Tour a Renaissance architectural marvel and holy place built on the site where St. Peter is believed to have been killed and buried by Emperor Nero in AD 64.
St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets
While the Basilica is free to enter, paid tickets are for added conveniences like reserved time slots, audio guides, guided tours, or dome access.
Audio Guide Tour (Optional Dome)
Explore at your own pace with detailed audio commentary. At checkout you can choose: audio guide app only, reserved entry with app, or add dome climb for sweeping views of Rome.
Guided Tour: Basilica + Vatican Grottoes + Dome Climb
A complete rooftop-to-underground tour with a guide. Begin by climbing to the top of Michelangelo’s dome, then descend directly into the basilica and skip the entrance lines. Tour the basilica before continuing below ground to the Vatican Grottoes, where nearly 100 popes and dignitaries are entombed.
Combo Tour: St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Experience the complete Vatican with fast-track access to the Museums and Sistine Chapel, plus VIP entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. Your guide provides context that connects the papal art collection with the Basilica’s architecture and religious importance. Ideal for first-time visitors, though you should expect to spend 3 hours touring.
Save time and money by customizing your Rome visit with a package that includes St. Peter’s Basilica or the Pantheon, the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel or Castel Sant’Angelo. Includes a Rome audio guide app covering 100+ points of interest and a 10% discount on additional bookings.
Highlights
Tickets & Prices
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free to the public. However, booking tickets ahead of time is recommended to avoid long lines. Additionally, paid tickets are necessary to enter the dome and other exclusive areas of the attraction.
| Feature | Audio Guide | Basilica & Grottoes Tour (Optional Dome) | Vatican Combo Tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Pick | |||
| Starting Price | €6.00 | €25.00 | €71.94 |
| Skip-the-Line Entry | ✓ (VIP Entry) | ||
| Audio Guide | ✓ | ||
| Live Guide | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dome Climb | Optional add-on | Optional add-on | |
| Vatican Grottoes | ✓ | ||
| Vatican Museums | ✓ (Fast-track) | ||
| Sistine Chapel | ✓ (Fast-track) | ||
| Duration | 45min – 2h | 1h 20min – 1h 45min | 3h |
| Max Group Size | 20 | 25 | 10-20 |
| Languages Available | Multiple (audio) | English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish | English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish |
FAQs about Tickets
Can I book dome tickets in advance?
Yes, and booking online offers a major advantage: you can start by climbing the dome, then descend directly into the Basilica and skip the entrance lines entirely. Book a guided tour with dome access for this benefit.
Will skip-the-line tickets let me skip security?
No. Everyone must go through the same security screening. What “skip-the-line” or reserved-entry tickets do is let you bypass the general entrance queue before security and enter through a faster dedicated entrance. You’ll still go through metal detectors and bag checks, but you’ll save time on the overall wait.
Can I use my Vatican Museums ticket to enter St. Peter’s Basilica?
No. Your Vatican Museums ticket (which includes the Sistine Chapel) doesn’t grant entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. However, many visitors see both on the same day since they’re only a 15-20 minute walk apart. Combo tours include both attractions with a guide who leads you from one to the other.
Book Everything In One Go
Rome Tourist Card
Bundle your St. Peter’s Basilica visit with Rome’s other major attractions in a single customizable package.
Reviews
Visitors find St. Peter’s Basilica absolutely breathtaking, with Michelangelo’s dome, the Pietà, and Bernini’s massive Baldacchino creating an overwhelming sense of awe that many describe as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The dome climb, despite 320-551 stairs, delivers spectacular panoramic views that make every step worthwhile. Arriving at 7:00 AM consistently works best, visitors report 10-15 minute waits versus hours later in the day.
However, peak times bring serious crowd control problems that some describe as genuinely unsafe, especially during summer when there’s no shade and wait times exceed an hour in extreme heat. Organization remains chaotic with poor signage and conflicting staff directions, particularly for the Holy Door entrance during Jubilee year. The dome ticket office crawls along with one window and a small elevator, sometimes requiring 2+ hours.
Plan Your Visit
St. Peter’s Basilica
| Season | Daily Hours |
|---|---|
| Summer (1 April – 30 September) | 07:00 – 19:10 |
| Winter (1 October – 31 March) | 07:00 – 19:00 |
St. Peter’s Dome (Cupola)
| Season | Daily Hours |
|---|---|
| Summer (1 April – 30 September) | 07:30 – 18:00 |
| Winter (1 October – 31 March) | 07:30 – 17:00 |
Note: When crowds are heavy, the dome may close 30 minutes earlier for anyone not already in line.
