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We recently completed a three-week vacation to France and Italy while the kids were on summer break. It was a perfect way to see some bucket-list places like Antibes, Cinque Terre, Camogli, Monaco, Rome, and Venice. During our five-day stay in Rome, we took the time to go to Vatican City, mostly because we wanted to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. We did one of the St. Peter’s Basilica Tours and loved it!
We knew we would regret not visiting St. Peter’s Basilica while we were in Rome. It was an amazing experience, and the massive church is absolutely stunning—mind-boggling, really. It’s hard to put into words places like St. Peter’s Basilica because of their sheer scale, beauty, architectural achievements, and impact on world history and culture.
Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica
Planning a family trip to Rome can feel overwhelming. There is so much to see! So, I want to share with you what we learned from visiting St. Peter’s Basilica so that you and your family can plan to see it when you’re in Rome.
In this travel blog, I will cover many practical topics related to visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, such as:
- guided tour options
- what to expect on a tour
- what you will see
- St. Peter’s Basilica dress code
- important tips for visiting
- history of St. Peter’s Basilica
- other Vatican Tours
Why Visit St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome?
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world. It’s a visual and artistic masterpiece and one of the most holy sites of the Catholic faith. It stands as a monumental achievement of the Church during the peak of its secular power.
The basilica exemplifies the High Renaissance movement, showcasing the mastery of artists like Michelangelo, Bernini, Bramante, Maderno, and Fontana. St. Peter’s Basilica is arguably the greatest achievement of humankind in architecture and art, seamlessly woven together to create a space that elevates mortals toward the divine.
Why We Booked a Guided Tour Of St. Peter’s Basilica
I want to talk a little about why we chose a pay for a guided tour while visiting St. Peter’s Basilica. Entry into St. Peter’s Basilica is free, and you don’t need a ticket. The only thing you need basilica tickets for is to go up into the central dome. Some St. Peter’s Basilica tours include the dome tickets, and others don’t.
I knew our family wouldn’t be able to appreciate the special significance of this experience if we were just wandering around looking at things we didn’t understand and for which we had no context.
So, I decided to book one of the guided tours of St. Peter’s Basilica to help us learn about the basilica and give us some insight into everything we were about to see. Our family decided against buying basilica tickets to climb the dome because I thought that might be a bit too much for the kids after heavy walking days. We logged some steps touring places like the Colosseum and the Pantheon!
Which Of The Guided St. Peter’s Basilica Tours Did We Book?
We decided to book the Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica Express Guided Tour, which was a fantastic choice!
The tour guide was wonderful, and he did a great job covering a lot of information in a relatively short time. He was a native English speaker (he grew up in New Jersey), funny, and made history come alive with interesting facts and details. He made an otherwise overwhelming experience approachable and relevant to us. Of all of our tours in Rome, this one was our favorite!
St. Peter’s Basilica Express Tours and Duration
I want to highlight some important points about the tour we took. This “Express” tour is listed as lasting 1-2 hours. This duration does not include the wait time to get through the line into the basilica. We went in the morning, and we spent about 20 minutes in the security line to enter. Wait times average 30-45 minutes, but during peak times can exceed an hour or even longer. The total duration of our tour was around 2.5 hours. Other St. Peter’s Basilica tours are longer, but this was the perfect length of time for us!
So be prepared for this as you plan your day. Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica will probably take you at least a half day when you factor in travel, the tour, and walking around Vatican City afterward. Don’t plan anything immediatly following the tour in case it runs long.
FAQ: Are There St. Peter’s Basilica Skip The Line Tickets?
You will sometimes hear the phrase “Skip the line” on tours, but there isn’t any skipping the line to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. Everyone stands in the same line to go through security. That is the line you see in my photo below. It moves pretty fast!
However, it was very helpful to have a guide show you where to stand, update you with wait time status, coordinate getting through security, and generally provide traffic control to make visiting St. Peter’s Basilica less stressful.
Our Guided Tour Of St. Peter’s Basilica
I want to cover the details of our St. Peter’s Basilica tour, including the logistics, meeting place, and what we saw. Hopefully, this will give you an idea of how most tours generally work. There’s too much to cover in one post, but I do want to provide you with a few details about what we saw and learned during our tour. We were very happy with this tour for the price, and it’s no surprise that it has such high ratings!
Getting To Tour Meeting Place
We took an Uber from our Airbnb in the Travestere neighborhood of Rome to Vatican City. It’s a short 10-minute drive. The meeting place for the tour was an easily accessible little coffee shop just outside Vatican City. At the coffee shop, we bought a few pastries for the kids, used the bathroom, and gathered with the group to meet our tour guide.
