In the heart of Rome, just west of the Tiber River, is Vatican City. A city, yes, but also the smallest country in the world.
Inside Vatican City is St. Peter’s Square, one of the world’s most iconic destinations. It was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century and holds great spiritual and cultural importance for millions of people worldwide. But whether you’re a devout Catholic or simply a curious traveler, St. Peter’s Square offers a number of free attractions and activities that you can experience without ever opening your wallet.
The centerpiece of St. Peter’s Square is St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. Entrance to the basilica is free, and once inside, you’ll have the opportunity to admire some astonishing pieces of art such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldacchino.
Towering above you is the majestic dome designed also by Michelangelo. The basilica also houses a number of chapels, altars, as well as the tombs of various popes. You can easily spend an hour just walking around and checking out everything inside, but the exterior is also worth a look.
If you want to climb the dome, it isn’t free, but here’s a guide on how to climb St. Peter’s dome if you’re keen to give it a go.
If you happen to be visiting on a Wednesday, you may have a unique opportunity to attend the Papal Audience, held by the pope himself in St. Peter’s Square.
Tickets are free, and it is possible to pick them up at the “Bronze Doors” in the colonnade, but these are subject to availability. To make sure you get a ticket you can book them in advance through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The Papal Audience gives visitors a chance to see the pope up close and listen to his blessings and teachings.
At the center of St. Peter’s Square stands an ancient Egyptian obelisk.
The obelisk itself is over 3,000 years old but has been in Rome for almost 2,000 of those years. It was brought to Rome during the reign of Emperor Caligula around 40 A.D., but it wasn’t until the 16th century that it was placed in the square.
Standing at an impressive height of over 82 feet and surrounded by four bronze lions, the obelisk is an impressive sight and basically impossible to miss.
Known for their vibrant (and sometimes humorous) Renaissance-style uniforms, the Swiss Guard are the oldest and smallest standing army in the world.
Each day at 3 p.m. visitors have the opportunity to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place at the Palazzo Quirinale, just beyond the St. Peter’s Square colonnade.
Bernini’s colonnade encircles St. Peter’s Square with 284 Doric columns and 88 pilasters. The colonnade’s two “arms” are intended to represent the Catholic Church’s embrace of visitors and believers from all over the world.
A leisurely stroll along the colonnade offers visitors views of the square and the basilica, and it’s also a must for photographers who can capture all kinds of angles.
This is a free thing to do in St. Peter’s Square that not everyone knows about.
Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica are the Vatican Grottoes, a vast underground space containing tombs of various popes throughout history. Access to the grottoes is free, and it offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the church and the popes who have served it. Some of the most revered popes, such as Pope Saint John Paul II, are buried here.
If you’re Catholic, or just interested in experiencing the spiritual side of the Vatican, you may want to attend a Mass or liturgical celebration inside St. Peter’s Square.
Check the Vatican’s website for schedules (look for Papal Mass as the event) and to find information on how to participate in these religious events, and if you go, be sure to arrive early, as space can fill up quickly, especially during major religious holidays.
Attire: Make sure you’re dressed appropriately for church at the Vatican. That means no hats, sleeveless shirts, or shorts, skirts, and dresses cut above the knee.
If you’re fortunate enough to visit during the holidays, St. Peter’s Square becomes even more impressive.
Each year, a massive Christmas tree with a beautiful nativity scene is placed in the square. The unveiling is a grand event, drawing visitors and locals alike to join the festivities. The tree, brought in each year from somewhere else in Europe, can reach over 100 feet tall. The moment it’s first illuminated never fails to draw exclamations of wonder and excitement from the crowd.
While not directly within St. Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican Museums, which are in Vatican City.
Typically, the Vatican Museums charge for admission, but there’s one day a month where you can get in free. That’s right! If you find yourself in Rome on the last Sunday of the month, you’re in luck because you can visit the Vatican Museums, which include Michelangelo’s stunning frescoes at the Sistine Chapel.
There is a catch, though — you have to arrive between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Of course, you can expect bigger crowds on this free day, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly Vatican visit, this is your best bet.
Not going to be in Rome on the last Sunday of the month and want a more in-depth experience? I recommend our Vatican City tour, which helps make the most of your time with an expert guide, curated itinerary, and skip-the-line admission to the Vatican Museums.
OK, so even though this will technically cost you the amount of whichever coin you decide to throw in, it doesn’t have to cost more than one cent. And since there is no legend about returning to Rome associated with tossing a coin into these fountains like there is with the Trevi Fountain, it doesn’t have to cost you a return flight either. (Although, is a return to Rome ever a bad thing? I think not.)
There are two fountains in St. Peter’s Square: the Maderno and the Bernini.
The Maderno is the older of the two. Originally built in 1490, it was redesigned by Carlo Maderno in 1612 when Pope Paul V rebuilt the Roman aqueduct.
Then in 1667 Pope Clement X commissioned Bernini to build another fountain resembling the Maderno to fill in the southern side of the square.
Although not inside St. Peter’s Square, the famous Tiber River that snakes its way through Rome is just a stone’s throw away.
Whether it’s the backdrop of a stroll or a means of finding your way to your next destination, the Tiber can be an enchanting way to experience the Eternal City, especially just after dusk.
The Roman metro has three lines, A, B and C.
St. Peter’s Square is about a 10-minute walk from the Ottaviano stop on the A line. Buses 40 and 64 will get you closest to the square.
If you’re like me and tend to walk most places, St. Peter’s Square is about 20-40 minutes on foot from many of the other tourist destinations like the Pantheon and Colosseum. And, of course, walking is the one way to get there that also won’t cost you anything.
With so much to see and do in Rome, St. Peter’s Square offers visitors the chance to see some truly epic pieces of art, history, and culture without spending money. It’s a majestic place and no visit to Rome is complete without it!
