What Not to Do When Visiting The Vatican – 7 Most Common Vatican City Mistakes

If you’re planning on visiting the Vatican City, we are here to offer an answer to all of your questions, including some handy tours for those with less planning time. 

With so much to take in when visiting the Vatican, it’s essential to plan ahead to make the most out of your visit, trust us on that, or you may end up missing some of the Vatican essentials.

This checklist will come in handy for you to make the most of your visit. Photo credit: Benjamin Fay

With so much to see, it can be tempting to just walk into Vatican City without a second thought. After all, every year, thousands of visitors flock to the Vatican to experience one of the most incredible religious and UNESCO sites.

What not to do when visiting the Vatican

Of all the trips in and near Rome, visiting the Vatican is perhaps the one that takes the most planning and consideration. This is completely understandable, as it’s such an ancient and relevant sight for humankind. And, trust us, it’s worth the effort! You’ll understand when you’re walking through its Vatican Museum halls or gazing up at the Sistine Chapel.

In order for you to be able to enjoy what you can do when visiting the Vatican, we’ve complied a list of some of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting the Vatican, these will be extremely helpful for you to plan your visit. This will save you time, and headaches.

Make sure to know how to prepare for this day, to avoid any inconveniences.

Avoid arriving at midday to Vatican City

Numbers visiting the Vatican can reach as high as 20,000 per day. With ticket lines often snaking around the walls. 

We recommend getting there early, when the doors open, if not a bit earlier to allow for delays. Alternatively, you could plan a visit later in the day, when the crowds have thinned out. And, if you’re visiting during the summer, when the heat has cooled down.

The Vatican Museums standard opening times are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 8pm during the summer months when they extend the opening hours. Every last Sunday of the month, it is also open from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m, with free entry, but be warned, this day is often extremely busy. 

It is good for you to check in advance instead of just showing up around noon, as it’s a place that will take you some time to visit.

Insider tip: Although the Museums officially closes at 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during their extended hours) keep in mind that the last entrance is 2 hours before closing time. On the last Sunday of the month it closes at 2 p.m. and last entry is at 12.30 p.m.

Knowing a little bit of where you’re going, or having a great Vatican Tour, will definitely enhance your visit.

Avoid trying to buy tickets last minute

If there’s one thing that you should do when visiting the Vatican, it is to buy tickets in advance. Do not leave it until the last minute as you may find you can´t find tickets for the day or time you need.

How far in advance should you purchase tickets for the Vatican? Ideally, aim to reserve your tickets when you book other elements of your trip, like flights and accommodation. Basically, as early as you know when you’d like to visit. This will also make planning the rest of your trip easier as you can put this visit in the diary as a priority and work other plan around it. Occasionally, you can be lucky and find last-minute availability for the next day. Other times, they tickets be sold out for the entire month.

Insider tip: The best place to buy tickets is on the official website of the Vatican Museums.

If you don’t manage to get a ticket from the official website, an additional option is to opt for a guided tour!

Don´t dress inappropriately

You’ve waited a long time to get inside the Vatican, don’t risk being turned away because you weren’t dressed accordingly.

The official website says that only “appropriately dressed visitors” will be allowed to enter the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. They explicitly state that low cut, sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts, and hats are not considered appropriate.

Of course, if you’re visiting during summer, when temperatures in Rome can soar, this is easier said than done. What’s more, it can often be left to the interpretation of the guards stationed at the entrance.

Our advice? Keep shoulders and knees covered, opt for lightweight materials, and consider bringing a scarf or wrap so you can cover up inside (you can take it off if it gets too hot later in the day).

Also beware of inappropriate slogans or graphics on clothing, you may not find them offensive but, if you think they may not be suitable for a religious site, leave them at home.

Insider tip: Check out the Vatican dress code, in advance of travelling, so you know what to pack. 

Make sure to keep in mind the dress code to avoid inconveniences.

Don´t stress about trying to see everything

This one goes hand-in-hand with not booking a tour. Sometimes, people who are visiting solo rush through the Vatican museums, trying to fit everything in at once. Remember, this isn’t a test, so don’t try to cram!

No matter how much you try, it’s quite a hard thing to try and fit everything in by yourself on your first visit. And you’ll find it difficult to appreciate the real beauty that lies within the Vatican. It’s sure to result in a stressful visit.

