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St. Peter’s Basilica Opening Hours 2024

St. Peter’s Basilica is usually open throughout the year from 7 am to 7 pm. 

If you plan to visit St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, you must know the opening and closing hours to make the most of your trip. 

St. Peter’s Basilica’s stunning architecture, art, and history make it a must-see for any traveler. 

Here’s everything you need to know about St. Peter’s Basilica opening hours, including the hours of operation, holiday closures, and more.

St. Peter’s Basilica Hours 

The opening hours for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome vary depending on the season, but generally, it’s open every day of the year except for some special occasions. 

Here’s a breakdown of the typical opening hours of St. Peter’s Basilica:

MonthsDaysOpening HoursClosing Hours
1 April – 30 September Monday to Sunday 7 am 7 pm
1 October – 31 March Monday to Sunday 7 am 6.30 pm

Remember that the last entrance to the Basilica is 30 minutes before the St. Peter’s Basilica closing hours, so plan accordingly to ensure you have enough time to explore.

St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Opening Hours 

The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is open throughout the year except on special holidays and closures. 

DaysOpening HoursClosing Hours
Monday to Sunday 7.30 am 5 pm

Note: You can also check out the best time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica to plan your trip and have a perfect experience. 

Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday 

Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday
Image: Reuters.com

St. Peter’s Basilica operates as usual on Sundays from 7 am to 7 pm. 

Sunday is a special day for St. Peter’s Basilica, as it’s the day when the Pope holds his weekly Angelus prayer at noon. 

This means that the Basilica will be more crowded than usual, and the area around St. Peter’s Square will be closed to traffic. 

If you plan to visit on Sunday, arriving early is recommended to avoid crowds.

It’s also worth noting that the Basilica may have different opening hours during special events or holidays, such as Easter Sunday or Christmas Day. 

So, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and check the schedule in advance to avoid disappointment.

Note: A tour with dome access is the best way to experience the grand monument, St. Peter’s Basilica. Book one to have the best experience while you’re there.

St. Peter’s Basilica Holiday Closures and Special Hours 

St. Peter’s Basilica Holiday closures and Special Hours
Image: Livemint.com

St. Peter’s Basilica is closed on some holidays, so checking the schedule before planning your visit is essential. 

Here are the holidays when St. Peter’s Basilica is closed:

  • January 1st (New Year’s Day)
  • Easter Sunday and Monday
  • May 1st (Labor Day)
  • June 29th (St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day)
  • August 15th (Assumption Day)
  • December 8th (Immaculate Conception Day)
  • December 25th (Christmas Day)

St. Peter’s Basilica opening hours or closures may change due to events like papal ceremonies or unexpected maintenance work. 

St. Peter’s Basilica during Easter

St. Peter’s Basilica during Easter 2023
Image: Time.com

St. Peter’s Basilica experiences excellent crowds during the week leading up to Easter. 

St. Peter’s Basilica is open from 7 am to 7 pm in April. 

However, St. Peter’s Basilica remains closed for visits during papal masses during Easter. 

St. Peter’s Basilica has specific closures during certain times, as follows:

  • On Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday, there will be a papal mass at 9:30 am, and visitors are advised to plan their visit afternoon.
  • The basilica will close earlier than usual on Good Friday due to a 5 pm papal mass.
  • On Holy Saturday, the basilica will usually be open, and visitors can plan their visit accordingly.
  • On Easter Sunday, Mass will occur in St. Peter’s Square at 10 am, followed by the Pope’s address to the crowd, Urbi et Orbi, at noon. Thus, the basilica will not be accessible until around 1 pm.
  • On Easter Monday, the Pope will hold mass at noon, and visitors should plan to visit the basilica sometime after 1:30 pm.

Note: You can also be a part of the papal audience during this holy time with a papal audience ticket. If you’re visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, this experience is unmissable!

FAQs

What are the opening hours of St. Peter’s Basilica?

The basilica is generally open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm in April through September and 7 am to 6.30 pm in October through March. The opening hours may vary depending on the season and special events.

Is St. Peter’s Basilica open on public holidays?

Yes, St. Peter’s Basilica is generally open on public holidays. However, the opening and closing hours may differ from the regular schedule.

Is St. Peter’s Basilica open on Sundays?

Yes, St. Peter’s Basilica is open on Sundays, with the same opening and closing hours as on other days. However, note that Sunday mornings tend to be quite busy due to the weekly Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, so planning your visit is advisable.

When is the St. Peter’s Basilica dome open?

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is open all week from 7.30 am to 5 pm. This timing might change due to special events and closures.

Can you visit St. Peter’s Basilica at night?

No, the basilica is generally not open to the public post its regular opening hours. There is a possibility of extended opening hours during concerts or Masses. 

Featured Image: Alblec / Getty Images

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