If the Vatican is the heart of Rome, then St. Peter’s Basilica is its soul. Whether you’re a believer or not, this architectural and spiritual wonder is a place you shouldn’t miss. In this article you’ll discover everything you need for a smooth and inspiring visit – from dress code and entry rules to the secrets of the interior and ways to reach one of the world’s holiest places.
St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is a work of art. Both outside and inside, it was sculpted by the skilled hands of some of the most important architects and artists in Rome’s history, and the treasures contained in its high naves contribute to the admiration this basilica evokes in its visitors.
St. Peter’s Basilica: Where It’s Located, How to Get There
St. Peter’s Basilica is located on St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, a state within a state, in the center of Rome.
>>> Here you can find my tips for visiting the Vatican <<<
It’s part of the huge Vatican complex and is located on the banks of the Tiber River, close to Castel Sant’Angelo and the Prati residential district, and can easily be reached on foot or by bus/tram/metro.
The closest bus lines are: 40, 64, 62, 19 (tram), 49, 32, 982, 492, 990, 81.
Tram 19 stops at Piazza Risorgimento, less than 5 minutes walk from the basilica.
Metro A stops at Ottaviano – San Pietro station, a few minutes walk from St. Peter’s Square itself.
>>> All my tips for using public transport in Rome can be found here. <
If you want to reach the basilica on foot, you can walk from the Tiber to the basilica along Via della Conciliazione or reach it from Piazza Risorgimento/Borgo (from its right side) or from Piazza Sant’Uffizio (from the left side).
Via della Conciliazione is a large road built during the Fascist era that serves as a gateway to the main square.
The basilica is located at its very end, so you walk straight toward it. Although the Vatican is an independent state, there’s no border control here.
Interesting fact: Fascist restructuring of many Rome neighborhoods was done by demolishing residential quarters and evicting many people. Some of those evicted were moved to the Garbatella neighborhood, which is far from the Vatican but worth visiting!
The Borgo area is very different, as it consists of streets now lined with houses, restaurants, and hotels.
Walking here gives you an idea of what the area looked like before Via della Conciliazione was built.
Both places have their merits, and while I prefer Borgo’s small streets, the view of the basilica from the Tiber is quite impressive!
St. Peter’s Basilica Opening Hours
The basilica is open:
- 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM between October 1 and March 31
- 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM from April 1 to September 30
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica – Tickets and Tours
St. Peter’s Basilica is an active church and no tickets or advance reservations are required to visit it.
However, tickets are required for other parts of the basilica, namely access to the dome, Vatican Treasury, St. Peter’s tomb, and the necropolis.
You can choose between several ticket options – with a guide or self-guided visit.
Some of these are from my favorite tour provider, GetYourGuide (they have great tours and excellent cancellation options for most of them):
- St. Peter’s Basilica access with audio guide tour
- St. Peter’s Basilica guided tour
- St. Peter’s Basilica guided tour with dome climb
- Guided tour of the necropolis and St. Peter’s Basilica
Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica – Practical Tips
Entry to the basilica is organized on a one-way system. You enter through the door on the right and exit through the door on the left.
Re-entry isn’t allowed, but inside the basilica there’s free movement, so this system allows social distancing in busy entrance/exit areas but doesn’t interfere with your visit.
To enter, you need to queue at the start of the colonnade, on the right, and you’ll have two checks: one for temperature (this was for 2020, but may have been removed by the time you read this) and one for security, where your luggage goes through an X-ray machine.
The line is usually long, both steps are mandatory, which means waiting is inevitable.
Once you enter the basilica, you can explore it at your leisure.
What to Wear When Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica?
St. Peter’s Basilica is known for its strict dress code and there really are some rules about appropriate clothing. Our complete guide to the Vatican dress code can be found here, but here are a few quick tips:
- NO short skirts
- NO shorts
- NO sleeveless tops
This is a good start, but not everything. Even if not explicitly stated, practically all revealing clothing, those with deep-cut necklines, or those that leave your stomach or back exposed, can result in being denied entry to St. Peter’s Basilica.
How strictly this is applied varies. On my last visit I was surprised to see the dress code seemingly not enforced at all.
Whatever the reason was that day, in many cases before I’ve seen people who weren’t admitted, so my advice is: when in doubt, dress conservatively.
Even if not strictly necessary, it will be appreciated by those who come to the basilica as a sacred place.
The basilica doesn’t offer covering garments, so if you plan to cover up with a shawl or something similar, I recommend bringing your own.
The basilica is extensive and you’ll need to stand upright and walk for quite some time, so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
>>> You can find my tips on how to dress in Rome and my recommended shoes for sightseeing in Rome here. <
What to See in St. Peter’s Basilica?
There are so many things to see in St. Peter’s Basilica that I approach this section with heightened attention. I can’t describe everything that should be seen in St. Peter’s Basilica here, for that I’d have to write a book!
However, I can point out some of the most interesting highlights for me and some things I think you shouldn’t miss that make the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica the wonder it is.
Michelangelo’s Pietà
Michelangelo’s Pietà is located immediately near the basilica’s entrance, you’ll see it on the right as you enter.
It’s protected by a transparent glass wall and is incredibly beautiful, without doubt one of the most beautiful statues in Rome and Italy in general.
