Why go

St Peter’s is the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church and one of the great buildings of the Renaissance and Baroque. Built over the traditional tomb of the apostle Peter, the present basilica took more than a century to complete, with Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini all shaping it. The result is overwhelming in scale: the nave seems to stretch forever, and the dome rises 136 metres above the floor.

Entry is free, which makes it one of the best-value experiences in Rome. Arrive through Bernini’s colonnade, which wraps around St Peter’s Square like two outstretched arms, and the drama begins before you are even inside.

What to see

  • Michelangelo’s Pietà. The marble Virgin holding the dead Christ, carved when Michelangelo was in his early twenties, now behind glass in the first chapel on the right.
  • Bernini’s baldachin. The towering bronze canopy over the papal altar, above the tomb of St Peter.
  • The Chair of St Peter. Bernini’s gilded throne and alabaster window at the far end of the apse.
  • The dome. Climb to the lantern for the best view over Rome and down into the square.
  • The Vatican Grottoes. The crypt below the floor holds the tombs of many popes.

Plan your visit

From 26 October 2026 to 28 March 2027 the basilica opens daily from 7am to 7pm. Hours can change at short notice for papal ceremonies, so check the official site, basilicasanpietro.va, before you go.

Entry is free and does not need booking, but everyone passes through security in the right-hand colonnade of the square. The official site also sells an optional timed visit with a digital audio guide, listed at about €7 in autumn 2026. Climbing the dome costs about €17 on foot, 551 steps, or about €22 with the lift to the roof terrace and then 320 steps. Dome tickets bought online include a timed basilica visit. In winter the dome opens from 7.30am to 5pm.

A strict dress code applies. Men should wear long trousers and women skirts below the knee or trousers, and shoulders must be covered. Large bags are not allowed.

Getting there

Ottaviano station on Metro line A is 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from the square. From Castel Sant’Angelo, walk down Via della Conciliazione for the classic view of the façade.

Tips

The security queue is shortest at 7am opening and in the late afternoon. Wednesday mornings bring crowds for the papal audience. The last steps up the dome are narrow, steep and sloping, so they are not suitable for anyone with claustrophobia or limited mobility. Combine the basilica with the Vatican Museums on the same day, or see Castel Sant’Angelo nearby.

Free guided visits are not offered, but the official site sells guided tours and audio guides, and many visitors find a short tour helps them make sense of the chapels, mosaics and monuments. Mass is celebrated throughout the day at side altars; visitors are welcome to attend, and should keep voices low near the chapels set aside for prayer. Allow extra time on major feast days, when parts of the nave may be closed.