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Rome Tickets St Peters Basilica Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to St. Peter's Basilica: What to Know

How long to set aside, what to wear and bring, where to find shops and a café, accessibility, and the rules inside the Basilica.

How Long to Spend at St. Peter's Basilica

Visitors inside St. Peter's Basilica

Most visits take 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much you want to see. That's enough for the nave, the Pietà, Bernini's Baldacchino and the Vatican Grottoes at an easy pace.

  • Allow extra time if you're also climbing the Dome, which is a separate visit
  • The afternoon guided tour of the Basilica, Square and Grottoes lasts about 3 hours

What to Wear and Bring to St. Peter's Basilica

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Shoulders and knees must be covered. Men need long trousers, and women need trousers or a skirt below the knee. Sleeveless tops, very short clothing and hats aren't allowed inside.

  • Carry a light scarf in case your top leaves your shoulders bare

St. Peter's Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes: Afternoon guided tour

Highlights

Explore the grandeur of St. Peter’s Square and understand the optical illusions designed by Bernini.

Marvel at the magnificent mosaics inside the iconic Basilica.

Admire Renaissance and Neoclassic artworks, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and the large canopy.

Visit the underground grottoes, including St. Peter’s tomb and ancient basilica walls.

Enjoy the commentary of a live guide available in multiple languages.

Guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica

Highlights

Skip long queues with fast-track entry.

Explore the extensive Vatican Museums and marvel at the Sistine Chapel.

Enjoy VIP access to the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica.

Benefit from a knowledgeable live English-speaking guide.

Hear the commentary clearly using a provided headset.

Small groups with a maximum of 20 participants ensure a personal experience.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel + St. Peter's Square

Highlights

Avoid long queues with fast-track entry.

Join a tour limited to 20 participants.

Explore iconic sites like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Last Judgement.

Includes guided visits to Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Listen clearly to commentary through modern headsets in English.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel: Skip Ticket

Highlights

Skip the usual long queues with fast-track access.

Enjoy a self-paced visit through the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Listen to detailed commentary available in English and seven additional languages.

Discover masterpieces by renowned artists like Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, and Caravaggio.

Use a downloadable audio guide app that can be accessed offline.

St. Peter's Basilica Facilities and Shops

Facilities near St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square

There's a shop selling religious items inside the Basilica, with more shops near the Treasury Museum and in the courtyard.

Food and drink aren't allowed inside. If you climb the Dome, you'll find a café and another gift shop at terrace level on the way down. For a proper meal, the Borgo streets just outside Vatican City have plenty of cafés and trattorias.

Families can use a room with a changing table in the Welcome Area, where you can also breastfeed younger children.

Accessibility at St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica interior

There's a reserved entrance with a ramp for visitors with disabilities on the right-hand side of St. Peter's Square. Inside, ramps and elevators help you get around.

The Dome is only partly reachable by elevator, so the last section means climbing stairs. Note that the afternoon guided tour of the Basilica, Square and Grottoes isn't wheelchair accessible.

St. Peter's Basilica Visitor Guidelines

It's an active church: many people come to pray, so keep your voice down.

Photos are allowed without flash, as long as you don't disturb services or other visitors.

Silence your phone before you go in.

No food, drink or smoking inside the Basilica.

No pets are allowed inside.

Keep children with you throughout the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting St. Peter's Basilica

Can I wear a hat inside the Basilica?

No. Hats aren't allowed inside, along with sleeveless tops and very short clothing.

Where can I eat or get a coffee?

There's no food inside the Basilica. The nearest café is at terrace level on the Dome route, and the Borgo neighborhood just outside Vatican City has plenty of places to eat.

Can I bring young children?

Yes, children are welcome as long as an adult supervises them. There's a room with a changing table in the Welcome Area.

Are the Vatican Grottoes open to visitors?

Yes. The Grottoes hold the tombs of many popes and are open to the public. The afternoon guided tour on this site includes them.

Is the Dome climb included in any of the tickets?

No. The Dome is a separate visit with its own hours, and none of the tickets on this site include it.

This website sells official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

The images and videos on this website may contain visual elements that have been created or enhanced using AI technology. They are provided for illustrative purposes only.