I will be visiting Rome for the second time this summer (2015) and I want to just spend time at St. Peter's Basilica and not take the entire Vatican tour, I've already done that. Can one just visit the Basilica?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Where is the entrance? Is it off the square? Thanks!!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
It's free and you can take as much time as you like. For a fee, you can take the elevator to the roof and then climb to the base of the lantern (view is not that different from the roof in case you have issues with narrow, winding staircases).
The entrance will be through one of the three main doors at the front of the Basilica.
Posted by
752 posts
Maybe you would like to visit the gift/souvenir shop? Right before you enter the big front doors to the Basilica, look right and you can see the shop door not too far away. The line actually passes in the area where the shop is.
There is another souvenir shop on the left as you first enter the Square. It is in that long row of buildings where the bathroom signs are located. It's easy to find.
Posted by
Grass Valley, California
506 posts
After working on a two week trip to Italy in May, including Rome, we have decided to take a taxi very early out to the Basilica. It has been a struggle getting hotel reservations (thank goodness it is done!), so we are figuring the crowds are going to be very large this travel season all over Italy. I would just get out there early as possible, we too are only going to the Basilica because we have done all the other tours, but between highten security and crowds early is better.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Just make sure you adhere to the dresscode! Shoulders and knees covered! I thought my shoulders were covered, but apparently not enough, and I had to buy a cheap ugly scarf at a kiosk to get in. You need at least a short sleeve or they don't consider them covered LOL! I go every time and never get tired of that beautiful place!