When in Rome, do as the Romans do and make it a point to visit the Vatican. Word of warning though is that it can get chaotic so you should keep this in mind. There are also some rules that you need to follow and you should prepare for your visit by doing plenty of research. Before heading to the Vatican for a truly memorable experience, keep these tips in mind.

Dress Appropriately

One of the biggest mistakes that visitors make is not dressing appropriately. They donâ??t realize that there is a dress code of sorts and that you must follow it. Things like short skirts, hats, sleeveless blouses and shorts arenâ??t permitted. You may be taken aback by this as Rome is often very hot and you donâ??t want to be wearing a bunch of clothes. Make sure you pack some lightweight shirts, with sleeves, and pants in your suitcase or long skirts or dresses. If you plan on bringing something cooler to change into after your visit to the Vatican, keep in mind that you canâ??t carry large bags with you throughout the museums. However, there are cloakrooms at the entrance where you can check your belongings.

Consider Getting A Guide

The Vatican is actually fairly large. Itâ??s pretty amazing to see how vast its size is. It can be pretty overwhelming to try to see all of the artwork from artists like Raphael and Michelangelo. To help you navigate everything, itâ??s a good idea to get a guide. They can take you on a guided tour and walk you through the Vatican and offer you insights along the way.

Have A Plan

Donâ??t just show up to the Vatican without a plan. For one, you need to either book a tour with a guide or have an advance booking for entrance. If you donâ??t do so you could end up waiting 5 hours in line just to get in. Also, be sure that you know where to go and what you want to see. The museums, The Gallery of Maps, the Cupola, the Hall of Tapestries and Raphaelâ??s Rooms are all very popular. Also, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to see it all. Since there are a lot of crowds virtually any time of day, keep that in mind as you may not get through each area as quickly as you expected to.

Donâ??t Forget About The Cupola

Many visitors are so tired from all of the exploring that they donâ??t end up climbing up to see the cupola. Make sure you donâ??t miss out on this. While it is 537 steps to get to the top, you really donâ??t want miss the chance to see the amazing view.