There are iconic parts of the Vatican that you should take your time with, such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and, of course, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

That said, there are also hidden gems within the Vatican that are worth taking the time to absorb. Find out what you’re most interested in seeing and divide your time up accordingly. For example, most people tend to bypass the Borgia Apartments, but this is one you won’t want to miss if you’re an avid history buff (or just a fan of the Showtime series!).

Insider tip: Explore at your pace on a Private tour. We offer multiple private tours in Rome and Vatican City that give you the freedom to slow down in moments that matter to you. 

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling is even more amazing in real life!

Avoid visiting during peak season if possible

We acknowledge that this one may be unavoidable. But, if at all possible, try to schedule your visit in the off season. Not only will you find the Vatican more manageable without the crowds, it will also be easier to follow the dress code when the temperatures cool down. 

If you’re thinking about when to go to the Vatican City, plan a winter visit to the Eternal city between October and Mid December for a calmer atmosphere, or February to March before the summer kicks off.

Events such as mass draw large crowds to the Vatican. Photo credit: Kai Pilger

Don´t go on the busiest days 

On the other hand, most museums in Rome tend to close on Monday, which makes museums that remain open (like the Vatican) particularly popular.

Insider tip: Use Monday to see an off-the-beaten-path attraction in Rome, and save visiting the Vatican for Tuesday or Friday.

In a similar vein, it’s worth noting that a Papal audience is held every Wednesday. This is a ticketed event where the Pope addresses the crowd in St. Peter’s Square with a speech, blessings, and homilies, and can attract thousands of attendees. As a result, St. Peter’s Basilica is closed every Wednesday morning while the general Papal audience is in the Square (it re-opens at approximately 12:30 p.m.).

A visit to Castel Sant’Angelo makes a great addition to the Vatican.

Insider tip: One of the attractions closed on Monday is the often-overlooked Castel Sant’Angelo, which sits above the Tiber River. The striking fortress is nearby and easily manageable within an afternoon, which makes a great pairing with a visit to the Vatican.

Not booking a tour

Okay, we might be a little biased on this one, but hear us out. It may be the smallest country in the world but, at 110 acres, the Vatican still has a lot of ground to cover, especially in one visit. The palace has an estimated 1,400 rooms, chapels, and galleries, all filled with beautiful paintings, impressive sculptures, and stunning architecture. This can make it difficult to know what to prioritize.

Unless you’re planning to do some serious research ahead of time, visiting the Vatican to see all of these magnificent pieces without any real context can be a little like trying to read a map without a legend. So, it’s worth taking the time to research what tours are on offer, for adults and for kids! 

Check out what our customers are saying: 

The tour guide was awesome!!! Cannot say enough that she brought to life the main artists and made it fun for everyone!!! Awesome time and my wife held the rest of the trip to the same standard. Highly recommend!!! – Steven, April 2025

Tour was a dream come true. Guide was excellent, engaging, and informative- Sarah, April 2025

Our Tour guide Sara was fabulous, her knowledge made the Tour so informative & interesting!! So glad we booked with you! – Terry, December 2024

Opting for a guided tour provides more context. And it brings the place alive, for children and adults alike!

Insider tip: Learn more before you go and discover some interesting facts about Vatican city!

FAQs – Visiting the Vatican

How much does it cost to visit the Vatican?

Standard admission to the Vatican Museums costs around €20 for adults, with reduced-price tickets available for eligible visitors. If you want to avoid long queues and gain expert insight into the collections, a guided tour is often the best value, especially during peak travel seasons.

Who qualifies for reduced or free Vatican tickets?

Children under 7 enter free, while visitors aged 7–18, students up to 25 with valid ID, and eligible visitors with disabilities can benefit from reduced or free admission. There is currently no general senior discount for the Vatican Museums.

What’s the best way to get to the Vatican?

The easiest way to reach Vatican City is by Rome’s Metro Line A, getting off at Ottaviano–San Pietro or Cipro station, both around a 10-minute walk from the Vatican Museums entrance. Taxis and ride-sharing services are convenient alternatives, particularly for families with young children or strollers. If you’re joining a guided tour, arrive at the designated meeting point 10–15 minutes early to ensure a smooth start to your visit.

Seeing inside the Vatican is a truly memorable experience, so, don not forget to add it to your bucket list!

Are you ready to see it for yourself?

Visiting the Vatican is a must-do experience, but there is also a lot to learn, see, and understand, and an expert tour guide can help you turn that into a reality where every sight is full of life and history. 

Walks of Italy has a number of Vatican tours to choose from, from our early-access Pristine Sistine Tour to a comprehensive Complete Vatican Tour.