You Must Climb to the Top of St. Peter's Basilica

There are always moments in travel that make you think, "Ah, this is exactly why I came here." In Rome, I reserved this iconic moment for the climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. The queue, the stairs, the howling wind—after enduring it all, seeing Rome unfold like a painting before your eyes is absolutely worth it. From a bird's-eye view, you can take in St. Peter's Square, the Altar of the Fatherland, the Colosseum, and so much more. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 💡 Recommended order: Vatican Museums → St. Peter's Basilica dome climb → Interior visit 💡 Opt for the elevator ticket—after 2+ hours in the museums, climbing all those stairs is exhausting. The elevator makes it slightly easier. 💡 Dome tickets are only sold on-site—the ticket office is in a small door on the right side of the basilica (when facing it), not inside the church! Don’t follow the crowd into the main entrance! (Just ask staff in green vests, "Where is the dome ticket office by elevator?") 💡 After descending, you'll be inside the basilica, very close to the exit. Don’t hesitate—head straight out, then re-enter from the left side to tour the interior. This saves time and energy! #StPetersBasilica #StPetersDomeClimb