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Published 18 Mar 2026 · Updated 4 Sept 2026
Vatican City may be the world’s smallest country, but it attracts an outsize number of visitors each year. Millions of tourists and pilgrims visit the 0.44 km² city-state annually.
How many people visit Vatican City each year?
Nearly 7 million people visit the Vatican Museums each year, with 2025 setting a record of 6.9 million.
- In 2019, the Vatican Museums received 6.9 million visitors. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an 82% decline, with just 1.3 million visitors in 2020 and 1.6 million in 2021.
- By 2022, numbers rebounded to 5.1 million visitors; 2023 and 2024 both saw 6.8 million, and 2025 set a new record of 6.9 million during the Jubilee Year.1
- Including non-ticketed visitors to St. Peter’s Basilica and the square, total Vatican foot traffic exceeds 18 million annually.
How many people visit Vatican City per day?
On average, 15,000-20,000 visitors enter Vatican City daily.
- During peak season, 20,000-30,000 people visit per day, especially at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
- The busiest times are April-June and September-October, while January and February are the quietest.
- St. Peter’s Basilica, with free entry, attracts additional foot traffic beyond museum numbers.
How much does Vatican City earn from tourism?
Tourism generates around €100 million annually in direct revenue for Vatican City, mainly from museum ticket sales.2
- The Vatican Museums are one of the largest revenue sources, with ticket sales averaging €17 per visitor.
- Additional income comes from guided tours, souvenir shops, and donations.
- 2020 saw museum revenue fall by around 85%, a loss of roughly €100 million, due to pandemic-related closures.3
How much does it cost to visit Vatican City?
Entry to Vatican City is mostly free, but major attractions have separate ticket prices.
- St. Peter’s Basilica: Free to enter.
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: approximately €17 for standard tickets.
- St. Peter’s Dome Climb: €8 (stairs) or €10 (elevator + stairs).
- Vatican Gardens Tour: approximately €37 (includes museum entry).
- Necropolis (St. Peter’s Tomb) Tour: approximately €13, requires advance booking.
Where do Vatican City tourists come from?
The majority of Vatican tourists are international visitors, with the United States, Germany, France, Spain, and the UK being the top sources .
- American tourists are consistently the largest single nationality.
- European visitors dominate, with millions arriving from Italy, Germany, and France.
- Pilgrims from Latin America and the Philippines visit for religious reasons.
| Top countries of origin for Vatican City visitors | |
|---|---|
| Rank | Country |
| 1 | USA |
| 2 | Germany |
| 3 | France |
| 4 | Spain |
| 5 | UK |
When is the best time to visit Vatican City?
The best time to visit is January-February for fewer crowds and October-March for moderate crowds and cooler weather.
- Peak season: April-June & September-October. Expect long lines and packed museums.
- Low season: November-February (except Christmas). Shorter lines and lower prices.
- Avoid midday in peak months, early mornings or late afternoons are best for shorter waits.
- Special religious events, such as Easter and Christmas, draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.
Why do people visit Vatican City?
Visitors come for religious, cultural, and historical reasons.
- Religious Pilgrimage: Attend papal audiences, visit St. Peter’s Basilica, or pray at St. Peter’s Tomb.
- Art & History: See Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s frescoes, and the Vatican Museums’ vast art collection.
- Papal Events: Easter, Christmas, and papal blessings attract millions.
- UNESCO Heritage Site: Vatican City is the only country entirely designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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What are the most visited attractions in Vatican City?
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: One of the world’s most visited museums, drawing 6-7 million people annually.
- St. Peter’s Basilica: The largest church in the world, hosting over 11 million visitors per year.
- St. Peter’s Square: A site for papal events and one of the most famous squares in the world.
- Vatican Gardens & Necropolis: Special-access areas offering unique historical insights.
Vatican Tourism Facts
- Most visited country per capita: With only 800 residents, Vatican City receives nearly 7 million visitors annually.
- Highest crime rate per capita (statistically): Due to pickpocketing targeting tourists, not residents.
- 2025 Holy Year visitors: the Vatican counted more than 33 million pilgrims during its Jubilee Year.4
- Second most visited museum globally: The Vatican Museums rank just behind the Louvre in annual visitors.
Vatican City remains one of the world’s most significant cultural and religious destinations, drawing millions annually for its unparalleled history, art, and spiritual significance.
References
- The world's 100 most visited art museums in 2025 (The Art Newspaper, Visitor Figures 2025) · theartnewspaper.com ↑
- Pope cuts pay for clerics but not for Vatican Museum employees · theartnewspaper.com ↑
- Year of Covid plunges Vatican deeper into the red (AFP, via Inquirer) · newsinfo.inquirer.net ↑
- Over 33 million pilgrims came to Rome for Jubilee Year · Vatican News ↑
- Visits to Vatican Museums fell by 5.6 million in 2020 · catholicnewsagency.com
- TEA/AECOM 2019 Theme Index and Museum Index: The Global Attractions Attendance Report · aecom.com
