Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: bag policy & entry rules
At Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel you can bring stroller. Backpack, water bottle, camera and umbrella are allowed only with conditions. Suitcase, food, tripod and pets are not allowed. There is a free cloakroom on site.
What can you bring into Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
What Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel's official rules say, item by item. Tap an item for the detail.
Backpack Limited
Only small rucksacks allowed: when carried on the shoulders they must not exceed the widest point of the body by more than 15 cm. Larger ones must be left in the free cloakroom.
Backpack rules at other venues →Suitcase / luggage Not allowed
Suitcases, bags, packages and containers larger than 40x35x15 cm must be deposited in the cloakroom (not allowed in exhibition areas).
Suitcase / luggage rules at other venues →Water bottle Limited
Not named individually. Official rule: 'food and drinks of any type' must be stowed in the cloakroom, and consuming food/drink in the exhibition halls is forbidden.
Water bottle rules at other venues →Food Not allowed
It is forbidden to consume food and drink inside the exhibition halls; food and drinks of any type must be stowed in the (free) cloakroom.
Food rules at other venues →Stroller Allowed
Families with children and strollers are welcomed; staff direct visitors to dedicated elevators and accessible routes.
Stroller rules at other venues →Tripod Not allowed
Use of tripods, stands, drones and/or professional equipment is not allowed; tripods and stands for photo/video cameras must be left in the cloakroom.
Tripod rules at other venues →Camera Limited
Photography allowed for personal use in all areas EXCEPT the Sistine Chapel, where photos and films are forbidden. Flash photography is strictly forbidden everywhere. Cameras cannot be left in the cloakroom.
Camera rules at other venues →Umbrella Limited
Full-length (non-folding) or medium and large umbrellas (and those with pointed tips) must be left in the cloakroom. Small folding umbrellas are not specifically restricted.
Umbrella rules at other venues →Pets Not allowed
Animals not permitted, even small ones, except guide dogs for the blind/partially-sighted (muzzle and lead, advance notice) and certified pet-therapy animals.
Pets rules at other venues →We don't guess: ask the venue before you go if one of these matters for your visit.
What the rules do and don't say about these
- Metal bottle: Reusable/metal bottles are not specifically addressed. The general rule that 'food and drinks of any type' must be deposited would apply, but metal bottles are not individually documented.
- E-scooter: Electric scooters / monopattini are not mentioned in the official Vatican Museums rules or cloakroom regulations.
Will my bag fit?
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel's published limit: 40 × 35 × 15 cm. Enter your bag's size (cm) to check it.
Measure the outside of the bag, including handles, wheels and pockets. Security staff have the final word — this is a quick check, not a guarantee.
Large bags or suitcases may not be allowed inside. Drop them at a luggage storage in Rome before you go.
Cloakroom & lockers
Free cloakroom. Items must be collected the same day before closing or are treated as lost property and destroyed within 48h. Cash, jewellery, phones/tablets, cameras and coats/jackets cannot be deposited.
What the official rules say
It is compulsory for visitors to stow the following items in the cloakroom: a) food and drinks of any type; b) suitcases, bags, packages and containers in general, of a size greater than 40 x 35 x 15 cm; c) rucksacks, with the possible exception of small ones that, when carried on the shoulders, do not exceed the widest point of the body by more than 15 cm; d) full-length (non-folding) or medium and large sized umbrellas, sticks (when not used as an aid for walking), tripods and stands for photo or video cameras. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel bag policy: quick answers
Can I bring a backpack into Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
Limited. Only small rucksacks allowed: when carried on the shoulders they must not exceed the widest point of the body by more than 15 cm. Larger ones must be left in the free cloakroom.
Can I bring a suitcase or luggage into Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
Not allowed. Suitcases, bags, packages and containers larger than 40x35x15 cm must be deposited in the cloakroom (not allowed in exhibition areas).
Can I bring a water bottle into Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
Limited. Not named individually. Official rule: 'food and drinks of any type' must be stowed in the cloakroom, and consuming food/drink in the exhibition halls is forbidden.
Can I bring food into Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
Not allowed. It is forbidden to consume food and drink inside the exhibition halls; food and drinks of any type must be stowed in the (free) cloakroom.
Can I bring a stroller into Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
Allowed. Families with children and strollers are welcomed; staff direct visitors to dedicated elevators and accessible routes.
Are there lockers or a cloakroom at Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
Free cloakroom. Items must be collected the same day before closing or are treated as lost property and destroyed within 48h. Cash, jewellery, phones/tablets, cameras and coats/jackets cannot be deposited.
What bag size is allowed at Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel?
max 40x35x15 cm (larger suitcases/bags/containers must go to the cloakroom)