Attractions
St Peter’s Basilica
St Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest church, renowned for Renaissance masterpieces, monumental scale, and the famous dome above St Peter’s Square.
Highlights
Michelangelo’s Pietà
A masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture inside the basilica.
St Peter’s Dome
Climb or take the elevator for panoramic city views.
Bernini’s Baldachin
The grand bronze canopy at the high altar.
Pro tips
Arrive early for security
Security queues build quickly, especially mid‑morning.
Dome access is optional
The basilica is free; dome tickets are separate and limited.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Metro A: Ottaviano
Bus: 64
Bus: 64
Entrances
St Peter’s Square security entrance
Timings
Open daily; hours vary by season
Amenities
Restrooms
Gift shop
Cloakroom
Gift shop
Cloakroom
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible routes available
Restricted items
Dress code enforced
No large bags
No large bags
External resources
Photos
TripAdvisor
St. Peter's Basilica
Rating 4.8 · 45433 reviews
Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy
Arguably one of the finest Cathedrals in the entire world, St. Peter's is the spiritual center of the Vatican and the product of many of Italy's great Renaissance's architects, among them Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo.
Awestruck!
★★★★★
Simply breathtaking but you need a bit of time and it would be better not part of a general Vatican tour as it and the Sistine are so special
Explore540498
Lovely experience, however think twice if planning to do the Dome experience if claustrophobic.
★★★★☆
Lovely experience walking around the Basilica as a raised but non practising Catholic. Opted to do the Dome via stairs but please do not attempt if you are even a tiny bit claustrophobic, it was a very discombobulating experience walking between the shells of the Dome in a very narrow slanting passage, nearly had a full on panic.
cecec230
Nice basilica. Shame about the help.
★★★☆☆
Of course the basilica itself is fabulous, but if you're visiting you need to know the ancillary security staff are officious and bullying. I was subject to and observed them ordering people about at full voice and chastising for no reason. They're a minor annoyance overall but do be prepared for some really poor behaviour.
Hikiday
Source: TripAdvisor
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