Guided Tours

Check out the list of frequently asked questions or use the search bar. Should you need further information or personalized advice, our Visitor Assistance service is ready to answer all your questions.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, on the official website www.basilicasanpietro.va it is possible to book a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with a guide accredited by the Fabbrica di San Pietro, available in Italian and English.

The available products are:

• Basilica Guided Tour

• Basilica Guided Tour – Parishes, Ecclesiastics, Schools

• Basilica Guided Tour – People with disabilities

To book a guided tour in other languages, please submit a request by completing the following online form: https://visite.basilicasanpietro.va/en/booking/basilicasanpietro

The guided tour leads visitors into the heart of St. Peter’s Basilica, accompanied by a certified guide.

During the tour, visitors discover the main masterpieces, such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin, while passing through chapels, monuments and spaces of great artistic and spiritual value.

The booking includes a personalized visiting time, expert guide and radio guide.

The guided tour lasts approximately 1 hour.

After the access QR Code verification and security checks, visitors must proceed to the Portico Desk of the Basilica.

The meeting point with the guide is located at the Portico Desk of the Basilica.

In order to take part in the visit, Parish Groups, Clergy members and School Groups must submit the Guided Tour request to the staff in charge at the Portico Desk of the Basilica. The request must be drawn up either on Parish letterhead, signed by the Parish Priest and including the full list of names of the participants belonging to the parish group, or on school letterhead and duly signed by the School Principal.


The staff in charge may verify the documentation before the visit and, in case of non-compliant documentation or irregularities, charge any applicable price difference or refuse entry.

Visitors holding a reservation access the Basilica from St. Peter’s Square by following the route marked as “Online booking entrance”, located on the right-hand side of the Colonnade, beginning from Via di Porta Angelica and continuing towards St. Peter’s Square up to the Gazebo for the access QR Code verification and subsequent security checks. Visitors holding a booking access the Basilica from the Portico.

Immediately after booking, two (2) emails are sent:

email no. 1 containing the service confirmation VOUCHER;

email no. 2 containing the QR Codes for all participants, to be shown during access checks.


If this email is not received within 30 minutes after booking (please also check the Spam folder first), it is recommended to send an email to booking@basilicasanpietro.va indicating the reference number TIE-xxxx.

Yes, the access QR Code is mandatory in order to access the guided tour.

It is essential to ensure arrival at the Porta Angelica entrance gate well in advance of the time indicated on the reservation, also considering the time required for security checks.

The ticket is valid only for the specific guided tour booking time slot. Upon arrival, please inform staff that your reservation is for a guided tour.

Guided tours are organized in groups with a maximum of 30 participants.

Yes, as this is a guided tour, the product always includes the presence of an accredited guide, whose fee is included in the booking price.

Yes, to enjoy an independent visit without a guide, it is possible to book on the official website www.basilicasanpietro.va the reservation service for access to the “Basilica”, which includes the Digital Audio Guide.

Yes, the visit is supported through the use of professional radio guides, allowing visitors to clearly follow every explanation and fully enjoy the experience. The cost of the device is included in the guided tour price.

Yes, dedicated rates, reduced rates and free admissions are available according to the type of visitor and the type of Guided Tour.

Reduced rates and free admissions are specified for each “Guided Tour” product. The available reduced rates/free admissions are summarised below:


  • reduced rate for minors under 18 years of age, from 7 to 17 years old;
  • dedicated rate for Parish Groups, Clergy members and Schools;
  • reduced rate for persons with certified disability lower than 74%;
  • reduced rate for one accompanying person of a person with certified disability lower than 74%;
  • free admission for children from 0 to 6 years old;
  • free admission for persons with certified disability equal to or higher than 74% and for one accompanying person.

Any additional accompanying persons may access by regularly purchasing the relevant ticket.

Dedicated rates, reduced rates or free admissions for Guided Tours of the Basilica are granted according to the type of visitor and the documentation submitted.


The dedicated or reduced rates selected during the booking process will subsequently be verified on site at the Portico Desk of the Basilica. In order to verify that the visitor actually belongs to the category allowing them to benefit from the dedicated rate, reduced rate or free admission, it is necessary to present the required documentation.


