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Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica During this Jubilee Year

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Hi All,

Does anyone have advice on the best way to visit St. Peter’s Basilica during this Jubilee year. We will be going to in the first week of May and are trying to see it on a Thursday. We already have Vatican Museum tickets late in the day at 5:00pm. so our plan was to arrive early in the morning at 7:00 when the basilica opens given the likely crowds for the Jubilee then come back for the museum later. Anyone had experience with the Jubilee crowds there so far? Really appreciate any feedback.

Thanks, Rex

Posted by
27 posts

I was there last week and it was fine. They had lots of security stations open to keep the lines moving and the basilica itself had room to breathe outside of the areas around the main artworks. Might be more crowded in May. Sounds like you're not in any kind of rush so if it's a must do for you I wouldn't let it discourage you.

Posted by
8442 posts

I would agree that they likely have increased staff to handle crowds, so time to get in may not be any more than a normal year.

Add to that, the pilgrims wanting to enter through the Holy Doors, must make arrangements, so that crowd should be well controlled.

While to visit the Basilica is free, you can now buy a variety of tickets for the Basilica, the Dome Climb, or combo tickets, most including an audio guide. These offer a specific day and time, and from what I gather a separate security line (maybe) for timed entries.

Details are here: https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/products

Posted by
265 posts

That sounds like a good plan. We did something similar in January - visited St Peter’s in the morning then had lunch and toured the museum in the afternoon. May will be more crowded, so the earlier you can arrive, the better. Good luck!

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