Is taking photos in The Vatican allowed?

Museum and basilica: yes. Sistine Chapel: no

Hi,

Before your visit, it is a good idea to read through this helpful information

http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/consigli-utili.html

Photography at the Vatican Museums
It is permitted to take photographs, for personal use only, of the
works in all areas of the Vatican Museums, apart from the Sistine
Chapel. Flash photography is strictly forbidden. The use of tripods,
stands and/or professional equipment is not allowed; any eventual use
must be authorised by the Directorate of the Vatican Museums. The use
of telescopic "selfie sticks" is forbidden.

In the Sistine Chapel it is forbidden to take photographs or films with any type of electronic
equipment. The guard staff is authorised to request the immediate cancellation, in their presence, of video or photographic material produced in contravention of this rule.

---

Umbrellas, sticks, stands and video cameras
Medium and large umbrellas (or standard non-telescopic umbrellas), sticks (apart from those used for walking), tripods and stands for photography, video cameras, banners and signs of any type must all be left in the cloakroom. Rods used by authorised tour guides for visibility purposes are permitted. The cloakroom service is free of charge.

---

Mobile phones
Endeavouring to ensure the best possible experience for visitors, the
Vatican Museums strongly discourage the use of mobile phones inside
the exhibition spaces. Visitors are required to activate the silent
function of their mobile device. The use of mobile phones is
forbidden in the Sistine Chapel.

In St. Peter's Basilica, cameras were allowed - the exception was no photos taken, no recording devices, no IPads, no phones were allowed in The Chapel of The Blessed Sacrament - guards are there and do random checks. If caught, you will be escorted out of the Basilica. They don't mess around.

I have visited St. Peter's a number of times. In there one afternoon, a man was talking on his cellphone near an altar - guard came over and told him to not do that.

Helpful information -- http://stpetersbasilica.info/index.htm

Oh, one "little thing" - if you want to get a bit of Holy Water from the Font -- bring your own mini glass or mini plastic bottle or you can buy an empty one in the main gift shop -- 3€ http://stpetersbasilica.info/Interior/Nave/nave-holywater-ah.jpg

(Before investing 3€, I would check to make sure the Font has enough Holy Water (Nave as you walk in - on left.) They do a good job of keeping it filled for visitors; not flooding over, but "okay." Still, if you go on a busy day/weekend or season, I can't say for sure. My experiences were, it was filled to a comfortable level.)

Also, please read the website policies of both. There is a security bag check at The Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Bags and jackets/coats, assisted devices must be put through the screening process. No food allowed. Water bottles were okay'd when I was there a number of times - they had to be put into your bag.

Bags or small to medium backpacks were allowed - I probably would not go bigger than 15 inches and not fully packed. Backpacks can look 'bigger' than what they are. Daybags/totes/small bags would be better.

Guards determine the final allowance. If they deem it is too big or too bulky, you will have to check the bag. It is free. It will be a hassle to retrieve the bag(s) and then go to St. Peter's. Time is wasted.

You don't state if you are going on a solo visit or a guided tour. Note: St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter regardless of visiting The Vatican Museums or not.

St. Peter's Basilica is my most favorite (for a number of reasons.) Your picture-taking will be a bit easier because of less "shoulder-to-shoulder" crowding compared to The Vatican Museums - unless you are going at 7 AM maybe.

Enjoy!

I visited the Sistine Chapel first in 1983 and photos were allowed if you did not use flash. The second time was in 1990 after the Japanese had financed restoration of the frescoes. No photos were allowed, since the Japanese had the rights to sell photos.