One morning at the Vatican
What to do first, hour by hour
What is the Vatican dress code?
Cover your shoulders and wear long trousers or a skirt below the knee. This meets the clothing rules at the Museums and St Peter's Basilica. Museums tickets cost €25 online or €20 at the door, with no refunds.
Updated Rules Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica official sites, read
If you plan to visit both sites, dress for St Peter's stricter rule on trousers and skirts.
Clothing rules
What should men and women wear to the Vatican?
St Peter's Basilica is free to enter. Men must wear long trousers. Women must wear trousers or skirts below the knee. Everyone needs covered shoulders, and hats must come off inside.
The Museums ban sleeveless tops and low necklines. Shorts above the knee and miniskirts are also banned, as are hats. The same rules cover the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Gardens.
Hot weather does not change the dress code. The rules apply throughout opening hours: 8:00 to 20:00 at the Museums and 7:00 to 19:00 at St Peter's. A light top with sleeves keeps your shoulders covered.
Staff can refuse entry if your clothes do not meet the rules. A booked ticket does not change them. Your €25 Museums ticket and €17 dome stair ticket cannot be refunded.
What to do: If you are visiting both sites, wear long trousers or a skirt below the knee. For the Museums alone, the shorts rule bans those above the knee.
Item by item
Can you wear jeans or shorts to the Vatican?
| Item | Vatican Museums | St Peter's Basilica |
|---|---|---|
| Long jeans | No ban on denim in the clothing rules | Long trousers meet the clothing rule |
| Shorts | Shorts above the knee are banned | Men must wear long trousers |
| Skirts and dresses | Miniskirts are banned; shoulders must be covered | Skirts below the knee; shoulders covered |
| Sleeveless tops | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Low necklines | Not allowed | Clothing must be appropriate for a place of worship |
| Hats | Not allowed | Not allowed inside the church |
| Trainers | No ban in the published clothing rules | No ban in the published clothing rules |
Official clothing rules, read ; footwear is not named in either list
The Museums rule also covers visible tattoos and personal objects. It applies to those that may offend Catholic morality or religion, or common decency. It does not ban all tattoos.
Bags
Can you bring a backpack or a water bottle to the Vatican?
At the Museums, staff decide which bags are too large or unsuitable to carry inside. Those bags go in the free cloakroom. That service costs nothing with either the €20 door ticket or €25 online ticket.
St Peter's has no cloakroom. The dome allows only small personal bags. If you are continuing to the Basilica, the Museums ask you not to leave bags in their cloakroom.
You can carry water at the Museums. Drinking is forbidden in the exhibition halls and inside St Peter's Basilica. The Museums cloakroom can hold food and drink free of charge.
People also ask
Can I wear jeans to the Vatican?
Yes, long jeans meet the trouser rule at both sites. Your shoulders must be covered too.
Can you wear shorts in the Sistine Chapel?
Shorts above the knee are banned in the chapel and Museums. If you also visit St Peter's, men must wear long trousers.
Can I wear trainers or sneakers in the Vatican?
Neither site lists a ban on trainers. If you plan to walk the full 7 km Museums route, choose shoes you find comfortable.
Can you wear a backpack into the Vatican?
A small backpack can go into the Museums if staff accept its size and type. Larger bags go in the free cloakroom. St Peter's has no cloakroom, so avoid bringing a large bag there.
Can I bring a water bottle into the Vatican?
You can carry water at the Museums, but you cannot drink in the exhibition halls. Drinking is also forbidden inside St Peter's Basilica.
What is the Vatican dress code for tattoos?
The Museums rule covers visible tattoos that may offend Catholic morality or religion, or common decency. It is not a general ban on tattoos.
Read next
Vatican visit guides
The Vatican Museums
The Museums route and rules for your visit
St Peter's Basilica
Free entry and the security checks