Saint Peter’s Basilica is open all year, except on the major holidays. There are separate opening hours for the crypt and the dome of the basilica. Admission to the church itself is free, but you have to pay for the privilege of being allowed to climb the dome.
Practical Information Saint Peter’s Basilica Rome
Opening hours
Saint Peter’s Basilica is open all year. During the summer months (April-September) the hours are from 07.00 until 19.00 and during the winter months (October-March) from 07.00 until 18.30. Visitors are only allowed to enter until one hour before closing time. On Wednesdays the basilica often does not open before 13.00, because of the Papal audience.
The Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano is closed on January 1st and January 6th.
Opening hours crypt: April till September from 08.00 till 18.00 and October till March from 08.00 till 17.30.
Opening hours dome: ;April till September from 08.00 till 18.00 and October till March from 08.00 till 17.00.
Opening hours Saint Peter’s Tomb, Necropolis and Basilica Constantiniana: 09.00 until 15.30 (Closed: January 1,6; November 1,2; December 8, 24, 25, 26, 27).
Admission Saint Peter’s Basilica Rome
All churches, including Saint Peter’s Basilica, are free in Rome. Often the lines are very long though. The Omnia Vatican and Roma Card allows you to skip the line, but is very expensive.
If you climb all the way to the top of the dome you pay 6 Euros, but if you use the elevator this is 8 Euros. The elevator does not go all the way up to the top though.
A guided visit to Saint Peter’s Tomb, the Necropolis and the Basilica of Constantine costs 13 Euros and has to be booked in advance. You need to indicate the period you are in Rome, which language you prefer and you will be assigned a date and time. You cannot take anything with you, including cameras. Knees and shoulders have to be covered during the visit. Phone: +39 0669885318.
Address and telephone
The address of the Basilica is Piazza San Pietro – Città del Vaticano. Phone: +39 06 6982 (central number) or +39 06 69881662 (tourist information Vatican City).
The nearest metro stops is Ottaviano (line A). Take the first exit left and just follow everybody else. Tram: 19. Bus: 23, 32, 34, 46, 49, 62, 64, 81, 492, 913, 990, 991, 999.
Mass
During the week mass is celebrated 6 times a day:
- 08.30 : Cappella del Santissimo Sacramento (Italian).
- 09.00, 10.00, 11.00 ean 12.00: Cappella di San Giuseppe (Italian).
- 17.00: At the Altare della Cattedra (Latin).
On Sundays and holidays mass is celebrated 7 times daily.
- 09.00: Altare della Cattedra (Italian)
- 10.30: Altare della Cattedra (Latin)
- 11.30: Cappella del Santissimo Sacramento (Italian)
- 12.15: Altare della Cattedra (Italian)
- 13.00: Cappella di San Giuseppe (Italian)
- 16.00: Altare della Cattedra (Italian)
- 17.45: Altare della Cattedra (Italian)
Hello, I have a question.
we would like to visit St. Peters Basilica on 22nd June.
We don´t want to wait in line and explore by ourselves.
We cant find any link to buy skip the line acces.
We found just guided tours.
Can you give us an advice, how to get easily to the Basilica without long waiting?
Thank you and have a nice day.
Nora Nimrichtrová from Prague
Hello Nora,
Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, therefore there is no way to skip the line, other than signing up for a guided tour. The only other thing you can do is to be there at 7 AM, when the basilica opens. There will still be a line, but not as long as during the day. Kind regards, Rene.