St. Peter's Basilica

The basics

The largest Catholic church in the world, St. Peter's is a must-see during any visit to the Vatican. There is no ticket required to enter, so it's easy to stop in on your own, but a guided St. Peter's Basilica tour or audio guide will help you understand the significance of its history and art. 

Many travelers either choose a tour that focuses exclusively on the Renaissance-style basilica, or one that also includes St. Peter's Basilica Dome, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Either way, you can book a skip-the-line ticket or early-access tour to visit before most of the crowds arrive.

Things to know before you go

• Be prepared for security lines similar to those at airports, including metal detectors, bag scanners, and potentially long waits.

• This is one of the most popular attractions in all of Italy, so crowds are nearly inevitable.

• The Basilica of St. Peter has a strict dress code—no bare shoulders, midriffs, or knees—and you won't be allowed in unless you adhere to it.

• A skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums that includes St. Peter's enables you to bypass the basilica's long entry lines; you still have to go through the security check.

• Climbing the dome atop the Basilica to take in the fantastic views over St. Peter's Square, requires a ticket.

How to get there

St. Peter's Basilica is across the Tiber River from top sights such as the Colosseum and Piazza Navona. The nearest metro stops are Ottaviano–San Pietro–Musei Vaticani and Cipro on line A; there are closer tram and bus stops. If you'd like to walk, cross the Ponte Sant'Angelo toward the Castel Sant'Angelo for a picturesque view.

When to get there

The basilica is open year-round, but as a working church, it closes regularly for mass and special religious services. Crowds are biggest during the summer and holidays such as Easter and Christmas, as well as during public papal addresses, given most Wednesdays in the square.

Underneath St. Peter's Basilica

The basilica's most famous tomb is that of St. Peter, but most visitors never go below the main level of the church. (This area also closes to visitors earlier, and has more restrictions than the rest of the basilica.) You can book a guided tour of the Vatican Necropolis (also known as the Scavi) to explore the ancient Roman cemetery that lies underground, past the Vatican Grottoes, and stand before St. Peter's tomb.

Do you need a tour for St Peter's Basilica?

That depends. You can visit alone and do not need St. Peter’s Basilica tickets to access the church. However, this gem of Renaissance architecture is stuffed with important paintings, sculptures, and other cultural treasures that are better understood with a tour guide's in-depth explanations and insights.

How long does it take to tour St Peter's Basilica?

It takes about an hour to cover the highlights inside the church—consider an extra 30 minutes if you decide to climb to the top of the dome. Remember that there is often a long security line to enter the church, however, which can add up to two hours to your time there.

Can you skip the line at St Peter's Basilica?

No, bypassing the security line to enter the church from St. Peter’s Square is impossible. The security line at the internal entrance between the Sistine Chapel and the church is often much shorter, but you can only access this entrance via the Vatican Museums.

Is there a dress code for St Peter's Basilica?

Yes, visitors must wear clothing that covers knees, shoulders, and midriff to enter the church, and the guards are pretty strict about enforcing the rules. Longer shorts and skirts are acceptable, as are shirts with short or cap sleeves. Visitors can also cover their bare shoulders with a wrap or shawl.

Do you need a passport for St Peter's Basilica?

No, though St. Peter's Basilica sits in the independent country of Vatican City, visitors do not need a passport to enter the confines of the city-state or the basilica. You can, however, send mail from the Vatican post office in St. Peter's Square with a Vatican City stamp.

How early should I get to St Peter's Basilica?

One great way to avoid getting caught in the long security line to enter St. Peter’s Basilica is to beat the crowds by arriving early. The church opens at 7am each morning—except for the first Wednesday of the month when the papal audience is held—so get in line around 6:45am.

Ways to explore

The largest Catholic church on earth, St. Peter’s Basilica is a must-see during any visit to the Vatican. There is no ticket required to enter, so it’s easy to stop in on your own, but a guided tour or audio guide will help you fully understand the significance of its history and art.

Many travelers either choose a tour that focuses exclusively on the Renaissance-style basilica, or one that also includes St. Peter’s Basilica Dome, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. A skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums that includes St. Peter’s Basilica enables you to bypass the church’s long entry lines by accessing a restricted internal entrance directly from the Sistine Chapel. You still have to go through the security check, but the wait is generally much shorter.

Accessibility

The Basilica is fully accessible to wheelchairs via an elevator and ramps. The dome and grottoes are not accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Money for donation boxes

What to wear

St. Peter’s Basilica is an active place of worship, and visitors are required to wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees to enter.

Not allowed

Large bags and backpacks, umbrellas and selfie sticks, food and drinks, knives and sharp objects

Amenities

Most of the facilities at St. Peter’s Basilica are located just outside the church. This includes audio guides for rent, restrooms, and souvenir shops.

Address

Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is through St. Peter’s Square at the far end of Via della Conciliazione, on the opposite side of the Tiber River from Rome’s historic center. Visitors on guided tours of the Vatican Museums can also enter via an internal passage that connects the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica.

Driving

There is no parking in St. Peter’s Square, and the busy surrounding area is stressful to navigate on your own by car. Skip the hassle of driving to the Basilica and instead book a tour that includes transport from your hotel. Alternatively, take a taxi or car share to St. Peter’s Square or the Vatican Museums entrance.

Public transportation

Take the Rome Metro Line A to the Ottaviano station (about a 6-minute walk to St. Peter’s Square), where you can join the security line to enter the Basilica or take a 5-minute walk to the Vatican Museums. You can also opt to take the bus: Bus 64 drops you at Piazza Stazione San Pietro about 4 minutes from St. Peter’s Square, while bus 49 stops just outside the Vatican Museums

Best times to visit

This religious and cultural treasure is one of Rome’s most visited sights, and gets very crowded during the day. Visit first thing in the morning (7am) or just before closing (around 7pm) to avoid the midday crush.

Best days to visit

The basilica is closed most Wednesday mornings for the Pope’s weekly audience and is busiest on Sundays and religious holidays. Visit on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursday to Saturday to explore the church without the worst of the crowds.

Best months to visit

January and February are the quietest months in Rome, and the best time of year to visit St. Peter’s Basilica if you want to bypass the crowds. August is another quiet month, when tourism in Rome dips due to high summer temperatures.

Special events

The Basilica is particularly atmospheric during the Christmas holidays, when seasonal decorations are set up on the square outside and special Masses are scheduled. Other important religious holidays that bring additional visitors and religious ceremonies include Easter and Pentecost in the spring and All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days in the fall.