Don't do these things when making a pilgrimage to the Vatican City.

As a pilgrimage site for all Catholics, and indeed for anyone visiting Rome, the Vatican is always crowded with tourists. Besides must-see attractions like St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, you should also keep in mind some important tips to avoid a bad trip.

Avoid visiting the Vatican during the summer and on weekends.

Avoid visiting the Vatican in July and August – the peak tourist season. Queues to enter the Citadel or other popular attractions can last for hours, with many people standing in the sun for 2-3 hours. Consider visiting the Vatican in April, May, September, or October. During these months, the weather is milder and there aren't as many religious festivals.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are likely the best days to visit this place. Conversely, Saturdays will be the most "headache-inducing" day due to tourists flocking from all over to visit St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

If you wish to meet the Pope, you can go to St. Peter's Square on Wednesdays, and the audience is usually held in the main square on Wednesdays. During the winter months, this takes place in an auditorium located to the left of the basilica. During this time, the area around St. Peter's Basilica is packed with people attending the audience with the Pope. In July, this activity is temporarily suspended when the Pope is on vacation at Castel Gandolfo.

One additional note regarding the Vatican Museums is that they are closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month. Don't miss out just because you forgot to check the schedule!

Don't waste time waiting in line.

The most important places for all tourists visiting the Vatican in Rome are St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Most people want to see both unique sites in one day to save time, but often they can only visit one of them if they don't plan ahead.

Nowadays, popular attractions like St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum offer online ticketing, eliminating the need to queue. Contact your tour guide or find out how to buy tickets online, and you'll only have to spend time queuing for security checks.

You should wake up early to visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in the morning. Then, you can take advantage of lunchtime to queue for security to enter St. Peter's Basilica – the heart of the Vatican. Since there are relatively fewer visitors at lunchtime, it usually takes only 15 minutes to half an hour. This itinerary will help you cut your queuing time for both places from 4-6 hours to just 1-2 hours.

On your way to Vatican City, you'll encounter many people trying to sell you tour tickets or skip-the-line deals. Absolutely do not buy anything from them to avoid being scammed.

Don't go out on an empty stomach or forget to bring water.

Despite being the smallest country in the world, the Vatican Museum is not the smallest either. You will embark on a 7km journey to discover a priceless treasure trove of art, one of the most important in human history.

The Vatican Museums house the world's largest private art collection, with approximately 70,000 works, but only about 20,000 are actually on display. The highlight of the Sistine Chapel is the famous fresco "The Last Judgment." Besides the artworks, there's another place everyone wants to see at least once.

After exploring the Vatican Museums, take a break and have something to eat before visiting St. Peter's Basilica.

Located in the heart of Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is the most important and sacred church in the Catholic world. St. Peter's Basilica was built in the Renaissance style, characterized by its central dome. The imposing dome of St. Peter's Basilica is a symbol of the world's smallest country, Vatican City, and a prime example of the outstanding art of the Post-Renaissance and Baroque periods.

To reach the dome, you can choose to walk up 551 steps or take the elevator for 10 EUR. However, the elevator only takes you halfway; to reach the highest observation point, you'll have to climb another 320 steps, so remember to bring water. The staircase also narrows as you ascend, so if you suffer from claustrophobia, this isn't the place for you.

Avoid wearing outfits that expose your shoulders and knees.

As a sacred religious site, you need to pay special attention to your attire when visiting the Vatican. Most religious sites in both the Vatican and Rome have dress codes prohibiting revealing shoulders and knees. If you wear inappropriate clothing, you will still be asked to leave, even if you spent two hours queuing. Therefore, save short dresses for afternoon tea or a leisurely stroll.

Don't explore the Vatican alone.

With its rich history, you'll miss out on many stories, anecdotes, and cultural aspects if you travel alone. Therefore, hire a tour guide or travel with a friend knowledgeable about the glorious Renaissance period in this holy land. This will allow you to hear stories about the timeless works of master artists and geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Bramante, and Bernini. You also won't miss the sculptures like "Sphere within Sphere" by the Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, and "Lions of Nectanebo," dating from 360-343 BC, located in the 23-hectare Vatican Gardens, half the size of the Vatican itself.

Additional notes:

- As a crowded tourist destination, Italy has the highest rate of theft and pickpocketing in Europe. Please be careful with your personal belongings.

- It's recommended to stay in the Termini area of ​​Rome as it's the city's main transport hub and rooms are very affordable.

- It's not advisable to eat in the canteens of tourist attractions because the prices are quite high and it's difficult to truly appreciate the authentic culinary experience.

Yen Nhi