Guide to Climbing the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

Here are a few interesting facts to know about the dome of  St. Peter’s Basilica:

• Construction of the enormous church began in 1506 and was finally finished in 1626. 
• The architects of the church are a who’s who of Renaissance and Baroque artists: Donato Bramante, Raphael, and Bernini, while Michelangelo created the dome. 
• At 448-feet-high, the dome is the tallest of its kind in the world.
• Michelangelo’s inspiration for the dome came from the Pantheon in Rome and the Duomo in Florence. 
• If you just can’t get enough of these facts, check out more facts about Vatican City.

In other words, the dome of St. Peter’s is majestic. If you don’t agree now, you will when you see it with your own eyes. And even better: you can climb it. Here is your guide to climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The stunning dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City

Guide to Climbing the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

Is climbing the dome of St. Peter’s worth it?

It’s hard to believe, but there aren’t a lot of spectacular viewpoints in Rome. Gianicolo Hill above Trastevere and Terrazza del Pincio above Piazza del Popolo are two of the most popular. But then there’s the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, which is not only the second-highest viewpoint in Rome but also offers 360-degree views. 

But it’s not just about the destination. Ascending to the crown of St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll get up-close looks of the grand mosaics of 96 different figures in the cupola of the dome. 

If this hasn’t inspired you to step it up, figuratively and literally, consider this: you’ll be essentially ascending a masterpiece of architecture designed by none other than Michelangelo. 

Michelangelo’s works of architecture and painting

When is the best time to climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica?

The dome opens up every day at  7am in summer, and 7:30am in winter. The best time to visit the dome of St. Peter’s is as early as possible. If you can make it there right at the opening time, you’ll have the dome almost entirely to yourself. 

Another option is to go just before it closes. That way, depending on the time of year, you may get to see a stunning sunset. The dome closes each day around 6pm in summer and 5pm in winter, so if you’re a sunset seeker, plan to arrive an hour or so before closing time.

Insider Tip: A little preparation goes a long way. From the dress code rules to must-see´s and hidden highlights, our guide on the Vatican Museums will help you make the most of your visit.

St Peter’s Square is one of the most visited places on earth. Photo credit: Arnold Straub

The Step-by-Step Climb

Take the elevator or stairs to the base of the dome

First of all, if you’re worried about taking all those stairs, the first part of the journey can be done via elevator, which whisks visitors up to the base of the cupola. Keep in mind, sometimes the line for the elevator can be long. 

If you opt for the stairs, you have 231 steps to walk up before you arrive on the first level: inside Michelangelo’s dome. With each step, you’ll get higher on a wide spiral stairway with marble, low-level steps. The grade is gentle and not particularly steep, so it’s less taxing on your respiratory system.  

The dome is part of the skyline, but its also one of the best opportunities to see spectacular views of the city

Inside the dome

Once you get to the base of the cupola, you can look down into the interior of the church from the base of the dome. You’ll also get a closer look at the artwork inside the cupola and realize that these aren’t paintings; they’re mosaics.

The lowest level of the 96 mosaic figures are the first 16 canonized popes—all of whom are buried in the crypt below the church. Above them are head-to-toe images of Jesus, Mary, St. John, St. Paul, and the 12 Apostles. And then above that are angels soaring heavenward. 

Look down onto the ground floor of the church to get a sense of just how big St. Peter’s actually is. Wafts of incense may tickle your nose, and you may hear some heavenly chants from a chorus. 

On this first level, you have the possibility to walk out onto the roof of the basilica. There is also a bathroom and a small refreshment stand on this level. The roof area is a great place to relax for a few minutes, sip an espresso, and take a few long breaths of fresh Roman air. It’s also quite fun to see the backs of the enormous statues that line the roof of the basilica. 

Wheelchair users take note: this portion of the journey is accessible for all, via the elevator. 

Stand behind the statues that line the rooftop of the basilica

The final ascent to the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

Say “arrivadeerci” to the elevator for now. If you want to get to the crown of the dome, you’ll have to climb 320 steps (yes, if you did the math, that is 551 steps in total, if you forewent the elevator from the ground to the base of the cupola).  The rest of the journey to the top is via a narrower and slightly steeper staircase than you would have ascended in the first part of the journey (if you made the trip via the staircase).  

