One of the most intense experiences when visiting a city is admiring it from the top. The impression we have of a place can change completely from a higher viewpoint. Rome offers many spectacular views, such as the terrace in Giardino degli Aranci, the Gianicolo Hill, or the Pincio Terrace in Villa Borghese Park.
But if you’re looking to survey Vatican City from above, the best spot is the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
St. Peter’s dome is one of the most recognizable symbols of Rome and the most prominent in its skyline. Romans affectionately call it “cupolone,” aka the big dome.
Since it’s part of St. Peter’s Basilica, the dome is considered a beacon for Christians coming to Rome from all over the world. Various architects worked on the construction of the dome. The one who gave it its fundamental structure was Michelangelo Buonarroti (yes, that Michelangelo).
Michelangelo worked on the dome until 1564, the year of his death. Then two Italian architects, Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana, completed the construction in 1593.
If you decide to go up to the top of the dome, you’ll find a gorgeous spectacle. You can admire Rome’s city center and St. Peter’s Square from a unique perspective.
Let’s discover together everything you need to know to plan your visit to St. Peter’s dome!
To go up the dome, you’ll need to head to the right side of St. Peter’s Square and pass a security check. It’s the same way to visit the basilica and the dome — you won’t miss it.
The security check is very similar to one you’d find in an airport. You should avoid bringing anything dangerous. The last time that I was there, we had to wait a very long time because of a group of hikers who brought knives. As you may imagine, weapons of any kind aren’t a very wise choice in Vatican City.
Once you reach the entrance of the basilica, you’ll see various signs directing you to the dome. Follow them to find the ticket office on the left. You’ll have two options to choose from: the elevator or the stairs.
If you climb the whole way, it’s around 550 steps. Keep in mind that choosing the elevator will spare you only the first 230 steps. You’ll have the remaining 320 to go on your own.
Both the elevator and the stairs will get you to the same place — a terrace behind the statues on the basilica’s facade. You won’t be inside the actual dome yet — you’ll be over the roof of the church, at the base of the dome.
At the bottom of St. Peter’s dome, it’s impressive to see the statues of Jesus and the saints up close. You’ll be able to catch your breath here if you choose the stairs. From this point, you can continue to the final part of the climb.
My advice is to take the elevator and skip the first steps. There’s nothing special to see in this part — sure, you can peek from the windows while going up, but it’s nothing compared to the view from the top. I consider myself a sporty person, and when I took the stairs, I was unsure if my lungs were still functioning.
The price for the elevator is €10, and the stairs are €8. It’s a small difference, so you can consider saving your energy for the second part of the climb, which is the most challenging.
From the terrace behind the statues, you’ll find an entrance leading you further up.
A special treat will await you there — a view of the nave of St. Peter’s Basilica from the top. You’ll finally be inside the proper dome, admiring the beautiful mosaics that decorate its interior. If you look down, you’ll enjoy the sight of the church from a unique perspective.
You’ll notice an inscription in Latin around the dome, taken from words spoken by Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19.
Once you’re done admiring the mosaics, the last steps will lead you to the viewpoint. This is the most difficult part of the climb.
The path is very narrow, and in some parts, the walls are uneven. The final steps are small, and you need to be careful not to fall. At the end of the way, you’ll find a rope — yes, a rope — in case you want to hang on to something while going up. That’s probably how Tarzan would feel if he ever happened to visit the Vatican.
After all that walking and climbing, you’ll finally get your reward — a stunning bird’s-eye view of St. Peter’s Square and Rome’s city center. You’ll be able to recognize many of the most important landmarks, such as the Tiber River, the Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo, and the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.
On the rear part of the viewpoint, you’ll enjoy a privileged view of the Vatican Gardens. Visiting the gardens can be tricky, so this is the perfect occasion to admire them.Also, seeing the city from this perspective will show you that Rome has an impressive number of green areas. You’ll easily spot famous parks like Villa Borghese, Villa Pamphili, or the Monte Mario Reserve.
The view from the top of the dome is no doubt amazing. It’s one of the best places to see Rome from up high and enjoy its beauty differently. It’s a must if you like taking pictures — I recommend going on a day with good visibility and clear skies. On the best days, you can see the mountains and the little towns surrounding Rome.
On the other hand, keep in mind that the visit could take a lot of your time. It’s possible to find very long lines at the security check, and the climb to the top can take up to an hour. If you’re in the city for just a short stay, you can consider visiting only the ground floor of the basilica and enjoying a different viewpoint in Rome, such as Gianicolo Hill.
If you suffer from claustrophobia or any kind of heart condition, you should certainly skip the visit. The same goes for people with vertigo — the dome is more than 400 feet high. It’s hard to appreciate the view if you can’t look down!
If you want great views from the top, try to go on a clear day when you’ll be able to see farther.
The dome is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October to March and from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April to September. The last access to the stairs is one hour before closing time. After that, you’ll have to take the elevator.
If you’re short on time at the Vatican, I recommend skipping the climb up St. Peter’s Basilica. There’s plenty to see in the Vatican Museums and in the main area of the basilica to keep the average tourist busy for 2-4 hours.
In case you decide to embark on this adventure, I have some final tips for you to get the most from your visit.
Climbing St. Peter’s Basilica to the dome is certainly an undertaking. If you’re short on time, it’s probably not worth it given the other things there are to do in Vatican City. Most important are the museums, the basilica, and just exploring the square itself.
If you want to make the most of your time in Vatican City, check out our Vatican Museums and Monuments Skip-the-Line Guided Tour. I hope you now feel ready to conquer the Roman skies!
