Back to Rome Attractions
Updated September 2025
The Pantheon is one of Rome’s most elegant and awe-inspiring landmarks: a 2,000-year-old temple turned church, with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the ancient world and a perfect oculus that opens your view to the sky. Walking inside, seeing Raphael’s tomb, and standing beneath its grand dome is unforgettable—but only if you visit at the right time and with the right expectations.
At a Glance
How Early to Book:
1-2 days ahead of your visit.
Tickets Released:
Through the end of the month.
Best Times to Book:
Right at opening at 9:00am, or in the late afternoon will have the fewest crowds. However, around mid-day there is the best view of the sunbeam through the oculus.
Ticket price:
€5 for adults.
Where to Book:
The site generally opens daily at 9:00 a.m., and remains open through the evening, usually until 7:00 p.m. with the last admission around 6:30 p.m., though hours are slightly shorter on Sundays and public holidays. The building is closed on January 1, August 15, and December 25, and sometimes access is limited because the Pantheon remains an active church hosting religious services.
Since July 2023, an entrance ticket is required for all visitors. Adult tickets cost €5, youth (18-25) from EU countries have discounts, children under 18 often enter free, and on Free First Sundays the access may be free but requires reservation. Buy online in advance via the official ticket portal; having a ticket in advance lets you skip the longest lines.
To enjoy a quieter, more contemplative visit, arrive either right at opening or in the late afternoon, especially on weekdays. Peak crowd times are mid-morning to early afternoon, and weekends and summer months (June to August) draw the largest crowds.
On arrival, you’ll encounter several queues. If you have an online ticket, use the dedicated line for pre-booked visitors to enter more quickly. There are separate lines for in-person ticket purchases (cash or card), but the cash-only line is sometimes faster. Be ready to show your ticket (often with QR code), and a valid ID if needed.
Inside, dress modestly—shirts covering shoulders and skirts or pants that cover the knees are required. There are pews inside where you can rest and absorb the light from the oculus, but note there are no toilets or cafés inside the building. It’s wise to visit nearby cafés either before or after your visit.
Look up as you enter: the dome’s coffers, the round oculus piercing the ceiling, and the way light filters into the rotunda are some of the most striking features. Among the tombs and chapels you'll find those of famous figures like Raphael. An audio guide in multiple languages is available—if you can reserve or purchase in advance, it adds context to everything from architecture to legends.
After your visit, allow time to linger in Piazza della Rotonda, perhaps with a gelato or espresso, and explore other nearby gems like the Trevi Fountain or Piazza Navona—they’re just a short walk away and less crowded once the Pantheon thick of visitors recedes.
Back to Rome Attractions
