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St. Peter's Basilica Overview
St. Peter's Basilica Tickets Variations
If you dislike standing in long queues and do not wish to waste any time during your stay in Rome and the Vatican City, get a St. Peter's Basilica skip-the-line ticket. You can book this ticket online and avail priority access to the church. Another benefit of selecting the St. Peter's Basilica skip-the-line ticket is that it includes an audio guide. However, to listen to the audio guide, either get your own headphones, or you’ll have to purchase them at the site.
Your trip to the Vatican City will remain incomplete if you do not visit the spectacular Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, in addition to St. Peter’s Basilica. A Combo tour ticket is the best value for money package for touring all of the must-see attractions in Vatican City. This package includes visits to the historic St. Peter's Basilica, the artistic Vatican Museums, and the world-famous Sistine Chapel. The entire combo tour is fully guided and lasts for approximately three hours.
Explore St. Peter’s Basilica
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The moment you enter St. Peter’s Basilica, you will be left awestruck by the remarkable bronze sculpture that serves as a canopy over the basilica's altar. This ornate Baldachin was created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a great Italian sculptor, and architect, in 1634 and marks St. Peter’s Tomb, which is located within the basilica.
With St. Peter’s Basilica tickets, you can also view the body of the much-loved and revered Pope John XXIII beautifully displayed in a decorated glass coffin. The Pope’s body was removed from his original tomb 38 years after his demise to be showcased in this basilica, a feat accomplished by only two other popes before him.
Since St. Peter's burial in the basilica, it is customary to bury all popes in this church. Hence, the St. Peter's Basilica contains over 100 tombs, 91 of which are those of former popes. In addition to exploring these tombs, you can see Saint Peter's relics in the crypt.
The dome of St Peter's Basilica is the highlight of the whole monument. While you can always view it from the outside, the best part is that you can climb it too! This magnificent cupola stands directly above Peter's tomb, and after climbing 551 steps, you can catch a well-deserved breathtaking panoramic view of Rome and the Vatican City.
Brief history of St. Peter’s Basilica
The current St. Peter's Basilica was built in the 14th century on the initiative of Pope Nicholas V. The Old Basilica, which once stood on the site, had mostly deteriorated, with walls leaning out and frescoes hidden beneath several layers of dust. Hence, the entire church was demolished to make way for a stronger and more opulent structure. The first stone for the new St. Peter's Basilica was laid in 1506, and after a century of erratic construction, the basilica finally opened to the public in 1626. Over the course of 120 years, more than five architects from various periods, including Rossellino, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini, contributed to the creation of the building. The basilica was eventually named after St. Peter, one of Jesus Christ's twelve disciples and the first bishop of Rome. Today, this splendid Basilica is a major Christian pilgrimage site and is renowned for its spectacular architecture.
5 Amazing Facts about St. Peter's Basilica
Attending Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
When in the holiest city of Christendom, it is a must to attend a Mass. While a large number of travelers to Vatican City are pilgrims with the sole motive of celebrating Mass, it can also be attended by tourists. Masses take place at St. Peter’s Basilica every day, and there is plenty of space inside the church to accommodate as many as 60,000 devotees at a time. The most common altars where Mass is held are the Altar of St. Joseph, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter.
If you are visiting on a weekday, you can attend any of the five Mass celebrations that take place during the day. On weekends, the Mass is held an even greater number of times, usually eight. When attending Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, keep in mind that most masses are held in Italian, with at least one in Latin.
Plan Your Visit to St. Peter’s Basilica
Opening Hours:
St. Peter’s Basilica is open for tourists from 7 AM to 6 PM. From April to September, it is open for longer hours until 7 PM.
How to Get Here:
By Metro: To reach the closest station to the basilica, Ottaviano-S. Pietro Station, take the red metro line from Roma Termini. You may also get off at The Cipro Station, which is also a close stop from the basilica.