Masses take place daily at St. Peter’s. The schedule is as follows:
- 7:00: Holy Mass at the Altar of St. Joseph
- 7:30: Holy Mass at the Altar of St. Joseph
- 8:30: Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
- 9:00: Holy Mass at the Altar of St. Joseph
- 10.00: Holy Mass at the Altar of St. Joseph
- 11:00: Holy Mass at the Altar of the Cathedra
- 12.00: Holy Mass at the Altar of the Cathedra
- 17:00: Holy Mass at the Altar of the Cathedra
- 18:00: Holy Mass at the Altar of the Cathedra
On holidays, mass times switch to 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 9:45, 10:30, 12:30, 16:00, 17:00, and 18:00. While crowds are steady at St. Peter’s, visitors thin out in the afternoons during weekdays when people leave for lunch. Wednesdays and Saturdays are the busiest times. Crowds flock on Wednesday for the Papal Audience. Saturdays attract crowds for confessions and mass.
The Basilica is reached most easily using public transportation.
The most direct option is to arrive at the Ottaviano-San Pietro metro station on line A.
When coming from the center of Rome by bus, use Rome Termini to take a direct route to the Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro stop. Buses run constantly throughout the day.
St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City · Google Maps
Dignified attire is required of all who enter St. Peter’s Basilica. Like all sites within Vatican City, the Basilica does not permit sleeveless tops, low-cut tops, crop tops, or tight shirts. All dresses and skirts should cover the knees. Jackets or shawls should be used when wearing tank tops. Apparel with offensive or obscene logos is also forbidden. Finally, hats are forbidden for both men and women.
Photography is permitted inside St. Peter’s Basilica. However, flash photography, professional photography and recording equipment, selfie sticks, tripods, and drones are prohibited. Visitors are also asked to respectfully avoid taking photos during religious services.
With masses taking place nearly hourly within the Basilica, visitors should speak in low tones to avoid causing disruptions to worshippers. Do not block altar views during masses. People of all faiths are invited to attend mass. If you are attending mass, please note that only Roman Catholics are invited to participate in communion services.
St. Peter’s Basilica offers a dedicated entrance for people with disabilities located at the right-hand hemicycle of St. Peter’s Square. Visitors will find a ramp leading to the security checkpoint.
Insider Tips
- Arrive right at 7:00 opening or late afternoon (after 16:00).
- Visit on weekdays, avoiding Wednesdays (Papal Audience) and Saturdays.
- Book advance tickets primarily for convenience, not time-saving.
- Come prepared for crowds with water, patience, and comfortable shoes.
- Consider visiting during cooler months (October-March).
- Allow flexible timing in case of unexpected closures.
What to See & Do (with Pictures)
Here’s a look at the standout attractions you don’t want to skip when you tour St. Peter’s Basilica.
Bernini’s Baldacchino
kasto/DepositphotosStanding nearly 29 meters tall beneath Michelangelo’s dome, Bernini’s Baldacchino is the dramatic bronze canopy that dominates the center of St. Peter’s Basilica. The structure features four massive twisted columns decorated with olive and laurel branches intertwined with bees, the heraldic symbol of the Barberini family.
The Baldacchino marks the exact spot above St. Peter’s tomb, with only the Pope permitted to celebrate mass at the papal altar beneath it. When you look up from below, you’ll see sculpted bronze drapery with tassels that seem to billow in an invisible breeze, crowned by angels, cherubs holding papal symbols, and a golden orb with a cross. This magnificent structure creates a visual bridge between the human scale and the vast architecture of the Basilica, drawing your eye upward toward the soaring dome above.
The Tomb of Saint Peter (The Confessio)
jarin13/DepositphotosLocated beneath the St. Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican Necropolis, the Tomb of Saint Peter contains bones that are widely believed to be the remains of St. Peter. As the Catholic Church’s first pope, Peter was crucified upside down in Rome during the reign of Nero around AD 64.
In order to visit the tomb, special tickets are required for entry to the archeological site beneath the Basilica. The experience of descending into 1,600-year-old catacombs is both solemn and breathtaking. It is truly like walking through a time capsule of ancient Rome! After lining up with other guests to peer into the tomb, you will be free to explore tombs belonging to other popes while moving forward to the Vatican Grottoes.
The Dome
AnnaNepaBO/Depositphotos
AnnaNepaBO/DepositphotosDesigned by Michelangelo while the artist was in his 70s, the dome at St. Peter’s Basilica measures 136 meters high with a 42-meter internal diameter. If the dome looks familiar, it may be because it was actually the model for the design of the U.S. Capitol. An enduring symbol of Renaissance excellence, the dome’s ambitious size symbolizes both the grandeur of religious devotion and the heights of papal authority.
When designing the dome, Michelangelo incorporated intricate mosaics featuring seraphim, cherubim, St. Paul and the Apostles, Saint John the Baptist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and numerous bishops and patriarchs belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.
