St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica
5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksChurches & Cathedrals
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
About
Arguably one of the finest Cathedrals in the entire world, St. Peter's is the spiritual center of the Vatican and the product of many of Italy's great Renaissance's architects, among them Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo.
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The area

Address
Neighborhood: Vatican / Borgo
Frocked priests, colorful Swiss Guards, insistent souvenir shop owners, flag-waving tour guides, and pilgrims from around the world. This is the Vatican and Borgo, Rome's most recognized neighborhood which acts as Vatican City's front yard. Aside from the souvenir boutiques and a few food spots, the only business conducted here is papal. In the daytime, the tiny medieval sector bustles with holy activity, as visitors vie for elbow room, or stand in line for a visit. Once the sun sets, the neighborhood is transformed into a quiet and picturesque hamlet.
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See what travelers are saying

  • ThebestofKendell
    Denver, Colorado518 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mesmorizing
    In the beginning of December we still had to wait in quite the line. We went around 2 and the line was pretty far down the plaza. Despite this, it moved fast and we got through in about 20 minutes and it is absolutely worth the wait as it’s incredibly unique and beautiful.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 15, 2024
  • Heiata
    265 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow!
    Although we expected it, when we arrived at the square it was wow! Then, we're a little disillusioned when we see the queue, but don't worry, it moves quickly, 30 minutes for us. Everything is gigantic, magnificent and very well maintained. Lots to see. A must-visit, plus it's free.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 22, 2024
  • Veve M
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not to miss
    The most impressive and magnificent religious building visited and free... No crowd feeling inside, you can wander around peacefully. 45min queue one October evening at 5pm. Day and night view on the same magnificent day
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 25, 2024
  • angeleyes27
    Brigantine, New Jersey5,363 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of most beautiful cathedrals in the world
    This place is magnificent. I have been here 3 times, 1st in 1985, then 2013, then 2023. This year when we went, you had to go through metal detectors. We saw the Pope in St Peter's Square and it was a nice ceremony. When we went inside the Cathedral, we went later in the afternoon without reservations and it didn't take long to go inside. No bare shoulders are permitted and no short shorts. Inside is truly beautiful, a work of art. The riches are stunning. Really an awe inspiring place. A must see.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 25, 2024
  • sarah l
    Paris, France287 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    Absolutely magnificent basilica to visit! It is also a must-see in Rome. There is a long queue to enter this basilica for free which can seem daunting. We waited 40 minutes and the line was half the length of St. Peter's Square. This is the queue for the security check which moves quite quickly. There is a fee to visit the dome.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 2, 2024
  • JenK105
    Dublin, Ireland314 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just beautiful
    A must see when visiting Rome. There was a long queue which is caused by the security but once inside the Basilica is very beautiful and calm. Mass was being said in one of the side chapels when we were there as well as confessions and a beautiful prayer area. Staff were so kind and friendly.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 4, 2024
  • Martin Štyks
    Prague, Czech Republic14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience
    A must visit place in Rome. Entrance is free but the queues can be very long. Best way to avoid it is to go early in the morning (8 am) - we waited only about 10 minutes (March). Do not take any guided tours if you are not interested in detailed descriptions of paintings and sculptures, you can easily wander around the basilica on your own and access the rooftop and the dome for just 8 euros (definitely worth it).
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 6, 2024
  • sarpor
    288 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    The queue to get in was long, but it moved quickly and you have the beautiful view of the square whilst you wait. You have to go through security before you enter but this doesn’t take long. The architecture, sculptures and ambience is unreal. Very peaceful and awe inspiring at the same time. Was able to go down into the crypt too and see where the popes had been buried.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written March 7, 2024
  • GIOTA_ANA
    Kalamata, Greece20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The top attraction!
    You must have booked a ticket at least three weeks in advance if you want to choose the time that suits you! In the Vatican I think it was the top attraction. No need to get a tour guide. If you were to ask me now, I would suggest visiting St. Peter's Basilica and if you have money and time to spare then put the rest on the schedule! For me, visit the Palatine Hill Arena and St. Peter's Basilica and you are complete!
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written March 18, 2024
  • Pedro Monardes
    Vina del Mar, Chile93 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    peak of culture
    I went to Vatican City on a Sunday. Lots of people to enter St. Peter's Basilica, but the line moves very quickly. The interior of the temple is really impressive. For me it has a predominant place from an artistic and cultural point of view, however, I understand that for believers it must be a different experience and with a different value. The amount of works of art, from floor to ceiling, vaults, columns, sculptures, frescoes, mosaics and stained glass, everything is a peak in human culture. Safety pin.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN7,863 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Visiting St Peter's Basilica is an extraordinary experience and is a highlight of a visit to Rome. Not only is the interior of the Basilica beautiful but the sheer size of the cathedral leaves you awestruck. The highlights include viewing Bernini's stunning altar with its bronze baroque canopy and dove window in the apse and viewing Michelangelo's Pieta. It is also well worth making the climb to the top of the dome. This is a strenuous endeavor but is so worth the time and effort as the views from the top are spectacular especially if it is a sunny day. It is free to enter the Basilica but there is a 10 Euro charge to make the climb. An elevator takes you to the roof avoiding the first 231 steps. However, you must then climb 323 steps to get to the top of the dome. St Peter's can get overwhelmed with tourists. It is essential to arrive early in the morning. You first need to go through a security check and a huge line starts forming on St Peter's Square after 9am. Once through security, I would recommend doing the dome climb first as a separate slow moving line forms for it. The dome was open as early as 730am when we visited in November. Plan for 1 hour to complete the dome climb including waiting in lines and another 1 hour to tour the interior of St Peter's. Remember that appropriate dress is required. No shorts or bare shoulders. If visiting on a Sunday, time your visit so that you are still around at noon as the Pope will usually appear at his residence window overlooking St Peter's Square and give a blessing to the crowd below. This was pretty special.
Written December 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gian Luca Mannu
Sassari, Italy8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Advice for those who want to visit it: Don't go after 10am otherwise you risk queuing for hours and hours. Inside it is immense. Frescoes and statues everywhere. All of them are of unique beauty, to say the least. Michelangelo's pieta is beautiful. Going down the stairs you accesses the tombs of the popes. Sacred place where photographs cannot be taken. To climb the dome there are 2 possibilities: only on foot (more than 500 steps) at a cost of 6 euros, or for 8 euros take the lift which does not reach the top and continue on foot (a short more than 300 steps). The route is narrow and non-linear. I do not recommend it to those who suffer from heart problems, claustrophobia and anxiety. Once you reach the top there is a unique view.
Google
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

