How to Find Cheap Hotels in Vatican City
The smallest independent nation in the world, Vatican City covers a little over 108 acres within the city of Rome, Italy, and is the official residence of the Pope. Created in 1929, the Vatican serves as the center of government for the entire Catholic Church, but is most noted for its extraordinary architecture, including St. Peter's Basilica, said to be the largest church on the planet.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Accommodations in Vatican City
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To book accommodations, contact Rome Tourism at 011 (+39) 06 488991 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). You can consider one of the many luxury hotels within Rome to serve as your base for visiting the Vatican. While such accommodations are not cheap, rooms rich with amenities can be easily found for less than $200 per day. Center your search around the Via Nazionale.
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Pick one of the smaller, family-owned hotels within Rome. These accommodations can be very cheap, often averaging just $80 per day. Check near the Lepanto underground station to remain near Vatican City.
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Rent an apartment in Rome if you plan on staying more than a week. This can be as cheap as $50 per day. Look near the Piazza Navona and you'll be within walking distance of Vatican City as well as the Pantheon.
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Choose one of the cheap hotels near the railway stations, which can cost as little as $30 per day. Motels and hostels are plentiful near the Termini station.
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Stay at one of Rome's international hostels for the ultimate in cheap accommodations. Since Vatican City is such an important destination for rich and poor alike, the hostels are numerous, yet crowded.
Getting to Vatican City
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Fly into Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome, Italy.
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Take the underground Metro in Rome to get from the airport to Vatican City.
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Walk everywhere once inside the Vatican. This is pretty much the only way to get around, so wear comfortable shoes!
Explore Vatican City
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Visit St. Peter's tomb in the Basilica, said to be on the spot where Peter was crucified.
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Stare in awe at the ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo, which is perhaps the most famous work of art in history.
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Tips & Warnings
Since accommodations are almost non-existent for laymen within the Vatican City, assume that you will be staying in Rome.
All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
Vatican City has one of the highest crime rates in the world, which can be attributed mostly to high pickpocket and purse-snatching activity. Keep a close eye on your belongings at all times.
Be sure to observe the dress code of Vatican City, or you will not be able to enter. This includes no shorts, sleeveless shirts or blouses, no short skirts and no excessive jewelry.
The cobblestones on most of the walkways make travel difficult for wheelchairs and strollers.
