St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
St. Peter's Basilica on a sunny day, Rome
St. Peter's Basilica on a sunny day, Rome

St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) Tours and Tickets

101,819 reviews

The enormous St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) dominates Vatican City, and its dome can be seen from all over Rome. Built on the site of St. Peter's crucifixion, it's the epicenter of the Catholic Church and sits atop many papal tombs. The lavishly adorned basilica is the largest church in Italy, and it's also a museum full of priceless works of art—including Michelangelo's sublime Pietà and Bernini's bronze baldachin on the high altar.

  • Open daily 7am - 7pm (6pm in winter)
  • Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City, 120

Tours and Tickets to Experience St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)

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What are people saying about St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)

Sheri_G, Oct 2023
Very informative
Very informative, it was quite hot and we were all sweating and burning in the sun less time outside would be better, wwaayy crowded, if covid was rampant we will all have it by now, tour guide was wonderful she tried to reduce our crowd time when possible
Michael_J, Sep 2023
Nice day about the Vatican
Our guide was knowledgeable and added good clean humor. We passed up the lines and went through all the quoted venues ending in the Basilica. Pasquale let the way and we quite enjoyed our tour.
Graciela_V, Sep 2023
Vatican tour
La Pieta de Michelangelo Very moving.. The tour was good but our tour guide was sick and everybody noticed. I don't think that she should have been permitted to guide us in this era of COVID.
Chris_K, Nov 2023
A beautiful experience of guided tour
Our guide was quite knowledgeable, being able to combine history and religion to convey a beautiful story of the Sistine Chapel. It was a great tour. Thanks
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What are St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) hours of operation?
A:
St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) hours of operation: Open daily 7am - 7pm (6pm in winter). Buy tickets in advance on Viator. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Q:Should I book St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) tickets in advance?
A:
We recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot since St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) can get crowded. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Q:How much does it cost to visit St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) 2024?
A:
Currently, an entrance ticket to St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) costs USD 31.64. Guided St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) tours start around USD 31.64 per person.
People Also Ask
Q:Do you need a tour for St Peter's Basilica?
A: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.
Q:How long does it take to tour St Peter's Basilica?
A: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.
Q:Can you skip the line at St Peter's Basilica?
A: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.
Q:Is there a dress code for St Peter's Basilica?
A: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.
Q:Do you need a passport for St Peter's Basilica?
A: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.
Q:How early should I get to St Peter's Basilica?
A: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.