St Peter's Basilica is the great church of the Vatican and one of the largest churches in the world, built over the traditional burial place of the apostle Peter. Entry to St Peter's Basilica is free, and inside you will find Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's bronze canopy over the high altar and the soaring dome that dominates Rome's skyline.
Why visit St Peter's Basilica
The present basilica replaced an older church built under Emperor Constantine. Work started in the early 16th century and took more than a century, involving many of the great names of the Renaissance and Baroque, including Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini. Michelangelo designed the dome, which was completed after his death.
The building is enormous, and its proportions are so well balanced that it can take a while to grasp just how big it is. The cherubs holding the holy water stoups near the entrance look small from a distance and turn out to be larger than an adult.
Getting to St Peter's Basilica by metro
The Vatican is served by Line A, but no station is right next to the basilica. The best stop for St Peter's Square is Ottaviano, about a ten minute walk south along Via Ottaviano to the colonnade. Cipro, the stop listed for this area on some maps, is a little further and is more convenient for the Vatican Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano.
- From Termini, Line A reaches Ottaviano in around 15 minutes without changing.
- From the Spanish Steps, take Line A from Spagna; it is only a few stops.
- If you prefer to walk from the centre, cross the Tiber at Castel Sant'Angelo and follow Via della Conciliazione straight to the square.
Entry, security and the dress code
There is no ticket for the basilica itself. Everyone passes an airport-style security check, usually set up under the colonnade on the right side of St Peter's Square, and the queue can be long in the middle of the day. It tends to move steadily, but in peak season expect a wait.
The dress code is enforced: cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf is handy in summer. Large bags may not be allowed inside, so travel light.
Opening hours vary through the year, and the basilica or the square may be closed or restricted during papal ceremonies and on Wednesday mornings when the general audience is held. Check the official Vatican websites, starting at vatican.va, for current times and any closures.
Climbing the dome
The dome climb has its own paid ticket and entrance. You can take a lift for the first section and then climb the remaining stairs, or walk the whole way for a slightly lower price. The final stretch is narrow, with sloping walls as you climb between the inner and outer shells of the dome, so it is not for anyone uneasy in tight spaces. The reward is a walkway around the inside of the dome, looking down into the basilica, and then an outdoor terrace with views over St Peter's Square and the whole of Rome.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
Arrive early in the morning, close to opening time, for the shortest security queue and a calmer interior. Late afternoon can also be quieter. Allow about an hour for the basilica, and another hour or more if you climb the dome.
Highlights inside
Michelangelo's Pietà
In the first chapel on the right, Michelangelo's marble of Mary holding the body of Christ was carved when he was in his twenties. It is behind protective glass.
Bernini's baldacchino
The huge bronze canopy over the papal altar stands beneath the dome, above the place associated with Peter's tomb.
The statue of St Peter
The bronze seated figure in the nave has a foot worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims touching and kissing it.
The Vatican Grottoes
Below the main floor are the tombs of many popes. Access to the grottoes is usually included free, with the exit leading out near the basilica.
Nearby on the same metro stop
Ottaviano and Cipro both serve the wider Vatican area:
- Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel: the papal collections, with their own ticketed entrance.
- Castel Sant'Angelo: Hadrian's mausoleum turned fortress, at the river end of Via della Conciliazione.
- Prati: a residential district with good-value restaurants and the shopping street Via Cola di Rienzo.
See more around this station on St Peter's Basilica on Around the Metro, or explore the full Rome metro map.