always crowded. too many tourists and hawkers, watch out for your belongings. easy to catch a cab from here if you are tired of walking. read more

The area is quite good here as their is lot to capture and sink in. You have a lot of huge beautiful columns around the whole Piazza...kind of a boarder lining. Their are a lot of sculptures, a decent size fountain and a Egyptian obelisk. But all this provides more appeal to the focal point which is the Basilica itself. read more

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Beautiful location at the Vatican, something you should definitely see at least once. It's all been said BUT I'm going to go with four stars over five because of the nativity scene and half decorated Christmas tree. Yes, I know, tis the season and I'm no Scrooge but after looking at thousand year old statues, priceless artwork by Michaelangelo, and the burial places of the popes it feels slightly tacky to have a plastic seeming nativity scene dead center. It killed the vibe a bit but oh well :) read more

Piazza San Pietro - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Yes I am Catholic, and yes one of the places on my bucketlist has been crossed off. Wow, you walk up and you think to yourself...I'm here standing where millions of Catholics and non Catholics come to see such a well respected place in the world. Full of faith, love, and enriched with history. This is where the pope holds mass, this is the square where millions stand to await news of our faith. Me, I'm here. What an amazing experience. I was even fortunate enough to make it to mass on Sunday morning, attended from beginning to the end. And although it was not in English and in Latin you won't be lost at all. It's as if it was a universal language that doesn't need translating. I have never been so sure of my faith as I did that Sunday morning. Felt so blessed to have experienced mass at the Vatican and to be seated side by side with different walks of life all there for the same reasons, sharing the same faith. Also took a tour of the underground tombs of where previous popes have laid to rest. Wow, amazing. I wish I had seen the Sistine Chapel but our time was limited. Next time I will definitely go. Lastly, I even took pictures with the Swedish guards, wink wink! Haha read more

I love Piazza San Pietro! It's just so beautiful with St Peter's basilica right at the center. Take lots of pictures! read more

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This square is awesome. Our apartment is 15 to 20 minutes from here so we have been to the piazza maybe 5 times in 3 days, day and night to take photos, let my son blow off steam and run after pigeons, and then to attend the Papal audience, which was quite exciting to see the massive throngs of people hear the Pope speak, although most of them were Italian. This truly is a grand square and on a bright sunny day very beautiful. We would sit there or stand around for an hour, just taking it all in. read more

Totally amazing and a beautiful place to visit.........I was lost for words. Truely amazing! read more

Pretty cool place. Beautiful scenery and architecture. You can see the window where the pope appears. You can find locals chilling around and just sitting down on the streets nearby. Oh and there are hustlers who sell selfie sticks for 5euros read more

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Everything about this place was fabulous. The images are unreal. I loved watching the security with their uniform. If you plan on coming make sure you're covered or they won't let you in. Beautiful inside and out. read more

Piazza San Pietro - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

The Vatican is amazing. We were fortunate that there were dignitaries from an African country visiting and there was a little ceremony at the Basilica. So the guards were there marching them in. read more

We entered the Vatican museum and existed through Sistine Chapel and went inside St.Peter's Basilica ( amazing to say the least!) and we went to the square and the fountains and architecture was absolutely gorgeous. Came here for the day and we really enjoyed our time here and were very impressed by the architecture and beauty inside the Basilica. This really is an amazing place to visit- even if it is just for the day. You will stand in the square and see 360 degree views of ancient beauty. The Basilica was massive and looked gorgeous from the outside and inside- and the powerful feeling you get being there is once in a life time type of thing. read more

Go on a Wednesday to see the Pope. It's so cool to be there with all those people - and see what it's like in real life after seeing it on TV. I enjoyed being at the service on the Square more than the Vatican Museum. read more

Amazingly my place to be. During the day it is packed with tourists. At sunset it is so beautiful and spacious and hardly anyone around

This square is impressive and as large as I imagined it would be. But.... so much more impressive in person. As a lover of architecture, I was really blown away by it. The view from the ground is spectacular, with all of the giant pillars and the 'arms' wrapping around the 'square (which I'm pretty sure is actually round but anyway!), but the view from the top of the basilica is awesome! read more

So I thought this was where they filmed the priest getting drowned in the fountain from the Angels and Demons film. Somehow, that scene stuck with me and it was my mission to find that fountain. And how off I was. But anyhow, St. Peter's is a massive square. It's beautiful because of the way it's so symmetrically laid out. I don't owe any allegiance to any sort of religion but I wish I studied a little more about Christianity and Catholicism to truly appreciate the significance of certain artefacts. For me, it was just a touristy thing to see. So technically, you're in a different country within Rome. According to Wiki, it's the smallest sate in world by both area and population. You can also see some of the Swiss guards dress in clown-looking uniforms. (How can I take these guys seriously?) Again, there will be long lines to get to the St. Peter's Basilica. Patience is key. read more

Truly a big impressive area full of people waiting to get into the Vatican can't imagine when their all stand waiting for the Pope.

