Vatican City
Country · Europe, Southern Europe
Vatican City is a country located in Southern Europe, entirely surrounded by Italy. With an area of 0.49 square kilometers and a population of about 900 people, it serves as a destination for those interested in its historic sites.
Highlights
This site covers 5 major sights. The religious and architectural focus centers on St. Peter's Basilica and the expansive St. Peter's Square. Art and history are represented by the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Visitors can also explore the Gardens of Vatican City.
When to go
The climate at the capital features warm summers and mild winters. July and August are the warmest months, with daily highs around 30 °C and relatively low rainfall. Spring, particularly May, offers pleasant temperatures with highs of 22 °C. Autumn and winter months see increased precipitation, with November being the wettest month, recording 114 mm of rain over about 13 days.
Practical notes
The official currency is the euro. Italian and Latin are the spoken languages. The country operates on a UTC+01:00 time zone and traffic moves on the right side of the road.
Top sights in Vatican City
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is November, with about 114 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 12 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 12 |
| Average low, °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 5 |
| Rainfall, mm | 66 | 66 | 58 | 76 | 54 | 32 | 23 | 30 | 73 | 108 | 114 | 100 |
| Rainy days | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 11 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Vatican City (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Swiss Guard