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Stainless Steel Water Bottle Acceptability

Reviewing various sights in Italy and the Rick Steves Italy guidebook, I do not find any applicable information whether a stainless steel water bottle is allowed.

The sights that give me pause are:

Dumo in Milan

Last Supper in Milan

Duomo in Florence

Uffizi in Florence

Academia in Florence

St. Peters Basilica in Rome

Sistine Chapel in Rome

Colosseum, Palatine, and Forum Rome

Borghese Gallery in Rome

Does anyone know specifically if these sights allow a stainless water bottle? Or how I find the answer?

What if the stainless water bottle was kept in a small bag?

Thank you for your assistance.

Matthew Reed

Posted by
369 posts

I don't know the rules for each site, but the "No food or drink" signs are very common in museums. You can check with each site as the poster above recommends, but I suspect that it's unlikely they will want you to drink in the museums. Most will probably have a place for you to check your day bag at the entrance, so you could leave it there and collect on the way out.

Posted by
4657 posts

Borghese has a limit to a rather small bag so expect to have to check it there. Colosseum, forum and Plantine are mostly outside. I can't imagine why it would matter, but not certain. Some have scanners so the metal cannister may set off all sorts of alarms. I will admit I just keep reusing a single use plastic bottle that is obviously water, and if confiscated, then so be it. I get the no plastic desire, but sometimes harder to avoid when a museum tourist.
You may not get answers from emails. Google and try a more local supported forum (like TripAdvisor) for other feedback.

NB. I just googled metal waterbottle in Vatican....plenty of hits....and the answer is "no, plastic only".

Posted by
34007 posts

no matter what you take in, with all the recent vandalism against art, everywhere is going to be reluctant to allow liquids

Posted by
650 posts

I drink a lot of water, and have reusable water bottles at home, but when I travel, I use plastic. I do refill them, so not as much waste. It's not the perfect solution, but seems like the best solution for me.

Posted by
28249 posts

There are lots of museums that will stop you if they see a water bottle sticking out of a purse. If they aren't doing a close inspection, you may not have a problem if the bottle is buried inside the purse. Just don't drink water in the galleries.

Posted by
7 posts

I also posed this question to the Rick Steves staff since they frequent all of the aforementioned sites. Still awaiting a reply.

Since I am hiking in the Dolomites, I'm taking a stainless steel water bottle. I looked at the various sties websites for specific answers. I fully understand the safety concerns with liquids and metal objects. I just need to confirm that a particular site has a temporary storage space.