Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica is a highlight of any trip to Rome. This extraordinary church combines Renaissance architecture, remarkable works of art, and centuries of religious history. But how do you plan your visit? Is St. Peter’s Basilica free, do you need tickets, and is climbing the famous dome worth the effort?
I’m Amy French, the Roaming Historian, a history professor and travel writer. At the time of publication, I’ve visited Rome 16 times, and I can no longer count how many times I’ve walked through St. Peter’s Basilica. I’ve also climbed the dome several times, giving me firsthand experience of the basilica’s magnificent interior and the sweeping views across Rome from above.
In this guide, I’ll explain what to see inside St. Peter’s Basilica, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and the building’s remarkable architecture. I’ll also cover tickets, guided tours, the dress code, how long to allow for your visit, and the differences between taking the elevator and climbing the stairs to the dome. Along the way, I’ll share historical context and practical advice to help you make the most of your time in Vatican City. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As a historian who travels extensively, I recommend companies I trust.
St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets: What You Need to Know
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, but planning your visit in advance can save time and help you decide which experiences are worth paying for. There are several options, depending on whether you want to explore independently, climb the dome, or join a guided tour.
Visiting the basilica: You can enter St. Peter’s Basilica without purchasing an admission ticket. However, you must pass through security, and queues can be long. The official website offers paid timed-entry reservations that include a digital audio guide. Check the official St. Peter’s Basilica website for current arrangements.
Climbing the dome: A separate ticket is required to climb St. Peter’s Dome. I recommend a guided tour that includes climbing the dome, visiting the papal crypts, and seeing the basilica. Can you take an elevator to the top of St. Peter’s Dome? No, the elevator takes you to the terrace level, not all the way to the top. You must still climb 320 steps to reach the uppermost part of the dome. The full ascent by stairs involves 551 steps. You can choose to buy a ticket for the elevator-to-terrace option or the full stairs option at the kiosk.
Taking a guided tour: A knowledgeable guide can help you understand the basilica’s extraordinary art, architecture, and history. I highly recommend booking a guided tour that includes climbing the dome and seeing the basilica. I particularly love LivTours and The Tour Guy for this. LivTours offers an amazing St. Peter’s Basilica Tour with Dome Climb & Papal Tombs Semi-Private Tour, which is a truly fabulous way to climb the dome, visit the papal crypts, and see the basilica seamlessly. af_code=E1DDN61
What about the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel? The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are separate attractions with their own tickets. Some guided tours combine them with St. Peter’s Basilica, but not all do. Always check what is included before booking.
Should You Book a Guided Tour of St. Peter’s Basilica?
St. Peter’s Basilica is MASSIVE. You could fit several ordinary churches inside its enormous interior, and the sheer scale can make it difficult to know where to look or which details deserve your attention.
While you can certainly explore independently, a good guide helps you focus on the highlights and understand the history behind the art and architecture. I particularly recommend considering a guided tour if this is your first visit, or if you want to appreciate more than just the basilica’s extraordinary appearance. A knowledgeable guide can explain the significance of Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s monumental Baldachin, and the building itself in ways that are easy to miss when wandering on your own.
The best choice depends on your interests, budget, and how much time you have:
| Experience | Best for | What to consider |
| Independent visit | Travelers who prefer exploring at their own pace | You’ll need to identify the highlights yourself and manage the security lines. |
| Guided basilica tour | First-time visitors and history or art enthusiasts | A knowledgeable guide brings the basilica’s art and architecture to life. |
| Combined Vatican tour | Visitors who want to see multiple major attractions | Check which sites are included, as the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, basilica, and dome are distinct experiences. |
Several companies offer guided experiences at St. Peter’s Basilica. LivTours offers Vatican tours, including semi-private experiences, while The Tour Guy, Viator, and GetYourGuide provide additional options to compare. Before booking, check the tour’s duration, group size, included attractions, and whether dome access is part of the experience. The basilica and Vatican Museums are separate attractions, so never assume a tour includes both unless its itinerary explicitly says so.
Below are a few highly-rated tour options you can book right now to secure your spot.)
St. Peter’s Basilica & Tombs with Optional Dome Climb
St. Peter’s tours with or without Vatican Museums from Viator
What to See Inside St. Peter’s Basilica
As you explore, take time to notice both the famous masterpieces and the details that help explain how this remarkable church came to be.
- Michelangelo’s Pietà Completed in 1499, Michelangelo’s Pietà depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ after the Crucifixion. The sculpture showcases Michelangelo’s remarkable skill in carving marble, from the delicate folds of Mary’s clothing to the lifelike figure of Christ. You’ll find it behind protective glass near the entrance.
- Bernini’s Baldachin At the center of the basilica, beneath the dome, stands Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s enormous bronze baldachin. Completed in 1633, this elaborate canopy rises above the papal altar, marking the traditional location of St. Peter’s tomb. Its dramatic design is a defining example of Baroque art and architecture.
- The Dome and Its Mosaics The dome is one of Rome’s most recognizable landmarks. Michelangelo contributed to its design, although it was completed after his death, with Giacomo della Porta overseeing the final work. Inside the basilica, look up to appreciate the mosaics and the immense scale of the structure. See my guide to the St. Peter’s Basilica dome climb for practical advice before you go.
- The Monumental Interior St. Peter’s Basilica is designed to impress. The basilica we see today began construction in 1506, replacing an earlier church built under Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. Its vast nave, towering columns, marble surfaces, and monumental altar reflect the artistic ambition and religious authority of Renaissance and Baroque Rome.
