Free: All time
St. Peter’s Basilica is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and one of the largest churches in the world. Built from the year 1506 and 1626, St. Peter’s Basilica had had many architects and artists having their hands on it: Vignola, Michelangelo, Bernini, etc. By Roman Catholic tradition, the basilica is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter and is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites. As much as 20,000 visitors pass through the church each day. Entry is free but one needs to dress properly (no shorts, no short skirts, no tank-tops.) The dome of the basilica is also accessible via elevator or the 320-step staircases but both requires a fee. If you’re not up for paying anything, perhaps you’ll be interested instead to join a free guided tour offered by The Vatican Tourist Office every Tuesday and Thursday 9:45am and Monday and Friday 2:15pm.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Opening hours: Daily 7am -7pm (Apr-Sep), 7am – 6pm (Oct-Mar)
Direction: Subway Line A to Ottaviano Station
Phone: +39 6 698 83 731
Website: www.vatican.va
Photo credit: Patrick Landy, Wolfgang Stuck, Ricardo André Frantz, Jean-Christophe BENOIST, Diliff
