The 7 Biggest Mistakes When Visiting the Vatican and How to Avoid Them

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 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 significant religious sites in the world.

Numbers soar well into the tens of thousands during the summer months, and are always high on Mondays, and the last Sunday of every month. But, 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.

As you approach Vatican City, this checklist will come in handy for you to make the most of your visit. Photo credit: Benjamin Fay

What not to do when visiting the Vatican

Of all the trips in and near Rome, a tour around the Vatican is perhaps the one that takes the most planning and consideration. From the entrance lines, tickets, and dress code, to whether or not to go solo or with a guided expert, planning a trip to the Holy City can be overwhelming for some, even before stepping into the hallowed halls.

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 know 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.

Can you just walk into Vatican City? What clothes should you wear? Make sure to know how to prepare for this day, to avoid any inconveniences.

Arriving at mid-day to Vatican City

Numbers visiting the Vatican can reach as high as 20,000 per day. With ticket lines often snaking around the walls, it’s best to get there early. The Vatican Museums opening times are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and we recommend getting there when the doors open—if not a bit earlier to allow for delays.

Luckily, the Vatican is pretty easy to reach, which means you won’t have to spend hours planning a route. Bus 49 stops outside the entrance to the Vatican Museums, or you can also simply hop on the Metro (Line A) and get off at Ottaviano or Battistini—both of which are approximately a 10 minute walk away.

Alternatively, you could plan a visit later in the day, when the crowds have thinned out. And, if you’re visiting during the summer, the heat has cooled down. Although the Museums officially closes at 6 p.m., keep in mind that the last entrance is at 4 p.m.

The Vatican opens for extended opening hours during the summer months. In short, it is good for you to check in advance the opening times, weather and dates instead of just showing up around noon, as it’s a place that will take you some time to visit.

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

Not buying tickets in advance for the Vatican Museums

How far in advance should you purchase tickets for the Vatican? Ideally, aim to reserve your tickets as early as you know when you’d like to visit. This will also make planning the rest of your trip easier. Occasionally, you can be lucky and find last-minute availability for the next day. Other times, they can be sold out for the entire month. 

If you don’t manage to get a ticket from the official website, an additional option is to opt for a guided tour to ensure you can skip the lines at the Vatican and visit the day that you want.

Dressing 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 Vatican operates a strictly enforced dress code, but it’s not difficult to follow once you know what to avoid.

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.

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

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 a number of iconic parts of the Vatican that you should take your time with such as Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica 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!).

When in doubt, and with limited time, we suggest that you find a tour that suits the time and availability you have for the visit. With luck, there will be other times to continue exploring the Vatican in the future.

Amazing works of art like the Belvedere Torso may or may not be in your route.

Visiting the Vatican during peak season

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.). So, overall, it’s a good idea to keep the general Vatican schedule in mind when planning a visit.

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

Going on a Sunday… or a Monday

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

One of the attractions closed on Monday is the often-overlooked Castel Sant’Angelo, which sits above the Tiber River. The striking fortress is steeped in history but is also easily manageable within an afternoon, and with a nearby location so it makes a great pairing with a visit to the Vatican.

We suggest that, if you can choose, you use Monday to see an off-the-beaten-path attraction in Rome, and save visiting the Vatican for Tuesday or Friday.

A visit to Castel Sant’Angelo makes a great addition 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! 

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

Update notice: This article was updated on January 10, 2025.

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. 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.