Rome, Florence, Naples church dress codes

Hi Mary. There is no uniform standard. Each large church has their own policy, and enforcement varies by situation. At small churches there will be nobody there checking. Enjoy your trip!

well I'll be there in a few weeks and can report back, but I would be absolutely flabbergasted if that were true. I doubt it strongly. What source did you hear that from?

The Vatican/St. Peters is NOT joking when they say shoulders covered. I was rejected for wearing a high necked top which was sleeveless, did cover my shoulders. Held up our friends while I ran to the closest kiosk and bought a scarf to tie around my shoulders. WEAR SLEEVES. Keep in mind this was August and it was 87 degrees. Best safe, and make sure the men have on long pants as well in St. Peters. Not sure about the others.

I don't think you want to take a chance on not being let into a church based on a rumor that you heard. The truth of the matter is that enforcement varies widely in a very Italian way. Traditionally St. Peter's has the strictest policy, but I was there in May of last year and there were a few people in shorts well above the knee. Just one week later we were in Padua at the Basilica of St. Anthony and an Italian woman was physically prevented from entering the church because her shoulders were bare. She read the riot act to the security guard but he didn't budge. Why chance it? Assume the regulations will be enforced.

what about head cover? are there rules on that too?

In the past, dress code enforcement has been most strict at St Peter's in the Vatican. It would be interesting to see whether the original poster, or anyone else here, can follow up to specifically say whether or not the dress code at St Peter's has been recently changed. It seems unlikely, but who knows? Maybe someone out there knows something?

One thing I think about when I am visiting a church or mosque as a tourist is that others are there to worship. I consider wearing a headscarf in a mosque or modest dress in a cathedral to be a way to show respect to those who view that place as more than a tourist attraction. That attitude helps me feel less resentful of long pants in August. Just a thought . . .

Mary, lots of major churches require appropriate dress (as you describe). If you have bare shoulders (tank or tube tops), you may be offered a flimsy cover-up - I'd rather take a t-shirt that can be put on at the church if needed. The week before Easter is Holy Week, and restrictions might be more likely to be enforced than not.

You do not need to cover your head to enter churches. The dress code was still enforced for all the churches I visited in November so I would plan on it still be enforced. No sense in taking chances. Donna

And men should remember to take off their hats when they enter a church. Even if that rule is not always enforced, it's appreciated as a gesture of respect. Happy travels.

I don't think that the OP, Mary from DC Metro, ever came back to say where she heard that the restrictions were dropped. I think we can take it that they have not.

Thank you for all of the helpful responses; a friend thought she read it on a travel blog somewhere!

i'm not going to read all the answers that are already been posted mary. what i can tell you living here and often visiting churches around the country is that THEY DO HAVE A DRESS CODE. as someone told you, your shoulders must be covered (better if all the arm is!) and you're not supposed to wear a really short skirt and no shorts at all!!! make sure you have jeans on, or a skirt which is at least long 'till your knees.
cellphones must be turned off and when taking pictures, no flash allowed. enjoy. Crissy

same thing for men. no shorts!!! and i think they have a tshirt on.

Mary, I doubt that the restrictions have been ped, so would want to see some specific information on that point. I very much doubt that the rules have been ped at the Vatican, as I've seen what can happen with those that don't follow them. On a past visit to the Vatican, I happened to be sitting next to a young lady (~20 years old) who had been wearing a shawl when she entered. However, as with the experience related by donna, it was about 90?F inside so she removed it. Within a short time, one of the Guards appeared and was yelling at her with a very angry look on his face. I don't know what he said, but his meaning was clear! The young lady was almost "in tears", but she put the shawl back on immediately, despite the heat. On a somewhat "lighter" note, I observed another example of this type of situation at the Duomo in Siena. A group of University students from Germany were touring inside, and one of the lads was wearing a sleeveless T-Shirt. The staff insisted that he cover his shoulders with a "paper tablecloth", which he did. However, his friends mercilessly ridiculed and teased him for the entire visit, but he seemed to take it with a sense of humor. I always try to respect the culture and rules, especially in places of worship in Italy. Happy travels!

How about leggings? I plan to wear mostly jumpers or skirts and leggings. My leggings are all at least capri length. Will leggings counts as covered knees if my skirt is slightly above the knee?

The rule is no bare knees, no bare shoulders. It's exposed skin that's the potential violation. So leggings are fine. So are capri pants on men.