Interior View of St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

One of the Best Places To Visits in Vatican City

4.80 (159.4K reviews)

Address

Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

Why you should visit St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Vatican City and Rome. Its grandeur and artistic treasures are truly awe-inspiring. Plan your visit strategically to minimize wait times and fully appreciate the experience. Consider booking a tour to skip the line.

  1. Witness world-renowned art and architecture, including Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's baldachin. Experience the spiritual and historical significance of one of the most important religious sites. Enjoy panoramic views of Rome from the dome. Don't miss the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.

Things you should know before visiting

Entry to the Basilica is free, but long lines are expected. Booking a tour or entrance time is highly recommended. To visit the catacombs, email for approval in advance. The dome has stairs or a lift, requiring a separate ticket purchase inside the basilica.

Pros & Cons

  • Magnificent architecture and attention to detail
  • Stunning art, including Michelangelo's Pietà
  • Breathtaking panoramic views from the dome
  • Spiritual and humbling atmosphere
  • Historical significance and artistic brilliance
  • Long queues for entry
  • Dome climb can be tricky and steep
  • Strict dress code

Highlighted Reviews

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From the moment you step inside, you are surrounded by stunning architecture, intricate mosaics, and incredible sculptures.

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This basilica is more than just a place of worship; it’s a symbol of faith, history, and artistic brilliance.

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Its immense structure, architectural perfection and complete perfection across the exterior and interior make for a special visit.

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The stairs up are a little tricky, steep and quite enclosed at times and a one point they are very wonky but worth it for the views.

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A world leading masterpiece of a building that is hard to comprehend.

Visitor Reviews

Frequently mentioned in reviews:

dome (12) Peter (10) Basilica (9) basilica (8) Rome (7) Vatican (7) views (6) worth (6) world (6)

Top-rated.online cuts through the clutter, highlighting only the reviews that are most helpful, earn the most likes, or come from the most active contributors.

5/5
Panayiotis S.
3 months ago on Google • 15 reviews
New

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stunning and Breathtaking! St. Peter’s Basilica is an absolute masterpiece of architecture and history. The grandeur of the dome, the intricate details of the artwork, and the spiritual atmosphere make it a must-visit in Rome. Climbing to the top offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Be prepared for long lines, but the experience is well worth the wait!

5/5
Weronika
3 months ago on Google • 19 reviews
New

St. Peter’s Basilica is nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment you approach the grand entrance, you’re struck by the sheer scale and magnificence of this iconic church. The architecture is a masterpiece, with every corner showcasing incredible attention to detail and historical significance. Inside, you’re welcomed by a sense of awe, as the vastness of the space combined with the stunning art, including Michelangelo’s Pietà, creates an overwhelming atmosphere of reverence and beauty. The light filtering through the high windows, the rich marble floors, and the intricate mosaics leave you speechless. Climbing to the dome offers a breathtaking panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square and the city of Rome, which is a truly unforgettable experience. This basilica is more than just a place of worship; it’s a symbol of faith, history, and artistic brilliance. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an art lover, or someone simply seeking a moment of quiet reflection, St. Peter’s Basilica offers something for everyone. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Vatican City, and it truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful and important religious sites in the world.

5/5
Kathryn M.
3 months ago on Google • 56 reviews
New

Truely incredible. This is my favourite place in the Vatican and I know it’s a bit typical. When we went there was a mass on and it was just incredible. There’s also an opportunity to have confession, there’s a number of priests speaking a number of languages. Take your time inside and feel. It’s quite grand. You can purchase tickets to go up the dome either by stairs or lift (different prices depending on what option you choose). If you want to see the catacombs you will have to email and get approval in advance. Entering the basilica is free, however you will wait hours in the line. So I do recommend booking a tour or an entrance time if possible. Otherwise get comfortable waiting in a very very very long line. After passing security it took maybe 10-15 minutes to get into the basilica.

5/5
Jean C.
4 months ago on Google • 105 reviews

St. Peter's Basilica is absolutely breathtaking! The beauty and splendor of this place left my family and me in awe. The Vatican Museum, the basilica, and the gardens are all must-see attractions. I highly recommend booking tickets with a reputable local tour guide to skip the long lines and fully enjoy the experience. A truly unforgettable visit!

