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Vatican Supermarket (Annona)

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Oct 2026Data Sources

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The Vatican Supermarket, officially known as 'Annona,' is the primary retail outlet for groceries and household goods within the walls of Vatican City. Housed in part of the former Vatican railway station building, the store is exclusively accessible to Vatican citizens, Holy See employees, and their authorized dependents. Entry is strictly regulated by a special electronic permit known as a 'tessera,' issued by the Vatican authorities. The supermarket has a diverse selection of Italian and international products, often at lower prices than those in surrounding Rome due to exemptions from certain Italian national taxes. Annona serves as a vital community hub for the approximately 2,000 frequent users who rely on it for their daily needs. In addition to food, it features departments for cosmetics, household appliances, and luxury goods. It stands as a testament to the sovereign state's ability to maintain an independent and functional internal economy for its residents.

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Location: Vatican
Highlights: Necropoli della Via Triumphalis · Museo Chiaramonti · Vatican Museums

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	7	8	10	14	18	23	26	26	21	17	12	8
Rain mm	73	77	69	56	57	34	26	26	70	82	114	92

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Annona supermarket is only accessible to authorized persons such as Vatican citizens and employees, not the general public. Visiting is therefore not possible for regular tourists; you can only see the building from outside.

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Typical hours

Since the shop is not public, its opening hours are not publicly known and vary according to the needs of authorized persons. Typically, it is open on weekdays, similar to other Vatican institutions.

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Photography

Photographing the building from outside is generally allowed from public space. Inside, photography is not permitted due to privacy and the shop's exclusivity.

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Time needed

A visit is limited to passing by or a quick glance from outside, taking no more than 5 minutes. If exploring the Vatican area, you can quickly include this spot.

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Combine with

The supermarket is located in Vatican City, so it combines well with a walk through the Vatican Gardens or a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. The nearest publicly accessible attraction is the Vatican Post Office.

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Getting there

The building is inside the Vatican walls and accessible only through Vatican entry points closed to non-authorized persons. The nearest public street is Via di Porta Angelica.

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Insider tip

If you know Vatican employees, ask them to bring you a bottle of famous Vatican olive oil or wine - these products are hard to obtain for outsiders. Otherwise, only a glance from outside at the discreet building remains.

Geography

Coordinates

41.90550, 12.45520

Facts

The supermarket is formally known as 'L'Annona'.
It is located within the converted Vatican City railway station complex.
Only individuals with a valid 'tessera' shopping card may enter.
Goods sold here are exempt from Italy's 22% Value Added Tax (VAT).
There are roughly 2,000 registered cardholders authorized to use the shop.
The facility includes a high-end wine cellar with rare Italian vintages.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Vatican Pinacoteca<1 km · WExplore →

Palazzo Spada2 km · SEExplore →

Medaglie d'Oro2 km · NWExplore →

Flaminio3 km · NEExplore →

Porta Pia3 km · EExplore →

Colosseum4 km · SEExplore →

Farnesina4 km · NExplore →

Val Cannuta4 km · WExplore →

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Sights in the town Vatican Supermarket (Annona) (10)

Necropoli della Via Triumphalis

Ancient necropolis in Vatican City along the Via Triumphalis, with well-preserved tombs.

Museo Chiaramonti 🏛 museum

Branch of the Vatican Museums, displaying a vast collection of ancient sculptures.

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Vatican Museums🏛 museum

Museums of Vatican City, housing one of the world's most important art collections.

🌐 museivaticani.va♿💶

Tower of the Winds 🗼 tower

Tower in Vatican City, built in the 16th century, used for astronomical studies.

Punto panoramico di viale della Galea

Viewpoint in Vatican City overlooking the gardens and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Museo Gregoriano Egizio🏛 museum

Branch of the Vatican Museums, specializing in ancient Egyptian art and artifacts.

Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo

Double-helix staircase in Vatican City, designed by Giuseppe Momo, famous for its elegant spiral.

Saint Peregrin's Church

Church in Vatican City, dedicated to Saint Peregrine.

Belvedere Courtyard

Former Vatican courtyard, now part of the Vatican Museums.

Chiesa di Sant'Egidio a Borgo

Oratory in Vatican City, dedicated to Saint Giles.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can I shop there as a tourist?

No, the supermarket is only for residents and employees with a Vatican ID.

Are the prices cheaper there?

Yes, as goods are sold tax-free in the Vatican.

What does the name 'Annona' mean?

It refers to the ancient Roman grain and food supply.

Where is the supermarket located?

In the northern area of Vatican City, near the pharmacy.

Which currency is accepted?

Payment is accepted only in Euro.

Vatican Supermarket (Annona): where is it located?

Vatican Supermarket (Annona) is located in Vatican.

Vatican Supermarket (Annona): what is there to see?

Highlights include Necropoli della Via Triumphalis, Museo Chiaramonti, Vatican Museums.

Vatican Supermarket (Annona): when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

Vatican Supermarket (Annona): why is it worth visiting?

The Vatican Supermarket, officially known as 'Annona,' is the primary retail outlet for groceries and household goods within the walls of Vatican City.

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