⛪ St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican City, Vatican City

Best time: November to March, avoiding Easter and the summer holidays

The heart of the Catholic world and the largest church on earth, with a Michelangelo dome you can climb for views over Rome. Next door, the Vatican Museums lead to the Sistine Chapel's ceiling and Last Judgement.

Good to know

• Cover shoulders and knees; the basilica is free but security lines can take an hour.
• Book the Vatican Museums online; closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month.