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.

What are St. Peter's Basilica opening hours?

Today

Open 07:00–19:10

St Peter's Basilica

7am - 7:10pm

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS
Monday (Today)	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

Apr 1 TO Sep 30 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Sep 30)	TIMINGS
Monday	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

Oct 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Oct 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

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 (Today)	09:00–18:00	18:00
Tuesday	09:00–18:00	18:00
Wednesday	09:00–18:00	18:00
Thursday	09:00–18:00	18:00
Friday	09:00–18:00	18:00
Saturday	09:00–18:00	18:00
Sunday	09:00–18:00	18:00

Tomb of Saint Peter

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday (Today)	07:00–19:10	18:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10	18:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10	18:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10	18:10
Friday	07:00–19:10	18:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10	18:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10	18:10

St Peters Basilica Dome

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday (Today)	07:30–17:00	16:30
Tuesday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Wednesday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Thursday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Friday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Saturday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Sunday	07:30–17:00	16:30

Apr 1 TO Sep 30 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Sep 30)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	07:30–18:00	17:30
Tuesday	07:30–18:00	17:30
Wednesday	07:30–18:00	17:30
Thursday	07:30–18:00	17:30
Friday	07:30–18:00	17:30
Saturday	07:30–18:00	17:30
Sunday	07:30–18:00	17:30

Oct 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Oct 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Tuesday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Wednesday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Thursday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Friday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Saturday	07:30–17:00	16:30
Sunday	07:30–17:00	16:30

Vatican Necropolis

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday (Today)	08:00–18:00	16:30
Tuesday	08:00–18:00	16:30
Wednesday	08:00–18:00	16:30
Thursday	08:00–18:00	16:30
Friday	08:00–18:00	16:30
Saturday	08:00–14:00	12:30
Sunday	Closed

St Peters Square

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS
Monday (Today)	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

Apr 1 TO Sep 30 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Sep 30)	TIMINGS
Monday	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

Oct 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Oct 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS
Monday	07:00–19:10
Tuesday	07:00–19:10
Wednesday	07:00–19:10
Thursday	07:00–19:10
Friday	07:00–19:10
Saturday	07:00–19:10
Sunday	07:00–19:10

Public Museums of Vatican City

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday (Today)	07:00–18:30	18:30
Tuesday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Wednesday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Thursday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Friday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Saturday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Sunday	07:00–18:30	18:30

Apr 1 TO Sep 30 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Sep 30)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	07:00–19:00	19:00
Tuesday	07:00–19:00	19:00
Wednesday	07:00–19:00	19:00
Thursday	07:00–19:00	19:00
Friday	07:00–19:00	19:00
Saturday	07:00–19:00	19:00
Sunday	07:00–19:00	19:00

Oct 1 TO Dec 13 Timings Days (Oct 1 TO Dec 13)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Tuesday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Wednesday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Thursday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Friday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Saturday	07:00–18:30	18:30
Sunday	07:00–18:30	18:30

St. Peter's Basilica Entry with Audio Guide

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St. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entry Tickets with Dome Access

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Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter's Basilica

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2 hr. - 4 hr. 30 min.

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St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Guided Tour

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1 hr. - 3 hr.

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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

Closed

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

Off Season

Moderate Season

Peak Season

St. Peter's Basilica Mass timings

Weekdays:

7am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph

7:30am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph

8:30am: Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament

9am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph

10am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph

11am: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

12pm: Noon Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

5pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

6pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

9pm: Eucharistic Adoration Altar of the Confessio

Holidays:

7am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph

8am: Holy Mass Altar of St. Joseph

9am: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

10:30am: Holy Mass Chapter Altar of the Cathedra

12:30pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

4pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

5pm: Vespers Chapter Altar of the Cathedra

6pm: Holy Mass Altar of the Cathedra

Continuous Adoration

Continuous adoration takes place in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament from Monday to Saturday. At the end of the Holy Mass at 8:30am, the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place, followed by Eucharistic Adoration, which continues until 6:45pm when the Eucharistic Blessing takes place.

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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.