour offers a more intimate and detailed exploration, while the open bus tour covers more ground and provides an overview with an audio guide.
Walking tours typically last around 1.5 to 2 hours, while bus tours might be slightly shorter. Always check your specific tour details.
Photography is generally allowed in the Vatican Gardens, but always be respectful of the sacred nature of the site and any specific instructions from your guide.
Restroom facilities are usually available at the start or end of the tour, and sometimes at designated points within the gardens.
📸 📸 Photography
Look for picturesque fountains, sculptures, and panoramic views of St. Peter's Basilica. The interplay of greenery and architecture offers many beautiful compositions.
Yes, photography is generally permitted in the Vatican Gardens. However, always be mindful of your surroundings and any specific rules mentioned by your guide.
A versatile camera that handles both wide shots of the landscape and closer details of sculptures and fountains would be ideal. A smartphone camera can also capture great shots.
Absolutely. Drone photography is strictly prohibited within Vatican City for security and preservation reasons.
Early morning light offers soft, beautiful illumination and fewer crowds, making it ideal for photography. Late afternoon can also provide lovely golden hour light.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit