Basilica Tour: Discover Grand Spires and Rich History

Discover St. Peter’s Basilica’s grandeur and secrets on an immersive guided tour. Unveil history with captivating stories and breathtaking architecture.

Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • St. Peter’s Basilica - Start your tour in St. Peter’s Square and experience the all-embracing character of its majestic architecture. Understand the game of visual effects as conceived by its designer, Bernini, and find the two “special” spots in the square. Also, see a 2500-year-old Obelisk from Egypt.

Then, step inside the Basilica and discover the beautiful artworks that adorn it. While walking on the colorful marble, be mesmerized by the enormous dimension of the building and the ceilings entirely covered in gold.

Follow your through the main highlights. See the Papal Altar under Bernini’s Baldachin, and marvel at Michelangelo’s timeless masterpiece, La Pietà, as you explore the most important church in the Christian world.

Finally, visit the Papal Grottoes, the vast crypt under St. Peter’s Basilica. Built 3 meters below the level of the Basilica, they are located just under the great altar in the middle of the central nave. See where hundreds of popes and members .

  • St. Peter’s Basilica - explore St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on a tour with a local guide and visit the Papal Grottoes, revealing centuries of burials. Discover a place where religion, art, history, and beauty come together.
What's Included
  • All fees and/or taxes
  • Official Guide
  • Headsets to hear the guide
What's Not Included
  • This tour doesn’t skip the line
  • Transportation not included
  • Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
  • Dome access at St. Peter’s Basilica is available for an additional 10 euros at the entrance
Additional Information

Step into the grandeur of our magnificent basilica, where towering spires kiss the heavens and intricate arches weave tales of antiquity. Let our exceptional guides whisk you away on a journey through time, regaling you with captivating stories that echo through the hallowed halls. But this is not merely a tour; it’s an immersive experience where you’ll uncover the rich tapestry of history that adorns every stone, every stained glass window, and every whispered prayer. Prepare to be enraptured by the grandeur of the basilica’s unique history, where every corner holds secrets waiting to be unveiled.

Location
Best In Rome Tour
Borgo Vittorio
Meet your guide outside the activity provider's office on Borgo Vittorio 38. Look for the green and pink Best in Rome Tour logo. The meeting point is just a 1-minute walk from St. Peter's Basilica.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(64 Ratings)
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Lisa_d
Oct 6, 2024
Great - Valery is the best tour guide. We were lucky on a Sunday not to wait too long. Great tour with good information. Unfortunately we could not see the original Pieta’.
Review provided by Viator
Gargantuak
Sep 30, 2024
Captivating Tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Papal Grottoes with Best In Rome Tour - A Must-Do in Vatican City! - The St. Peter's Basilica and Papal Grottoes guided tour with Best In Rome Tour was absolutely incredible. Our guide was knowledgeable and made the history of the basilica come alive with fascinating stories. The architecture, artwork, and Michelangelo's contributions were breathtaking. The highlight was visiting the Papal Grottoes—a humbling and enriching experience. Skip-the-line access was a huge plus, allowing us to fully enjoy the beauty of the basilica. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Vatican City!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Getaway05493995004
Sep 1, 2024
Great tour! - Knowledgeable, friendly guide. Good length of tour. We didn't prepurchase our Dome tickets, and our guide purchased them for us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah_s
Aug 17, 2024
Bastilica is free to enter but if you want to learn more about the history of the Vatican etc then we recommend booking. - Excellent guide who was very knowledgeable. Enjoyed listening to him talking about St Peter’s square whilst waiting in the queue. It made the time pass quickly. The queue to see the dome was over an hour long so we couldn’t face waiting.
Review provided by Viator
Grandtour546623
May 24, 2024
Awesome! - Our guide Chiara was very patient, kind and helpful. She explained many interesting things to us that we did not know about the basilica. Super recommended!! All the staff in Best in Rome tours were also very helpful and nice, thanks to Rippen my family and I were able to switch to the spanish group (we had booked in english because did not know there was a spanish one). He certainly went the extra mile for us, which is not usual to find. That made a huge difference in out experience!! Our whole experience was awesome, we super recommend the group itself!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anthony_d
Jul 3, 2024
Tour guide was very nice... - Tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable and he kept it lively. Pointed out the important parts of the church.
Review provided by Viator
Kathie_m
Jun 22, 2024
Worthwhile tour... - Our tour Guide was very good knowledgeable an keep the tour going... The basilica was beautiful... would have liked a little more time.
Review provided by Viator
Christinap12973
Jul 10, 2024
Too much talking! - The Basilica is amazing but the tour guide was overwhelming. He did not stop talking for even a minute and it was hard to digest what you were looking at. He gave us a lesson on Christianity and a Lesson on sin, which was unnecessary for the tour. It was a ver hot day and unlike other tours we took where the guide was conscious of finding shade, this guide talked and talked and talked while standing in 100 degree sun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pauldaniel_b
Jun 1, 2024
Great guide, just be clear it is not a Skip-the-Line tour - I've been to St. Peter's on my own, and with this tour. I found the tour added a lot of interesting insights, but I would say that it is not necessary. The detailed information clearly states that this is not a Skip-the-Line tour. So we spent the first hour (I timed it at 65 minutes) in line. Our guide filled the time with facts, history, and interesting stories, although his understanding of Christianity varies from mine a bit. Once inside, he pointed out things that I probably would not have noticed. He had a great energy and engaged with the group very well, referencing the different countries where we were from.
Review provided by Viator
Francis_francis42
Oct 3, 2024
Catastrophic - No wire cutter: wait of 50 minutes before entering Saint Pierre. A Guide bordering on mania: tells us about her weight her size her Asian couple etc etc etc. She even makes the police in the queue!!! Once back home it’s confusion and the race with no interest comments: better to have the Backpacker Guide. Ha the Guide is Valentina: run away
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
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