I visited St. Peter's on a Saturday afternoon in August and the line was only 20 minutes long, including security checks. The interior is magnificent, with various chapels offering a place for prayer. Definitely pay special attention to the ceilings and columns. Their gift shop had a nice selection of souvenirs and gifts to bring home.

It appears that the dress code is relaxed somewhat during the summer. I wore long pants, but security guards seemed to allow shorts as long as they came close to the knee. I wish I knew this in advance. Ladies who plan to wear tank tops, make sure to bring a scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders. There are numerous vendors selling them near the entrance.

I was more mesmerized by this massive structure from the outside more than the inside. It’s simply an incredible achievement. The courtyard is mesmerizing with the columns and fountains. The building itself is massive and so impressive! Inside, I got lost in the crazy amount of paintings on the walls and ceilings, but the sheer size of the space inside is ridiculously huge. The only weird part is the tomb of the popes which was kind of creepy...but besides that, amazing! Also, the security lines go by pretty quickly. Try to go when it’s not so hot in the year for a better experience.

The interior is breathtaking. Definitely a must-see for the ceiling alone. You could spend anywhere from 15 minutes to almost a hour here.