valerie h
vandieres152 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
First info, you can not visit the Basilica in tank top or shorts, but no need to provide long clothes, especially if you go there in July or August, they give some kind of sheets to cover you.
We took a guided tour by get your Guide and really I recommend it, it will allow you to have all the explanations and if, as we are fortunate to have Frederico as Guide then you will have won everything. In July at 10am we queued for 35 minutes, there is no longer a queue at the moment. But if you do the Sistine Chapel before the basilica you will have the option not to queue for the basilica.
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Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jshtyo
Aichi Prefecture, Japan15,729 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Solo
Located in Vatican City, it is the headquarters of the Catholic Church, so there are always many visitors from all over the world. For that reason, it is always crowded with people. If you want to visit on the day, you will have to wait in line, but if you make a reservation in advance, you can visit at your own pace without having to wait in line, so we recommend making a reservation in advance.
Google
Written November 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jktrock
Baumholder, Germany1,804 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Family
Not going to write about the history and the breathtaking beauty of the cathedral, that goes without saying, obviously. But just a few tips:
We got there early, around 9:30am on a Friday in November. You don’t have to pay to enter the cathedral, but you do have to go through security check, like at an airport. That can take some time. We waited around 15 minutes. As you face the security booths, don’t line up for the one in the very right. This is the one that moves the slowest as the security guards add people to this line who skip the wait (attending the mass, pregnant or with little children. More about that later).
We used Rick Steve’s’ Pocket guide to Rome to guide us through the cathedral and it was more than enough to learn about the major highlights.
The gift shop is located to the left all the way in the back. There are also shops as you exit the cathedral on your right. Items are different. The Holy Water bottles are only sold inside the cathedral. You can also get them blessed. There are quite a few chapels inside that you can attend for a prayer or a mass. No photos or touristy stuff when you do that and the guards are very strict and vigilant about that.
We came back at 4:30ish pm to attend a mass. The line to get through security was much longer than in the morning. However, you can tell the guards you are here for the mass and they’ll let you cut the line (you’ll still have to pass the security, they’ll just let you go ahead of everyone else). You can also cut the line if you are pregnant, I’ve seen people do that. We attended the mass in Italian an also did the confession (they offer that in English as well):
The restrooms are to the right when you exit the cathedral. They are free.
Written January 20, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Claire H
5 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
The Vatican needs to move to a structured reservation only plan for their properties. The weather was very hot and there were thousands of people in the square waiting in the hot sun to get into the Basilica. There were elderly and very young children obviously getting over heated and feeling poorly due to the long lines and wait. Once inside the area was so crowded, what should have been a spiritual experience was completely ruined by overcrowding and pushing from behind. The security staff had very short tempers.....I don't blame them......and if there were an emergency it would have been a disaster making one's way out or into the building. I opted out of the Sistine Chapel after having such a negative experience in the Basilica. My traveling partners said it was the same in the Sistine Chapel as security was pushing thousands of people through the area. This is all so unnecessary in view of the fact that limiting the number of people via a reservation system could enhance the experience of all. I would not go back and FYI you can get a fairly good idea of what you are missing via videos without the discomfort and huge crowds,
Written December 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Getaway Explore
Perth, Australia114 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
