Dress Code for Visiting the Vatican and Churches in Rome
Hello everyone, in two weeks we're heading to Rome and I've got a question.
I'm the kind of person who melts like ice cream in the sun, and even though I'm not big on churches, I don't want to miss anything in Rome! But I've heard stories of people being denied entry due to their clothing… is it really that strict?
Does anyone know which places definitely require covering shoulders? I've heard about the Vatican, but what about the Colosseum or the Pantheon?
Are the rules the same for guys and girls? My boyfriend doesn't want to believe that it applies to him too.
Share your experiences with me, and thanks in advance.
Hey Celia,
Last year I was in Rome and no one warned me that off-the-shoulder fashion and shorts weren’t welcome in some places. Let me tell you about my little adventure so you don't make the same mistake I did.
It all started at St. Peter's Basilica. I was happily strolling in my sleeveless top and shorts that my grandmother would’ve called “Is that a belt?” when a very stern guard stopped me dead in my tracks: “Signorina, spalle coperte e ginocchia anche” (translation: “Miss, shoulders and knees covered”). 😱
Luckily, a Mexican tourist saved me with a scarf she had (blessed be travel solidarity!). Lesson learned: In Vatican City, shoulders and knees covered for EVERYONE, no exceptions. Guys, that includes your basketball player outfits!
Next up was the Pantheon. I thought, "It's an ancient temple, and free! What could they demand?" Well, folks, it’s now a basilica and the rules are just as strict, especially during mass days. I saw a guy in shorts above the knee, turned away like a gladiator without a sword. My advice: always carry a scarf or light jacket in your backpack. I ended up becoming a "scarf ninja" improvising skirts and capes!
At the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, things got epic: I watched a whole family in beachwear—flip-flops and tank tops—make a pit stop to buy sarongs.
Remember, all the important churches, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore, etc., have the same rules. And yes, they apply equally to both men and women, you can let your boyfriend know!
However, it wasn’t all drama… At the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, I could breathe easy; the code there is “survive the heat and the cobblestones.” But do wear comfortable shoes; my fashionable sandals left my feet feeling like I’d battled a lion.
For art lovers, at the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, although the dress code is the same as St. Peter’s, I saw several guys sporting Hawaiian shirts… but with sleeves! Moral of the story, you can be original, but cover the essentials.
In short, shoulders and knees covered in churches and the Vatican, for everyone, no gender distinction. You can wear light clothes and carry a scarf to cover up when entering. And since you do a lot of walking in Rome, always wear comfy shoes.
If you've got more questions, don’t hesitate to ask! 😄