Many visitors first notice how much smaller it is than they assume. Michelangelo’s statue is life-size – an incredible idea that makes the whole scene even more touching!
The statue was created in 1498-99 by Michelangelo from white Carrara marble and is one of Michelangelo’s first works.
It was commissioned by French Cardinal Jean Bilhères de Lagraulas and originally placed in the Chapel of Santa Petronilla, then moved to the Church of Santa Maria della Febbre, still located in the Vatican. Later, in the mid-18th century, it found a home in its current chapel.
The Statue of St. Peter
Made of bronze, the statue depicts St. Peter seated on a marble throne with his right hand raised in a Greek blessing gesture (only two fingers raised upward), and keys in his left.
The statue is claimed to be the work of Arnolfo di Cambio and dates from the 13th century, although the exact dating and origin of the sculpture have been the subject of much research and the author isn’t definitively known.
The statue is now enclosed, but if you see it up close, you’ll notice one of its feet is “worn away”: this is because believers kissed it for decades as a sign of devotion!
Fun fact: Every June 29, the day Saints Peter and Paul are celebrated, the patron saints of Rome, the statue is “dressed” in papal vestments and tiara.
The Baldachin
The baldachin covering the main altar will probably be one of the first things you notice in the church, if not the very first, even though it’s located at its very end.
Colossal and imposing, it has four columns that rise toward the ceiling. It stops every visitor in their tracks with its height and magnificence, even those who aren’t fans of Baroque architecture!
The baldachin was created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1624-1633 and is the most important bronze monument of the Baroque. Many even consider it a manifesto of the entire Baroque movement. It’s 28 meters (92 feet) high and sits directly above St. Peter’s tomb.
From a distance it’s easy to underestimate how large the baldachin actually is. Its dimensions allow it to fit perfectly within the basilica’s massive perimeter, but when you find yourself beneath it, you can appreciate how enormous this work of art is and the level of detail on each column!
The baldachin is said to have initially received mixed reactions, but over the following centuries it had great admirers like D’Annunzio, who in “Elegie Romane” wrote: “Sorgono scintillando per l’ombra le quattro colonne che nel pagano bronzo torge il Bernini a spire” (The four columns rise sparkling through the shadow, which Bernini twisted in pagan bronze into spirals).
The Apse and Chair of St. Peter
Behind the baldachin, in the basilica’s apse, is the throne of St. Peter. The throne is claimed to have been used by Peter himself, but the one we can currently see in the church dates from the 9th century and was given to the Pope by French King Charles the Bald (Charles II).
The throne is currently surrounded by an eye-catching, very elaborate golden bronze sculpture by Bernini, which he created in 1656-1665, making the throne appear as if it’s rising into the air.
At its base are statues of the 4 Church Fathers (St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, St. Athanasius, and St. John Chrysostom), and at the top we can admire golden clouds, rays and angels, as well as a stained glass window with a dove representing the Holy Spirit.
Chapels and Statues, Chapel of the Holy Sacrament
St. Peter’s Basilica has many chapels and statues, some accessible and others currently enclosed.
Among the many worth seeing, we can highlight the tomb of Pius VII by Thorvaldsen, the tomb of Innocent III by Pollaiolo, the monument to Clement XIII by Canova.
One chapel deserving special attention is the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, now closed by a gate designed by Bernini.
Originally the chapel was conceived as a sacristy, but in 1638 it assumed its current function and has maintained it to this day.
The Treasury of St. Peter
On the left side of the basilica is the entrance to the Treasury of St. Peter (accessible with a ticket).
The Treasury is worth seeing, even if you think you’re not interested in such things.
Here, besides interesting architectural spaces and volumes, you’ll find wood carvings of all the popes buried in the church, from St. Peter onward.
This makes quite a strong impression, as there are many popes, but not that many when you think how far back the church’s history takes us!
What Else to See Near St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is located inside the Vatican, near several other attractions.
Although you shouldn’t try to fit too many things into your day here, it’s possible to add other attractions to your visit.
Some of these must be explored:
St. Peter’s Dome
Part of the basilica but accessible only with special tickets, the dome is wonderful to visit if you’re not afraid of heights, don’t have problems with tight spaces (this is a nightmare for people with claustrophobia!), and if you’re physically fit enough.
You’ll climb many stairs!
If you’re ready for this challenge, the dome will reward you with incredible views!
The Vatican Gardens
Located behind the basilica and accessible only with a guided tour or audio guide.
The visit takes 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the chosen tour. You can find all the information and our review of visiting the Vatican Gardens here.
St. Peter’s Square
The square is located right in front of the basilica and is itself a work of art. Designed by Bernini, it’s important because of its stunning colonnade, beautiful fountains, the obelisk, and the touching refugee monument now on its left side.
The square is also an incredible place from which to see the basilica’s facade itself.
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are located immediately next to the basilica and are connected to it (the Sistine Chapel with the church).
They’re among the largest museums in the world and you should dedicate a full day to visit them because they’re enormous!
If you’re planning to see them, I recommend going there first and leaving the basilica for the end of your journey.
Although it’s technically possible to see the museums, basilica, and gardens on the same day, adding the Vatican Gardens on the same day may prove too tiring.
I hope you enjoyed this article and found my tips for visiting St. Peter’s Basilica helpful.