Europe
Is Vatican City safe?
—No US advisory
Is Vatican City safe?
Very safe inside, with the Swiss Guard and Gendarmerie on duty. Pickpockets work the crowds around St Peter's Square and on Rome's buses.
Key facts
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 112.
- Solo women: Safe; the usual Rome precautions apply in surrounding streets and on crowded buses.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Pickpockets in queues and on Rome buses 40 and 64
- Long queues in summer heat with little shade
Common scams
- Touts selling overpriced 'skip-the-line' tours outside the walls
- Unofficial ticket resellers; buy on the Vatican Museums website
Laws visitors break by accident
- Shoulders and knees must be covered in St Peter's and the Museums; guards turn people away.
- Photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel.
Quick answers
Is Vatican City safe for tourists?
Very safe inside, with the Swiss Guard and Gendarmerie on duty. Pickpockets work the crowds around St Peter's Square and on Rome's buses.
Is Vatican City safe for solo female travelers?
Safe; the usual Rome precautions apply in surrounding streets and on crowded buses.
What is the emergency number in Vatican City?
All emergencies 112.
Sources
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.