Why St. Peter's Square is the place to start
St. Peter's Square is the front door of the Vatican. Bernini designed the oval piazza in the 17th century, with two sweeping colonnades that seem to embrace every visitor, an ancient Egyptian obelisk at the centre and a fountain on each side.
Everything you came for starts here: St. Peter's Basilica with Michelangelo's dome and Pietà, the papal audience on Wednesday mornings, and a short walk away, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel. The square itself is free and open to everyone.
Top things to see at the Vatican
From the dome terrace to the Sistine Chapel ceiling, these are the experiences most worth planning around.
St. Peter's Basilica
The largest church in Christendom, with Bernini's baldachin and the tomb of St. Peter below.
Climb the dome
Michelangelo's dome rewards the climb with the best view over the square and Rome.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Raphael's rooms, the map gallery and Michelangelo's ceiling – book ahead to skip the line.
Michelangelo's Pietà
Carved when Michelangelo was in his twenties, just inside the basilica entrance.
The Swiss Guard
The world's oldest standing army still guards the Pope in Renaissance-style uniforms.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Hadrian's mausoleum turned papal fortress, linked to the Vatican by a secret passage.
Our picks: Vatican tickets and tours
A ticket for the museums, a guided tour of the highlights and the best-value way up the dome.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and basilica tour
A small-group tour through the museums to the Sistine Chapel, continuing into St. Peter's Basilica.
Check availability →Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel ticket
Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without a guide. Costs more than the official €25 booking, but useful when official slots are gone.
Check availability →St. Peter's Basilica, dome climb and underground tour
A guided visit of the basilica and the grottoes below, plus the climb to the top of Michelangelo's dome.
Check availability →The best Vatican tours and tickets
Skip-the-line tickets, early-entry tours and dome climbs with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit to St. Peter's Square
The practical details that decide whether you spend your morning inside – or in the queue.
Getting there
The nearest metro stop is Ottaviano on Line A, about ten minutes on foot. Buses and taxis stop close to the colonnade.
How to get to St. Peter's Square →Dress code
Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the basilica and the Vatican Museums. Security staff do turn visitors away.
Vatican dress code →Opening hours
The square is open to everyone, the basilica daily from 7 am to 8 pm. On Wednesday audience mornings, access is slower.
Opening hours →Papal audience
On most Wednesdays the Pope holds a general audience in the square. Tickets are free but must be requested in advance.
Papal audience guide →More independent Rome guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one part of a Rome trip.
Rome in One Day
A realistic one-day route with the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Trastevere.
Roman Forum
The Forum and the Palatine in depth: tickets, route, temples and history.
Piazza Navona
The baroque square: Bernini's fountain, the stadium below and the lanes around it.
Spanish Steps
The steps, Piazza di Spagna, the sitting rules and the walk to Trevi.
Vatican Museums
Tickets, hours, the Sistine Chapel and a route through the museums.
Visiting St. Peter's Square: your questions answered
Is St. Peter's Square free to visit?
Yes. The square and St. Peter's Basilica are free. You pay only for the dome climb, the Vatican Museums or guided and priority-access tours.
Are St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums the same?
No. They have separate entrances. The basilica is on the square, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel are entered from the Vatican walls, a short walk away. Some guided tours combine both.
What should I wear to the Vatican?
Cover your shoulders and knees. Hats should come off inside the basilica. A light scarf is an easy fix in summer.
How long do you need at St. Peter's?
Plan one to two hours for the square, basilica and dome, and three hours for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.