St. Peter’s Basilica Hours Of Operation
St. Peter’s Basilica is open year-round from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (April 1 to September 30) and 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM (October 1 to March 31).
The mornings are a lot less busy than the afternoons. If you visit without a tour, make sure to go around when they open. The crowds can feel overwhelming if you arrive mid-day and don’t know where to go or what to expect.
Best Time For St. Peter’s Basilica Tours
The best time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica is in the early mornings or late in the day when the crowds are less. Our St. Peter’s Basilica tour offered times at 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:00 PM. We definitely recommend booking the 8:30 AM tour.
Our St. Peter’s Basilica Tour Guide, Group, and Audio
At the coffee shop, we met our tour guide, and he gave us a general rundown of the tour, the rules, and what to expect. Our tour had about 20 people. This group size was small enough for the tour to feel fairly intimate, for people to ask questions, and for everyone to move around in a group.
Our tour guide oriented us to the audio system he would be using to communicate with us. It is essentially a small box you wear around your neck that connects to an earphone. The earphone allowed us to hear the guide speak even if we were a short distance away or in areas with a lot of background noise. Later on, inside the basilica, we had to change the radio channel on our box several times because of interference from other tours operating on the same frequency.
What We Saw On Our St. Peter’s Basilica Tour
In this section, I want to share exactly what we saw and did on our tour, in order. That way, you know what to expect when visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and taking a tour like we did!
St. Peter’s Square
Our St. Peter’s Basilica tour started with a short walk into Vatican City, which was just across the street. We then entered St. Peter’s Piazza, or Square, a massive oval-shaped area in the southeast corner of Vatican City. St. Peter’s Square is directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. Lines were forming, and people were everywhere.
Our guide took us to the security line. While we waited, he told us some really interesting historical facts about the square, St. Peter’s crucifixion and burial, and the Egyptian obelisk at its center. This helped the time go by fast, and we found it very interesting! After about 20 minutes in line, we went through security and reformed as a group to enter St. Peter’s Basilica.
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica
The inside of St. Peter’s Basilica is breathtakingly beautiful. I stared almost in disbelief at the sheer size and lavish decoration of the space. It’s a nearly disorienting combination of massive space, vaulted ceilings, ornate stonework, gilded lettering, architectural sculpture, and art. There are so many amazing things to see my mind couldn’t process it all quickly enough.
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, our guide gave us time to look around on our own as he registered our group. We would meet up about ten minutes later. There were a lot of people in the basilica, but because it’s so big most places didn’t feel very busy. When you move in front of some of the more popular pieces of art or papal shrines, it can get crowded.
Layout of St. Peter’s Basilica
The basic layout of St. Peter’s Basilica is a cross with a massive dome in the center. The long part of the cross is called the nave, and the two arms of the cross are called the left and right transepts.
All around the perimeter of this floor plan are numerous chapels, monuments, and alters. These are gorgeous areas filled with amazing artwork. The monuments venerate dead Popes, and amazingly, some of their preserved bodies can be seen behind glass coffins. The monuments celebrate biblical figures, saints, and people of great significance to the Catholic faith. In total, The basilica holds over 40 statues, 25 monuments, 24 altars, and 8 chapels.
Artwork Within St. Peter’s Basilica
Our guide explained the artistry of the High Renaissance and said the style is filled with “motion and emotion.” I could see the expression and tension in the works. Forms twisted, knelt and moved. Their faces conveyed complex emotions like joy, pain, or grief. Angels hovered over anguished men whose contorted forms seemed to be alive with energy. Human forms, flowing robes, and swaying curtains were cut out of solid marble, so realistically, it didn’t seem possible.
Most people don’t know this, but the beautiful art that appears to be painted all over the walls and ceilings of the basilica are not actually paintings. They are mosaics. These magnificent creations are made by assembling thousands of tiny pieces called tesserae. Tesserae are small pieces of colored stone, glass, or ceramic held in place by mortar. I couldn’t stop thinking of the untold time and work required to make this place.
Just looking at these photos and knowing that, aren’t you impressed?
Michelangelo’s Contributions To St. Peter’s Basilica
Michelangelo designed the breathtakingly huge dome at the center of St. Peter’s Basilica. In addition to being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, he is considered to be part of the trinity of High Renaissance masters alongside Raphael and Leonardo de Vinci.
Another of Michelangelo’s works, Madonna della Pietà or La Pietà, resides in St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s one of the most famous sculptures in the world and depicts a young Virgin Mary sitting with her son’s dead body draped across her lap. Unfortunately, La Pieta was closed when we visited St. Peter’s Basilica. The glass case protecting it is undergoing work prior to the 2025 Jubilee. We were really sad, as seeing this famous sculpture is a true bucket list item for art lovers.
