How to visit St. Peter’s Basilica (including climbing the dome)

Whether you’re Catholic or not, St. Peter’s Basilica is impressive. It’s one of the largest churches in the world, able to hold 20,000 guests, and it’s where the Pope presides. Here is everything you need to know about how to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, including climbing the dome to the top.

Why should I visit St. Peter’s Basilica?

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest temples of the Catholic Church. It is renowned as one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture. It’s the largest church in the world, and it’s where the Pope presides at several liturgies throughout the year, both within the basilica as well as outside in St. Peter’s Square. The religious significance, ornate detail, and recognition factor combine to make St. Peter’s Basilica well worth seeing.

Is there a dress code at St. Peter’s Basilica?

YES! First things first – there is a dress code at St. Peter’s Basilica. You must have your knees and shoulders covered to be able to enter the building. We did not see this rule being enforced during our visit, though many people were strolling about in shorts and short skirts. But the rule is posted outside of the building, and it’s common courtesy to dress modestly in Vatican City.

When should I visit St. Peter’s Basilica?

St. Peter’s Basilica is open year-round. Hours vary, depending on the season. During the winter season, from October 1 to March 31, it’s open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. During the rest of the year, it’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Note that the basilica is closed to visitors during the Pope’s Wednesday morning Papal Audience (see below).

There are daily weekday masses at 7 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. There are also masses on holidays, though hours may slightly differ.

Crowds tend to be biggest during the summer holidays in July in August, as well as around Christmas and Easter.

To minimize crowds, try visiting in the morning when St. Peter’s Basilica first opens.

What is there to see inside St. Peter’s Basilica?

The interior of St. Peter’s Basilica is lavishly decorated in marble and gilding. There are several sculptures, the most famous one being Michelangelo’s Pietà. The bronze altar, Baldacchino, was designed by Bernini. There are also several Papal tombs, including the tomb of St. Peter.

Do I need a tour to visit St. Peter’s Basilica?

You do not need a tour if you want to simply peek inside the church. But to see some areas of the basilica, including the Necropolis, Treasury, and Grottoes that hold the Papal tombs, you do need to be on a guided tour.

St. Peter’s Basilica does not itself host guided tours, but there are plenty of agencies in Rome that you can use to book a tour.

Are there skip-the-line tickets to see St. Peter’s Basilica?

All visitors to the Basilica need to go through security, and there is no skipping the security line. However, visitors who are part of a tour group may be able to enter a shorter security line than the one used by the general public.

How can I see the Pope at St. Peter’s Basilica?

If the Pope is in Rome, there is a Papal Audience every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Seats are filled on a first-come-first-served basis, and it’s common to arrive hours before the mass begins. During the summer months, the Papal Audience is usually held outdoors in St. Peter’s Square.

Tickets to the Audience are free. They can be reserved ahead of time, or you can simply pick them up at the basilica starting at 3 p.m. on the day before the Audience.

The Pope often tours through St. Peter’s Square before the Audience begins.

There is also an opportunity to see The Pope at The Sunday Blessing, which happens on Sundays at 12 p.m. The Pope appears from the Papal Palace window to bless the audience. No tickets are required and there is no seating for this event.

How much does it cost to visit St. Peter’s Basilica?

There is no cost to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, but there is a cost if you would like to take a guided tour to see the Necropolis and Treasury or climb up to the dome.

How do I climb the St. Peter’s Basilica dome?

The dome generally opens about a half hour after the basilica itself opens. We recommend getting to the basilica as early as possible, taking a quick look around, and then getting in line for the dome climb. To join the line, follow a sign that says ‘Cupola’, just past security and to the right. You will come up to a ticket office with a staircase and elevator just beyond.

There are two ways to climb the dome. You can either take an elevator up to the base of the cupola and then climb the remaining 320 steps, which costs €10. Or, you can climb the whole way, a total of 551 steps, which costs €8.

Purchase your ticket and then climb your way up to the base of the dome, or take the elevator for a quicker trip. You can even have members of your party select different options and then reunite at the balcony around the base of the cupola. This is a great place to get a close-up view of some of the mosaics and decorations inside the dome.

The second part of the climb involves a series of staircases, starting with a spiral staircase and then narrowing down to a ‘regular’ staircase that is anything but. It begins to slope inward to follow the curve of the dome. If you are prone to motion sickness, be forewarned that the climb can be vertigo-inducing. However, this climb up into the dome only takes about ten minutes in total.

Between staircases, there is an exit outside to a terrace that includes a gift shop, washrooms, and café. It also gives visitors a close-up look at some of the statuary on the exterior of the basilica.

What is at the top of St. Peter’s Basilica dome?

It’s well worth it to reach the top of the dome. You will come up to a terrace with a 360-degree view overlooking Vatican City and Rome. On a clear day, you will be able to see for miles.

After you’ve admired the view, the trip back down the dome takes you on a similar but separate route – don’t fear, you won’t need to pass oncoming traffic.

After your climb, you can take more time to wander through the basilica to see anything you missed during your initial look.

Do I need a tour to climb the St. Peter’s Basilica dome?

You could book a tour that includes the dome climb as part of its itinerary. However, you don’t need a tour. You can climb the dome on your own. We chose to climb independently in part because we didn’t want to go as part of a large group and be stuck behind a crowd on the single-file staircases.

How long does it take to climb the St. Peter’s Basilica dome?

It will take you about an hour to climb the dome and admire the view from the top, assuming you don’t get stuck in a large crowd. On our trip to St. Peter’s Basilica, we chose to skip the guided tours, and we saw the church and climbed the dome on our own. We started our day very early, arriving at the basilica as soon as it opened at 7 a.m. Crowds were very light and we were able to see the basilica and its dome, and then walk over to the Vatican Museum before it opened for general public entry at 9 a.m. This allowed us to see everything we wanted to see in Vatican City within a half-day.

What do you think – would you climb St. Peter’s Basilica dome? Have you done it? What did you think of the experience?

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