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- St. Peter's Basilica
- Vatican Necropolis
- Grand Tomb of St. Peter
- St. Peter's Square
- St. Peter's Basilica Dome
- Vatican Museums
- Vatican Grottoes
- Sistine Chapel
- History
- Architecture
- Inside
- Old St. Peter's Basilica
- Saint Peter
- St. Peter's Chair
- Statues
- Floor Plan
- St. Peter's Altar
- St. Peter's Baldacchino
- Plan Your Visit
- Skip the Line Tours
- Night Tours
- Timings
- Directions
- Entrances
- Facts
- Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
- Dress Code
- Mass
- Colosseum
- Vatican Museums
- Castel Sant Angelo
- Rome Pantheon
- Roman Catacombs Tour
- Borghese Gallery
- Bioparco Rome
- Palazzo Barberini
- Musei Capitolini
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Trevi Fountain Tours
- Palazzo Merulana
- Altare della Patria
- Rome Underground Tours
- Mamertine Prison
- Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
- Rome: Ostia Antica
Contents
What are St. Peter's Basilica opening hours?
Today
Open 12:30pm–6:30pm
Last Admission
6:30pm
St. Peter's BasilicaTimings
St Peter's Basilica
7am - 7:10pm
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30pm–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Friday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Saturday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Sunday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
- Closed on Wednesdays for the Papal audience held in the Square, but it reopens at around 12:30 pm.
Vatican grottoes
Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00am–6:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00am–6:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Wednesday (Today) | 9:00am–6:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am–6:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am–6:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Saturday | 9:00am–6:00pm | 6:00pm |
| Sunday | 9:00am–6:00pm | 6:00pm |
Tomb of Saint Peter
Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00am–7:10pm | 6:10pm |
| Tuesday | 7:00am–7:10pm | 6:10pm |
| Wednesday (Today) | 7:00am–7:10pm | 6:10pm |
| Thursday | 7:00am–7:10pm | 6:10pm |
| Friday | 7:00am–7:10pm | 6:10pm |
| Saturday | 7:00am–7:10pm | 6:10pm |
| Sunday | 7:00am–7:10pm | 6:10pm |
St Peters Basilica Dome
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:30am–5:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30am–5:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30am–5:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 7:30am–5:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Friday | 7:30am–5:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Saturday | 7:30am–5:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Sunday | 7:30am–5:00pm | 4:30pm |
Vatican Necropolis
Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00am–6:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00am–6:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Wednesday (Today) | 8:00am–6:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:00am–6:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Friday | 8:00am–6:00pm | 4:30pm |
| Saturday | 8:00am–2:00pm | 12:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
St Peters Square
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31) | TIMINGS |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00am–7:10pm |
| Tuesday | 7:00am–7:10pm |
| Wednesday | 7:00am–7:10pm |
| Thursday | 7:00am–7:10pm |
| Friday | 7:00am–7:10pm |
| Saturday | 7:00am–7:10pm |
| Sunday | 7:00am–7:10pm |
Public Museums of Vatican City
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Friday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Saturday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
| Sunday | 7:00am–6:30pm | 6:30pm |
Book Tickets to St. Peter's Basilica
Best time to visit the St Peter's Basilica
Weekday vs Weekend
- Tuesdays are optimal for visiting the Basilica, with fewer tourists. You can also consider visiting later on Wednesday mornings when crowds assemble in St. Peter's Square instead to listen to the Pope's public address. The early morning hours, between 7am and 9am are usually quieter and recommended during peak season.
- On Saturdays, crowds swell as locals flock to attend confession, significantly increasing the Basilica's visitor count alongside the usual influx of tourists.
- Weekends are the busiest. Sundays are less crowded than Saturdays.
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Pleasant
Crowded
Very Crowded
Peak season vs Low season
- St. Peter's Basilica experiences its peak season from April to September, with the off-peak season spanning from November to March.
- An advantage of visiting St. Peter's Basilica during the low season is that accommodation and travel prices to Rome tend to be lower compared to the peak summer months.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Moderate Season
Peak Season
How long do I need to spend at St. Peter's Basilica?
To fully appreciate the grandeur and significance of St. Peter's Basilica, you can spend around 1 to 2 hours exploring its majestic interior, admiring iconic artworks like Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's Baldacchino. Those interested in panoramic views can add another 30 to 45 minutes for climbing the dome. A brief visit to the grottos below the basilica and a stroll through St. Peter's Square could round out the experience, providing a comprehensive understanding of this architectural masterpiece and its historical importance.
Frequently asked questions about St Peters Basilica's hours
What are St. Peter's Basilica's hours?
From 1 April to 30 September, St. Peter's Basilica is open between 7 AM to 7 PM; from 1 October to 31 March, it is open between 7 AM to 6:30 PM.
When is Holy Mass at St. Peter's Basilica?
A. On weekdays, Holy Mass is held at 7 AM, 7:30 AM, 8 AM, 8:30 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM and 5 PM. On public holidays, Holy Mass is held at 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM and 6 PM.
What is the best time to visit St. Peter's Basilica?
November to March is the best time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica.
Are there restricted access hours for certain areas of St. Peter's Basilica, such as the grottos or the dome?
While the main basilica is generally open to visitors during standard operating hours, certain areas like the grottos or the dome may have restricted access or specific visiting hours due to maintenance, religious ceremonies, or restoration work. You can check in advance for any limitations on accessing these areas.
Are there specific times when St. Peter's Basilica is closed to the public for private papal functions or ceremonies?
Private papal functions or ceremonies occasionally necessitate the closure of St. Peter's Basilica to the public. These events may include papal audiences, ordinations, or other official gatherings. Visitors should be aware that the basilica's availability for public access might be limited during such occasions, and they should plan their visit accordingly.