- The statue of St. Peter: Visitors often stop to touch or kiss the foot of this bronze statue, a long-established devotional tradition that has visibly worn the foot smooth. I do NOT recommend putting your lips on this.
- The monuments and tombs: The basilica contains memorials to popes and other important figures. Their styles reflect changing artistic tastes and the ways successive generations commemorated religious and political authority.
You do not need to see every artwork to appreciate St. Peter’s Basilica. Choose a few highlights, look closely, and allow yourself time to take in the building as a whole.
Practical Tips for Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica
A little planning can make your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica much easier. Keep these tips in mind before you go.
- Follow the dress code. What is the dress code for St. Peter’s Basilica? Both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees. Bring a light layer if you’re visiting in warm weather and wearing sleeveless tops. You may be turned away if your knees or shoulders are exposed.
- Allow time for security. Everyone must pass through security, and queues can be lengthy, particularly during busy travel periods. A reservation does not necessarily mean you bypass every security line, though it often expedites the process.
- Consider an early visit. Arriving early may help you avoid some of the heaviest crowds, although visitor numbers vary by season, day, and religious events.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The basilica is enormous, and exploring it involves considerable walking. If you plan to climb the dome, expect additional stairs and physical effort.
- Check for closures and special events. As an active place of worship, St. Peter’s Basilica may have restricted access or altered visiting arrangements for papal ceremonies and religious celebrations. Check current visitor information before setting out.
Finally, remember that St. Peter’s Basilica is a working church as well as a major tourist attraction. Be respectful during prayer and services and give yourself time to appreciate the building without rushing from one highlight to the next.
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Peter’s Basilica
Is entry to St. Peter’s Basilica free?
Yes, entry to the main floor of St. Peter’s Basilica is completely free. However, visitors can choose to purchase a timed-entry reservation that includes a digital audio guide to enhance their visit. A separate paid ticket is always required to climb the dome or take a guided tour.
Do you need tickets to visit St. Peter’s Basilica?
No, you do not need a paid ticket for ordinary entry to the basilica, but you must pass through the security line. You will need a ticket to climb the dome, visit the Papal Crypts, or explore the Scavi (necropolis).
Is St. Peter’s Basilica included in Vatican Museums tickets?
Not automatically. The basilica and the Vatican Museums are entirely separate visitor experiences. Some guided tours combine them, so check exactly what is included in the tour you book. You will need a ticket to tour the Vatican Museums, which generally provides access to the Sistine Chapel. Make sure you have the correct tickets if both are on your bucket list!
Is climbing St. Peter’s Dome worth it?
In my opinion, absolutely—provided you are comfortable with heights, some narrow, slanting passages, and a few hundred stairs. The views over St. Peter’s Square and Rome are remarkable. I have climbed the dome several times and enjoy it every single time.
How many steps is the St. Peter’s dome climb? There are 551 steps if you do the full dome climb by stairs. However, an elevator can take you to the terrace level, leaving you with only 320 steps to climb to the uppermost part. Personally, I find this climb easier and less claustrophobic than climbing the Duomo in Florence. The terrace level also gives you a lot of room to spread out and take great pictures even if you decide not to go all the way to the top.
Recommended Dome Climb Tours:
- LivTours St. Peter’s Basilica Tour with Dome Climb
- The Tour Guy St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Basilica Tours
How long does it take to visit St. Peter’s Basilica?
Allow at least one to two hours for the basilica if you want to appreciate its major artworks and architecture. Allow additional time for security queues, the dome climb, a guided tour, or the papal crypts. Your total visit will depend on which experiences you choose.
How do you visit the Vatican Necropolis?
The Vatican Necropolis is an ancient Roman burial ground directly beneath the basilica that can be visited only by advance reservation with an authorized Vatican guide. To book officially, you must email the Vatican Excavations Office months in advance with your exact dates, group size, and language preference, or fill out the form on the official Vatican Scavi website.
I have experienced the frustration of trying to arrange a Necropolis visit directly through the Vatican. You can make contact months ahead and still not receive a response. If you cannot secure a Scavi visit, I highly recommend taking a tour of the Papal Crypts instead, which sits between the main floor and the Necropolis. I really enjoyed LivTours’ St. Peter’s Basilica Tour with Dome Climb & Papal Tombs Semi-Private Tour (save 10% off 2+ tours with my embedded link and code AMYRH10).
Is a guided tour worth booking if you want to see the Papal Crypts?
Yes! Because it is so difficult to get Scavi tickets, a guided tour of the Papal Crypts is an extraordinarily fascinating alternative. These crypts contain the tombs of popes and saints. I went on LivTours’ St. Peter’s Basilica Tour with Dome Climb and Papal Tombs, and I still think about it years later. Limited to just six participants, it makes coordinating the basilica, the dome, and the crypts effortless. My readers can save 10% off 2+ tours with my link and code AMYRH10.
Caption: a picture that I took atop St. Peter’s Basilica Dome
About the author: I’m Amy French, Ph.D., a history professor, seasoned traveler, and the voice behind Roaming Historian. My husband, Jon, and I spend several months each year traveling the Americas and Europe…exclusively with carry-on luggage. I share stories that blend history and travel to give my readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore. Check out my “About Me” page to learn more, or browse my Travel Guides, Visit Italy, and Travel Tips pages for my best stories and advice. If you love Italy, join my “Italy Travel Tips, Planning, and Inspiration” Facebook group.
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