Yes, there is a Vatican dress code! There are dress codes or expectations of dress and decorum according to custom at other religious sites, like the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It’s important to know ahead of time what the guidelines are when visiting churches in Europe.
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Introduction: Oh no, we’ve got a problem!
Picture this: it’s a hot summer day in Spain, you’ve been walking all over the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, everyone is sweating and tired, you grab a taxi to make your timed entry at La Sagrada Familia. You wait in line, get to the front and you are told that you must cover up or you can’t enter.
It’s so hot outside that you’ve worn a cropped tank top and shorts, the men in your party are wearing tank tops and hats. There is nothing wrong with it! Europe is hot in the summer! There is no air conditioning, there is no ice in the drinks! However, you may be denied entry at churches and religious sites if you are wearing what many people consider normal summer attire.
The good news is, this is an easy mistake to avoid.
Religious sites that are open to tourists will almost always have a dress code or an expectation of how one should be covered in order to enter. These sites are not theme parks, they are holy places. In many cases religious services are still being performed within these venerable cathedrals and churches.
Follow the Vatican Dress Code
My advice when planning a visit to religious sites is to follow the dress code for the Vatican Museums:
For men:
- A shirt is recommended. It is also possible to wear a T-shirt, provided that does not contain offensive images or slogans.
- Trousers must be at least knee length. In summer it is possible to wear shorts trousers but the knee must be covered.
- It is considered bad manners to wear a hat in the museums.
For women:
- It is forbidden to wear bare sleeves. In summer the solution may be to bring a cardigan or a shawl to wear inside the museums.
- Trousers or skirts must cover the knees.
- It is absolutely forbidden to wear a crop top that does not cover your stomach.
Or the Dress Code for the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
Another example is this dress code noted on the website of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, just recently re-opened to visitors after several years:
“Appropriate Attire: Please wear modest clothing suitable for a place of worship (avoid wearing transparent or tight-fitting clothing, cover shoulders, torso, stomach and thighs, for men remove hats, caps or bonnets indoors).”
What to Wear at Churches in Europe:
If you know your day will include religious sites – especially those for which you must purchase admission – wear pants or a longer skirt, and always keep a scarf that can be used to cover your shoulders and chest in your bag. For men wear pants or longer, dressier shorts and shirt that covers the shoulders.
Quick Tip: Women, always carry a scarf in your bag. Men, always wear a shirt with sleeves.
Being a good traveler includes being respectful of local customs and conventions, and that is particularly important when visiting sensitive cultural sites and houses of worship.
Save yourself the heartache of being turned away from visiting an incredible cathedral and make sure you are dressed according to the dress code or custom.
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