At times, the walls lean in, and the passage narrows, a reminder that you’re in a 400-year-old building. The final push to the top is a staircase that zigzags, and then a narrow, spiral staircase, made of marble. There’s a rope to hold onto to keep your balance.

The view from St. Peters Basilica shows the sheer scale of the plaza below, the people are like ants!

The summit

If you have any regrets about making the ascent, they will vanish the second you reach the crown of the dome and see the stunning view of the Eternal City. Afterwards, you have the easier part of going down the steps. If you’re too winded by the time you reach the base of the cupola, there’s that refreshment stand where you can take a break. 

The view of the oblong-shaped St. Peter’s Square might be the most stunning at first. But beyond that, you can see Castel Sant’ Angelo, the Pantheon, the muted red-tiled roofs of the Centro Storico, the Colosseum,  and the bright white marble of the Vittoriano, the monument dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. 

Make the climb not only for the views of the city but also for a close up of the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica Dome

How do you access the steps to the dome of St. Peter’s?

Before we move onto the actual guide to climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, you need to know the details of how to purchase a ticket. There are a few ways to do this:

• After going through security outside of St. Peter’s Basilica, enter the church, and you’ll find the ticket window just to the right of the main doors. Look for signs with the word “Cupola” on them. 
• The other way to acquire a ticket is from the official St. Peter´s website. This is recommended because you’ll avoid having to wait in the ticket line at St. Peter’s Basilica. At this point, you’ll have to decide: take the stairs or the elevator up to the first part. The elevator costs 5 euros more. 

There is so much to see, so it really is worth doing a guided tour, to discover the stories behind the sights!

Don´t miss the Sistine Chapel

No visit to Vatican City is complete without stepping inside the breath-taking Sistine Chapel. Famous for Michelangelo’s extraordinary ceiling frescoes and his dramatic Last Judgment behind the altar, the chapel is one of the greatest artistic masterpieces in the world.

After climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, visiting the Sistine Chapel offers a completely different perspective on Michelangelo’s genius, allowing you to admire both his architectural vision and his unparalleled talent as a painter.

Why a Tour is the Best Option

The third way to acquire a ticket is to take our  St. Peter’s Basilica tour with dome climb  an all-encompassing, small-group tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, which includes a visit to the top of the dome, the papal crypt, and you’ll be led around the basilica with a local expert. 

If you took a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, the climb to the dome would be the culmination of the experience, offering the most unforgettable moment of the day. Before reaching the dome, you would have explored St. Peter’s Square, learned about the Swiss Guards, admired the incredible art inside the basilica (including Michelangelo’s Pietà, the only work he ever signed), and visited the papal crypt where 91 popes are entombed.

Then, you’d climb to the dome for the best view in Rome, all while being guided by a local expert, your true guide to climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

An expert guide will animate what you can see with stories of the past, present and future!

FAQs – Guide to Climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

Why should you take a tour?

If you want to go beyond the info included in this guide to climbing the dome of St. Peter´s Basilica, our St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour (with Dome Climb & Crypt) does just that! The two-hour tour starts at either 11am or 3pm, depending on the day you book. It takes you around St. Peter’s Square, into the basilica to look at works by Michelangelo and Bernini, down to the papal crypts and up to the dome (with your very own pre-reserved pass). You’ll come away with a much deeper knowledge of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican. 

What is the best time to go to Rome?

If you have the convenience of choosing from any month of the year, the shoulder seasons are best—April and May or September and October. Temperatures are cooler, airfare and hotel prices are usually lower, and there are fewer tourists than in the peak season, June through August.

Take a trip to the top of one of the world´s most famous churches – you wont regret it!

Now that you’ve read this guide to climbing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, consider going deep by taking one of range of Vatican tours and letting a local professional show you parts of the Basilica that you’d never even think to look.

You’ll come home with a true appreciation of the most important church in Christianity, and great memories which make for a lasting souvenir!