Poste Vaticane is one of the smallest postal services in the world, but also one of the most famous.

Many tourists head here for just one thing - to send home a postcard or letter directly from the Vatican with a Vatican stamp and postmark.

If you like to collect postcards, stamps or are looking for an unusual souvenir, this is one of the most interesting little things you can experience while visiting the Vatican.

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Why send a postcard from here?

Postcard sent from Vatican City:

• gets a Vatican postmark
• uses Vatican stamps
• travels through a separate postal system

Stamps and postmarks are the reason why the Vatican Post Office is known among collectors worldwide.

Where can you find the Vatican Post Office?

The post office is right on St Peter's Square.

If you are facing the Basilica, the post office is on the left.

The distinctive yellow letterboxes are the hallmark.

This is where you need to drop a postcard if you want to use the Vatican postal system.

How much does it cost to send a postcard?

The price depends on the destination and the current tariff.

You can buy stamps and postcards directly at the post office.

• postcards for 6 eur
• postage stamps in Europe for 1,35 eur, outside Europe around 3 eur
• you can pay by card or cash (euro)

Post office opening hours

The Vatican Post Office is open at the following times:

• Monday to Friday 8:00-18:30
• Saturday 8:00-13:30
• Sunday is closed

Does it work better than the Italian post office?

That's an interesting fact you'll hear from many Romans and tour guides.

The Vatican post office has long built a reputation for more reliable and faster service than the regular Italian post office.

That's why the people of Rome themselves often send letters here.

Today the difference is not as marked as it used to be, but this reputation of the Vatican remains.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Vatican.