St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksChurches & Cathedrals
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM
About
Arguably one of the finest Cathedrals in the entire world, St. Peter's is the spiritual center of the Vatican and the product of many of Italy's great Renaissance's architects, among them Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Admission tickets
from R 422,98
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Vatican / Borgo
Frocked priests, colorful Swiss Guards, insistent souvenir shop owners, flag-waving tour guides, and pilgrims from around the world. This is the Vatican and Borgo, Rome's most recognized neighbourhood which acts as Vatican City's front yard. Aside from the souvenir boutiques and a few food spots, the only business conducted here is papal. In the daytime, the tiny medieval sector bustles with holy activity, as visitors vie for elbow room, or stand in line for a visit. Once the sun sets, the neighbourhood is transformed into a quiet and picturesque hamlet.
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See what travellers are saying
  • Lynn B
    10 contributions
    Opulent
    This is such a huge building and so opulent. Obviously impressive but we much preferred seeing the Sistene Chapel and the museums. Something faintly distasteful about the church having all that wealth and showing it all off though. Shows the power the church used to wield and probably still does.
    Visited November 2022
    Written 4 December 2022
  • Nigel S
    8 contributions
    Dome experience claustrophobic
    Loved the square and basilica, but the dome was very claustrophobic. The lift takes you to the base of the dome, which is fine but the steps to the top was an awful experience for me. I wish it had been clear it’s one way up and another down. I got stuck half way, very narrow and spiral steps.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 December 2022
  • Brian K
    Renfrew, United Kingdom642 contributions
    Huge
    There are hundreds of churches and basilicas in Rome and this is obviously the number one . We visited as part of a tour of the museums which ended with access to the church . The sheer scale of the place is impressive . I could try and describe it but probably wouldn’t do it justice . It is one of those places you just have to visit when visiting Rome . Put it on your bucket list .
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 December 2022
  • Holy_Holly_Day_
    Leeds, United Kingdom126 contributions
    Very fast moving queue do not be put off
    Arrived to find a very long queue almost all the way around the piazza but it moved quickly and we were inside within 30 mins which was well worth the wait. Inside I went straight to see The Pieta which never disappoints. Only issue I have is that there is almost too much to see and so sometimes it is best to simply just allow the atmosphere to surround you and immerse yourself in it.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 11 December 2022
  • Beti-Blodyn
    242 contributions
    Beautiful! A highlight of a trip to the Vatican
    A wonderful experience! Don't be put off by the length of the queues - you can be seen to very quickly and it's always moving. The architecture and design is second to none; the staff were very friendly, and the ascent to the top is reasonably priced at 8 euros each for the stairs - 10 if you want to use the elevator for part of the way. We didn't pay for a tour, preferring to go round at our own pace, and I think we made the right call on that one. ***Wee note: if you're claustrophobic, think very carefully about the ascent up the steps to the top and whether you can hack it.*** I'm only mildly claustrophobic and three things that can set it off are elevators, crowds and tight corridors - so it was a bit "pick your poison" if I wanted to go up. There are a couple of areas to perch if you need to take a breather, and I did have to at one point as I was stuck in a group of bodies all trying to climb up! The beautiful view at the top was worth it, we could stay as long as we liked and the way down was a lot easier on my nerves, but to others very nervous about tight spaces, just a heads up.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 December 2022
  • Angelo S
    Hilliard, Ohio3,566 contributions
    Beautiful and Overwhelming
    St. Peter's is an enormous church at the center of Christendom. Masterpieces, the Holy Door, beatification of Popes, architecture, history, intrigue, and more stories and lore than you could know in a lifetime. Truly a wonder to behold, there is something for the eyes everywhere you look. Many of the sculptures are so well executed that they look alive. Either book a skip-the-line tour or get there early, this is worth a visit with a guide as there is just so much to see and understand.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 30 December 2022
  • Victorianlad
    Melbourne, Australia17,111 contributions
    Inspiring
    This was my second visit but my wife's first. As a Catholic it was wonderful to be able to visit. The queue on a weekday morning took about 45 minutes to clear. It was a far more pleasant experience than standing in an Eiffel Tower, Paris queue for three hours. The Basilica is superb, but remember, it's a House of God and so silence is best when inside. It's so large that even though there may be 1,000 inspecting, it did not feel crowded. Certainly different to the Church of England's Westminster Abbey in London. La Pieta is for many a highlight, and sad, but I found some of the statues of most interest. It was easy to catch the lift up to the observatory, but I didn't climb the stairs all the way to the dome. Great photos were taken outside, and again, this wasn't crowded. We returned a second day only to go into the Basilica (free): this was an afternoon visit: only a very small queue. A must-see in Rome, and paying the Euro10 for the lift was worth it. Strangely the gift shop was closed.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 1 January 2023
  • Leanne J
    Ipswich, Australia49 contributions
    Amazing St Peter's Basilica
    We travelled to Rome as part of our Insight 8-day Italy tour, and a small group St Peter's Basilica and Vatican City tour was part of the experience. It was the third time we have been there and you never tire admiring the ornate interior of this basilica. We purchased rosarie beads (we're non-Catholic) from the Vatican City post office/store and took the option to have them blessed by the Vatican. These were then delivered to our hotel. The line-up was quite long, but the staff efficiently got all visitors through at a reasonable pace. We are taking friends again in July 2023.
    Visited May 2022
    Written 8 January 2023
  • Pardubitzer
    Pardubice, Czech Republic64 contributions
    Gorgeus priceless and stunning experience
    Beautiful masterpiece of architecture, with an indescribable spirit. Waiting in line for ten minutes (in november) will give you the experience of a lifetime. Stunning interior will leave you speechless. Don´t forget to climb for a view. The stairs are quite long and it´s not very easy to climb it (it´s also some cramped space) but the reward is priceless. You can enjoy a view on Rome and Vatican City at it´s best.
    Visited November 2022
    Written 9 January 2023
  • Alkisti M
    5 contributions
    Breathtaking
    It was my third time visiting this masterpiece and still got absolutely impressed by this breathtaking place, that encompasses the glory, the spirituality, the magnificence of human’s achievements and the power of the Catholic Church. Overcrowded, yet stunning. Must visit!
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 January 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

