St. Peter's Square Tours
254 Reviews
The heart of Rome's Vatican City is St. Peter's Square, the grand space that provides a magnificent approach to St. Peter's Basilica. Designed by Bernini in the 17th century, Piazza San Pietro is lined by semicircular colonnades four columns deep on either side that seem to reach out and enfold visitors in an embrace.
The Basics
At the center of the square, a soaring Egyptian obelisk and two marble fountains—one by Carlo Maderno dating from 1613 and the second designed by Bernini to match in 1675—break up the sweeping cobblestone space. Within the colonnade, formed by massive Doric columns and topped by 140 statues of the saints, lies the security check for entry to St. Peter's and, on the other side, the Vatican post office. The square is the site of large public Masses on the main Catholic holidays and for papal audiences, when it is packed with pilgrims from all over Italy and the world.
St. Peter's Square is best visited with a tour guide as part of a small-group tour that touches on all the Vatican highlights, including the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Gardens, and the Vatican Grottoes containing the tombs of former popes. The Vatican is a vast repository of art and history; savor it as part of a private tour with skip-the-line tickets to avoid wasting time in the Vatican's notoriously long queues.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Vatican is its own municipality and issues stamps; visit the post office under the colonnade in St. Peter's Square to send your postcards directly from Vatican City.
- If you would like to see Pope Francis, it is imperative to book papal audience tickets in advance.
- The square is accessible to wheelchair users.
- There is a dress code to enter St. Peter's Basilica that requires clothing that covers the shoulders and knees; there is no dress code for the square.
How to Get There
The most spectacular way to enter St. Peter's Square is by foot, crossing the Emperor Hadrian's Ponte Sant'Angelo over the River Tiber to Castel Sant'Angelo (Hadrian's Tomb) and walking up the grand Via della Conciliazione. Otherwise, use one of two metro line A stops: Ottaviano–S.Pietro–Musei Vaticani or Cipro.
When to Get There
The square is crowded with visitors during the opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica, so consider booking a night tour or an early-entry basilica tour to see St. Peter's Square in relative peace.
The Swiss Guards
St. Peter's Square, along with the rest of the Vatican, is protected by the historic Swiss Guards, established in the 16th century and still sporting their colorful Renaissance-style uniforms.
Address: Piazza san Pietro, Vatican City 00120, Italy
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
150 Tours & Activities to Experience
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$111.27 USD
Early Access Vatican Museums Small-Group Tour with St. Peter’s and Sistine Chapel
- Tens of thousands of people visit the Vatican Museums each day to see St. Peter’s Basilica, masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael, and the Sistine Chapel. Get inside the UNESCO-listed complex almost an hour before it opens to the general public on this 3-hour, early-access tour that’s limited to just 12 participants. Enter through a reserved doorway to skip the lines, and stay a step ahead of the large crowds on this carefully planned route that ensures you make the most of your time.
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$109.54 USD
Private Early Bird Vatican and St Peter's Basilica Tour: Hotel Pick-up Drop-off
- Visit the Vatican without the crowds on a private early bird tour. With a private guide, enter the Vatican Museums before the complex opens to the general public, and enjoy an exclusive exploration of world-renowned art by Raphael, Da Vinci, Caravaggio and Michelangelo. See the Sistine Chapel, and enter St Peter’s Basilica directly from the museums, without waiting in the main line from St Peter’s Square.
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$44.97 USD
Papal Audience Tickets and Presentation
- Attend the weekly address of the pope with this papal audience ticket. In Vatican City, your guide will lead you through the mass of people to a prime location, where you’ll watch the pope address the crowd, and hear about the historical tradition of the papal audience. With a personal audio headset, you’ll be sure to hear everything the guide says above the noise of the crowd. While the weekly audience with the pope draws very large numbers, this ticket provides guided commentary in a group limited to 20 people.
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$79.56 USD
Entire Vatican and Vatacombs: Heritage of Rome Tour
- Unlock the mysteries of the Vatican on this popular 3-hour tour. Follow your guide on a carefully selected route through the Vatican Museum’s hundreds of sprawling rooms to see the most important pieces of this world-class art collection. Gaze up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and then head underground to the rarely seen ‘Vatacombs’ — the final resting place of many popes and home to ancient relics. Enjoy priority access to bypass the crowds, including skip-the-line privileges to enter St Peter’s Basilica.
