St. Peter's Dome at a glance
Michelangelo designed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, and Giacomo della Porta completed it after his death. The top of the dome stands about 136 metres above the ground, and the lantern balcony at the summit gives you a 360-degree view over St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Gardens and the rooftops of Rome.
The climb has two stages. First you reach the roof terrace of the basilica, either by lift or by 231 steps. From there, everyone climbs the final 320 steps through the gap between the inner and outer shell of the dome. Halfway, you step onto a walkway inside the dome, high above the papal altar.
Dome tickets: stairs or lift?
Both official tickets are booked online and include entry to St. Peter's Basilica with a digital audio guide.
Stairs – €17
231 steps to the roof terrace, then 320 more to the top: 551 in total. The first stretch is a wide spiral staircase, the hard part comes later.
Lift – €22
The lift takes you to the roof terrace, then you climb the same 320 steps to the top. Worth the extra €5 if you want to save your legs for the rest of the day.
Booking
Since May 2026, dome access is subject to availability, so book ahead in spring, summer and on holidays. Official tickets are personal and non-refundable.
Basilica time slot
Your basilica entry is assigned automatically before or after your dome time, depending on visitor flow. Check your confirmation email for the order of your visit.
What the climb is like
The first part, by lift or stairs, ends on the roof of the basilica. Here you find a shop, a café, restrooms and even a post office, plus a close look at the giant statues on the façade from behind.
Next comes the inner ring: a gallery that runs around the inside of the dome at the base of the drum. You look far down onto the baldachin and the people on the floor of the basilica, and up close at the mosaics that look like paintings from below. The inner ring can be closed during major celebrations.
The final 320 steps are the part people remember. The staircase runs between the two shells of the dome, so the walls lean as you climb. Some passages are very narrow, and near the top there is a spiral staircase with a rope to hold on to. The route is one-way, so turning back halfway is difficult.
At the top, the outer ring around the lantern gives you the view straight down the length of St. Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione toward the Tiber.
Our picks: St. Peter's Dome tickets and tours
A dome ticket on your own, a guided basilica tour with the climb, and the dome added to a full Vatican tour.
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, Sistine Chapel and basilica tour plus dome
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and the basilica with a guide, plus the dome.
Check availability →
St. Peter's Basilica, dome climb and underground tour
A guide takes you through the basilica and the grottoes, then you climb to the top.
Check availability →
Dome climb ticket with audio guide
Dome climb with an audio guide for the basilica. Compare it with the official €17 (stairs) and €22 (lift) tickets.
Check availability →St. Peter's Dome tickets and tours
Dome entry with audio guide, guided basilica tours with dome access and combo tours, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours and the best time to climb
The dome has its own hours, shorter than the basilica's. In the summer period, from the end of March to the end of October, it is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. In the winter period it opens from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. Religious celebrations can change these times.
The best time to climb is the first slot of the morning, before the stairwells get warm and crowded and while the light over the square is soft. Midday in July and August is hot inside the dome. The dome stays open when it rains, but in extreme weather access can be closed for a while.
All times for the basilica, dome and Vatican Museums: opening hours.
Who should skip the top
The basilica itself advises against the climb for some visitors. If any of these apply to you, enjoy the terrace and skip the last 320 steps.
Health
Not recommended with heart or respiratory conditions, vertigo, claustrophobia or limited mobility, or during pregnancy.
Children
Recommended from age six. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. There is a stroller drop-off under the basilica's portico.
Bags
There is no cloakroom. A small backpack is fine, anything larger becomes a problem in the narrow passages.
Dress code
Your dome ticket includes the basilica, so the basilica's dress code applies: shoulders covered, long trousers for men, no hats.
Vatican dress code →St. Peter's Dome: frequently asked questions
How many steps are there to the top of St. Peter's Dome?
551 steps if you take the stairs all the way. With the lift to the roof terrace, you still climb 320 steps to the top.
How much does it cost to climb St. Peter's Dome?
€17 for the stairs and €22 with the lift on the official booking site, both including entry to the basilica with a digital audio guide. Guided tours that include the dome cost more.
Is there a lift all the way to the top?
No. The lift only goes to the roof terrace of the basilica. The final 320 steps have to be climbed on foot.
How long does the dome climb take?
About an hour on average, depending on your pace and how long you stay at the top. Add one to two hours if you also visit the basilica.
Is there an audio guide for the dome?
No. The digital audio guide included with the ticket covers the basilica, not the dome.