Tips for Visiting the Vatican

To enter the Musei Vaticani, the Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica di San Pietro, you must comply with the Vatican's dress code or you may be turned away by the implacable custodians stationed at the doors. (Also: no penknives, which will show up in the metal detector.) For both men and women, shorts and tank tops are taboo, as are miniskirts and other revealing clothing. Wear a jacket or shawl over sleeveless tops, and avoid T-shirts with writing or pictures that could risk giving offense.

If you opt to start at the Musei Vaticani, note that the entrance on Viale Vaticano (there's a separate exit on the same street) can be reached by Bus No. 49 from Piazza Cavour, which stops right in front; on foot from Piazza del Risorgimento (Bus No. 81 or Tram No. 19); or a brief walk from the Via Cipro–Musei Vaticani stop on Metro Linea A.

The collections of the museums are immense, covering about 7 km (4½ miles) of displays. To economize on time and effort, once you've seen the frescoes in the Raphael rooms, you can skip much of the modern religious art in good conscience and get on with your tour.

You can rent a somewhat dry audio guide in English explaining the museums, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael rooms.

You cannot take any photographs in the Sistine Chapel. Elsewhere, you're free to photograph what you like—barring use of flash, tripod, or other special equipment, for which permission must be obtained.

With an average of 20,000 visitors per day, lines at the entrance to the Musei Vaticani can move slowly. It is always a good idea to reserve tickets in advance. It is sometimes possible to exit the museums from the Sistine Chapel into St. Peter's, saving further legwork.