St. Peter's Basilica at a glance
St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in Christendom and the heart of Vatican City. It stands over the traditional burial place of the Apostle Peter, and its interior holds some of the most famous works of the Renaissance and Baroque: Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's bronze baldachin and, high above it all, Michelangelo's dome.
Visiting the basilica is free. You do not need a ticket for the church itself, only for the dome climb, the Treasury Museum and guided or priority-access tours. What you do need is time for the security check under the colonnade, which can take anything from a few minutes to well over an hour.
Opening hours and the best time to visit
Since 1 June 2026, St. Peter's Basilica is open every day from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Last entry is allowed until about 7:15 pm, depending on how long the security queue is at that moment. Liturgical celebrations and papal events can close parts of the church or the whole basilica at short notice, so check the official calendar if your date coincides with a major feast.
The quietest window is the first hour after opening. Between roughly 10 am and 2 pm, tour groups from the Vatican Museums arrive and the line under the right-hand colonnade grows fast. Late afternoon is the second-best option, especially in summer when the light on the façade is warm and the square is less crowded.
On Wednesday mornings the Pope usually holds the general audience in St. Peter's Square. The square fills with seating and pilgrims, and visiting the basilica before midday becomes slower. If Wednesday is your only day, go in the afternoon or combine it with the papal audience itself.
See all times for the basilica, dome and museums on our opening hours page.
What to see inside St. Peter's Basilica
The church is so large that it is easy to walk past its greatest treasures. These are the stops worth finding.
Michelangelo's Pietà
Immediately to the right of the entrance, behind protective glass. Michelangelo carved it in his early twenties, and it is the only work he ever signed.
More about the Pietà →Bernini's baldachin
The bronze canopy above the papal altar rises almost 30 metres, framed by four twisted columns. Directly below lies the area of St. Peter's tomb.
The Chair of St. Peter
At the far end of the apse, Bernini's gilded Cathedra Petri glows under a window with the dove of the Holy Spirit. It looks best in the afternoon light.
The Vatican Grottoes
Below the main floor are the tombs of many popes, including John Paul II's original resting place. Access is usually included in your basilica visit.
Papal tombs guide →Climbing the dome: stairs or lift?
The view from Michelangelo's dome is the best in Rome: the whole of St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Gardens and the rooftops of the city. Halfway up you also walk around the inside of the dome, high above the papal altar.
Dome tickets are sold through the basilica's official booking site and, since May 2026, are subject to availability. Both options include entry to the basilica with a digital audio guide. Your basilica time slot is set automatically one hour before or after your dome time.
Even with the lift, the last stretch is narrow, steep and slanted. If you have mobility issues, a heart condition or claustrophobia, enjoy the terrace and skip the final climb. More detail in our dome climbing guide.
Our picks: St. Peter's Basilica tours
Entry to the basilica is free. These tours add a guide, the dome or the papal tombs.
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.
St. Peter's Basilica tour with dome and crypt
A guided basilica tour with access to the dome and the crypt.
Check availability →Basilica, dome climb and papal tombs tour
Basilica, dome climb and papal tombs with a guide, for little more than the official dome ticket.
Check availability →
St. Peter's Basilica, Pietà and papal tombs tour
A guided visit of the nave, Michelangelo's Pietà and the papal tombs in the grottoes.
Check availability →St. Peter's Basilica tours and dome tickets
Guided basilica tours, priority dome access and combo tours with the Vatican Museums, with live prices and availability.
Do you need a ticket or a guided tour?
For the church alone, no. You can join the free security line and walk in. For €7, the official website also sells a timed entry with a digital audio guide, which uses a separate entrance for online bookings. Beyond that, a ticket makes sense in three situations:
- You want to climb the dome. Book it online in advance, especially from spring to autumn.
- You want the stories behind the art. A guide turns a walk through a huge church into a visit you remember. Our guide to basilica tickets compares the options.
- You are also visiting the Vatican Museums. Many guided tours end in the Sistine Chapel and continue straight into the basilica, which saves the walk around the Vatican walls and a second queue. See our Vatican tours guide.
Want to go deeper? The Scavi tour takes small groups into the necropolis under the basilica to the site of St. Peter's tomb. It is booked directly with the Vatican's Excavations Office and sells out weeks ahead.
Before you go: practical tips
Small things that decide whether you get in smoothly.
Dress code
Shoulders covered for everyone. The basilica asks men to wear long trousers and women skirts below the knee or trousers. No hats inside.
Vatican dress code →Bags
There is no cloakroom at the basilica. Bring only a small backpack or bag. A stroller drop-off area is available under the portico.
Behaviour
It is a working church. Keep your voice down, no food or drinks inside, and bulky camera equipment is not allowed. Photos without flash are fine.
Getting there
Metro Line A to Ottaviano, then about ten minutes on foot. The security line starts under the colonnade on the right side of the square.
How to get there →St. Peter's Basilica: frequently asked questions
Is St. Peter's Basilica free?
Yes. Entry to the basilica and the Vatican Grottoes is free. You pay only for the dome (€17 by stairs, €22 with the lift), the Treasury Museum or a guided tour.
What are the opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica?
Every day from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, with last entry around 7:15 pm. Celebrations and papal events can change this at short notice.
How long is the queue for St. Peter's Basilica?
It ranges from a few minutes early in the morning to more than an hour around midday in high season. Visitors with an online booking use a separate entrance from Via di Porta Angelica, so the official timed entry (€7) is the easiest way to shorten the wait. Without a booking, arriving at 7 am works best.
Can you visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica on the same day?
Yes, and most visitors do. Plan three hours for the museums and one to two for the basilica. Guided tours that use the direct passage from the Sistine Chapel save time.
Can I take photos inside St. Peter's Basilica?
Yes, for personal use and without flash. Tripods and professional equipment need authorization.