See Michelangelo's "Pieta", impressive architecture, and more in the heart of the Vatican!
27 options • from $7.03
+ 1 other top thing to do
Combine St. Peter's Basilica with other Rome favorites. Some things are better together.
This service is the easiest way to secure St Peter's Basilica skip-the-line tickets.
A host will meet you at an agreed spot near the Basilica. You receive a short introduction about where to go and what to expect. Your host will then walk you straight to a dedicated, faster-moving entrance.
This option lets you bypass the long public security queue and enter the Basilica much quicker.
Keep in mind, this is a service focused on priority security entry, not a paid entry ticket for St. Peter’s Basilica itself.
Best for: Independent travelers who value their time and want a guaranteed, hassle-free entry without a full guided tour.
This option gives you more than just fast track entry. With a St Peter's basilica guided tour, you join a small group led by an expert art historian or a Vatican-accredited guide.
Your guide tells the story behind the Basilica, its architecture, and the art inside. You will see important details and artwork often missed by the casual visitor.
Many St Peter’s Basilica tours also offer the chance to add St. Peter's Basilica Dome tickets for an extra fee, letting you visit the famous dome with your guide.
Best for: first-time visitors and anyone who wants to truly appreciate the history and artistry of this monumental building.
This is the ultimate time-saving package - with a combined ticket, you start with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums.
After exploring the museums and the Sistine Chapel, your guide will lead you through a special, direct passage right into St. Peter's Basilica. This secret door lets you skip the security line in St. Peter's Square completely.
Best for: visitors who plan to see both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica on the same day.
This is a multi-day sightseeing pass designed for those who want to see as much of Rome as possible.
Passes like the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card, and similar passes, often include priority entry to St. Peter's Basilica. You also get fast-track tickets to the Vatican Museums and key spots like the Colosseum.
Best for: first-time visitors to Rome who want a comprehensive pass to cover all the major highlights of both the Vatican and the ancient city.
The Dome is one of the main draws for visitors. This climb has two parts. First, take the elevator up to the terrace level. Here, you get a dramatic view looking down into the Basilica’s nave and see the intricate mosaics up close.
The next stage is more demanding. You climb 320 steps up a narrow, spiraling staircase along the inside of the dome itself. Finally, you step out onto the outdoor viewing platform. From here, you get the best 360° view of Rome – St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Gardens, and the city spread out below.
Why It's a Must-See: it is the highest viewpoint in central Rome, offering an unforgettable 360° perspective over St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Gardens, and the entire city.
Ticket Access: the Dome climb is a separate, ticketed activity and is not included in the free Basilica entry. Many guided tours offer the Dome climb as an add-on.
Michelangelo crafted the Pietà when he was only 24 years old.
Located in the first chapel on your right as you enter, this piece shows the Virgin Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus. The faces, hands, and flowing robes look almost real–carved with extraordinary skill from a single block of marble.
Today, the Pietà is protected behind bulletproof glass, but you can still see the raw emotion and flawless workmanship that have made it one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world.
Why It's a Must-See: it is one of the most famous and moving sculptures ever created and a pinnacle of Renaissance art.
In the center of the Basilica, you will find a 95-foot-tall bronze canopy–called the Baldacchino, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
This massive structure stands over the main altar, with four twisting Solomonic columns supporting the canopy above.
The Baldacchino sits directly above the tomb of St. Peter, linking the present church to its ancient roots. Its grand size and intricate design dominate the central space and draw your eyes upward.
Why It's a Must-See: it is the visual centerpiece of the Basilica's interior, a masterpiece of Baroque art and engineering that defines the space.
If you go below the main floor, you'll reach the Vatican Grottoes. Here, you walk among the tombs of 91 popes, set in chapels and passages beneath the Basilica.
This underground level leads toward the Scavi, the ancient necropolis and the site known as the Tomb of St. Peter and the point from which the Basilica was built.
Why It's a Must-See: the Grottoes offer a direct connection to the long history of the papacy and the birth of the church itself.
St. Peter's Basilica is open from 7:00 to 19:10 year-round, both in summer and winter.
The Dome opens from 7:30 to 17:00 in winter (late October to late March) and from 7:00 to 18:00 in summer (late March to late October).
Guided visits are available Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 17:30 (last entry 17:00), and on Sundays and Vatican holidays from 13:30 to 15:30 (last entry 15:00).
Hours for both the Basilica and the Dome can change at short notice if there is a papal ceremony or special event. Always check the official Vatican website before your visit, as unexpected closures are common.
