Day 1 in Rome was mostly a travel day, and after a few bus delays, I arrived a bit later than expected at the Meininger Hotel. By the time I checked in, I was ready to settle in and get a good night’s sleep. I had two tours lined up for the next day, so I wanted to be well-rested for my first full day exploring Rome.
Day 2 kicked off bright and early as I had a tour booked through Get Your Guide, starting at 8:15 AM. I hopped on a bus for a 30-minute ride and then walked a short distance to the meeting point. Our first stop? The world-famous St. Peter’s Basilica. Even though there’s no Skip the Line option due to the mandatory security check, the line moved quickly. NOTE: The Basilica of St. Peter is FREE to enter but does not include entry into the Sistine Chapel. Climbing the dome costs €8 if you take the stairs or €10 by elevator. If you don’t want to climb 551 stairs, I recommend taking the elevator, although taking the stairs is definitely an experience.
Our first stop was to visit the Tombs of the Popes, located in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a truly profound experience. This sacred area houses the final resting places of many past popes, including St. Peter himself, the first pope and one of Jesus’ apostles. As you walk through the dimly lit passages, the sense of history and spirituality is palpable, with ornate tombs and simple graves honoring centuries of Catholic tradition. The quiet atmosphere adds to the solemnity, making it a deeply moving part of any visit to the Vatican.
After the Tombs of the Popes, we headed into St Peter’s Basilica. All I can say is WOW—St. Peter’s Basilica is truly breathtaking.
My daughter once joked that after all my travels and love for visiting churches, I’d end up seeing the most incredible one of them all here, and she was absolutely right. The sheer scale and beauty of the basilica is mind-blowing. Every corner of the church holds a new masterpiece—frescoes, sculptures, and ornate altars. It’s hard to even put into words how awe-inspiring this place is.
After exploring the main floor of the basilica, we had the option to climb to the top of the dome, and of course, I couldn’t pass that up! The climb is no joke—there are 551 steps to reach the top. The first 200+ steps took us to an inside landing where you get an amazing view of the interior of the dome, looking down at the basilica below.
After a quick breather, it was time to tackle the final 300+ steps. The passageways get narrow and steep as you go up, but the reward is absolutely worth it. Once at the top, you’re greeted with stunning panoramic views of St. Peter’s Square and all of Rome spread out below. It was a moment I’ll never forget.
After my incredible morning exploring St. Peter’s Basilica and climbing to the top of the dome, I needed to refuel! I found a cozy little spot for lunch just steps away from St. Peter’s Square. There’s something so surreal about sitting down for a pizza or pasta with the magnificent square right in front of you—talk about a view!
With my energy restored, the next stop was the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Both are absolute must-sees when in Rome. The Vatican Museum is home to one of the world’s most important art collections, spanning thousands of years of history, from ancient Egyptian relics to Renaissance masterpieces. Walking through the museum feels like stepping back in time. Each room is more impressive than the last, filled with incredible sculptures, tapestries, and frescoes. One highlight was the Gallery of Maps, with beautifully detailed frescoes of Italy’s regions—it’s like taking a tour of the entire country in one room! NOTE: you do need tickets to enter the Museum, and you can purchase them HERE.
Then came the crown jewel of the visit: the Sistine Chapel. Famous for its breathtaking ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, the chapel is every bit as awe-inspiring as I imagined. The ceiling tells the story of Genesis, with The Creation of Adam being the most iconic scene. What many people don’t know is that Michelangelo also painted The Last Judgment on the altar wall years later, adding even more depth and grandeur to the chapel. Standing there, gazing up at these masterpieces, it’s easy to understand why this place is considered one of the greatest artistic achievements in history. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed inside the Chapel, so I am including a few pictures I took from my travels last summer when I visited the Santa Barbara Mission in California and they were having a Sistine Chapel exhibit which was exceptional. They showed the panels and had explanations of all of them.
From lunch by St. Peter’s Square to the art treasures of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, the second half of my day was filled with art, history, and awe. The amount of art masterpieces and historical artifacts was extraordinary.
