Yes. Muslims can visit the Vatican, and many do. Vatican City is open to visitors of all faiths and none. There is no religious requirement for entry. The museums, the basilica, the gardens, and the papal audience are all accessible regardless of your religion.
This question comes up often enough that it deserves a proper answer rather than a one-line response. Here is what Muslim visitors specifically need to know about dress code, access, prayer considerations, and what the experience is actually like.
Entry and access
There are no questions about religion at any Vatican entrance. You will pass through a security checkpoint - the same metal detectors and bag screening as an airport - and that is it. No one asks your faith, your nationality, or your purpose for visiting.
The Vatican is a sovereign state, but it operates as a public cultural site for tourism purposes. Millions of visitors from every background pass through each year.
The Vatican dress code aligns closely with modest dress standards many Muslim visitors already follow. Long sleeves, covered knees, no see-through clothing. If you dress modestly by Islamic standards, you will meet Vatican requirements easily.
Hijab is completely fine. Women wearing hijab will have no issues at any Vatican entrance. Head coverings are actually traditional in Catholic churches, so this is a non-issue.
The dress code
The Vatican dress code requires covered shoulders and covered knees for all visitors. Modest, non-revealing clothing. No see-through fabrics.
For Muslim women who already observe hijab and wear modest clothing, the Vatican dress code is straightforward - you likely already exceed the requirements. Hijab, niqab, and loose-fitting modest clothing are all perfectly acceptable. In fact, Catholic tradition also calls for women to cover their heads in churches, so head coverings are entirely normal in this context.
For Muslim men, the main consideration is shorts. If your shorts fall below the knee, they are generally acceptable. Above the knee, they are not. Long trousers are the safest option.
Prayer considerations
There is no mosque or designated Muslim prayer space within Vatican City. The nearest mosque to the Vatican is the Islamic Cultural Centre and Mosque of Rome (also called the Grand Mosque), located about 5 kilometres north in the Parioli neighbourhood. It is the largest mosque in Europe.
If you need to pray during your visit, quiet corners of the Vatican Gardens or the benches in St Peter’s Square can work, though this is obviously not a formal prayer space. Many Muslim visitors I have spoken to plan their Vatican visit around prayer times, visiting in the window between prayers.
What to expect inside
The Vatican Museums contain one of the world’s greatest art collections. Much of it is Christian religious art - the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Raphael’s frescoes, countless depictions of Biblical scenes. This is the nature of the collection. It is a 500-year archive of Catholic patronage of the arts.
You may also encounter art that depicts the Prophet Muhammad or other Islamic figures in historical European paintings. These are centuries-old artworks reflecting the perspectives of their time. They are presented as historical artefacts, not as statements of current Vatican policy.
St Peter’s Basilica is a functioning Catholic church. Mass is celebrated there daily. You are welcome to observe quietly, but this is an active place of Christian worship. Photography is permitted in most areas but not during services.
Interfaith dialogue at the Vatican
The Vatican has maintained formal interfaith dialogue with Muslim communities since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue regularly engages with Muslim leaders and organisations. Pope Francis has been particularly active in this space.
This is worth knowing because it reflects the Vatican’s official position: visitors of all faiths are welcome, and the relationship between the Catholic Church and Islam is one the Vatican takes seriously at an institutional level.
Practical tips for the visit
Plan for three to four hours minimum. The museums alone can take two to three hours if you focus on the highlights. Add an hour for St Peter’s Basilica. The queue times vary by season - summer mornings are the busiest.
Book tickets online in advance. The skip-the-line ticket costs more but saves significant waiting time, especially during peak season. Friday afternoons tend to be the quietest visiting window.
Bring water and snacks. There are cafes inside the museum complex, but the food options near the Vatican entrances are overpriced and mediocre. The best meals in the area are a short walk into the Prati neighbourhood.