The Pope’s Private Grounds
The Vatican Gardens cover approximately 23 hectares — more than half of Vatican City’s total area — and are accessible only by guided tour (individual visitors cannot enter independently). The gardens were established in the 13th century and have been cultivated continuously since, containing formal Italian gardens, English-style woodland, French parterre, medieval orchards, grottos, fountains (including the Fountain of the Eagle and the Fountain of the Sacrament), and a helipad (used by the pope for helicopter departures). The gardens are the private retreat of the papacy — the popes have walked, prayed, and contemplated in these grounds for over 700 years.
The garden tour provides a perspective of the Vatican that the museum visit does not — from the gardens, you see St Peter’s Dome from below (the most intimate external view of Michelangelo’s engineering), the Vatican walls from inside (the tiny sovereign state’s boundaries become tangible), and the contrast between the curated beauty of the grounds and the institutional intensity of the museums.
The Lourdes Grotto — a reproduction of the Lourdes grotto in France, built in 1902, where popes come to pray.
The Ethiopian College — a 1930s building within the gardens housing the Pontifical Ethiopian College.
The Vatican Railway Station — a small station (rarely used for trains — it occasionally receives freight) within the garden walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I visit the Vatican Gardens?
By guided tour only — tickets are booked through the Vatican Museums website or through tour operators. The garden tour is separate from the museum ticket and has limited daily capacity.
How long is the Vatican Gardens tour?
Approximately 2 hours for the gardens. Some tours combine the gardens with the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (approximately 5–6 hours total).
Are the Vatican Gardens worth the extra cost?
For garden enthusiasts, Vatican completists, and visitors who want to see the private, non-museum face of Vatican City — yes. For visitors with limited time who must choose between the museums and the gardens, the museums (including the Sistine Chapel) are the priority.