Do you need an appointment to visit the Vatican?


Do you need an appointment to visit the Vatican? Book well ahead: To bypass long ticket lines at the Vatican Museums, make reservations well before your tour begins. Book your reservation through the Official Vatican Museums Ticket Office. (St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter and does not require a reservation.)


How long is the wait to get into the Vatican?

Due to the high number of enthusiastic tourists, the Vatican attracts queues that are often in excess of three hours. You can spend less time waiting and more time admiring your favourite artistic pieces with a skip-the-line admission ticket.


Can you walk around Vatican City for free?

The Vatican City is free to enter, allowing you to meander the likes of St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square without dropping a dime. However, if you want to see the Vatican's starring attractions: the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums, you will have to pay around 15 Euros.


Can I bring a backpack to the Vatican?

Can I bring a bag with me to the Vatican Museums? Yes, you can bring a small bag with you on your tour. Bags, backpacks or luggage measuring more than 40·35·15 centimeters are, however, not allowed into the Vatican Museums and must be checked at the cloakroom.


What is the dress code for the Vatican?

The dress code for the Vatican Museums is strict but easy to respect. Low-cut or sleeveless dresses, miniskirts, shorts and hats are not allowed. To cover knees and shoulders you can buy plastic cloaks to wrap around. Inside it is preferable to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.


What are the rules for visiting the Vatican?

Vatican City rules
  • You'll have to pass security checks including metal detectors and x-ray scanners to get into either St. ...
  • Knives, scissors, and any sharp objects must be surrendered before entering either the Basilica or the Museums.
  • The dress code to enter the Basilica and the Museums is strictly enforced.


What is the best time of day to visit the Vatican?

After lunch, visit Vatican Museums around 2pm — by the time you reach the iconic Sistine Chapel, close to the 6pm closing time, it'll be relatively empty.


Can I wear sneakers to the Vatican?

What shoes to wear at the Vatican. There are no special rules about shoes at the Vatican and you can wear closed shoes or sandals. While there is no specific rule about wearing flip flops at the Vatican, it is good practice not to. Flip flopr are impractical for the location, often noisy and considered too casual.


Can I buy Vatican tickets at the door?

You can purchase the ticket to Vatican Museum at the main entrance, but to do so, you'll have to wait in a long line at the door. That's why we recommend you buy your Vatican tickets online in advance.


What day to avoid the Vatican?

However, Tuesdays and Thursdays usually see fewer tourists around most of the attractions in the Vatican. It is better to avoid Wednesdays and weekends if you're on a tight schedule because the city has a tendency to be a bit busier on those days.


Do you have to show your passport at the Vatican?

To enter Vatican City, you don't need a passport or Visa or even tickets for the attractions inside. You can simply walk inside. However, if you wish to enter the attractions inside, such as the Vatican Museums, you would need to buy tickets.


How do I book entry to the Vatican?

In order to skip the line, tickets must be purchased in advance. This option requires online booking. Tickets can be bought directly on the Vatican Museum's official website. Sometimes the official Vatican Museum website will sell out of tickets.


Can a tourist just walk into Vatican City?

How to Enter the Vatican in Rome? To enter Vatican City, you don't need a passport or Visa or even tickets for the attractions inside. You can simply walk inside. However, if you wish to enter the attractions inside, such as the Vatican Museums, you would need to buy tickets.