St. Peter's Basilica
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More TicketsSt. Peter's Basilica Rome Tickets - Prices and Visitor Information
What is St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
- St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most important religious and architectural landmarks in the world.
- Sitting in the heart of Vatican City, the basilica was designed by masters including Michelangelo and Bernini.
- It is the largest church ever built and a must-visit attraction for anyone travelling to Rome.
- Visitors can enjoy Renaissance art, the famous dome, papal tombs, and incredible views over St. Peter’s Square.
Quick Information
- St. Peter's Basilica Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120, Citta del Vaticano, Vatican City
- Opening Hours: Daily from 07:00 - 19:00
- Do you need a ticket to enter St. Peter's Basilica? Basic entrance to the basilica is FREE, visitors do not need a ticket if they are happy to queue and wait. To climb the dome or to skip the queue, tickets are required.
- Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket: Queues for free entry can be hours long, especially during peak season. Visitors can buy tickets to skip-the-line with options to include dome access and a guided tour.
Is St. Peter's Basilica Worth Visiting?
Yes, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most impressive landmarks in Rome and offers a unique combination of art, history, and architecture.
It is worth visiting if you are interested in:
- Renaissance and Baroque art
- Iconic architecture and monumental interiors
- Vatican history and Catholic heritage
- Panoramic views of Rome from the dome
Even for non-religious visitors, the scale and artistry of the Basilica make it one of the most memorable attractions in Italy.
Best Time to Visit St. Peter’s Basilica
To avoid crowds and long waiting times:
- Best time of day: Early morning (before 9:00 AM)
- Quietest months: November to February
- Busiest months: April to October
- Avoid: Wednesdays (Papal Audience causes higher crowds)
What Visitors Can See at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
Inside St. Peter's Basilica visitors can see:
- Michelangelo’s Pietà: One of the most famous sculptures in the world
- Bernini’s Baldachin: A monumental bronze canopy above the altar
- The Papal Tombs: The resting place of many popes
- Artwork: Renaissance and Baroque artwork including pieces by Michelangelo and Bernini
- Interior: Massive interior capable of holding over 60,000 visitors
Dome Climb Ticket (St. Peter’s Dome)
Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Dome for the most iconic panoramic view of Rome.
- Access to the Basilica + Dome
- Climb 551 steps (or take lift part-way)
- Stunning views of Vatican City, Rome skyline, and the Colosseum
- Self-Guided Dome Climb Ticket
- Guided Tour Dome Climb Ticket
St. Peter's Basilica Ticket Options
Although entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, many visitors choose to book tickets to avoid long queues, access the dome, or join a guided tour. During peak season, waiting times for free entry can exceed 1–2 hours.
Which Ticket is Best?
• Best Budget Option: Free Entry - No ticket required
• Best Value: Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
• Best Experience: Guided Dome Climb Tour
• Best for Views: Dome Climb Ticket
About St. Peter's Basilica
The 'Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano' is in the heart of Vatican City.
It's actually the second basilica to stand on the site. The first one can be traced back to the 4th century, was commissioned by the then Emperor Constantine, was built on the burial site of St. Peter, who was one of Jesus's 12 apostles.
As the first basilica started to age, the current basilica was commissioned to replace it by Pope Julius II in 1506, and it was completed in 1615 under the direction of Paul V.
Sometimes referred to as 'New St. Peter's Basilica', it was given 'UNESCO World Heritage Site' status in 1984.
Although still a place of worship, it's also a symbol of the grandeur of Catholicism and attracts millions of pilgrims to Vatican City each year.
The church was designed by some of the greatest minds of the Renaissance period including Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo. Carlo Maderno was responsible for the façade, including the famous Corinthian columns that have stood proudly since the 17th century.
Inside The Basilica
Visitors can see the nave which is surrounded by the vast columns and the 'baldacchio' which is a huge canopy that marks the final resting place of St. Peter himself, beneath the basilica.
Visitors can also enjoy art inside the basilica, including pieces by Canova, Michelangelo and Bernini.
Michelangelo's 'Pieta' is inside. The famous sculpture of the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus, which is one of the most prized treasures of the basilica.
Visitors can see the 'Navicella', which is a mosaic attributed to Giotto, on the central nave floor. It portrays a ship, which represents the church, as it sails through stormy seas around the world.
The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica
Michelangelo designed the famous dome, which is one of the basilica's most recognisable features. However, it wasn't completed until after his death by Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana.
The dome stands at 136 meters (448 feet) in height and posed engineering challenges at the time.
Michelangelo's ingenious solution was to construct two domes instead of one, so it is actually a double dome, an inner and an outer dome, which made it more stable.
There are 550 steps that take visitors to the top and it offers incredible views of Rome.
Visitors that climb the dome can see intricate mosaics that tell stories about the history of the church and life. At the top, it offers views of the city landmarks including St. Peter's Square and Vatican Gardens, the Colosseum, Pantheon and Castel Sant'Angelo.
Vatican Grottos
Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica lie the Vatican Grottos, a sacred underground area containing the tombs of more than 90 popes, including Pope John Paul II.
This is one of the most historically significant burial sites in Christianity.
Book St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets
Visitors wanting to avoid long queues or climb the famous dome can pre-book skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and dome climb experiences online in advance.
St Peter's Basilica
More TicketsUseful Information About St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
How To Get There
- St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120, Citta del Vaticano, Vatican City
St. Peter's Basilica Opening Hours
- Saturday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Sunday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Monday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Tuesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Wednesday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Thursday: 07:00 - 19:00
- Friday: 07:00 - 19:00
St Peter's Basilica
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FAQ
Yes, it offers one of the best panoramic views in Rome and is one of the top Vatican experiences.
Around 1–2 hours for the Basilica. Add 1 extra hour if climbing the Dome.
Yes, entry is free. Tickets are only required for skip-the-line access, guided tours, or the Dome climb.
Just be respectful and remember it is a church, so clothes that cover the shoulders and knees.
St. Peter's Basilica is not part of the Vatican Museums, no.
This is a really good question, but no you don't. Passports are not required to enter or exit Vatican City.
No. You don't actually need a ticket to enter St. Peter's Basilica. However, the queue for entry without tickets can be long and we mean LONG! Waiting times are usually over an hour. Whereas if you purchase a skip the line guided tour ticket you can actually go to the special entry point avoiding that queue and you will also learn a lot more as part of the tour!
St. Peter's Basilica is located inside Vatican City.
