We are planning a tour that will include the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museums. When we're finished I would like to wander the gardens in that immediate area. I've done some research and I understand that there are some parts of the gardens that are only available via tours, but are there also public areas where one can wander on their own?
Posted by
174 posts
The only way to see the gardens is via Tour. (And it’s a really wonderful tour. My mom and I took it in July 2018. It’s amazing how quiet it gets once you get beyond the museum.)
You could go outside to the courtyard of the Painting Museum part of the Vatican Museums and see them from afar, but to my knowledge, they are not available to wander publicly anywhere.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Use the official Vatican site.
Other tours that may interest you.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16016 posts
Just backing up Laura and Gerri here: you may only access the Vatican Gardens with a tour, either on foot or via a tram which makes no stops. These tours also include same-day, unguided access to the museums, and there's also a combo guided version of both museums and gardens available. Adding to the links provided above...
Some of the reviews out there look to be confusing the museum's Courtyard of the Pine Cone (Cortile della Pigna) - which can be accessed on your own and has a restaurant - with the gardens.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7678 posts
You can think of the Vatican as a secure fortress (which it is) tightly controlled. On the outer edge of one side is the Cathedral and Square, which are public areas (well, must go through security screenings for the cathedral) and the Vatican Museum along another side, which is also open to the public, and that is it for walking up and getting a ticket or entrance. All other areas are off limits or only by invitation (which includes the special tours). The public areas comprise only about 25% of the Vatican. So yeah, want to see the gardens, must have a tour.