Vatican dress code: what you can and cannot wear

The Vatican is the one place in Rome where what you wear decides whether you get in. Security staff at St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums check clothing at the entrance, and visitors who are not covered up can be turned away after queuing for an hour in the sun. The rules are simple once you know them, but they are not quite the same everywhere, so here is exactly what each place asks for, in its own words.

Shoulders

Covered

Knees

Covered

Hats

Off

Jeans

Fine

The official rules, place by place

Two different offices set the rules. The Vatican Museums' visitor information says that entry to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Gardens is permitted only to appropriately dressed visitors, and that sleeveless or low-cut garments, shorts above the knee, miniskirts and hats are not permitted. The St Peter's Basilica dress code is stricter for men: it asks men to wear long trousers and women to wear skirts below the knee or trousers, and says shoulders must be covered for all visitors.

In practice, dress for the strictest of these if your day includes more than one. Most visits combine the museums and the Sistine Chapel with St Peter's, and an outfit that covers your shoulders and knees, with long trousers for men, gets you into all of them.

What to wear: outfits that always work

Vatican dress code for women

Cover your shoulders and your knees. A T-shirt or blouse with short sleeves is enough; a strappy top, a sleeveless dress or anything low-cut is not. Below the waist, a skirt or dress that falls below the knee, or trousers of any length below the knee, all work. Maxi dresses with sleeves are the easiest single piece for summer. Leggings are not mentioned in the official rules, so if you wear them, pair them with a longer top or skirt to be safe.

Vatican dress code for men

Wear long trousers and a shirt or T-shirt with sleeves. The museums only ban shorts above the knee, but the basilica asks men specifically for long trousers, so knee-length shorts risk being turned away at St Peter's. Tank tops and vests are not allowed anywhere. Take caps and hats off before you go in.

Can you wear shorts to the Vatican?

Not shorts above the knee, anywhere in the Vatican. Shorts that reach below the knee meet the museums' rule, which only bans shorts above the knee, but they do not meet the basilica's rule for men, who are asked to wear long trousers, or for women, who are asked for skirts below the knee or trousers. If St Peter's is on your plan, skip shorts altogether.

Can you wear jeans to the Vatican?

Yes. Jeans are long trousers, so they meet the rules everywhere, as long as they are not cut-offs or heavily ripped at the knee. In summer they are hot for a long queue, so light linen or cotton trousers are more comfortable.

Hats, tattoos and scarves

• Hats: the Vatican Museums do not allow them, and it is customary to remove them in churches, including St Peter's. A sun hat for the queue is fine; take it off at the door.
• Tattoos: the museums' visitor rules extend the requirement of decorum to visible tattoos and personal items that may offend Catholic morality, the Catholic religion or common decency. Most tattoos are not an issue, but cover any that could be read that way.
• Scarves: the official pages do not say whether a scarf over bare shoulders is enough. A top with sleeves is the safe choice; keep a light scarf in your bag as a back-up, not as the plan.

The Sistine Chapel: photos and phones

The Vatican Museums allow photos for personal use throughout the museums except in the Sistine Chapel, where photographs and filming are forbidden and the use of mobile phones is not allowed. Guards may ask you to delete pictures. The chapel is also the most crowded room of the visit, so the dress rules are applied here as firmly as anywhere.

Papal audiences and Mass

The Pope's general audience is usually held on Wednesday mornings, in St Peter's Square or, in colder months, in the Paul VI Audience Hall. Tickets are free and are issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Dress as you would for the basilica, with shoulders and knees covered: the audience is a religious event, and many people go into St Peter's afterwards. The same applies to Mass in the basilica.

Dressing for the queue and the weather

The hardest part of the Vatican dress code is Rome's summer. July and August often pass 30°C, and the queues for the museums and St Peter's are largely outdoors. Loose linen and cotton cover you and stay cool; synthetic fabrics do not. Carry water and wear comfortable shoes: a full visit to the museums and the basilica can mean several kilometres on foot. In winter, days are mild, around 12°C, with rain, so a warm layer and an umbrella are enough.