From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
Jorge Alberto Garcia Barradas
MX

Jorge

Mexico
Jul 2025
5/5
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The explanation was very clear from the guide, always waiting for me because I was late and climbing the dome was an extraordinary experience.
Kathrin Heraeus-Lindl
DE

Kathrin

Germany
Jun 2025
5/5
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The guide was great and has a lot of experience - he has lived in Rome for 30 years and has many life stories to tell. A very funny and entertaining tour with the necessary background knowledge 😊👍👍👍👍👍
Roberto Samar
IT

Roberto

Italy
Jul 2025
5/5
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The guide Susanna was great, punctuality met, very helpful and knowledgeable-all excellent. In addition, we discovered an excellent Molise restaurant for breakfast and lunch, near the agency from which the tour starts and tickets are picked up.
Juan Carlos Gutirrez Madrid
HN

Juan

Honduras
Jul 2025
5/5
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Very good experience, Joaquina (our guide in Spanish) a success!!!! We were able to make our dream come true and the tour was more than we expected, her kindness and patience to explain everything was the top of the tour. Highly recommended. What we liked the most was not having to wait in the long lines and the complications to enter St. Peter's Basilica, since being part of the tour allows you to access everything faster!
Daniel Garnire Peterson
US

Daniel

United States
Jul 2025
5/5
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+1 more

Very informative presentation. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and made sure we caught the importance of what we were observing. It was amazing.
Hunter Brabham
US

Hunter

United States
Jul 2025
5/5
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+2 more

As someone with no base knowledge besides that the Vatican is the home of Catholicism. This was a great way for me to learn about all of Vatican City and the history of it. I would have been wandering around aimlessly without my tour
Dirk Lehmann
DE

Dirk

Germany
May 2025
5/5
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Nunzia had incredible knowledge and an extremely pleasant feeling for us. In addition to the tour, she gave us lots of tips for the days and evenings. We would be happy to book with you again; I can only recommend you.
Aaron Rushbrook

Aaron

Jul 2022
4/5
It was great and once at the top an amazing view of Vatican City and Rome, would say need to be fit to walk to the top of the dome but worth the climb.

Top things to do in Rome

St. Peter's Basilica dome | Tallest dome in the world

St. Peter's Basilica is iconic, but its Dome steals the show. Designed by Michelangelo and completed in just 22 months, this masterpiece towers over Vatican City. Adorned with beautiful mosaics and crowned with a golden sphere, the Dome offers splendid views and a deep dive into history. Climb it, and you'll stand where art, faith, and genius converge.

Note: Not all St. Peter’s Basilica tickets include access to the dome, so if you’d like to visit it, be sure to choose a ticket that specifically mentions dome entry.

Things to know before booking St. Peter’s Basilica dome tickets

  • Access to the St. Peter's Basilica dome requires a separate ticket and we recommend you can purchase Dome tickets online as the ticket office only accepts cash and queues are long. 
  • Children under 6 years can climb the St. Peter’s dome for free. 
  • The climb is entirely on foot, with no elevator assistance, making it unsuitable for individuals with heart conditions, claustrophobia, vertigo, respiratory issues, and pregnant women. Those with reduced or impaired mobility are advised against attempting the climb.
  • Not all Dome tours are guided, so if you’re looking for an expert guide to help you navigate the attraction, make sure to choose a tour that specifically offers this. 

Why visit St. Peter's Basilica Dome?

Beautiful panoramic views
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Beautiful panoramic views

Enjoy one of the best views in all of Rome, including the Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s Square, and the city's skyline.

A glimpse of Renaissance architecture

Experience Michelangelo’s masterpiece up close—he designed the dome, which remains one of the most iconic features of Renaissance architecture.

Bird’s eye view of the Basilica interior

Look down into the basilica from the base of the dome for a unique perspective of its grandeur.

Spiritual experience

Standing atop the heart of Catholicism can be a deeply moving moment for many visitors.