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$98.01 USD
Private Skip the Line Vatican Hidden Gems Tour with Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
- Skip-the-line at the Vatican Museums on this tour of one of the world’s most renowned collections of art. With a private guide, go straight inside the complex to admire the Vatican’s architecture, marvel at works by masters like Raphael and Caravaggio, and see some of the ‘hidden,’ off-the-beaten-path sites that many visitors miss. Of course, you’ll visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, and enter St Peter’s Basilica from the museums, avoiding the main entrance line.
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$31.13 USD
No-Wait Dedicated Access: St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
- To dig deep into the history and art of St Peter’s Basilica, explore the church on a walking tour with a Vatican guide. From St Peter’s Square, walk to the basilica, jumping past the entrance queue with your No Wait Access Ticket. Inside, listen to stories about the popes, pilgrims and Renaissance art masters who have left their marks on this iconic catholic site, whose Michelangelo-designed dome dominates the Rome skyline.
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$31.13 USD
Papal Audience Ticket at Vatican City
- Attend a Papal Audience with Pope Francis I at the Vatican! Tickets may be free but they are extremely hard to come by, so booking in advance is essential. By booking ahead, you're ensuring you won't waste any time trying to get tickets while you're on vacation in the Eternal City.
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$28.83 USD
Half-Day Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square with a Guide
- Enjoy a rare opportunity to attend the Papal Audience in Vatican City and hear Pope Francis deliver his weekly address to the people. This morning tour includes hotel pickup and a guided walk to St Peter’s Square, where you’ll enjoy the Papal Audience against a backdrop of St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, and have chance to say a prayer with the Pope.
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$86.48 USD
No Wait Dedicated Access: St Peter's Basilica including Vatican Mosaic Studio
- This unique Vatican experiences combines a guided walking tour of St Peter’s Basilica with a visit to the 16th-century Mosaic Studio, which is typically closed to the public. With No Wait Dedicated Access, go straight inside the Renaissance church to see its artistic highlights like the tomb of St Peter and the mosaics of the Michelangelo-designed dome. Then head to the studio (Studio del Mosaico) to meet artists who work on the restoration of the historical mosaic pieces. Select a departure time when booking.
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$40.36 USD
Small-Group Castel Sant Angelo and St Peter Square Tour from Rome
- Tick off two of Rome’s historic gems on this 3-hour walking tour of Castel Sant’ Angelo and St. Peter’s Square. Marvel over the ancient fortress, take in the views from Ponte Sant’ Angelo and enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian. Then, stroll over to nearby St. Peter's Square and admire the magnificent monuments of Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.This small-group tour is limited to 13 people, ensuring a personalized experience.
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$110.69 USD
Vatican Morning and Ancient Rome Segway Tour Super Saver Package
- Maximise your time in Rome with a full-day tour that takes in the highlights of Vatican City and Ancient Rome. Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel in the morning, then zip around the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Capitoline Hill on a fun Segway tour in the afternoon.
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Civitavecchia Shore Excursion: Independent Rome Day Trip
- For an easy, relaxing way to get to Rome when your ship arrives at the Civitavecchia cruise port, book this independent shore excursion that provides private transportation into the city with a knowledgeable driver. You can design your own sightseeing adventure with the help of your driver to see the Eternal City’s famous landmarks. Perhaps visit Ancient Rome sites like the Colosseum, baroque attractions like the Trevi Fountain, lively squares like Piazza Navona or the artistic masterpieces of the Vatican. It’s up to you!
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$107.23 USD
Rome Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica, Private Skip-the-Line
- The Vatican Museums are one of Rome’s most popular attractions, but with up to six million annual visitors, it’s not unusual to spend hours queuing outside. This 3-hour private tour ensures priority access with skip-the-line tickets to the legendary Vatican Museums and the magnificent Sistine Chapel, plus a tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Holy Caves.
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$46.12 USD
Skip-the-Line Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Entrance Tickets
- Spend your time in the exhibits, not waiting in long lines, with skip-the-line entrance tickets for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Gain entrance quickly so that you can view Michelangelo's masterpieces on this self-guided tour.
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$105.50 USD
Vatican Revealed & Underground Mausoleum of Hadrian
- See the Vatican on a skip-the-line tour, then visit the museum of Castel Sant’Angelo, aka Hadrian’s Mausoleum. After exploring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica with a guide, you’ll then stroll across the streets of Vatican City to the former papal fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo, one of Rome’s history-rich, yet lesser-known, monuments. Through the half-day experience, you’ll hear tales of the Vatican artwork, the popes, the emperors, and of the city of Rome itself.