The only true way to experience the dome is climbing its 500 steps to reach the top. For those willing to traverse the narrow, dimly lit stairwell, you’ll be rewarded with incredible, sweeping views of Rome at the top! If you’re not in the mood to catch your breath, take the shortcut by riding the elevator to the base of the dome. From there, you can decide if you’d like to take the remaining steps to get the full view or settle for your current view.
The Pietà of Saint Peter’s Basilica
stigmatize/DepositphotosMichelangelo’s masterpiece of mourning depicts Jesus Christ with the Virgin Mary at Mount Golgotha after he is taken down from the cross. While nearly lifelike, the entire sculpture is carved from Carrara marble. The Pietà’s balance of naturalism and Renaissance classic beauty makes it unlike other sculptures from the period. Considered an exemplary work of Italian Renaissance sculpture, it was completed by Michelangelo in 1499 when he was just 23 years old. Visitors are often amazed that they can walk right up to such an iconic sculpture. While this work is one of the first things you’ll see after entering the Basilica, it is protected by a bulletproof glass panel.
The Obelisk
TTstudio/DepositphotosErected in Rome in AD 40, the Vatican Obelisk located in St. Peter’s Square is the only ancient Roman obelisk that has never fallen! While the structure has come to be an enduring symbol of Rome, it is Egyptian in origin. It previously stood in the Forum Julium of Alexandria before being shipped to Rome to be placed in the center of the Circus of Nero in AD 40 by Emperor Caligula. Made of red granite, the Vatican Obelisk stands 25.3 meters tall. When accounting for its base and cross, it’s nearly 40 meters high. When taking photographs, focus on the Vatican Obelisk with the full Basilica in the background. If you stay until after sunset, you’ll be able to get shots of the structure with the Basilica lit up behind it.
The Vatican Grottoes
The Vatican Grottoes are underground chambers beneath St. Peter’s Basilica where nearly 100 popes and dignitaries are entombed. Unlike the Vatican Necropolis that dates back to ancient Rome, the Vatican Grottoes were constructed during the 16th century in a space between the current Basilica and the former Constantine-era church from the 4th century. The feeling for visitors is one of peace and reverence. As you tour the Vatican Grottoes, you will see frescos, sculptures, and mosaics preserved from the older iteration of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Did You Know? (3 Interesting Facts)
- The current St. Peter’s Basilica was built between 1506 and 1615. It replaced the old St. Peter’s Basilica that was built by Constantine in the 4th century.
- The Basilica’s interior measurements make it the largest church in the world. It also holds the largest dome in the world.
- Considered the oldest Christian church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
History
Trace the Basilica’s history from Saint Peter to the current Pope:
AD 64
Saint Peter was crucified and buried at Vatican Hill.
AD 326-333
Old St. Peter’s Basilica is built at the site of St. Peter’s Tomb under Emperor Constantine.
AD 333-1500
Old St. Peter’s Basilica becomes a flourishing pilgrimage site.
AD 1505
As the Basilica shows signs of deterioration, Pope Julius II orders it to be destroyed to allow for a new church to be built on the same site.
AD 1506
The foundation stone is laid under the supervision of Donato Bramante. Subsequent architects of the project would include Giuliano da Sangallo, Fra Giocondo, Raphael Sanzio da Urbino, Baldassare Peruzzi, and Michelangelo Buonarroti.
AD 1620
Gian Lorenzo Bernini begins building the 100-foot-tall canopy within the Basilica.
AD 1626
The current-day St. Peter’s Basilica is consecrated.
AD 1656-1667
St. Peter’s Square is built.
2005
Pope John Paul II’s funeral takes place on April 8. While 300,000 crowded into St. Peter’s Square to participate, millions more from around the world watched the televised event.
Present Day
Nearly 10 million people visit St. Peter’s Basilica annually.
FAQs
Is St. Peter’s Basilica free?
Yes, entry to the Basilica is free to the public. However, paid tickets are needed for access to areas like the dome and Vatican Necropolis.
Can I attend mass at St. Peter’s Basilica?
Mass is free to the public. Simply show up before a scheduled mass time. While tickets are not required, you should leave time to get through the security checkpoint. Note that masses take place at multiple chapels and altars within the Basilica throughout the day.
How long should I plan to spend at St. Peter’s Basilica?
Plan for 1-2 hours to explore the Basilica itself. Add another 1-1.5 hours if you’re climbing the dome. Visiting the Vatican Grottoes adds 30-45 minutes.
Many visitors happily spend 3-5 hours when combining the Basilica with the dome climb and a thorough exploration of this magnificent church. Don’t rush—there’s so much to see!