St. Peter's Dome: tips for your visit
When it is quieter, what to wear, what you can bring in your bag and how the visit works with the basilica's two routes.
Six things to know before you go
Come early
Visitor reports consistently name early morning as the quietest time at the security check. The current opening hours are further down this page.
Avoid Wednesdays
On Wednesday mornings the Pope usually holds the general audience on St. Peter's Square. The basilica and the dome may then open later or only partly.
Cover shoulders and knees
This applies to the basilica and the dome, in summer too. A light scarf in your bag helps if your top turns out to be too revealing.
Small bag
Large backpacks, wheeled cases and bulky luggage stay outside, and the basilica has no cloakroom.
The lift only goes to the terrace
Even with the lift, you climb the last 320 steps on foot, through narrow passages between the shells of the dome.
Allow enough time
The basilica gives about an hour for the dome. With the security check and the basilica, you should plan for considerably longer.
When the dome is open
The basilica publishes its opening hours for one period at a time, with separate times for the basilica and the dome. The dome closes much earlier than the basilica.
According to visitor reports, the security check is usually less busy in the morning than around midday. Expect restrictions around major liturgies and the Wednesday general audience.
| Period | Basilica | Dome |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Oct 2026 – 28 Mar 2027 | 7:00–19:00 | 7:30–17:00 |
The dome can close at short notice for celebrations and events of the Holy See, and also in extreme weather. It stays open when it rains.
Clothing, bags and the security check
All visitors go through the security check under the right-hand colonnade of St. Peter's Square, even with a guided tour or a ticket booked in advance.
Clothing
- Shoulders and knees covered
- No sleeveless tops, no very short trousers or skirts
- Hats off inside the basilica
- Sturdy shoes for the stairs
Bags and behaviour
- Small bags only, no large backpacks or wheeled cases
- No cloakroom on site
- No animals
- Keep quiet; the basilica also asks visitors not to take photos inside
How the visit works
After the check, the basilica assigns you a route. On the Sobieski route you visit the basilica first and then go up the dome. The Lambertini route takes you through the Welcome Area up the dome first and then into the basilica. With the official ticket you can enter the basilica up to 90 minutes before your dome time slot. You need the QR code at every entrance.
Up on the terrace at the foot of the dome there are toilets, a kiosk, a shop and the Vatican post office, and there are more toilets after the descent. The ticket is valid for one visit; there is no second entry.
With a guide instead of on your own
The official ticket only comes with a digital audio guide. If you want the basilica and the grottoes explained to you, take a guided tour that includes the dome.
Tiqets
St. Peter's Basilica and grottoes with guide and dome
- Guided tour of the basilica and Vatican Grottoes
- Access to the dome
- Languages: English, Spanish, French
from €42.00*
Book with Tiqets
Headout
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica with dome climb
- Guided tour of the basilica
- Climb to the dome
- Duration: 3 hrs
from €49.00*
Book with Headout*Lowest price reported by the provider today. Day, time, group size and tour language change the price.
Common mistakes
Turning up with large luggage
With no cloakroom, you need to leave suitcases or a large backpack at your accommodation or a left-luggage service beforehand.
Assuming the official ticket is flexible
The basilica's ticket is issued in your name, the date and time cannot be changed, and there are no refunds.
Thinking the lift goes all the way up
It only goes to the terrace. If you are claustrophobic or not very mobile, you should know this before you buy.
Queuing in clothes that are too revealing
If you arrive at the check with bare shoulders or in shorts, you won't get in. A scarf in your bag saves you the trip back.
Questions about your visit
The basilica is free to enter. You can now reserve a time slot with an audio guide for a fee, but this is not compulsory. You need a ticket for the dome.
Yes, on the terrace at the foot of the dome, and again on the terrace after the descent.
Young children are allowed, but according to the basilica the climb can be difficult for them. The upper passages are narrow and steep.
On Wednesday mornings there is usually a general audience on St. Peter's Square. Access to the basilica and the dome may then be restricted. It is better to plan your visit for another day or for the afternoon.
In the rain, yes. In extreme weather the basilica may close the climb temporarily.