The easiest way to get to the Basilica is by Rome Metro. Take Metro Line A to Ottaviano–San Pietro station, and walk 10 minutes along Via Ottaviano and Via di Porta Angelica to St. Peter’s Square.
You can also take a bus:
There is a strictly enforced dress code as this is a place of worship.
A modest dress code is non-negotiable for entry. Both men and women must have their shoulders and knees completely covered.
Prohibited items: No shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, or low-cut shirts. Hats must be removed before entering.
Visitors who do not comply will be denied entry, even with a skip-the-line ticket.
To avoid long lines at St. Peter’s Basilica, arrive before 7 a.m. for opening, visit on a weekday (Tues–Thurs), book a guided tour with a Basilica shortcut, or reserve a timed entry slot online least three days ahead.
For the shortest wait, get to security by 6:30–6:40 or visit after 16:00. when crowds thin out. Early and late visits both offer much shorter lines.
You can visit St. Peter’s Basilica for free without a ticket, but you must pass through airport-style security, which often means long lines.
Booking a timed entry slot online gives you access to a much shorter, dedicated line. Climbing the Dome or accessing special areas requires a paid ticket.
You can buy tickets online for St. Peter’s Basilica to reserve a timed entry and access the Dome, though general Basilica entry itself is free, but comes with long security lines.
Online booking lets you use a faster queue and often includes a digital audio guide for a fee.
Dome visits require a separate ticket, which you can bundle with your online reservation or buy on-site, though booking ahead is better.
Even with a reservation, plan to arrive early to account for security checks, which can still take 45 minutes or more.
Walking around St. Peter’s Basilica typically takes 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how much you want to see.
Add extra time for security lines, which can be lengthy.
If you plan to climb the Dome or visit the Vatican Grottoes, allow another 1–2 hours.
Climbing St. Peter’s Dome gives you unmatched views of Rome and a close look at the basilica’s mosaics, but the narrow, steep stairs can be tough, especially if you dislike tight spaces or heights.
The lift only covers part of the way, so you’ll still need to handle the final 320 challenging steps. This climb is best for those in decent shape who want both city views and a unique vantage point inside the Basilica.
You can’t skip security completely at St. Peter’s Basilica, but booking a timed entry slot or choosing a guided tour/combo ticket can drastically cut your wait.
Timed reservations give you access to a much shorter, designated line, and Dome tickets bought online can use the same express entry.
Guided tours from the Vatican Museums often use a private passage, letting you avoid the main security queue.
Arriving right at opening or late afternoon also helps reduce wait times if you don’t book ahead.
A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica usually takes 1 to 2 hours, but you can rush through highlights in 45–60 minutes or spend 3+ hours if you add the Dome climb and Grottoes.
Security and Dome lines vary, so it helps to arrive early. Expect about 45 minutes to 1 hour for a quick look at main sights, 1 to 2 hours for a thorough visit, and an extra 1 to 2 hours if you include the Dome. Visiting the Grottoes will require even more time.
St. Peter’s Basilica requires you to cover your shoulders and knees. No sleeveless tops, low-cut shirts, short skirts, or shorts above the knee are allowed, and hats must be removed.
Security strictly enforces this dress code, and you’ll be turned away if not appropriately dressed.
Wear tops that cover your shoulders and chest, and bottoms that reach below the knee; lightweight fabrics are better for comfort.
Tip: Bring a scarf or light cover-up with you
With an architectural design team consisting of Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter's Basilica is widely considered to be the ultimate example of Renaissance architecture.
Due to its immaculate Renaissance architecture, as well as being the purported location of the remains of St. Peter himself, the basilica is one of the most sacred sites in all of Catholicism. Even if you're not a practicing Catholic, there's simply no denying the jaw-dropping grandeur of this monumental building.
Booking tickets in advance for St. Peter’s Basilica, especially for the Dome climb, is highly recommended if you want to skip long security lines, guarantee your entry time, and avoid waiting hours, particularly during busy periods or special events like the Jubilee.
While Basilica entry is free, you still have to go through security, which can mean long lines without a reservation.
Dome access or audioguides require paid tickets, and booking these online helps you better manage your visit. Buying ahead is the best way to secure a spot and maximize your time.
Arriving early (around 7:30 AM) lets you buy a same-day ticket if you’re prepared to wait.
The Renaissance-era St Peter's Basilica is one of the largest churches in the world (and the home-church of the Pope). Highlights include the dome (the biggest in the world), Bernini's Baldacchino (the centerpiece of the church), and Michelangelo's Pietà (the only artwork he ever signed).
For both the pious and the casual visitor, a trip to St. Peter's is an awe-inspiring trip into the heart of Vatican City.