An amazing climbing challenge

The climb itself (especially if you go all the way on foot) is an adventure with narrow stairways and a real sense of discovery.

The St. Peter’s Basilica dome climb

Tourists on a St. Peter’s Basilica dome climb

Before the climb

Climbing the dome of St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most memorable experiences in Rome, offering unparalleled views of the Vatican City and the sprawling cityscape of Rome. The ascent involves 551 steps, winding through narrow, sometimes steep passageways, which may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with mobility issues, heart conditions, or claustrophobia should carefully consider whether this climb is right for them. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to account for security checks and to ensure you have enough time to enjoy the experience.

St. Peter’s Basilica dome climb

Climbing to the first level

The first level of the dome is up 231 steps. Sounds exhausting? Well, you can skip this part of the  climb and take the elevator. You wind up on the inside of Michelangelo's dome, and from here, you can enjoy the views of the interiors of the basilica from above, explore the mosaics up close, and also explore the roof of the basilica, which houses the statues of Jesus and the apostles that you can see from the square. You can wind down on the roof by shopping at the gift shop and grabbing a snack from the refreshment stand. You will also find a restroom here.

Note: At this level, you are simply viewing the dome up-close from the gallery. To reach the inside of the some you will have to climb a small staircase.

St. Peter’s Basilica dome

Climbing to the top of the dome

This part of the climb is optional and tricky! There is no elevator for this section, but climbing the next 320 will take you to the absolute top of the Basilica's dome. The single-file staircase spirals up, and the roof tends to slant in as you go up. As you keep climbing the staircase gets narrower, and on the last steps, you will only have a rope to hold on to.

Highlights of St. Peter’s Basilica dome

St. Peter's Basilica’s dome Interior view
Mosaics and art in the St. Peter's Basilica’s dome
St. Peter's Basilica’s dome layout
St. Peter's Basilica’s dome Latin inscription
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Interior view

As you ascend St. Peter's Basilica’s dome, enjoy a unique bird's-eye view of its grand interior, including Michelangelo's celebrated Pietà. This perspective allows you to appreciate the Basilica's intricate mosaics and architectural splendor from a height.

Mosaics and artistic contributions

The dome's mosaics are a collaborative work by several artists. Giovanni de' Vecchi and Cesare Nebbia decorated the pediments, creating representations of the four Evangelists. The upper triangles feature angels designed by Cesare Roncalli, while Giovanni Guerra and Cesare Nebbia crafted the images of Popes and Saints. Cristoforo Pomarancio added decorative motifs between the sixteen ribs.

Iconographic layout and cartoons

Clement VIII commissioned Giuseppe Cesari, known as Cavalier d'Arpino, to design the upper part of the dome. From 1603 to 1612, Cesari prepared 65 life-size cartoons that outlined the iconographic layout. These drawings were then translated into mosaic by various artists of the period, including Turchi, Torelli, Rossetti, Abatini, and Serafini.

Latin inscription and lantern

At the top of the dome, a Latin inscription honors Pope Sixtus V for his role in its creation. The lantern, which features a depiction of God, serves as a majestic focal point, completing the dome’s intricate and awe-inspiring design.

Unique facts about St. Peter’s Basilica dome

St. Peter's Basilica
  • St. Peter's Basilica dome, designed by Michelangelo, is an engineering marvel with its innovative double-shell design, allowing it to be one of the largest domes in the world.
  • If you head to Via Niccolò Piccolomini, a charming street near Villa Doria Pamphilj, you will encounter a unique visual experience of St. Peter's Basilica dome. As you walk along the street, the dome appears to move further away the closer you get, and larger and nearer as you move back. This optical illusion is created by the layout of the buildings and the observation point.
  • Although Michelangelo designed the dome, he never saw it finished. Various artists, including Giovanni de' Vecchi and Cesare Nebbia, contributed to the dome’s detailed mosaics, with their work enhancing the dome’s rich decoration.

