Get a brief about St. Peter’s Basilica entrance

There are many St. Peter’s Basilica entrances including a secret path to get in. Make sure to get a tour with a guide as it skips the line to wait for the ticket. The St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most famous churches in Italy and an architectural marvel located in the heart of Vatican City. It is a very important part of the Vatican’s history and a monument to house the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the central figures in Christianity.


It is a gem for travelers looking to explore Renaissance architecture and historical monuments. Many great artistic geniuses such as Michelangelo made great contributions in designing the dome for the church. The dome of St Peter's Basilica holds significance as it has many marvelous artworks that display the majesty of God. The artworks are heavily affected by the theme of Christian mythology and have several depictions of angels and God. The main entrance to St Peter's Basilica is free while the others have some tickets to enter.

Know about the 4 entrances of St. Peter’s Basilica

  • Arrive at St. Peter's Basilica in the morning to beat the crowds and avoid lengthy queues.
  • Be prepared for some wait time regardless of the entrance to St peter's Basilica chosen, as thousands of visitors come daily.
  • Expect a mandatory security check before entering the Basilica for everyone's safety.
  • Adhere to the dress code; ensure your knees and shoulders are covered to gain entry.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll spend several hours exploring the vast Basilica.
The Cupola
The Cupola

This is one of the Entries of St. Peter’s Basilica. The cupola is a great climb to the top of the dome to get a view of the beautiful Vatican city from the top of the largest church. Reaching the copula is a bit of a climb but the view more than makes up for it.


The entrance to the Cupola is located right at the beginning above the visitor’s square at St. Peter’s Square, so visiting it first is a great idea. The cupola is open at St Peter’s Basilica entrance every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. April to September and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. October to March. It is 452 ft high and the entrance is located at the portico of the Basilica.

Necropolis & Treasury
Necropolis & Treasury

Entry of St. Peter’s Basilica from here is a paid entrance which you need to pre-book in order to view and explore. Located on the left side of the St. Peter's Basilica is the entrance. It is marked by the columns that make it stand out in all other St. Peter’s Basilica entrances. It is a great piece of creative work.




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St. Peter’s Basilica Grottoes
St. Peter’s Basilica Grottoes

This Entry of St. Peter’s Basilica can be quite a trip as you can see the dome of the St. Peter’s Basilica and the Scavi underneath the church. The Scavi is known as the Vatican Necropolis, Tomb of the Dead, or St. Peter’s Tomb as it is said that St. Peter was buried in a nearby Necropolis. They also contain the temple of Emperor Constantine, underground fountains, buildings and even ancient writings that proclaim ‘Peter is here.’ 


To protect the ancient site, only 250 people are allowed in daily in small groups of 12. Admission is 13 euro per person. The application process can be complicated, so either prepare well in advance, or go with a combo ticket through various offers. 

Secret Entrance
Secret Entrance

There is a hidden path in St. Peter’s Basilica entrance to visit the Basilica. It is located on the right side of the Sistine Chapel through a small door. The area is free to enter so you can visit it without tickets. It stays open from April to September: 07:00 AM to 07:00 PM and October to March: 07:00 AM to 06:30 PM




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FAQ

Where is St. Peter’s Basilica Located?

    The St. Peter’s Basilica is located in Vatican City near St. Peter’s Square.

Where is the main entrance to St Peter’s Basilica?

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Where is the St. Peter’s Basilica dome entrance?

Where is the entrance to the Vatican Necropolis?

How many entrances are there in the Basilica of St Peter's Rome?

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