Religious Sites

St. Peter's Basilica Entry with Audio Guide

Name: St. Peter's Basilica Entry with Audio Guide
Start: 2026-01-24T11:00:00
End: 2026-01-24T23:00:00
Location: Rome

St. Peter's Basilica and Square with obelisk, Vatican City, crowded with visitors.

St. Peter's Basilica interior with tourists exploring ornate architecture and sculptures.

View of St. Peter's Basilica interior from the dome, showcasing ornate architecture and altar.

Visitors overlooking St. Peter’s Square from the Basilica Dome Terrace in Vatican City.

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Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Discover St. Peter’s Basilica with an immersive audio guide. Upgrade for skip-the-line entry and optional Dome access by stairs or elevator.

3.1/5

(1,647)

Josephine

Jan 2026

Verified booking

The entry queues even for people with pre-paid short queue tickets were poorly organised with no signs and ended up being long queues. In the queue we were treated a bit like cattle being quashed and herded together and it was a very unfortable experience. Even when we eventually arrived at the entrance we still had another long wait to get through security. Eventually we arrived inside St Peters after 2 hours of queuing. I bought short queue tickets so that my 82 year old grandmother with me would not have to stand for a long time in the queue. In the end it was all a big con. with these on-line short queue ticket sales.

Nikola

Nov 2025

Verified booking

Our visit to St. Peter’s Basilica with Dome Access on November 26, 2025 was truly unforgettable. We were a group of four—two adults and our children, ages nine and four—and each of us was impressed from start to finish. The basilica’s interior felt breathtakingly grand, and even the kids were captivated by its beauty and history. Climbing to the dome was the highlight: challenging at moments but absolutely worth it for the sweeping views over Vatican City and Rome. The entire experience felt inspiring, peaceful, and perfectly organized. It’s a must-do for families visiting Rome.

Ruby

Jan 2026

Verified booking

It is the most beautiful Basilica that I've seen. I love how fast we got in thru the skip the line ticket we purchased. When we got inside, it is just breathtaking. I am Filipino and to see San Pedro Calungsod made me really proud and happy. And to top it off I was able to participate in confession, might be nothing for most bit to me it is an experience I will never forget and for that I am very thankful.

Explore St. Peter’s Basilica at your own pace with a multilingual audio guide and digital map covering 27 highlights.

Your included digital guidebook helps make the most of your visit by offering handy tips, pointing out highlights to watch out for, and more.

Learn the stories behind masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Papal Altar.

Transform your free-entry visit into a meaningful, self-paced journey through art, faith, and history.

Upgrade to reserved entry to skip the long lines—or add Dome access for sweeping Vatican views.

Note: The digital guidebook comes only in English.

Access to Basilica and Papal Tombs

Digital audio guide

Digital guidebook

Reserved entry to St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)

Access to the Dome by lift or staircase (as per option selected)

Printed copy of the guidebook

Live tour guide

Food and drinks

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

1,647 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Spain, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Giulia
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Visiting St. Peter's Basilica was a deeply moving and unforgettable experience for me. From the very first moment, I felt enveloped by a sense of peace and well-being, experiencing an indescribable feeling of freedom and tranquility. It is a wonderful place that conveys love, spirituality, and pure beauty. Every corner tells centuries of history, art, and culture, and standing there admiring such grandeur made me feel part of something immense. The guided tour was very useful because it allowed me to truly understand the meaning of the works, symbols, and historical events related to the Basilica, making the experience even more intense and engaging. It is a place that touches the heart, enriches the soul, and leaves a precious memory that I will carry with me forever.
Ruby
Jan 2026
Verified booking
It is the most beautiful Basilica that I've seen. I love how fast we got in thru the skip the line ticket we purchased. When we got inside, it is just breathtaking. I am Filipino and to see San Pedro Calungsod made me really proud and happy. And to top it off I was able to participate in confession, might be nothing for most bit to me it is an experience I will never forget and for that I am very thankful.
Josephine
Jan 2026
Verified booking
The entry queues even for people with pre-paid short queue tickets were poorly organised with no signs and ended up being long queues. In the queue we were treated a bit like cattle being quashed and herded together and it was a very unfortable experience. Even when we eventually arrived at the entrance we still had another long wait to get through security. Eventually we arrived inside St Peters after 2 hours of queuing. I bought short queue tickets so that my 82 year old grandmother with me would not have to stand for a long time in the queue. In the end it was all a big con. with these on-line short queue ticket sales.
Fausto
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Let's start by saying that the meeting point needs to be better signposted, perhaps with the service provider's logo. The fact that it rained continuously on Monday, January 5, certainly made the procedure more complicated! The audio guide should be downloaded immediately after payment for the service, so that entry to the basilica is speeded up and the QR code does not have to be shown on the guide's cell phone to each of the participants, with the usual compatibility problems between different smartphones. Finally, in order to be found, our guide was equipped with a very short selfie stick with a makeshift bandana!
Rosa
Jan 2026
Verified booking
It was a beautiful location. We maybe shouldn't have bought the ticket for a Sunday, so if you do book a Sunday beware. I booked this last minute and was the last day I could book in for. We qued with a (guide/assistant) though I'm unsure if this was any shorter then just queing normall, it took about 1 hour and a half or more to get into the Basilica. Please be aware if you're booking this location to make sure you have enough time to que and see inside. We were lucky this was the last thing we'd booked that day as the time on ticket was the queing start time not the entering the Basilica time.

