St Peter's Basilica audio guide

Explore the Christianity's greatest church at your own pace with guidebook and audio stories; upgrade for reserved entry.

• Everything you get: St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter for all visitors. Choose an English digital guidebook on its own or pair it with a multilingual audio guide and digital map covering 27 highlights. Roam at your own pace with historical context, suggested routes, photos, and insights into Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's Baldacchino, and the Papal Tombs. Entry is via the regular public queue.
• Upgrades: Skip the wait with reserved or hosted entry, climb the Dome by lift or stairs, join an expert English-guided tour, or upgrade to a complete Vatican experience with the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Basilica, and Papal Tombs.
• Why choose this: Entry may be free, but the experience is richer with expert context. Your audio guide and digital guidebook help you make sense of the art, symbolism, and history behind the world's largest church.

Inclusions #

• Access to Basilica and Papal Tombs

• Reserved entry to St. Peter's Basilica [as per option selected]

• Access to the Dome by lift or staircase [as per option selected]

• Hosted direct entry to Basilica [as per option selected]

• Guided tour of Basilica with an English-speaking guide [as per option selected]

• Audio guide [as per option selected]

• Digital guidebook with a map [as per option selected]

• Offline printed guidebook with Basilica highlights [as per option selected]

• Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with an English-speaking guide [as per option selected]

Exclusions #

• Food and drinks

What to bring

• Earphones: Bring personal earphones to use with the audio guide on your smartphone.
• Photo ID: Carry a valid photo ID matching the name on your booking, as it may be checked at entry.
• QR codes: For reserved entry, Dome, or audio guide options, ensure you have received all QR codes and check your spam folder if needed.
• Charged smartphone: Bring a fully charged smartphone to run the digital audio guide, map, or guidebook.

Accessibility

• Dome climb: The Dome climb can involve up to 551 steps and is not recommended for infants, pregnant guests, or those with mobility or heart issues, claustrophobia, or vertigo.
• Wheelchair access: The experience is not wheelchair accessible.
• Security checks: All visitors must pass airport-style security screening.

What’s not allowed

• Large baggage: Do not bring large bags, luggage, or suitcases; only small backpacks or personal bags are allowed and there is no cloakroom.
• Food and drinks: Do not bring food or drinks inside the Basilica.
• Smoking and pets: Smoking and pet animals are not permitted inside.
• Service animals: Only registered service animals assisting guests with disabilities are allowed.
• Flash and gear: Do not use flash or bring tripods and filming gear; non-flash photography is allowed.

Additional information

• Entry queues: There are two queues at the main entrance, a free entry queue and a reserved entry queue.
• Skip-the-line rule: You may skip the free entry line only if you selected a reserved entry or guided tour option at checkout.
• Security delays: Even with skip-the-line access, you may wait during peak times due to security checks.
• Dress code: Modest dress is required; avoid shorts, mini skirts, and sleeveless tops.
• Arrival time: If you have reserved entry, arrive at least 45 minutes early to clear security during busy periods.
• Age requirement: The minimum age is 6 years, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Dome timing: For Dome variants, Dome access may open 1 to 1.5 hours after your Basilica entry time; check your ticket for exact timings.
• Passage from Sistine Chapel: Special access from the Sistine Chapel to the Basilica is unavailable on Wednesdays and major celebrations such as Easter.
• Papal tombs at 6 pm: Papal Tombs are not accessible for 6 pm entries, so only the Basilica will be open then.
• Operational changes: The Basilica or Dome may close without notice for religious events; if access is restricted, alternatives will be provided.

Skip lines, enter at your reserved time, and reach Rome’s highest viewpoint with an audio guide.

• Everything you get: Enjoy faster entry with reserved access to St. Peter's Basilica and visit the Papal Tombs. Climb Michelangelo's Dome by tackling all 551 steps or taking the elevator to the terrace. Follow a digital map through 27 highlights while your audio guide brings the stories behind the Basilica's iconic art, architecture, and sacred spaces to life.
• Upgrades: Join an expert-guided tour in English, German, French, Spanish, or Italian for deeper insights with included Dome access by elevator.
• Why choose this: Instead of choosing between reserved entry, Dome access, or an audio guide, enjoy all three in one seamless experience. Skip the wait, see it all, and actually understand what you’re seeing.

Inclusions #

• Reserved entry to St. Peter's Basilica

• Access to Papal Tombs

• Digital audio guide and a map of 27 key highlights [as per option selected]

• Dome access via stairs or elevator [as per option selected]

• Guided tour of Basilica and Papal Tombs in English, German, French, Spanish or Italian [as per option selected]

Exclusions #

• Food and drinks

What to bring

• Tickets: Bring your mobile voucher or booking confirmation to present at entry.
• ID documents: Carry a valid photo ID or passport for security checks.
• Footwear: Wear comfortable walking shoes, as there are stairs and long stretches on foot.
• Dress code: Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered; avoid sleeveless tops, short shorts, and miniskirts.
• Audio guide gear: Bring your own earphones or headphones to use the digital audio guide on your smartphone.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair access: This experience is not wheelchair accessible at the Basilica or Dome.
• Stair climb: The Dome climb has 551 steep, narrow stairs and confined spaces that are not suitable for infants or pregnant individuals.
• Health conditions: This experience is not suitable for visitors with mobility concerns, heart conditions, vertigo, or claustrophobia.
• Elevator reach: The elevator only goes to the terrace, and 320 additional steps are needed to reach the summit.
• Age requirement: The minimum recommended age for the Dome climb is 6 years, and all minors up to 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s not allowed

• Large luggage: Do not bring large bags, backpacks, suitcases, or luggage into the Basilica or Dome.
• Food and drinks: Refrain from bringing food, drinks, glass items, or smoking materials onto the premises.
• Photography: Do not use flash photography anywhere inside the Basilica or on the Dome.
• Animals: Animals are not permitted, except for registered service animals.
• Cloakroom: Do not expect a cloakroom service, as none is available.
• Evening access: After 6pm, access to the Vatican Grottoes and explanations inside the Basilica is restricted.

Additional information

• Security checks: All visitors must pass airport-style security checks that can take 30 to 90 minutes.
• Arrival time: Arrive 15 to 45 minutes before your scheduled entry, as security may extend your visit duration.
• Weather closures: The Dome and roof terrace may close in bad weather without prior notice.
• Religious events: Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Dome may be suspended at short notice for ceremonies or Vatican events.
• Route changes: When the special passage between the Sistine Chapel and Basilica is closed, your guide will take you to the Pinacoteca Gallery instead.
• Special passage: The passage between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on Wednesdays and during major events like Easter.
• QR codes: Check your email, including spam, for QR codes needed for entry and to activate the audio guide.