Rome / Attractions guide / St Peter's Basilica
Architecture · Vatican City
St Peter's Basilica
The largest church in the world by interior area, built over the traditional burial site of the apostle Peter.
- Price
- Free entry · dome climb about €8–10
- Hours
- 7am–7pm (summer) · 7am–6pm (winter)
- Avg. visit
- 1–1.5 hours, plus 1 hour for the dome
- Book ahead
- No — but plan around Wednesday mornings
The current basilica replaced an earlier 4th-century church on the same site and took more than a century to build, with Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini all contributing to its design across successive stages. Michelangelo took over the dome design in his seventies and did not live to see it completed; it remains the tallest dome in the world.
Inside, the scale is deliberately disorienting — bronze letters set into the floor of the nave mark the comparative lengths of other great cathedrals, each falling well short of St Peter's own length. Bernini's bronze baldachin rises nearly 30 metres over the papal altar, cast partly from bronze stripped from the Pantheon's portico roof.
Inside
What to see
- Michelangelo's Pietà, carved when he was in his early twenties, just inside the entrance
- Bernini's bronze baldachin over the papal altar
- The Vatican grottoes beneath the basilica, containing papal tombs
- The dome, climbable via 551 steps (with a lift covering part of the ascent) for a panorama over St Peter's Square
Practical
Good to know
- Entry to the basilica is free, but the security queue across the square is the real bottleneck — budget 30–60 minutes in high season.
- The dome climb is a separate paid ticket bought on site, not bookable in advance.
- The basilica occasionally closes to visitors for papal ceremonies.
Timing
When it's busiest
- 7–8:30am
- Quiet
- Mid-morning
- Busy
- Afternoon
- Busy
- Last hour
- Easing off
Nearby
Combine your visit
10–15 minute walk around the walls
Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel
The natural pairing — most visitors do both in the same day, museums first.
Visit →
15–20 minute walk
Trastevere
Cross Ponte Sant'Angelo and keep going for an easy transition into dinner territory.
Visit →
30–35 minute walk or short bus/taxi
The Pantheon
A longer stretch across the river back into the historic centre.
Visit →
FAQ
Common questions
Is entry really free?
Yes — the basilica itself has no admission charge. The only paid element is the separate dome climb, bought on site rather than in advance.
What exactly does the dress code require?
Shoulders and knees covered for everyone, regardless of gender or age. Shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops are turned away at the security checkpoint before you reach the square, not just at the basilica door.
Why is it closed on Wednesday mornings?
The Pope holds the weekly General Audience in St Peter's Square, which closes regular basilica access until roughly early afternoon. Either attend the audience or plan your visit for another time.
Is there any way to skip the security queue?
Not for the basilica itself — everyone passes through the same airport-style screening. Arriving right at opening is the most reliable way to minimise the wait.