A Visitor’s Handbook to Vatican Museums Rules & Regulations! 

Visiting the Vatican Museums promises a unique and unforgettable experience, rich in history and art. The museum authorities have established rules and regulations to ensure the preservation of its collections and the comfort of all visitors. It’s important for every visitor to be familiar with these guidelines, which cover everything from dress codes and photography to smoking policies and more. In this article, we have compiled all the essential information about the Vatican’s rules and guidelines you need to know to make your visit as enjoyable and smooth as possible.

Vatican Museums Clothing Rules: What can I wear?

Visitors should wear modest and semi-formal clothing during their visit to the museum. Men should wear full-length trousers and a formal shirt or a t-shirt with no offensive slogans on a Vatican Museums visit. Women should wear dresses or skirts below the knee, and their blouses should cover the shoulders. 

Short pants, ripped jeans, and hats are prohibited in the Vatican Museums. Before visiting, read the Vatican Dress Code to learn more about clothing attire! If you plan to visit the Sistine Chapel, we recommend you check out our article on Sistine Chapel clothing rules to prepare in advance. 

No Flash Photography Inside Vatican Museums

Visitors can take photographs of the artwork in the Vatican Museums for personal use or to post on social media. Avoid using flash in all Vatican Museums rooms, as this is prohibited. Professional photography equipment like cameras, tripod stands, drones, etc, are not allowed inside the Vatican Museums space. Visitors carrying cameras might have to leave since the cloakroom does not allow you to store any such devices. If you bring selfie sticks to the Museum, they will also be confiscated.

Sharp objects, suitcases, and large umbrellas are prohibited in the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums follows strict guidelines regarding what can be brought into the Museums and what must be kept out. You have to get through a metal detector before entering any area in the museum. To get through security quickly, you should not carry these items: 

• No medium or large hockey-stick umbrellas
• Knives or other sharp objects 
• Household items like scissors 
• Metal tools, like screwdrivers, pliers, etc. 
• Huge suitcases 
• Bags bigger than 40 x 35 x 15cm will not be allowed inside. 
• Firearms, even if you have a license 
• Laser pointers

If you have an umbrella, knives, or other objects mentioned above on hand, you can leave them behind in the Cloakroom. You can keep your items here and collect them before leaving. Coats, jackets, and other valuable items, such as jewelry, cash, mobiles, etc., cannot be stored in the cloakroom. We recommend you do this before going through the metal detector to save time and avoid holding up the entry queue. If you forget to leave them out before standing in line, please inform the staff so they can assist you with such items. 

Please note: Firearms and other dangerous weapons cannot be stored in the cloakroom. Visitors holding such items will be denied entry. 

Munching on Snacks or Sipping Drinks is not allowed in the Vatican Museums

Munching on food or having a cold drink while walking around the Vatican Museums is prohibited. You must leave behind all food and beverages in the cloakroom, where you can collect them after exploring. Visitors are allowed to carry plastic bottles with water in the Museum. You will find vending machines around the Vatican Museums if you want to have a snack. If you don’t want to use the vending machines or want to have a proper meal, you can choose to visit  Vatican Museums restaurants! 

Maintain Silence in the Vatican Museum

Visitors must not make loud noises in all the Vatican Museums to ensure that others can have a fun experience. You should keep your mobile phones on silent in the Vatican Museums. The Museum recommends avoiding phones, but you can use them to click pictures. Microphones are not allowed in the Vatican Museums to ensure everyone can enjoy a calming visit. You must use a radio headset system on a Vatican Museums’ guided tour. 

Touching Paintings & Sculptures is Prohibited in the Vatican Museums

You must not touch any sculptures or paintings on display in the museum. All museum spaces have security cameras and alarms, which will start ringing if you touch them. If you get caught, you might have to pay a fine. 

The Vatican Museums is a No Smoking & No Drinking Zone

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside the Vatican Museums and can be left in the cloakroom. You cannot smoke in the Vatican Museums, either. Cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and other tobacco products will be taken away if found. 

Accessibility Instructions 

The Vatican Museums are accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities. If needed, you can borrow a traditional wheelchair, which is available at the entrance for free. Check out our Vatican Museums map article to find the locations of ramps and elevators reserved for visitors with disabilities for a smooth experience! 

The Vatican Museums also has free guided tours for visitors with hearing problems using Italian Sign Language. Partially blind or blind visitors can participate in a free tactile and sensory tour of the Vatican Museums! To know more about these reserved tours, we recommend checking out the accessibility section on the official Vatican Museums website. 

Pets, except Guide Dogs, are Not Allowed in the Vatican Museums 

Pets of all sizes are not allowed in the Vatican Museums. However, the museum allows guide dogs to help the blind, partially sighted, or those with disabilities. To create a safe atmosphere for other visitors, guide dogs must always be on a leash and worn with a muzzle. Visitors bringing along their guide dogs must inform the museum via email at least a day in advance. 

Rules for Parents Traveling with Kids in Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums has many facilities to ensure parents traveling with children have a comfortable experience. You can bring along strollers inside the Vatican Museums. The Museum staff will direct you to the best routes to avoid the crowd with your stroller. Parents can also find washrooms with baby-changing tables all over the first floor of the Vatican Museums. You can also ask the staff for directions to private nursing rooms in the museum. 

Highchairs are available in all Vatican Museums restaurants and cafes. The Vatican Museums is a massive space; exploring with kids for a whole day can be difficult. To ensure your kids don’t get bored, check out our How to Explore the Vatican Museums in 2 Hours article. 

Seating Areas Can be Found in the Vatican Museums Courtyards 

You can find relaxing areas in all the courtyards of the Vatican Museums. The Vatican Museums has four courtyards:

• Pinecone Courtyard
• Courtyard of the Cuirasses
• Courtyard of the Pinacoteca
• And the Square Garden 

It is a great spot for parents to take a break and allow their children to run around and explore after walking around the museum for hours. 

Where can I find Dustbins in the Vatican Museums? 

It is important to avoid littering the Vatican Museums and courtyards so all visitors can enjoy the beauty of the space. You will find dustbins to dispose of trash:

• Near the Museum Entrance area
• In the Courtyards
• In the Refreshment areas
• In the washrooms. 

Please do not throw plastic bottles, cans, or paper in other museum spaces, or you might have to pay a fine. 

How do I find a lost item in the Vatican Museums?

Inform the nearest security point if you lose any precious item on your Vatican Museums trip. Enjoy your day, and collect the items from the security checkpoints before leaving the museum. If you forget to collect your lost item on the same day, you can collect it later from the Gendarmerie Corps. Visitors who realize their item is lost after reaching home should email the Vatican Museums at accoglienza.musei@scv.va. If your item is not found even after this search, the Vatican Museums is not responsible. 

Sistine Chapel Vatican Museums Rules

You cannot click photographs of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and walls, unlike in the other Vatican Museums. Visitors must maintain pin-drop silence in the Sistine Chapel, as it is a holy space of the Papal Conclave. To maintain silence, you must use totem-like touch screens and headsets if you take a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel. Visitors wanting to know more about the Chapel can find exclusive details on information panels in the Square Garden and Pinecone Courtyard. Check out our Sistine Chapel rules article to know more before visiting! 

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