St. Peter’s Baldachin
Directly below the dome is a huge sculpted bronze canopy known as St. Peter’s Baldachin. The baldachin, designed by the famous artist Bernini, was unfortunately also under renovation in preparation for the Jubilee (more about that later) and was covered.
The Vatican Grottoes And St. Peter’s Tomb
Directly below the baldachin are the Vatican Grottoes. We descend some stairs and enter a busy set of corridors that take you through what is a burial site for Popes. The grottoes contain chapels and the resting place for 91 Popes and a few royals.
I was surprised by how open it was, and we walked right up to many of the Popes’ sarcophagi. We walked in front of a corridor that led to St. Peter’s Tomb. It was a humbling, almost eerie feeling to be so close to his tomb, which is the literal and figurative heart of the basilica.
The entire tour lasted about 2.5 hours and was wonderful. With two teenage kids, this was the perfect duration. After the tour was over, we used the nearby bathrooms and headed east of St. Peters Square to find a place to eat lunch.
5 Tips For Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica
I wanted to share some helpful tips to make visiting St. Peter’s Basilica easier and more enjoyable for your family. So, here are five things to keep in mind for visiting Saint Peter’s Basilica regardless of whether you take one of the Saint Peter’s Basilica tours or not.
#1 Know What To Bring When Visiting Saint Peter’s Basilica
We recommend bringing a small backpack, several water bottles (we couldn’t find water anywhere except a the end of the tour), good walking shoes, and a camera (flash photography is not allowed).
If you are traveling in colder months, be sure to bring a jacket, as you may be waiting outside for some time. Strollers are technically not allowed in Saint Peter’s Basilica, but I read that the security guards sometimes let them in. It’s probably best to leave strollers at home to avoid unanticipated problems. Otherwise, be prepared to leave them at the stroller check area.
#2 Stay Close To Your Tour Guide
Be sure to try to stay close to your guide when visiting St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s easy to get separated from your group when you are marveling at the place’s wonders, and sometimes, it’s hard to find them in the crowd. The signal of your headset will fade quickly when the guide gets too far away, and there is no way to tell from what direction the sound is coming (unlike with normal hearing). We lost our guide entirely at the Colosseum!
#3 Use The Bathroom Before You Go
Finding a bathroom is not easy, so be sure to go before you start the tour. The only bathroom we found is located at the very end of the tour after you exit the Vatican Grottos. The bathrooms are located on the lower right side of the facade near the bag check area. The lines for the women’s restroom were very long and took about 30 minutes to get through when we were there.
#4 Where To Find Food
Food is not allowed in St. Peter’s Basilica. If you take an early tour, it will end around lunchtime. I’m sure everyone will be hungry after your adventure. We found several restaurants on the east side of St. Peters Square.
When you exit out the front of St. Peter’s Basilica, go straight across the square and down a wide street named Via della Conciliazione. There are restaurants along Via della Conciliazione and some of its intersecting streets. We ate at the first place we came to, a cafeteria-style diner named Cafe San Pietro. The food was good, but it wasn’t cheap!
#5 Know The Vatican Dress Code
The Vatican has a strict dress code you must follow for all churches. Failure to comply means potentially being denied entry to St. Peter’s Basilica and other sacred sites within Rome. We learned the dress code for entering St. Peter’s Basilica is more strictly enforced than at other churches like the Pantheon.
In general, people should cover their shoulders and knees when visiting churches in Italy. The same holds true at St. Peter’s Basilica. Clothing that exposes the knees, including shorts, skirts, and dresses, is not permitted. Additionally, ripped jeans, T-shirts, and see-through clothing are discouraged. Offensive tattoos or religious symbols should not be visible. Hats or caps must be removed before entering.
If wearing shorts due to hot weather, they must be long enough to be level to your knee. Shirts are preferred, but T-shirts without offensive slogans or imagery are acceptable.
For women, skirts, dresses, or shorts should be at least knee-length. Sleeveless or low-cut clothing and belly crop tops are not permitted. And again, shoulders must be covered.
There is no specific dress code for kids, but the same rules as adults apply. Shorts should not be too short, and shoulders must be covered.
FYI: Rome’s Jubilee Holy Year In 2025
I do want to take a minute to mention that in 2025, the Catholic Church will celebrate a Jubilee year. These celebrations occur only every 25 years. The Jubilee is a special holy year where pilgrims from all over the world will come to Rome and Vatican City to experience sacred places.
To prepare for the Jubilee, some buildings and artworks are under renovation across Rome. In St. Peter’s Basilica, La Peita and St. Peter’s Baldichan were hidden from the public. We noticed the fountain in the plaza in front of the Pantheon was also under renovation—as were many others!
