There are hundreds of churches and basilicas in Rome and this is obviously the number one . We visited as part of a tour of the museums which ended with access to the church . The sheer scale of the place is impressive . I could try and describe it but probably wouldn’t do it justice . It is one of those places you just have to visit when visiting Rome . Put it on your bucket list .

Arrived to find a very long queue almost all the way around the piazza but it moved quickly and we were inside within 30 mins which was well worth the wait. Inside I went straight to see The Pieta which never disappoints. Only issue I have is that there is almost too much to see and so sometimes it is best to simply just allow the atmosphere to surround you and immerse yourself in it.

A wonderful experience! Don't be put off by the length of the queues - you can be seen to very quickly and it's always moving. The architecture and design is second to none; the staff were very friendly, and the ascent to the top is reasonably priced at 8 euros each for the stairs - 10 if you want to use the elevator for part of the way. We didn't pay for a tour, preferring to go round at our own pace, and I think we made the right call on that one. ***Wee note: if you're claustrophobic, think very carefully about the ascent up the steps to the top and whether you can hack it.*** I'm only mildly claustrophobic and three things that can set it off are elevators, crowds and tight corridors - so it was a bit "pick your poison" if I wanted to go up. There are a couple of areas to perch if you need to take a breather, and I did have to at one point as I was stuck in a group of bodies all trying to climb up! The beautiful view at the top was worth it, we could stay as long as we liked and the way down was a lot easier on my nerves, but to others very nervous about tight spaces, just a heads up.

St. Peter's is an enormous church at the center of Christendom. Masterpieces, the Holy Door, beatification of Popes, architecture, history, intrigue, and more stories and lore than you could know in a lifetime. Truly a wonder to behold, there is something for the eyes everywhere you look. Many of the sculptures are so well executed that they look alive. Either book a skip-the-line tour or get there early, this is worth a visit with a guide as there is just so much to see and understand.

This was my second visit but my wife's first. As a Catholic it was wonderful to be able to visit. The queue on a weekday morning took about 45 minutes to clear. It was a far more pleasant experience than standing in an Eiffel Tower, Paris queue for three hours. The Basilica is superb, but remember, it's a House of God and so silence is best when inside. It's so large that even though there may be 1,000 inspecting, it did not feel crowded. Certainly different to the Church of England's Westminster Abbey in London. La Pieta is for many a highlight, and sad, but I found some of the statues of most interest. It was easy to catch the lift up to the observatory, but I didn't climb the stairs all the way to the dome. Great photos were taken outside, and again, this wasn't crowded. We returned a second day only to go into the Basilica (free): this was an afternoon visit: only a very small queue. A must-see in Rome, and paying the Euro10 for the lift was worth it. Strangely the gift shop was closed.

We travelled to Rome as part of our Insight 8-day Italy tour, and a small group St Peter's Basilica and Vatican City tour was part of the experience. It was the third time we have been there and you never tire admiring the ornate interior of this basilica. We purchased rosarie beads (we're non-Catholic) from the Vatican City post office/store and took the option to have them blessed by the Vatican. These were then delivered to our hotel. The line-up was quite long, but the staff efficiently got all visitors through at a reasonable pace. We are taking friends again in July 2023.

Beautiful masterpiece of architecture, with an indescribable spirit. Waiting in line for ten minutes (in november) will give you the experience of a lifetime. Stunning interior will leave you speechless. Don´t forget to climb for a view. The stairs are quite long and it´s not very easy to climb it (it´s also some cramped space) but the reward is priceless. You can enjoy a view on Rome and Vatican City at it´s best.

It was my third time visiting this masterpiece and still got absolutely impressed by this breathtaking place, that encompasses the glory, the spirituality, the magnificence of human’s achievements and the power of the Catholic Church. Overcrowded, yet stunning. Must visit!

Unlike Mecca where non-Muslims are not allowed, in Vatican, all religions including the faithless are welcome to enter Christianity's most sacred sanctuary. It is free to enter the basilica and the architecture is insanely detailed and beautiful. Washrooms are beside the basilica. It also offers a great view of the square and it also hosts La Pieta. Truly the icon of the world's smallest country!