By Bus: Board a bus with route number 64 that stops at Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro is only a 4-minute walk to the basilica. You may also take bus 40 and get off at Traspontina/Conciliazione, which is 6-minute away from the church. Buses with route numbers 32, 81, and 982 also stop at a nearby station, Piazza del Risorgimento.
By Train: From Roma Termini, take the RE 12524 or REG 12514 to Civitavecchia or the RE 4134 to Pisa Centrale. They all arrive at St. Pietro which is about 11 minutes from the basilica.
By Tram: Tram 19 departs from V.Le Regina Margherita/Morgagni. Stop at the Piazza del Risorgimento, from where St. Peter's Basilica is only a 6-minute walk away.
Best Time to Visit:
It is best to visit St. Peter's Basilica between November and March when it is far less crowded than during its peak season from April to September. Another recommendation is to go early in the morning (between 7 AM and 9 AM), when there will be fewer visitors, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the church without being pushed around.
Dress Code:
Since St. Peter's Basilica is a sacred site, you must dress modestly. Both men and women must not wear any clothes showing skin, such as shorts, mini skirts, or bare shoulders to the church.
Security Check:
Before entering the basilica, you will have to undergo a security check. Umbrellas, stands, sticks, video cameras, tripods, luggage, suitcases, large bags, metal tools, food, and drinks are prohibited at the site.
- Book St. Peter's Basilica dome tickets in advance online to skip standing in long queues at the site.
- Take a combo tour and get priority access to the famous Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, along with St. Peter’s Basilica at a budget-friendly price.
- If you intend to see the Pope, visit the basilica on Wednesday and Sunday. Even if you are unable to see him on the day, you will surely get to listen to him.
- Make sure you are modestly dressed for the church. There is a strict dress code at both the Basilica and the Vatican Museums. If you fail to adhere to it, you might be denied entry to the venue.
- If you plan to attend a Mass celebration at the St. Peter’s Basilica, arrive at the basilica at least an hour before the Mass timing to ensure a good spot.
FAQs About St. Peter's Basilica Tickets
Where can I buy St Peter's Basilica Tickets?
If you don't want to wait in line for hours, buy the special skip-the-line with audio guide or guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica tickets online.
Are St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets available online?
Yes, you can purchase skip-the-line, guided tour, or combo tour St. Peter's basilica tickets online and enjoy great cost savings.
Where is the St. Peter’s Basilica entrance?
To access St. Peter’s Basilica and enjoy its several attractions, you would need to enter via its main entrance located at St. Peter’s Square. Since this entrance is always crowded with a large number of tourists standing in long queues, it is recommended to reserve a guided tour and get priority access to the site.
How do I get to St. Peter’s Basilica?
By Metro: To reach the closest station to the basilica, Ottaviano-S. Pietro Station, take the red metro line from Roma Termini.
By Bus: Board a bus with route number 64 that stops at Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro is only a 4-minute walk to the basilica.
By Tram: Tram 19 departs from V.Le Regina Margherita/Morgagni. Stop at the Piazza del Risorgimento, from where St. Peter's Basilica is only a 6-minute walk away.
What is St. Peter's Basilica?
The St. Peter’s Basilica is the world's largest church and an important pilgrimage site for Christians. It is located in Vatican City and is renowned for its historical, religious, and architectural importance.
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Is a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica worth it?
St. Peter's Basilica guided tour is definitely a great deal as it allows you to get the most out of your visit without having to worry about queues and other minor details.
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What is included in a St. Peter’s Basilica tour?
St. Peter’s Basilica guided tour includes fast entry to the church as well as the services of an experienced guide who’ll inform you about the history of the site and the artworks housed within. In combo tours, you can also visit other famous attractions like the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
Is there a dress code to enter St. Peter’s Basilica?
Yes, there is a strict dress code at St. Peter’s Basilica. Both men and women are not allowed to enter the church wearing shorts, mini skirts, or bare shoulders. There is, however, no dress code for children.
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