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$134.91 USD
Skip the Line: Papal Blessing, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's Basilica Tour with Lunch
- Enjoy a complete Vatican experience in Rome with this day tour that includes a papal audience with Pope Francis and lunch. Visit St Peter’s Square for a blessing by the pope, and then enjoy a tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica to admire the renowned collection of art and other treasures, including Michelangelo’s famous frescoes inside the Sistine Chapel.
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$182.18 USD
Private Rome in a Day Tour Including the Colosseum
- Explore Rome with your own private guide on a day-long tour of the capital. Starting with visits to Castel Sant’Angelo and the city’s centro storico, the tour includes sights of all the key landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Hear the history behind the monuments as you explore, then take a break for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll meet back up with your guide for a visit to Ancient Rome, checking out the Colosseum on a skip-the-line-tour and strolling amid the ruins of Palatine Hill. Bookings are available for groups of two to seven people.
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$214.47 USD
One Day Tour of Rome
- Get a comprehensive overview of Rome on this full-day private tour. Visit the city’s highlights such as the Colosseum, Vatican City, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and more as you traverse the city on foot or by private vehicle—at an extra cost. Avoid long lines with skip-the-line entrance tickets and listen to informative commentary about the history culture of Rome from your guide.
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$69.18 USD
Papal audience ticket with Italian breakfast and transfer from Hotel
- Have the rare opportunity to hear the Pope speak when you attend the weekly Papal Audience, and don’t worry about the logistics—this tour makes the experience seamless. Meet your guide in the morning, directly at your Rome accommodation, and head to the Vatican. You’ll begin the day with a traditional Italian breakfast before heading to St. Peter’s Square (or Nervi Hall, on days when the weather is bad) to hear the Pope's messages and blessings.
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$44.97 USD
Early Morning Walk of Rome's Famous Sights without the Crowds
- Beat the crowds, and discover Rome’s tranquil side, on an early-morning walking tour of the Eternal City. Meet your guide in a central location and set off; with just a small group for company, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the sights. See highlights like the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain, and enjoy the relaxed, early-morning ambiance. As you go, your guide will also share stories about the city’s history.
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$31.13 USD
Private Tours: A Journey through the Ancient Rome
- See the highlights of ancient Rome in comfort with a private 4-hour driving tour. Visit Piazza Navona, St Peter's Square, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and much more with the guidance of your professional driver.
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$171.80 USD
Exclusive Evening Vatican Tour with Secret Room
- Experience one of the most visited sites in the world with fewer tourists and the beautiful evening light on this small group tour. With your expert guide, you will take advantage of the quiet hallways and avoid the intense summer heat to embark on a journey through the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Square. See some of the most famous artwork by Michelangelo, Raphael and more. Gain exclusive access to a secret room not opened to the public - the Cabinet of the Masks. Enjoy the beauty of Michelangelo's masterpiece - the Sistine Chapel without the hustle and bustle of other tourists, and end in St Peter's Square which will be adorned with beautiful lights at this hour. Our small group tours are limited to a maximum of 6 people per tour for a more intimate experience and friendly environment to interact with your guide.
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$68.03 USD
Rental for Electric Car Self-Guided Tour in Rome
- Explore Rome at your own pace and with the convenience of your own wheels by renting an electric car. In a small, eco-friendly vehicle, you can drive through the city center to reach Rome's most popular landmarks, from the Colosseum to St. Peter's Basilica. Public parking fees are included.
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$86.48 USD
Skip-The-Line Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Private Expert Guide
- The Vatican Museums are an enormous complex composed of more than two dozen distinct collections. You do need to plan your time in the museums and the best way to do so is to hire an expert local licensed guide with our tour. So you won't miss anything! In the Vatican Museums you will find also the Sistine Chapel. The Museums hold many priceless works of art including the "Raphael Rooms" and many galleries of sculpture, tapestries and frescos. Private Tour.Skip-The-Line Tickets included. Meet an expert licensed tour guide in front of the entrance of the Vatican Museums for a 3-hour private walking tour. You will have different starting tour option or 9am or 2pm. On Sunday the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are closed. Worry-Free and Safe Private Tour Experience, operated only with: - Selected local Expert Licensed Tour Guides
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