We booked with Headout a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, Square, and Papal Tombs Guided Tour for 28th March at 3.30 pm. It was our second visit to Rome. On this visit we wanted a tour of St Peter's to get more of the history of St Peter's plus the artworks, sculptures. The guide was meeting many people from all the different tour companies, it was a large group. We waited in line for almost an hour. At the very first sculpture the guide was approached by security and removed from the basilica. The large tour group was of course obstructing tourists not on a tour from seeing anything. tour was immediately over, headsets returned, no tour, no history of the Basilica. We very rarely book tours like this as we normally book the official guided tour with the venue, but there is not one for St Peter's. Having come from Australia it was very disappointing, like most holidays you have limited days and time to experience things. We did return the following morning at 7 am to climb the duomo. Advice be very careful with tour companies and enquire how many will be in your group.
Written June 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mouseRD
404 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
Came with my husband- waited in line for 2 hours and went through security. At this point , I started following people to where I thought was the entrance but it was acutely toward the exit! I would need to walk literally 20 feet to get back to where I need to be but polizia will not let me and directed me to the back of the line! My husband did not make that mistake after going through security (we got separated by a bunch of family members with children that decided to go through security right after me) and is inside the Basilica right now while I am outside looking at the front still. I am so angry that there was no signage or any person to direct us and feel like I just wasted my whole morning. Rome has been a bit frustrating since we keep getting lost despite maps and Google maps. My husband is enjoying himself more than me. If we ever come back, Il will pay to go on a tour just like we did for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel the day we arrived (3 days ago)- unable to do St Peter’s then as we were on an evening tour and it was closed.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keith C
United Kingdom93 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
I was looking forward to this visit for so long that my expectations were through the roof high and WOW sooo much better than I expected.
Blown away by everything. We even had the opportunity to go the confession but sadly this week the masses were only said in Italian.
We did not get to see the Pope as he was away.(we knew he was not about this week so we were not surprised)
Entrance is FREE and queues move fairly quick.
Females have to cover shoulders but shorts are okay(on men anyway)
We did the audio tour and Vatican museums and Sistine chapel and it took us 8 hours(no lunch stop)but it seemed to go quite quickly
The only downsides were firstly at the Sistine chapel room it was very rushed by the staff to keep people moving and then at the Basilica the shops sold holy water BUT these souvenir bottles said Lourdes on them and so we didn’t buy any..
Would I go again … YES
Written July 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brad
Hong Kong, China181,140 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
This is one of the four Papal Basilica's around Rome. St. Peter's forms part of the Vatican complex and residence for the Pope and as such is probably the most important church in the Catholic World today. It is also an immensely popular place to visit, meaning queues to enter can be quite long. Thus planning your day of sightseeing around St. Peter's can be wise. Opening hours are 7am to 7pm daily.

St. Peter's Basilica was built between 1506 and 1626 and was graced by the hands and minds of Italy's finest architects during those times including Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Bernini amongst others. It is both a Renaissance and Baroque masterpiece of enormous scale including the massive dome which can be seen from various vantage points throughout Rome.

There are many highlights, far too many to mention all. The exterior facade is worth spending time to enjoy. The interior includes masterpiece mosaic artworks and sculptures including Michelangelo's Pietra, Bernini's tombs of Pope Urban VIII and Pope Alexander VII, Baldacchino, the ancient St. Peter Enthroned monument. You can learn about the various monuments within St. Peter's on the church website.

The St. Peter's website is also the place to pick up information about various mass services, Papal audience attendance as well as information related to the upcoming 2025 Jubilee year which will see the Holy Door opened for the first time in 25 years a part of the Jubilee celebrations.
Written May 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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St. Peter's Basilica - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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