A lot of work is being done across Rome so they can put their best foot forward during this special Jubilee year. Officials anticipate over 35 million people will come to Rome and Vatican City for the Jubilee Holy Year in 2025. Make sure to take that into consideration if you are planning a trip to Rome in 2025, as crowds will be much higher than usual.
Other Guided Tours In Vatican City
There are many different types of St. Peter’s Basilica tours. Some tours include access to the basilica dome, which costs extra and requires a ticket. Some tours package together St. Peter’s Basilica with tickets to the Sistine Chapel or the Vatican Museums. Some tours are audio-guided only. More expensive private tours and small-group tours are also available.
Top-Rated St. Peter’s Basilica Tours
Here are some of the top-rated guided tours of St. Peter’s Basilica on Get Your Guide. All of these tours include tickets to climb the dome. These popular tours are rated at least 4.0 out of 5 stars.
St Peter’s Basilica & Papal Tombs Tour with Dome Climb
St. Peter’s Basilica, Papal Tombs, & Dome Climb Tour
St. Peter’s Basilica & Dome Entry Ticket & Audio Tour
Other Top-Rated Vatican City Tours
There’s a lot to see at the Vatican, including numerous amazing museums and the legendary Sistine Chapel. Here is a list of popular, top-rated tours of other Vatican destinations. Keep in mind that Sistine Chapel tickets sell out well in advance. So, if you are booking a short-notice tour, you will often be paying premium prices for that elusive access!
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Tour & Basilica Entry
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Tour
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Ticket-Line Tour
A Brief History Of St. Peter’s Basilica
In the first century, the area along the south and southwest of what is now St. Peter’s Square was a huge oval racetrack called the Circus of Nero. Rome’s citizens would meet here to watch chariot races. In 64 AD, a fire destroyed parts of Rome. Nero needed a scapegoat for the fire, and early Christians were an easy target. Peter and his new Church were blamed, and a few months after the fire, Peter was crucified upside down.
The location of his crucifixion was very close to the Circus of Nero. Inside the circus was an Egyptian obelisk taken by the Romans from Egypt as a war prize. This same obelisk was later moved about 800 feet to its current location at the center of St. Pete’s Square. It likely stood in Egypt for 1,500 years before it was transported by land and water routes to Rome. Peter was buried along the north wall of the Circus of Nero in an ancient Roman burial ground now called the Vatican Necropolis.
In the early 4th century, Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome, decided to build a grand basilica over what was believed to be St. Peter’s tomb. This original basilica, consecrated in 326 AD, became a significant pilgrimage site for Christians.
As centuries passed, the original structure began to deteriorate, and by the Renaissance, it was clear that a new basilica was needed. In 1506, Pope Julius II laid the foundation stone for the new St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the start of a lengthy construction project that attracted some of the greatest artists and architects of the time.
Donato Bramante was the first chief architect, and he envisioned a grand central plan with a massive dome. After Bramante’s death, several architects took over, including Raphael and Michelangelo. Michelangelo, who took charge in 1547, is credited with refining Bramante’s original design and creating the majestic dome that defines the basilica’s skyline today. His work on the dome continued until his death in 1564, and it was completed by Giacomo della Porta in 1590.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a master of Baroque art, designed many of the interior decorations. He designed the grandiose St. Peter’s Baldachin, the ornate bronze canopy over the papal altar, and the stunning colonnade of St. Peter’s Square.
The construction of St. Peter’s Basilica was one of the costliest building projects ever undertaken. The Church used some unpopular tactics, like selling indulgences, to bankroll the project. The sale of these indulgences set in motion Martin Luther’s Reformation and the birth of the Protestant Church.
After more than a century of construction, the new St. Peter’s Basilica was finally consecrated on November 18, 1626. The finished basilica is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica
Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica was a highlight of our trip to Rome. Its soaring beauty left a lasting impression on us about the power of art, human ingenuity, and faith. We absolutely recommend that you take the time to see it and maybe some of the other fascinating destinations within Vatican City. There are many available tour options, so you can tailor the trip to your group. Perhaps you will get to experience it during the Jubilee!
More Family Travel Inspiration
If you enjoyed this post about our family visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and my honest reviews of the tours, you’ll love my other travel blogs! Our family loves traveling all around the world. I provide great travel tips for traveling with kids and firsthand accounts of all of our adventures. Plus, all of the photos you see in my blog posts were taken by me!
Here are some posts that you may enjoy:
- 4 Day Paris Itinerary
- Where To Stay in Athens
- Amsterdam Canal Cruises
- Visiting the Roman Baths
- How To Access Airport Lounges
- Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro
PIN St. Peter’s Basilica: Tours, Tickets, Tips
