Europe
The heart of the Catholic Church, with some of the world's greatest art.
Vatican City is the world's smallest independent state, a walled enclave inside Rome and the seat of the Pope. St Peter's Basilica and its vast colonnaded square are the centrepiece, while the Vatican Museums hold centuries of collected art, ending in the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgement. The Vatican Gardens can be seen on guided tours.
A visit is usually part of a trip to Rome, and it is busy: book museum tickets ahead, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and expect security checks. You can climb to the dome of St Peter's for views over the city. Spring and autumn are ideal; high summer is hot and crowded, and major religious holidays draw huge crowds.
March, April, May, October.