Senior travel: Vatican
An easier pace for an older traveller: how many stops fit in a day, which places are step-free, and what the guide says about getting around, medicines and stairs.
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Pace for a day
About 2 stops a day. 5 h out − 45 min rest, divided by an average visit of 94 min (from this city’s guide) + 30 min to move.
Places, easiest access first
- Vatican Gardens (guided tour)Step-free: partial (check before you go) · about 130 minGentle slopes and some steps
- St Peter's SquareThe guide has no step-free answer for this one · about 25 min
- St Peter's BasilicaThe guide has no step-free answer for this one · about 60 min
- Castel Sant'AngeloThe guide has no step-free answer for this one · about 90 min
- Vatican Museums and the Sistine ChapelThe guide has no step-free answer for this one · about 180 min
- St Peter's Dome (Cupola)Step-free: no (check before you go) · about 75 minAbout 320 steps with the lift, about 551 without.
- Scavi: the Vatican NecropolisStep-free: no (check before you go) · about 100 minSteps down to the excavations
Getting around in Vatican
The Museums and the Basilica are step-free for the main routes, with wheelchair loans and priority lines by request (check ahead). The dome, the Scavi and the Passetto are stairs. Roman pavements and cobbles are the practical limit, not the buildings.
- Pavements:
- Wide and mostly flat in Prati and around the square; setts and uneven paving in Borgo lanes.
- Museums:
- Lifts and ramps on the route; wheelchairs can be borrowed at the entrance (check availability and book ahead for assistance).
- Basilica:
- A ramp at the right-hand side of the front steps; the interior is level.
- Transport:
- Taxis are the step-free option; Ottaviano metro has a lift (check status) and buses vary.
- Toilets:
- Accessible toilets in the Museums and the Basilica area; hotels in Prati are the fallback.
Medicines and health on the ground
The Vatican City guide lists no medicine paperwork. Check the official customs page for your medicines.
- Heat:
- Carry water; refill at the nasoni fountains. In July and August take shade breaks every hour and avoid the queue at midday.
- Water:
- Tap and nasoni water is safe to drink.
- Food:
- Standards are high; eat where locals eat and avoid tourist-menu kitchens.
- Insurance:
- EU and UK visitors: bring the health card (EHIC or GHIC); everyone else needs travel insurance with medical cover.
- Feet:
- Stone floors and hours of standing: wear comfortable, closed shoes.
More: how much medicine to pack, medicine times across time zones.
Ask your insurer
Age limits and prices differ by policy and the guides do not hold them, so put these to the insurer before you buy.
- What is the oldest age the policy covers, at purchase and on the last day of the trip?
- Does the price or the cover change after a certain age?
- Are existing conditions covered, and what must be declared?
- Does the cover include medical evacuation and trip interruption?
Not medical advice. This page does not know anyone’s health. Ask a doctor before the trip, and carry a list of medicines and conditions.