5.0
41 538 reviews
Excellent
34 248
Very good
5 562
Average
1 128
Poor
315
Terrible
290

Nicholas W
Colchester, UK57 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The basilica is a breath taking building, the interior of which appears to have no end. The entrance leads to the vaulted and domed ceilings and the footprint could accommodate many churches and cathedrals added together. The painted ceilings, majestic statues and fine artwork is eye watering to behold. As a place of worship it conveys a sense of awe and wonderment. However, what is notable is the disparity between the opulence of the building and its decor and the destitute people and human stories that are evident in the streets leading to St Peter’s.
We visited the square on a week day and witnessed the queue to get in stretching half way round the square. When we returned on Sunday morning at half ten we literally walked straight in! It appears everyone was queuing for the ‘free Sunday’ entrance to the Vatican museums.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melissa11
Sandbach, UK165 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We visited St Peter’s Square and saw the very long queue for the basilica. We joined and was surprised that it only took us 40 minutes to get to the security and entrance.
It is absolutely jaw dropping inside and stunning. It was so big it did not feel crowded. We decided to walk the 551 steps to the top of the dome. The entry to the basilica is free but to climb the dome it’s 8 Euro to climb all the stairs and 10 Euro to do lift and stairs. You need to be healthy and like confined spaces. At the half way point you can walk around the inside of the dome. I would not recommend doing this on a hot day.
Also outside on the hour they do a changing of the guard that was interesting to watch. This was to the left of the entrance down the steps.
Signage for tourists could be improved as we had to ask where to get the dome tickets.
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jacqueline R
Cork, Cork, Ireland616 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I think this was day 4 in Rome and by now I was overloaded by the amount of beauty everywhere I turned.

The light, the colours, the sculptures the artwork are all so impressive and a delight to the eye.

Average is probably the incorrect vote but my overwhelming feeling was one of disgust at the wealth on display especially as I had walked past people living on the streets outside.
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ocean 215
Coopersburg, PA86 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This is a beautiful Basilica. The size of the church alone is amazing. The organ, statues and altars are a must see. Many areas to explore including the underground crypts. We arrived early in the morning, and it was not very crowded. It became busier but you are still able to see a lot since the Basilica is so large. We did the combined early tour of the Vatican, the Sistine chapel, museums and the Basilica. It was well worth it. The tour guide was very informative, and we were really able to see a lot before the crowds arrived. Be aware that most Wednesdays you do not always have access to the Basilica even if you book a combined tour. There are several gift shops on site with nice merchandise and you can send a post card from the Vatican.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

chris o
Wanstead, UK46 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We went on a Sunday at 11. Queue was long but cleared quickly. We had time to walk around the beautiful church and came out in time for midday. The pope leads a service for 15 minutes from a high window. There are screens showing close ups and he can be heard clearly. The crowd was huge yet very peaceful and respectful.
Written 16 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris D
7 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Truly breathtaking architecture and engineering. A must see during any individuals visit to Rome! Take a tour also to skip the queue’s - these are worth the money!
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sashakeena
Vancouver, Canada11 474 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
For us this was the last location of our tour & it was busy however not as crowded as the rest of our tour. It is amazing to see all of the artwork & artifacts. Memorable site that we will remember forever!
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karim Maarouf
Cairo, Egypt875 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
I came here as part of a tour group which was a pretty nice way to visit the Basilica. It is full of amazing works by rennaissance artists. You can pay extra to climb the dome and enjoy the views from the top. I would recommend you exit via the papal crypt to see the tombs of former popes and other important figures. It is very grand and quite impressive.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

csabadapp
Brasov, Romania193 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Free entry, hours long line, best at 7am because the line is the shortest. Awesome looking huge place. Going to the "roof" costs money, worth climbing those 551 stairs
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aero3926
Midwest362 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Every basilica/church/cathedral you've ever seen, but on steroids. It's impressive. Free, but you need to wait in line and go through security.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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ST. PETER'S BASILICA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost R 420,57, while a popular guided tour starts around R 110,39 per person.




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