St. Peter's Basilica Tickets

What are St. Peter's Basilica opening hours?

Today

Open 07:00–19:10

Best time to visit the St Peter's Basilica

Weekday vs Weekend

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  • 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

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  • 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.

Frequently asked questions about St Peters 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.

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