Italy for me From Italy with love
When visiting the Vatican (Città del Vaticano), you can send a postcard with a stamp from the world’s smallest independent state. Let’s explore the cost of a stamp, the location of post offices, and how long it takes to deliver a postcard.
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Vatican Post Offices
The main post office of the Vatican is located in St. Peter’s Square, to the cathedral’s left. It’s accessible without a queue, and photography inside is prohibited. The post office has two windows where you can buy stamps and postcards.
The second post office is a small cabin to the left of the arcade. There are usually no queues, and access is free.
Price of Stamps and Postcards
A postcard costs 50 cents, and the price of a stamp depends on the destination:
- 1.25 euros for shipments to European countries.
- 2.40 euros for shipments to America/Asia/Africa.
- 3.10 euros for shipments to Australia/New Zealand.
I recommend choosing a thematic stamp with a view of the Vatican or the Pope.
There are some excellent options where Pope Francis is giving a thumbs-up or drinking mate tea.
Delivery Time for Postcards from the Vatican
The delivery time for a postcard from the Vatican to Ukraine, Russia, or Belarus typically depends on various factors. Based on feedback from my friends and tourists, you can generally expect the postcard to arrive within a month.
The stamp will bear the red seal of the Vatican Post (CITTA DEL VATICANO) along with the date.
Also, read tips on how to buy Vatican Museum tickets in advance.
How to Properly Fill Out a Postcard
Write the name of your country in English on the right side, for example, USA, Canada, Israel, Ukraine, Republic of Belarus, Russia, followed by your postal code. In the next lines, you can write in the language of the destination country: city, street, house number, apartment number, and recipient’s name.
You can write kind words or wishes on the left side of the postcard. I usually write something like: “Buongiorno, dear friend! Sending warm greetings from the Vatican from the Pope! Hugs, Artur.”