The Vatican is one of the most visited places in not just Rome but the entire world. Each day, tons of tourists, worshippers, or just curious people come to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and see the famous paintings that Michelangelo painted on the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel. We knew coming in beforehand that The Vatican will be one of the most crowded sites, so in preparation, we got up really early in the morning, got to St. Peter’s Basilica by around 9am, and were able to enjoy the beautiful basilica in mostly peace and quiet before the masses of tour groups and other visitors showed up. Indeed, it was one of the most intricately decorated, larger than life, and beautiful piece of interior architecture I’d ever seen!
After walking through St. Peter’s Basilica and climbing up to the dome, we went to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel.