Dress code to churches in Rome

please note that no shorts or sleevkess shirts are allowed. cheers

St. Peter's basilica is very strict with their dress policy. You must have shoulders and knees covered. Men and boys are not allowed to wear shorts. If you wear anything considered inappropriate they can and do turn you away and not allow entry. They are even starting to enforce this dress policy at the vatican museums. As for other churches, they are not as strict but the dress code remains the same. No bare shoulders or knees. They reminded my 10 year old daughter to put on her jacket to cover her shoulders at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. Don't take the chance of being turned away, cover your shoulders and knees. Donna

It will be the case in most churches across Rome/Italy, whether it's enforced or not. We found it was easiest to carry a scarf in my fiancee's purse, you never knew when you would happen upon a church you would want to go into. Nicer to have one of your own then purchasing some sort of tissue paper.

I was preparing to bring sleeveless top as I read Rome is very hot in June. Instead, I'll bring short sleeve or a thin scarf. Good to know. Thanks!

And don't forget, especially for any men traveling with you - no shorts!

It is a question of respect. These are functioning churches and not Disneyland mock ups. You need to be respectful is both manners and dress. I know that is a high barrier for many American tourists.

Yes, I've stood in lines for St Peters Basilica as well as Basilica San Marco, and I've seen countless tourists turned away at the door...after they've stood in line for very long times. Why even chance it?

We have noticed that the code has become more strict under the new Pope .

From personal experience (a very warm day in Venice) Please, please, please be respectful of these places. You don't have to be religious to respect a very simple request; just take a light shoulder wrap along with you (most likely you already have one packed). We were enormously embarrassed by an extremely loud and rude American woman who argued that she didn't need to wear a cover, she was "a good Catholic!" ??? Don't even think about wearing shorts over there...
And they wonder why Americans have a sketchy reputation.....

"Don't even think about wearing shorts over there"?? Give me a break. Wear what you want. It's one thing to happily respect a church's (or anywhere for that matter) dress code (and please do). It's another to suggest wearing shorts on a hot day makes one sketchy or someone who thinks they are at disneyland.

Both of my daughters wore sleeveless blouses.They carried a very light sweater in their day packs and when they went into a church they slipped it on.

You can certainly wear shorts while in Italy just be sure to plan your church seeing days around when you wear them. Plan to see the whichever churches you wish to visit on one day and wear shorts on the other days. You won't be admitted into churches wearing shorts even if they are longer. You can also buy those pants with the zip off legs and just put the bottom part of the pants on before entering churches. Donna

I just returned from a trip to Southeast Asia (yes, it was a fabulous 5 weeks) and in these hot, humid climes, most people, young and old, wear lightweight loose-fitting clothing that covers most of their bodies. I think this is more for comfort and protection from the sun than for reasons of modesty.

Chani - you are right. The idea that shorts and skimpy tops keep you cooler is a myth. All that hot sun beating down on bare skin is not condusive to staying cool - not to mention the long term effects.

I have been to Italy four times and have found that a very good compromise on hot days is a skort or a light, colored, demin skirt. It is cool, looks respectful, but your knees can be uncovered. I have never been challenged at a Church. Why go all that way and not respect the culture you are visiting? And, it is very easy to wear a shirt with short, cap sleeves rather than sleeveless.

Thanks everyone for all the responses I got . Inspite of the weather , we want to be respectful of the culture.

I'll also add to the "no bare shoulders, no bare knees (Men and women)"......no exposed midriffs and no excesive cleavage (as with a deep v-neck blouse). I've seen tourists admonished to put on their sweaters or scarves to cover "over-exposure", even when everything else met the modesty police's dress codes.