In particular:

  • for Parish Groups, Clergy members and School Groups: Guided Tour request drawn up on Parish letterhead, signed by the Parish Priest and including the full list of names of the participants belonging to the parish group, or drawn up on school letterhead and duly signed by the School Principal;
  • for persons with certified disability lower than 74%: certification attesting a disability lower than 74%, required to benefit from the reduced rate reserved for the person with disability and one accompanying person;
  • for persons with certified disability equal to or higher than 74%: certification attesting a disability equal to or higher than 74%, to be submitted directly at the Portico Desk in order to access free of charge with one accompanying person, without the need to purchase a ticket.

The staff in charge may verify the documentation before the visit and, in case of non-compliant documentation or irregularities, charge any applicable price difference or refuse entry.

Yes. In case of certified disability lower than 74%, the person with disability and one accompanying person may benefit from the reduced rate by attaching, during the booking process, the relevant certification, which must also be presented on site on the day of the visit at the Portico Desk of the Basilica.


The staff in charge may verify the documentation before the visit and, in case of non-compliant documentation or irregularities, charge any applicable price difference or refuse entry.


Persons with certified disability equal to or higher than 74% and one accompanying person may access free of charge, without the need to purchase a ticket, by going directly to the Portico Desk of the Basilica.


Any additional accompanying persons may regularly purchase the relevant ticket.

A priority entrance to the Basilica, equipped with a ramp for access to security checks and to the Basilica entrance, is available for visitors with disabilities and their companions.

A priority entrance to the Basilica, equipped with a ramp for access to security checks and to the Basilica entrance, is available for pregnant women (and one companion). Any additional companions may use the same entrance provided they hold a reservation.

For groups including participants with disabilities below 74% and minors under 18 years of age, the reservation must be made by selecting the products “Basilica Guided Tour ITA” or “Basilica Guided Tour ENG” and the related dedicated rate: Reduced / Person with disabilities (from 7 to 17 years old).

Yes. During the booking process, Parish Groups, Clergy members and School Groups must attach the official request on Parish or school letterhead, including the full list of names of the participants and signed by the Parish Priest or the School Principal.


The same documentation must be submitted to the staff in charge at the Portico Desk of the Basilica before the start of the visit.


The staff in charge may verify the documentation before the visit and, in case of non-compliant documentation or irregularities, charge any applicable price difference or refuse entry.

Clothing must be appropriate for the sacred place. Men are required to wear long trousers, while women must wear skirts below the knee or trousers. Shoulders must be covered for all visitors. Shorts and miniskirts are not permitted.

Both inside the Basilica and within its indoor and outdoor areas (such as courtyards and terraces), it is forbidden to:

• make phone calls

• record videos

• smoke

• consume food and beverages

• bring animals or bulky objects

Photography without flash is permitted, but tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.

Video calls and video recordings are prohibited.

Yes, there are security checks at the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica. This may result in queues, especially during periods of high attendance.

No, all visitors are still required to undergo mandatory security checks.

At present, no cloakroom service is available; visitors are advised to travel light and bring only small bags or backpacks.

A stroller storage area is available under the Basilica portico.

Animals are not permitted.

In the event of cancellation by the visitor, no refund is provided.

The booking is personal, non-transferable, non-refundable and non-modifiable. Date changes are not permitted.

Visitors must maintain silence and behave respectfully in keeping with the sacred nature of the place.

It is important to speak only when necessary, in a low voice, to keep mobile phones on silent mode and to avoid any behaviour that may disturb others or be considered inappropriate for a sacred place.

For further information regarding behavioural rules, please consult the page “Rules for the good of all” in the “Useful Information” section on the homepage of the official website www.basilicasanpietro.va

Within 24 hours prior to the booked visit date, visitors may be informed of possible cancellations due to extraordinary liturgical celebrations or extraordinary events related to the activities of the Holy See.

In such cases, the booking cost will be fully refunded.

Dedicated staff members (identifiable by yellow vests and the official logo) are available to provide assistance and ensure orderly and optimized access. Inside the Basilica, Sampietrini (Basilica custodians), auxiliary security staff and the Vatican Gendarmerie are also always present. For any information or assistance, visitors may therefore refer to them.

Children are welcome in the Basilica. It is important that they are supervised by adults during the visit. Visitors are advised to bring everything necessary for their comfort; however, strollers must be left under the portico, as they are not permitted inside the Basilica.

Inside the Welcome Area there is a room equipped with a changing table, and it is also possible to breastfeed younger children.

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