St Peter’s Basilica

Truly indescribable, everything about it is breathtaking. We paid around €10 to climb the stairs to the dome. It was exhausting but worth it for the experience and view. Get there as early as possible to avoid the later crowd. We were there about 3 hours and almost missed our Vatican Museum window. So allow yourself more time then you think you'll need.

149austinq

We travelledaround Italy and found booking day trips/tours and museum visit almost impossible to get tickets. Why? Because tour companies have bought uo bulk tickets at normal prices and onsell to the public as 'skip the line' for up to 80% more. Today we queued at St Peters Basilica Rome (1.5hrs) and to see what we wanted it cost €15pp not €95pp. Sure we didn't get the audio guide or a real person, but for 3 of us it was a massive saving and Googke explained everything we needed to know. Same thing in Florence, and Pompeii... my tip... go direct to the source (eg. Parche de Archialogica), avoid tour companies unless you are prepared to pay and know what you're buying. The tour companies (although they have a place) create a sense of FOMO and only give 30mins to complete the purchase. Be aware, buy with your eyes open, expect long lines and enjoy ... and don't forget to smile!

robertae844

Truly the most impressive and beautiful basilicas/churches I have ever been in that inspires awe yet peace. I didn't like the Sistine Chapel since it was too artistically busy, but walking in here with the cream, green, pink, grey marbles and columns, there is places of rest before your gaze raises to the larger, than life and perfectly created sculptural masterpieces or the gold glowing ceilings overhead. You can attend a free mass in Italian by looking at the schedule posted around. There was a 5 pm mass at the main altar which was perfect after our 2 - 5 pm LivTour. Afterwards, we had time to go down to the tombs - popes and St. Peters before exiting and seeing the changing of the Swiss Guard outside.

ClaireWithLove