Step into St. Peter’s Basilica—the world’s most visited church—and explore its art, architecture, and history at your own pace with a multilingual audio guide and a digital guidebook on your phone (approx. 2 hours).

Getting started

Start your visit by joining the free-entry line outside St. Peter’s Basilica. After clearing the security check at the entrance, open the link sent to your email and activate your digital audio guide through your phone. You’ll need your own earphones—no QR code or app download is required for this base variant. Do keep your included digital guidebook for easy reference as you tour the basilica.

Note: QR codes for reserved entry and dome access are only applicable for upgrade variants with reserved access.

What to expect

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Once inside, go at your own pace through this architectural wonder—home to centuries of Christian history and priceless Renaissance art. The audio guide points out key highlights, bringing the sacred and artistic details to life with expert commentary. Your guidebook points out unmissable highlights and charts out an itinerary for you, based on the time available for exploration.

Highlights:

Michelangelo’s Pietà: Hear the story behind this delicate yet powerful marble sculpture, created when Michelangelo was just 24 years old.

Bernini’s Baldachin: Learn how this monumental bronze canopy marks St. Peter’s tomb and reflects the Baroque drama of the space.

Chapel of the Sacrament & Nave: Discover intricate details often missed on unguided visits, from mosaic floors to overlooked altars.

Self-Guided Access to Papal Tombs (reserved entry & dome variants only): Upgrade for access to the underground crypt housing past popes.

St Peter's Basilica

Monday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Tuesday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Wednesday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Thursday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Friday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Saturday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Sunday	07:00am - 07:10pm

St Peters Basilica Dome

Monday	07:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 04:30pm
Tuesday	07:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 04:30pm
Wednesday	07:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 04:30pm
Thursday	07:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 04:30pm
Friday	07:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 04:30pm
Saturday	07:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 04:30pm
Sunday	07:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 04:30pm

St Peters Square

Monday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Tuesday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Wednesday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Thursday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Friday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Saturday	07:00am - 07:10pm
Sunday	07:00am - 07:10pm

What to bring

Personal earphones to use with the audio guide on your smartphone.

A valid photo ID matching the name on your booking (may be checked at entry).

For Reserved Entry or Dome variants: Make sure you’ve received your QR codes for both entry and audio guide activation (check spam or retrieve them online if needed).

What’s not allowed

Large bags, luggage, or suitcases. Only small backpacks or personal bags allowed (no cloakroom on-site).

Food, drinks, smoking, and pets.

Infants and animals are not permitted.

Flash photography, tripods, and filming gear. (Non-flash photography is allowed.)

Accessibility

The Dome involves a steep climb of up to 551 steps and isn’t recommended for infants, pregnant visitors, or those with mobility issues, heart conditions, claustrophobia, or vertigo.

Not wheelchair accessible.

All visitors must pass airport-style security.

Additional information

There are two queues at the main entrance — a free entry queue and a reserved entry queue. Only if you've selected the reserved entry option at checkout are you eligible to skip the free entry line.

During peak hours, brief waits may still occur due to mandatory security checks, even for guests with skip-the-line access.

Modest dress is required: no shorts, mini skirts, or sleeveless tops.

If you’ve reserved entry, arrive at least 45 minutes early to clear security—especially during busy times.

The audio guide is smartphone-only; bring earphones and ensure your device is charged.

Minimum age: 6 years. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

This experience is non-refundable.

Closures & exceptions

Papal Tombs are not accessible for 6pm entries—only the Basilica will be open.

The Basilica and/or Dome may close without notice due to religious ceremonies. If access is restricted, alternatives will be provided.

Special access from the Sistine Chapel to the Basilica is unavailable on Wednesdays and during major celebrations like Easter.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.