Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

Vatican City

1 rules found

Cultural sensitivitiesDressPlace-specific guidance · 梵蒂冈

The Vatican and churches: cover shoulders and knees and keep quiet

Do

Wear a sleeved top and something below the knee, and carry a scarf just in case
Take off your hat and keep quiet indoors

Don’t

Entering St Peter's Basilica in a sleeveless top, shorts or a miniskirt

You will be turned away at the entrance.

Not yet verifiedSource: Vatican dress code (travel guide)

Site-specific notes 2

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

St Peter's Basilica

Bare chests and backs, shorts and flip-flops are banned in the basilica
don't use flash during mass or cross in front of clergy
don't trust 'skip-the-line' touts around the square.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Absolutely no photography inside the Sistine Chapel (including surreptitious phone shots) — if caught you will be asked to delete the photos and leave
do not lean or sit on gallery railings and statue bases, and do not touch frescoes or tapestries
do not bring water bottles or food into the galleries to eat
eating and drinking are permitted only in the designated catering areas