St. Peter's Basilica

I don't think there is a bad time. We were there three weeks ago - during the middle of the day at the busiest time of year. The security line to get in looked really long, but it went fast. I don't think we waited more than 20 minutes to get in.

Any time of day is good. There will be a security line but even when it's long it never takes much time as it moves very fast. Most of the time it's less than 20 minutes. The basilica is huge so even when there are hundreds of people inside it doesn't really seem that crowded. Donna

If you will be in Rome for more than a day, try to see St. Peter's early in your itinerary, so you can have a back-up day time, if needed. It can be closed for periods of time, such as for private masses, etc. without a lot of warning. It actually took me three attempts, over two different trips (a couple of years apart) to finally make my way inside. When on the Rick Steves' Heart of Italy trip, the line on that day we were there was estimated at 4-5 hours, once entry was allowed (a huge private mass was going on). Think buses of nuns waiting, etc. The second time, the beatification had just happened...so another private mass/event. Third time, a few days later, charm :) My spouse took a photo of me doing the thumbs-up bit as I walked through the door...LOL. If my third attempt had not been successful, I would have been totally weirded out that it was some weird heavenly message being sent to me....LOL. But, it is so beautiful and definitely worth a wait or multiple attempts.....but have a back-up plan, in case you run into an odd closure (or two). And climb the dome, if you have the time...views inside/outside incredible.

Thanks. We will plan for an am visit!

2pm! NEVER a line! I stay in a hotel right across the street from the Vatican, and this is something I've noticed on multiple trips.

Be sure to check out Ron In Rome's 20 tips on visiting the Vatican museum. You'll be so glad you did. He also backs up what Donna is saying about the 2 pm time. Everyone thinks they have to be there at the beginning of the day to beat the crowds.

I'd vote for VERY early, when it first opens, or very late. At those hours, it's typically quiet enough to experience it as a sacred space, rather than the museum-like quality that lots of noisy, sometimes disrespectful visitor cn create. Early or late can be a very different experience. And the sun on the Bernini dove window late in the afternoon is stunning---when the lighting is right.

We were there in the morning but stopped back in after the Scavi tour in the afternoon. We saw the sun shinning on the gold sunburst at the altar and I will say, it took our breathe away! So...glad we saw it in the afternoon. Have a great trip.

Going in the morning when they first open is the Worst Possible Time!! I've been to Rome many, many times and stay across the street. 2PM. Seriously. Don't tell anyone else though, because this is my secret LOL.

Why would first thing in the morning be the worst possible time? We arrived just as the doors opened on an Easter holiday trip. We were up super early due to jet lag (!) and St. Peter's was one of the few things that actually opens early. We loved the peaceful, reverential quiet and having the basilica practically to ourselves. By the time we left, the church was bustling and the line was long. (It was Palm Sunday weekend, so probably larger crowds than normal.)

If you want to climb up to the dome (and well worth the effort), I suggest you go early and do that first. Since the basilica opens at 7, you could go in for a short visit, then go to the dome (opens at 8). Since there is physical limit to the number of people allowed in at any one time, the line go up just gets longer during the day, but maybe late in the afternoon it shortens again, couldn't say. I was there in mid-February (not exactly high season). At 10 am the security line took only about 10 minutes, moving very quickly and there was no line for the dome. When I got back down at noon, there was a really long line for the dome. The security line is the same for the basilica and dome, so you don't have to repeat it.

On a related topic; We went to the Vatican museums at 11:00AM on Friday, three weeks ago. There was no line at all. We walked right in the door and right up to the ticket window. Odd....