Vatican City
Southern Europe · Italian · Euro
Cover shoulders and knees or the Basilica guards will turn you away — and the line is shortest at seven in the morning.
Today in Vatican City
No Vatican City stories in today's wires — read the global briefing.
5 phrases you need in Vatican City
- HelloSalveSAHL-veh
- GoodbyeArrivederciah-ree-veh-DER-chee
- PleasePer favorepehr fah-VOH-reh
- Thank youGrazieGRAH-tsyeh
- Excuse meScusiSKOO-zee
The Trovlr app drills all 8 Vatican City phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
etiquette
The dress code is strict and enforced: shoulders and knees covered, hats off, and total silence in the Sistine Chapel — the guards will shush an entire room.
scams
Ignore the 'skip-the-line' hawkers circling the walls; they resell marked-up tickets. Book the Vatican Museums online direct and go at opening or late afternoon.
transport
It sits inside Rome — Ottaviano is the nearest metro stop, and there's no border control; you simply walk into St Peter's Square.
money
Euros everywhere, of course; the Vatican post office is the fun spend — mail a postcard with a Vatican postmark and pick up the collector stamps.
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