5/5
Aaron S.
3 months ago on Google • 113 reviews
New

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter, which makes it an attractive option for many visitors to Vatican City. However, it’s important to be prepared for the long queues that often form outside. These lines can stretch quite far, especially later in the morning and throughout the afternoon. If you’re looking to avoid a lengthy wait, it’s best to arrive early—ideally before 8:00am—as the crowds tend to be lighter and the entry process moves more smoothly. The main cause of the delay is the security screening process. Every visitor must pass through a metal detector, and this checkpoint can take time due to the sheer number of people arriving throughout the day. There are no priority lanes unless you are part of a guided tour or attending a religious service, so everyone queues in the same general area. Signage around the entrance is limited and not especially clear. While it’s usually obvious where the line begins once you’re in the square, the process itself isn’t well-marked. Fortunately, there are a few Vatican officials stationed nearby who help direct tourists and keep the line moving. It’s also worth noting that the entrance for climbing to the dome of the basilica is located in roughly the same area. The queues for that experience are separate but nearby, which can add to the initial confusion.

5/5
Mr B.
3 months ago on Google • 136 reviews
New

What an amazing building and surrounding areas. There is no review that could do it justice. All I can say is this is a must if you are visiting Rome and make sure that you go up the dome to get great views of the basilica and close up views of the mosaics and then head up to the very top of the dome to get great views of the Rome. The stairs up are a little tricky, steep and quite enclosed at times and a one point they are very wonky but worth it for the views. On the ground floor of the basilica there is so much to see. Make sure you don’t rush here and visit the Vatican museums first as they are worth going through and of course the fantastic Sistine Chapel which is quite frankly breath taking.

5/5
Christine H.
3 months ago on Google • 274 reviews
New

Spectacular and breathtaking and it's worth paying for the dome. Queue on the righthand side it was about 1pm on a Sunday afternoon in March a 20min wait until security then no queue to get in and it's free. For tickets and access to the Dome they are 15Euros and the access is on the rightside of the Basilica before you go in - the toilets are here as well. Pay for the elevator it's worth it. There is a small cafe when you start decending from the dome. Access to the tombs are also on the same side of the Basilica as the dome access. Remember your ID and dress code is strict.

5/5
Jeff O.
3 months ago on Google • 338 reviews
New

An absolutely beautiful place to visit. It has be of the largest domes in the world and is full of sculptures by Bernini’s team. The paintings and other artwork are also amazing throughout. Even if you don’t plan on climbing to the top of the dome I would recommend taking the elevator the roof for a great view of the city.

5/5
Marius S.
3 months ago on Google • 545 reviews
New

Absolutely Breathtaking – A Must-Visit in Rome! St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is one of the most magnificent and awe-inspiring places in the world. From the moment you step inside, you are surrounded by stunning architecture, intricate mosaics, and incredible sculptures. The dome, designed by Michelangelo, is a masterpiece, and if you’re up for it, climbing to the top offers breathtaking panoramic views of Rome and St. Peter’s Square. Inside, you’ll find Michelangelo’s famous Pietà, as well as the impressive baldachin by Bernini, standing over St. Peter’s tomb. The atmosphere is truly spiritual and humbling, making it an unforgettable experience. Entry is free, but be prepared for long lines—arriving early is recommended. A must-visit for anyone in Rome! 🏛️✨🙏

5/5
T G.
3 months ago on Google • 599 reviews
New

Stunning! Add this to your bucket list of must-see sites in the world. St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest temples for Christendom and one of the largest churches in the world. The Pope presides many liturgies all year round. Construction began in 1506 and was finished in 1626. Several renowned architects designed the temple, highlighting the works of Bramante, Michelangelo, and Carlo Maderno.

5/5
Christopher L.
4 months ago on Google • 835 reviews

A world leading masterpiece of a building that is hard to comprehend. Its immense structure, architectural perfection and complete perfection across the exterior and interior make for a special visit. Queues are large, so it’s a must to prebook. The entrance to the St Peter’s direct tickets for the dome is through the main door, then go into the basilica and there’s an inconspicuous door to the left. The guides had us walking all over the place.

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