Notable architects of the St. Peter’s dome

St. Peter's Basilica

Bramante and Sangallo

1506-1515

Bramante, the original architect of the St. Peter's Basilica, was inspired by the Pantheon. The dome would follow a similar profile, except for the lantern. The supporting wall would become a drum raised on four piers. The wall would be lightened with the help of windows and a peristyle.

Sangallo, who took over in 1513, found inspiration from the Florence Cathedral as well as the Pantheon. He developed on Bramante's plan and converted the peristyle into a series of arched and ordered openings around the base, with a second such arcade in a tier above the first. The lantern became a massive structure, surrounded by a projecting base, and peristyle. This would have been surmounted by a conical spire.

St. Peter's Basilica

Michelangelo

1547- 1564

When Michelangelo took over as the architect of the Basilica, he redesigned the dome. He took inspiration from the existing designs but modified them to a more realistic, but magnificent one. His dome would be made with two shells of brick and would be raised from piers on a drum. The peristyle and arcaded was replaced by 16 pairs of Corinthian columns, connected by an arch, which would give the dome an ovoid shape.

When Michelangelo died in 1564, only the drum of the dome and piers were complete. The work was continued under his assistant Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola with Giorgio Vasari who followed Michelangelo's plans exactly. However, very little progress was made.

St. Peter's Basilica

Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana

1585- 1590

The dome was brought to completion by Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana in 1590. They were appointed by Sixtus V. Fontana completed the lantern and had an inscription that would honor Sixtus V during the reign of Gregory XIV. Clement VIII, who followed, had the cross raised in its place.

In the mid-18th century, cracks appeared in the dome, and four iron chains were installed to bind the two shells.

Visitor tips

  • Make sure you cover your upper arms and knees. There is no way to enter the dome without entering the Basilica. Follow the appropriate dress code so you are not turned away at the entrance.
  • The climb upwards can prove to be a little difficult for those with claustrophobia. Do factor this in when you make your decision on whether to take the elevator or not.
  • If you plan to climb the cupola and not take the elevator, then ditch those heels and opt for some comfortable pair of shoes.
  • Carry water and some snacks. The only place you can get refreshments inside the Basilica is on the roof. Keep yourself hydrated and energized throughout your climb.
  • There are many gift shops inside the Basilica, but the largest one is on the roof. You can only access the roof by getting a ticket to the cupola. 

Frequently asked questions about St. Peter’s Basilica dome tickets

Is a guided tour worth the price?

Yes, it is! A guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica dome enriches your experience by providing detailed insights into the dome’s history, architecture, and artistic significance. Guides offer personalized explanations, connect features to broader historical context, and ensure you don’t miss key details.

Can I buy tickets for the dome on-site, or do I need to purchase them in advance?

While tickets can sometimes be purchased on-site, it is highly recommended to buy them in advance online to avoid long lines and ensure availability. The dome is a popular attraction, and pre-purchasing tickets helps to secure your visit and save time.

Can I visit the dome if I am pregnant or have a medical condition?

Due to the strenuous nature of the climb, visiting the dome may not be advisable if you are pregnant or have a medical condition. The ascent involves steep and narrow staircases that could be challenging. It’s best to consult with your healthcare provider before planning your visit.

How much time should I allocate to exploring the dome?

You should allocate about 1 to 1.5 hours to fully explore the dome. This includes time for the climb, enjoying the views, and taking in the detailed artwork and mosaics.

What exactly is the dress code for visiting St. Peter’s Basilica dome?

Visitors to St. Peter's Basilica, including the dome, must adhere to a modest dress code. This means shoulders and knees should be covered—no sleeveless tops, short skirts, or shorts are allowed. It’s best to wear clothing that respects the religious and cultural significance of the site.

What is the best time to climb the St. Peter's Basilica dome?

To avoid crowds and long lines, plan to make the climb during the morning hours between 8am and 9am. This way you could also catch the view of the sun rising from the top.

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