St. Peter's Basilica opening hours
Saint Peter’s Basilica is open daily from 07:00 to 19:10 throughout both the summer and winter seasons. On Wednesdays, the church remains closed during the morning for the Papal Audience and typically reopens around 12:30. Last entry is permitted 30 minutes before closing and requires passing through security checks.
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What is the opening and closing time of St. Peter's Basilica?
The schedule of St. Peter’s Basilica is governed by the liturgical and tourist seasonality of the Vatican to guarantee the orderly flow of people. The actual opening hours are the following:
| Season / Day | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (October 1 – March 31) | 07:00 | 19:10 |
| Summer (April 1 – September 30) | 07:00 | 19:10 |
| Wednesday (Papal Audience) | ~12:30 | According to season |
One aspect to keep in mind is that on Wednesdays the basilica remains closed during the morning due to the celebration of the Pope’s General Audience in the square. Generally, the temple reopens its doors around 12:30 or 13:00, once the event has finished and the area has been cleared.
It is fundamental to keep in mind that access is free, but requires passing through a security check in St. Peter’s Square, which can significantly increase waiting time during peak hours.
Dome (Cupola) opening hours
The access to St. Peter’s Dome has a slightly more reduced schedule than the rest of the basilica to facilitate maintenance and evacuation tasks:
| Season / Day | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (October 26 – March 28) | 07:30 | 17:00 |
| Summer (March 29 – October 25) | 07:00 | 18:00 |
Vatican Necropolis (Scavi)
The access to the Vatican Necropolis or “Scavi” is restricted and only permitted through a prior reservation confirmed by the Fabbrica di San Pietro:
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 16:15 |
| Saturday | 09:00 – 12:30 |
Tomb of Saint Peter
The visit to the Tomb of St. Peter is carried out within the tour of the Necropolis. Its schedules are:
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 09:00 – 16:15 |
| Saturday | 09:00 – 12:30 |
Treasury Museum
The St. Peter’s Treasury Museum is in the buildings annexed to the Vatican that form part of the basilica complex. Inside, liturgical objects, garments, and historical relics of the Holy See are exhibited:
| Season / Day | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (October – March) | 07:30 | 18:30 (last entry is at 17:50) |
| Summer (April – September) | 07:30 | 18:30 (last entry is at 17:50) |
St. Peter's Square
St. Peter’s Square is a public space open permanently. To avoid crowds, the best time to visit is in the morning (between 7:00 and 9:00, or in the afternoon, around 18:00 and 19:00). Visiting at midnight is also recommended.
St. Peter's Basilica Mass Timings
The liturgical celebrations in St. Peter’s Basilica are distributed throughout the day at various altars, mainly at the Altar of the Chair:
| Type of day | Morning schedule | Afternoon schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | 07:00, 07:30, 08:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 | 17:00 and 18:00 |
| Sundays and Holidays | 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 09:45, 10:30 and 12:30 | 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00 |
When is the last entry to St. Peter's Basilica?
The last permitted entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is approximately 30 minutes before the official closing of the building. In summer hours, final access is at 18:30, while in winter the limit is established at 18:00. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at least 60 minutes before due to mandatory security inspections.
Closing days
Closing days
St. Peter’s Basilica remains open every day of the year, including Sundays and main religious holidays. However, access is totally or partially restricted during special liturgical celebrations presided over by the Holy Father, such as Christmas Mass, the Urbi et Orbi message, or Holy Week ceremonies.
As mentioned before, the most recurring partial closure happens every Wednesday morning. During this period, the basilica does not admit visitors until the Papal Audience concludes. Additionally, on January 1 and 6, as well as other Vatican holidays, the schedules of the museums and auxiliary services may vary, although the main temple maintains its liturgical function.