Wow!! Definitely worth seeing. This is where you can see the whole Vatican complex. It is worth walking around exploring. Maybe you get a chance to see Pope Francis peering out of the window. read more

Worth to see how rich church is

Really beautiful landmark and educational tour for all ages. Architecture and history are amazing. Be prepared to take loads of pictures and spend an entire day here. read more

Just got back to Hotel an hour ago. I've spent a day here, earlier today at12pm heard the Pope preaching in Italian and the tip is get the long zoom lens to see the Pope preaching from the Right side of the Piazza (if you stand face to St Pete) there will be a red color taperstry hanging from his window at the second to the top of the building to the massive audiences below. Later came back after went back to take a short recessions of afternoon naps and pizza dinner at the hotel near by walking distance. My best review is too many people in the summer, long line and very hot sun burns on everyone's skin. It was over 90 F in the day time. Go to the mobile bus on the left side of the piazza to buy some Vaticano post cards and stamps, send some to love ones and especially yourself. If you got time and plenty tolerance for long line and hot sun, this is the place for you. Faithful parents do keep close eye on your kids, they WILL BE hard to find in such great crowd and they came in many languages, I hop you speak them all to find your kids should you need to find them! I'm only willing to hang out in the piazza out side not inside the St Pete's. Take lots great pix under the hot sun, however; my favorite, best pictures in the night lights with the white color fountains running. Met a couple of really kool peeps from Danmark (hey!, a shout to y'all). Lot's tourist day and night and so are the peddlers and pick pockets of all kinds. Just use your common sense, if don't got any sense, then get a concealed money pocket would do the same. Watch for the pigeons poops~! Calm down, if you lost anythig, lots Police everywhere in the very visible uniform. Go to them, they do drive around frequent to supervise the crown. Oh, I think the Piazza close to public around 10 or 11pm. But you can always hang out on the Italian border side to take group selfies. Watch out for the cars day and night when you step out of Vaticano. Hold on to your kids hands! Can't tell you often enough. read more

We took a "Skip the Line" tour, meeting at 8 am, for a private tour of about 12, but it was already pretty jammed and getting hot (third week in June)--with hundreds of other tourists who, clearly, were hoping for the same thing we were, a chance to see St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel without getting jostled every few steps. My husband and I had been to St. Peter's about 15 years ago; and this was somewhat less crowded, but not much. However, Martina, our guide, was simply amazing (she was five-star; the crowds less so :) ). She spoke excellent English, and told us stories about the men behind the paintings and buildings--how and why Michelangelo and Raphael included themselves and rivals and patrons in their paintings, certain things to look for in the museum, historical details and scandals, etc. Of course the church and museums are stunning and special; we also saw the tombs in the basement, which was interesting. I certainly wouldn't miss it, if you're coming to Rome. But I would recommend the "Skip the Line," and if you can, request Martina; she was the best guide we had the entire Italy trip. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187793-d631111-r389407043-St_Peter_s_Basilica-Vatican_City_Lazio.html# read more

Well, the most amazing and impressing place in world i may say. Daily visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world you get feeling like to be in center of world and history. At wednesday the pope speaks here (good weather required) to pilgrims but therefor a visitor ticket is needed which is to get online or at visitor office right side of St. Peters Church`s front. At sunday the pope is to see from St. Peter`s square when he speaks the Angelus prayer from his window at apostolic palace, third floor, above the square. At easter and christmas the pope gives the Urbi et orbi blessing from middle balcony of St. Peters Church. The square isn`t part of Vatican State yet, it still still is part of Italia. Just with enter of St. Peter Church (strongly recommended) and/or the main entrance at right side of colonades (dont try, is not public...lol) you enter Vatican State. The obelisc in middle of place had its historical place at Circus Maximus, few hundred meters from Saint Peters church far, where the roman emperior celebrated events to kill christians, so Saint Peter as well. The place is created by Bernini while Renaissance period and is built like two arms embracing the world. Rumors are telling the place would have a basements w/ secret courses and rooms, but i have no certain informations about. All in all said, the most amazing and pulsing place i ever saw. read more