St. Peter’s Basilica Rome (Vatican) – Tickets and Comprehensive Guide
St. Peter’s Basilica Rome (Vatican) – Tickets and Comprehensive Guide
All you need to know to visit the Basilica di San Pietro
St. Peter’s Basilica is a church in Rome, known to be the largest Renaissance church in the world.
Located in the Vatican City, the church is known for its religious significance and importance for Catholicism. The Catholic tradition says that the church was built on the burial site of Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles.
St. Peter’s Basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its iconic dome structure can be seen across the skyline in Rome, attracting millions of visitors and devout Catholics each year.
In this article you will find everything you need to know to plan your visit.
St. Peter’s Basilica Rome – General Information |
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Location |
Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City |
Opening Times |
From 1st April to 30th September: 7:00AM – 7:00PM. |
Entry and Tickets |
St. Peter’s Basilica is free to visit. However, between 40,000 and 50,000 people visit the Vatican church every day so you will be queuing for over an hour. Top Tip to Skip the Long Line » To guarantee fast-access you can either visit it very early in the morning (07:00AM) or book a guided tour of the Vatican Museums that includes access to the Basilica through an internal passageway. You can check out some other combined options with guided tours below. |
Table of Contents
Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome (Vatican City)
St. Peter’s Basilica is free to visit. However, the queues to enter can get very long, especially during peak season. I can tell you queuing in Via della Conciliazione for hours is no fun during the hot summer months.
To avoid this there is a couple of things you can do – either get up very early and be there even before they open their doors at 7:00AM or book a guided tour for the Vatican Museums that includes access to St. Peter’s Basilica through an internal passageway.
I would say you need at least 1 hour to fully enjoy the interior of the Basilica. If you also plan to climb the dome or explore the grottoes, you should allocate 2 to 3 hours for your visit. Please note that you need to pre-book your tickets for these two visits.
St. Peter’s has toilet facilities right before you go up the steps to clim the dome so spending the full morning or afternoon there shouldn’t be a problem.
St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican) Rome Tickets and Tours |
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There are a variety of options and ticket deals depending on your interests and how much time you plan to spend on each. Here is my top-rated selection of all the options:
Fast-Access Ticket with Guided Tour for St. Peter’s Basilica only:Fast-Access Ticket with Guided Tour, including the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel:Pro Tip » If you are also planning to visit other landmarks, such as the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo and Pantheon, you may want to consider booking the Rome Tourist Card to save some time and money. If you are planning your trip around the Vatican City only, I recommend you booking The Vatican City Pass as it includes all of its famous landmarks. BUY THE VATICAN CITY PASSIf you need more information, have a look at the comprehensive comparison of the Rome City Passes. |
What to see in St. Peter’s Basilica
Here are some of the main things you can’t miss when visiting:
St. Peter’s Basilica Façade
Designed primarily by Carlo Maderno, this masterpiece features grand Corinthian columns, 13 sculpted statues of Christ and the Apostles, and numerous fine details. The façade is almost 115 meters wide and 45 metres high.
The Dome
Designed by the great Michelangelo, it is one of the most iconic features of Rome’s skyline today. The design was based on the dome of the Pantheon.
The dome’s diameter is approximately 41 metres, and it stands 136 metres high, which makes it the tallest dome in the world. Its interior is adorned with mosaics.
Tourists can climb 550 steps to get unforgettable panoramic views of the Vatican City and Rome.
St. Peter’s Baldacchino
The Baldacchino is a 29-metre-tall bronze canopy located over the main altar and the tomb of St. Peter, beneath the dome. It was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Pietà
The Pietà is a breathtaking sculpture by Michelangelo, located to the right as you enter St. Peter’s Basilica. The sculpture portrays the body of Jesus Christ on the lap of his mother Mary just after His Crucifixion.
Vatican Grottoes
The Grottoes are located beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, and consist of a series of underground chambers and chapels. They also include the tombs of previous popes throughout history, including the most recent ones. You can visit it as part of a guided tour only.
Vatican Necropolis
The Necropolis is a Roman cemetery located under the Vatican grottoes. It is believed that the Apostle St. Peter rests here. It is accessible with the Scavi Tour which is limited to a maximum of 250 people each day.
History of St. Peter’s Basilica
The initial construction of St. Peter’s Basilica was designed to replace the old basilica that was built by Roman emperor Constantine the Great in the fourth century. Building began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. Numerous artists such as Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, and Carlo Maderno helped contribute to its design.
Contrary to popular misconception, St. Peter’s Basilica is not actually a cathedral. It is formally known as a place for pilgrimage and for liturgical/religious functions that are often presided by the Pope who can draw live audiences for more than 80,000 people.
You can reach the basilica via St. Peter’s Square, or Piazza di San Pietro, where the Pope hosts the very popular ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessings at Easter and Christmas.
St Peter’s Square is considered one of the largest squares in the world at over 300m in length and 250m wide. The square was designed by the Italian sculptor Bernini after being commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, and building was completed between 1656 and 1667.
Every Wednesday there is a service in the square performed by the Pope. If you would like to attend this audience with the Pope, you can find more information and tickets for the Papal audience.
You can find more information on the official website.
Location of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and How to Get There
You can reach Vatican City by foot with only a 20 minutes walk from Piazza Navona, right in the heart of Rome’s city centre.
St. Peter’s Basilica is also easily accessible by public transport as it is situated at the north of the city centre of Rome. You can use any of the following options:
For detailed information about prices and travel passes, visit my Rome public transportation guide.
You will also be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica if you have decided to book a Hop-on Hop-off bus in Rome as there is a stop nearby.
FAQs
Is there a dress code in St. Peter’s Basilica?
Yes – as in any church in Italy, you are required to wear appropriate clothing in the Vatican church to be granted access, including covering shoulders and knees.
Do I need to buy tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica?
No, St. Peter’s Basilica is free to visit. However, between 40,000 and 50,000 people visit the Vatican church every day so you will be queuing for a long time.
How can I skip the line at St. Peter’s Basilica?
The best way to skip the line is to opt for a guided tour or to visit very early in the morning (7:00AM).
Can I see the Pope in Vatican City?
There is an audience with the Pope every Wednesday at St. Peter’s Square. You can get your tickets to see the Pope in person here.
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