Landmark · Rome
St. Peter's Basilica: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official St. Peter's website. Official links are under Sources.
St. Peter's is free to enter.
- Open today 07:00–19:00.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeEntry to the Basilica is free for everyone | everyone | Security check by Italian police in the right-hand colonnade (queues). Dress code: covered shoulders, knees covered. Dome, Treasury, Necropolis and Pétros ení are paid. | No |
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Wednesday (papal audience) and Sunday (Angelus at noon) are the busiest days.
- No cloakroom: bring only a small bag.
- Papal Masses need a free ticket requested in advance.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: St. Peter's
HeadoutSt. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Guided Tour★★★★☆ 4.4 · 29k reviewsfrom €19.43
HeadoutVatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter's Basilica★★★★☆ 4.4 · 23k reviewsfrom €57.50
HeadoutSt. Peter's Basilica Entry with Audio Guide★★★★☆ 4.4 · 17k reviewsfrom €5
TiqetsSt. Peter's Basilica: Guided Tour★★★★☆ 4.4 · 8.2k reviewsfrom €17
TiqetsVatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica: Guided Tour★★★★☆ 4.4 · 5.8k reviewsfrom €57.50
HeadoutSt. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entry Tickets with Dome Access & Audioguide★★★★☆ 4.4 · 5.7k reviewsfrom €24
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Official prices
St. Peter's ticket prices
| Dome climb by stairs (includes Basilica access) — Michelangelo's dome up close and the rooftop view over Rome. | €17 |
| Dome with lift to terrace level (includes Basilica access) — Saves the first set of stairs. | €22 |
| Timed Basilica entry with digital audio guide (optional) — Guaranteed slot and dedicated entrance route; entry itself stays free. | €7 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 07:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 07:00–19:00 |
| Wed | 07:00–19:00 |
| Thu | 07:00–19:00 |
| Fri | 07:00–19:00 |
| Sat | 07:00–19:00 |
| Sun | 07:00–19:00 |
26 Oct 2026 - 28 Mar 2027: daily 7am-7pm (1 Jun - 25 Oct 2026: 7am-8pm). Dome winter hours 7:30am-5pm. Access may be limited during major celebrations.
Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about St. Peter's
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Sources
Where this comes from
- basilicasanpietro.va/en/help/the-basilica · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.