The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 18th Street. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for a first visit.
This guide was checked in August 2026. One detail worth flagging: guided tours are now offered on a limited basis by email request, a change from the more regular tour schedule some older guides still describe.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Sun 8:00am–7:30pm; Mon–Fri 7:00am–5:00pm; Sat 9:00am–6:30pm |
| Ticket prices | Free entry |
| Address | 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 |
| Nearest transport | SEPTA bus routes along the Parkway; a short walk from Suburban Station |
| Typical visit length | 15–30 minutes self-guided; longer with a Sunday guided tour |
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul opening hours
The cathedral is open daily: Sunday from 8:00am to 7:30pm, Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm, and Saturday from 9:00am to 6:30pm. On Federal Holidays, only the smaller Cathedral Chapel opens, for the 9:00am Mass.
Weekday Mass is held at 7:15am and 12:05pm in the Chapel, with an added evening Mass on most holy days. Saturday Mass runs at 12:05pm in the Chapel, followed by the Miraculous Medal Novena, and a 5:15pm vigil Mass in the main Basilica.
Sunday is the fullest day, with Mass at 8:00am, 9:30am and 11:00am in the Basilica, a 12:30pm Spanish-language Mass in the Chapel, and a 6:30pm evening Mass.
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Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul ticket prices
Entry is free, and no ticket or reservation is required to visit outside of services. A free self-guided tour brochure is available near the Cathedral Shop entrance, or as a downloadable PDF from the official website.
A guided tour is offered most Sundays after the 11:00am Mass, gathering at the Side Altar of the Sacred Heart. It is open to the public without reservation, except for large groups. Private guided tours can be arranged by email or phone, typically on weekdays.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026. For the latest details, check the official website.
Because entry is free, the cathedral is not part of a paid city pass scheme. The adjoining Cathedral Shop keeps its own hours: Sunday 10:30am–6:30pm, Wednesday 10:30am–2:00pm, and Saturday 11:00am–5:15pm.
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How to get to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
The cathedral stands at the eastern end of Logan Square, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, within Philadelphia’s compact and walkable museum district. Several SEPTA bus routes run along the Parkway and nearby streets, and Suburban Station is roughly a 12-minute walk east.
Visitors flying into Philadelphia International Airport can reach Center City by SEPTA Regional Rail, then walk or take a short bus ride to the Parkway. Driving into central Philadelphia is generally discouraged, given scarce and costly parking.
Parking at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
A parking lot adjacent to the cathedral, entered from 17th Street, is available to visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and Holy Days. At other times, options include street parking, the Gateway Parking Garage on Spring and 16th Streets, and the Sheraton Hotel garage at 16th and 17th Streets.
Given the limited on-site parking, visitors arriving on a weekday should plan for one of the nearby garages rather than expecting a space directly outside the cathedral.
How long to spend at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Most visitors spend 15 to 30 minutes inside on a self-guided visit outside Mass times. The Sunday guided tour typically adds another 30 to 45 minutes.
Accessibility at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
As with most North American cathedrals, such as the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City, efforts are made to make this cathedral accessible.
The cathedral’s main entrance is accessible to wheelchair users. Visitors with specific accessibility needs, including questions about restrooms or hearing assistance, should contact the parish office at (215) 561-1313 in advance of a visit.
Group visitors with accessibility requirements are encouraged to email ahead so that staff can plan around any scheduled events taking place during the visit.
Inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul: what to see
Construction began in 1846 under architect Napoleon LeBrun, with the copper dome and Palladian facade added after 1850 by John Notman. The cathedral was modelled on the Lombard Church of San Carlo al Corso in Rome. Constantino Brumidi decorated the interior, and later went on to paint the dome of the US Capitol.
The dome rises 156 feet from the cathedral floor, or 209 feet to the top of its gilded cross, considerably shorter than the 448-foot dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, whose name this cathedral shares in dedication. Unlike the Gothic style favoured by most 19th-century American cathedrals, Philadelphia’s is Renaissance in inspiration, with a barrel-vaulted nave and four 60-foot Corinthian columns at its entrance.
The dome’s engineering owes an indirect debt to Florence Cathedral, whose 15th-century dome by Filippo Brunelleschi pioneered the double-shell construction later adapted across Europe and America. Inside, the Austin Organ Company’s 1926 pipe organ, with 6,634 pipes, remains one of the largest instruments of its kind in the country.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest, most unhurried experience. |
| Crowds | Sunday mornings are busiest, particularly around the 11:00am Mass and tour. |
| Layout | Enter via the main Parkway-facing doors; the Cathedral Shop is beside the Main Sanctuary. |
| Entry process | There is no security screening; visitors can walk in directly outside Mass times. |
| On-site logistics | Email ahead if visiting in a group, to check no weddings or funerals are scheduled. |
Frequently asked questions about the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the cathedral suitable for children? | Yes, children are welcome at all times, including during Mass. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the cathedral? | No, entry is free and does not require advance booking. |
| Is the cathedral open on Sundays? | Yes, from 8:00am to 7:30pm, with limited access during Mass. |
| Are bags allowed inside the cathedral? | Yes, there is no bag check or security screening for visitors. |
| Can you take a guided tour of the cathedral? | Yes, a public tour runs most Sundays after the 11:00am Mass. |
Things to do near the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
The cathedral is on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, within easy walking distance of several of Philadelphia’s major museums.
- Academy of Natural Sciences — the oldest natural history museum in the Americas, a couple of minutes’ walk along the Parkway.
- Franklin Institute — Philadelphia’s premier science museum, a short walk south on 20th Street.
- Barnes Foundation — one of the world’s great private art collections, around an 8-minute walk along the Parkway.
- Rodin Museum — the largest collection of Rodin’s work outside Paris, roughly a 12-minute walk further along.
- Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rocky Steps — at the far end of the Parkway, around a 20-minute walk or short bus ride.
Alternative attractions
Visitors interested in other cathedrals or places of spiritual significance have several options within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of Philadelphia.
- The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Baltimore — America’s first Catholic cathedral, about 2 hours south.
- The Cathedral of St. Peter, Wilmington — a small 1818 church turned cathedral, around 35 minutes south.
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown — a Polish-American pilgrimage site, about an hour north.
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral — New York’s Catholic cathedral, roughly 2 hours northeast.
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC — the largest Catholic church in North America, about two and a half hours southwest.
More Philadelphia travel
Other Philadelphia travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Nip over the border to the Battleship New Jersey, Nemours Estate or the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.
- Practical guide to visiting the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.
- What to expect at the Independence Seaport Museum.
- Practical guide to visiting the Penn Museum in Philadelphia.
- State parks near Philadelphia: Visitor guides to Marsh Creek State Park, Neshaminy State Park and Benjamin Rush State Park.
