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Pennsylvania (PA)
Philadelphia
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Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
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Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

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Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
4.5
About
The head church of Philadelphia's Catholic Archdiocese is on the National Registrar of Historic Places. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here in 1979.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: City Center West
How to get there
  • 19th St • 6 min walk
  • 15th St • 8 min walk
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Restaurants
2,918 within 5 kms
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See what travelers are saying
  • Justin O
    Newport News, Virginia22 contributions
    Beautiful church
    Powerful experience when we visited the Basilica on Good Friday. Beautiful mosaics and prayer grottos. Very different architectural style than most US cathedrals, and it has a fascinating story about its construction and early years. It's definitely worth the trip.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 9, 2023
  • yazdragonfly
    421 contributions
    Breathtaking
    Absolutely gorgeous! This is a wonderful place for prayer and meditation that can only be compared to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The breathtaking architecture includes numerous tall columns and elevated ceilings encased by walls decorated with beautiful stained glass windows. There is a central domed alter with marble columns and decorated with elaborate floral motifs. Beyond the columns on either side of the main aisle there are several confessionals that are draped in a dark red velvet. You’ll find several religious statues and tapestries throughout as well. Beautiful stop.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 14, 2023
  • Shena
    Dexter, Missouri3 contributions
    Worth the time
    So beautiful! Amazing architecture. There wasn’t a gift shop, even though the sign says there is, and my husband was ushered out of the restroom. Definitely worth the time to look around on your own, light a candle, and give a donation. Metered paid parking on the same block was easily available.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 20, 2023
  • dustythoughts
    Manchester, Connecticut2,064 contributions
    Gorgeous, serene cathedral
    This gorgeous, serene cathedral is a wonderful place to sit and reflect amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The architecture is breathtakingly beautiful, and even though this place is a tourist attraction as well as an active place of worship, it doesn't get too loud or overwhelming. I loved sitting here and taking some quiet time away from the chaos of the outer world.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written November 4, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
976 reviews
Excellent
704
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222
Average
46
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3
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1
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,064 contributions
Gorgeous, serene cathedral
Nov 2023 • Family
This gorgeous, serene cathedral is a wonderful place to sit and reflect amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The architecture is breathtakingly beautiful, and even though this place is a tourist attraction as well as an active place of worship, it doesn't get too loud or overwhelming. I loved sitting here and taking some quiet time away from the chaos of the outer world.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew T
259 contributions
Opulent
Sep 2023 • Solo
Seeing the inside of this is really spectacular. Humongous ceilings probably 150 to 200‘ tall. Very opulent but very tasteful. Also very tranquil when you go in.

Overall 9.1/10
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kath S
Saltaire, UK143 contributions
Peaceful basilica
Aug 2023 • Couples
Beautiful place to pray and reflect. Visited outside worship times but it is a very peaceful beautiful basilica that doesn’t have lots of visitors so prayer is so easy , unlike lots of other places of worship in big cities where visitors often disturb the peace!
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shena
Dexter, MO3 contributions
Worth the time
Jul 2023 • Family
So beautiful! Amazing architecture. There wasn’t a gift shop, even though the sign says there is, and my husband was ushered out of the restroom. Definitely worth the time to look around on your own, light a candle, and give a donation. Metered paid parking on the same block was easily available.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELKW
United States11,862 contributions
worth to take a look
Aug 2022 • Family
it's a beautiful church, very grand, the exterior is brick red color, it's beautiful no matter you take picture from which angle
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yazdragonfly
Ft. Lauderdale421 contributions
Breathtaking
Apr 2023 • Family
Absolutely gorgeous! This is a wonderful place for prayer and meditation that can only be compared to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The breathtaking architecture includes numerous tall columns and elevated ceilings encased by walls decorated with beautiful stained glass windows. There is a central domed alter with marble columns and decorated with elaborate floral motifs. Beyond the columns on either side of the main aisle there are several confessionals that are draped in a dark red velvet. You’ll find several religious statues and tapestries throughout as well. Beautiful stop.
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin O
Newport News, VA22 contributions
Beautiful church
Apr 2023 • Family
Powerful experience when we visited the Basilica on Good Friday. Beautiful mosaics and prayer grottos. Very different architectural style than most US cathedrals, and it has a fascinating story about its construction and early years. It's definitely worth the trip.
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scottdavey46
Wesley Chapel, FL68 contributions
Just so beautiful,
Mar 2023
We took a quick walk through this stunning church. Was like visiting the basilica's of Italy. Worth the detour.
Written 17 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
11 contributions
Wow
Aug 2022
Went to mass last Sunday while visiting Philly. Church is so beautiful, felt like we were in Europe. Wow
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phvi2617
Anaheim, CA509 contributions
Opulent basilica
Jun 2022
This is a beautiful cathedral built in an opulent Renaissance style, very different than the more typical Gothic revival style seen in American cathedrals. Worth a quick stop to gaze at the wonderful art and architecture.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia

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