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Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour: Visit Dome, Grottoes and Renaissance Masterpieces
4.7
35 Ratings
Roma
Join a comprehensive tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and ascend to the pinnacle of the dome for an unrivalled birds-eye view of Rome.
Explore magnificent works of art and architectural wonders crafted by renowned Renaissance virtuosos under the guidance of a private art historian.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- St. Peter’s Square - Start your tour in St. Peters Square and perceive the all-embracing character of its majestic architecture. Understand the game of visual effects as were thought by its designer, Bernini, and find the two “special” spots in the square.
- St. Peter’s Basilica - Then head towards the Basilica to be amazed by its magnificence. See why it took 150 years to rebuild and marvel at the golden ceilings and the impressive mosaics all around you.
Let your art-historian guide lead you through renowned masterpieces of Renaissance and Neoclassic art. Be impressed by the harmonious 30-meters-high canopy and appreciate the expressive power and delicate beauty of Michelangelo’s “Pietà”.
- Vatican Grottoes - Descend into the underground grottoes and visit St. Peter’s tomb. Touch the ancient walls of the original 4th-century basilica and admire the beautiful frescoes.
- Cupola di San Pietro - Then climb your way up to the top of the Dome. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view over the marble floors and take an exclusive and close-up look at the mosaics of the dome.
Go even higher to find yourself at the top balcony and be amazed by the spectacular panorama over Rome and beyond. Spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo, and other iconic monuments from the height of 136 meters. Enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Peters Square and the Vatican gardens.
What's Included
- Thorough guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
- Sterilized headsets for clear audio guidance
- Guided tour of St. Peter’s Dome
- Included entry fees to the top of the Dome
- Expert private art-historian guide
- Comprehensive on-site assistance
What's Not Included
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
- This tour does not skip the line (both the security check one and the dome elevator one)
Additional Information
- Please note that you will be required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the square
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved
- Please be aware that the lines to clear security checks at the entrance of the square might take 15-120 minutes
- The dome’s terrace might not be accessible during bad weather conditions. In that case, you can either ask for a partial refund and visit the Basilica and the grottoes or decide to cancel the tour for a full refund
- An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered
- The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter’s square and the security checks
- Please note that this is not a skip-the-line tour
- St. Peter Basilica or its dome can be subject to partial unforeseen closures due to Vatican Administration
- Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia
- Not recommended for travellers with vertigo
Location
Largo del Colonnato, 5
Largo del Colonnato
Meet your guide at Largo del Colonnato, 5, by the first columns of the Colonnade. Look for a yellow label with TOURIKS written on it. Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the starting time. The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(35 Ratings)
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Maria_c
Jul 6, 2024
Amazing - One of the best tours I’ve ever done. Tom made the waiting time in line fly by and had my young kids engaged all the time. He is very knowledgeable and nice.
Worth it
Review provided by Viator
Michel_l
Oct 21, 2023
Great Tour - It was great. The private tour is the way to go when visiting the Basilica. We would recommend to anyone.
Review provided by Viator
Robert_k
Oct 10, 2023
Excellent, immersive , no hassle - A fabulous experience with a friendly and extremely knowledgeable guide that made the dome, basilica and grotto come alive. As someone who has toured the basilica with guides before I was delighted to find a guide that enhanced the experience more than any previous visit had done.
Review provided by Viator
Annadu24
Sep 15, 2023
EXCEPTIONAL - Small-group tour in French with Valéry of St. Peter's Basilica, the caves and the dome. It is a magnificent and unforgettable experience, Valéry knows how to share his knowledge, his passion for places and history. We loved it, the people who were with us too. We highly recommend it!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rick_m
Sep 10, 2023
Awesome tour of St Peters - Our tour of St. Peter's Basilica with Sonia was nothing short of enlightening. The climb to the dome offered breathtaking views, making the effort completely worth it. Sonia's knowledge was immense. We especially liked the captivating tales of St. Peter and the significance of those buried within the catacombs. Learning about the history of the land and its deep connection to St. Peter was the highlight. Sonia is a wealth of knowledge and conveys it with passion. A must-experience tour!
Review provided by Viator
I9791xzalanp
Aug 15, 2023
Mario, The guide - Excellent organised tour of the St Peters Basilika. Hats off to Mario, our guide. Amazing throughout 👏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnrlloydpsu85
Jun 26, 2023
Best Basilica Tour - What a great experience. Eleonora was the best guide and we will remember forever. She was professional, knowledgable, and humorous. Great job!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Genevieve_h
Jun 14, 2023
Incredible and knowledgable tour guide! Thumbs up! - Lorenzo was amazing! He brought to life St. Peter's Basilica! He shared SO MANY details I would have missed if I went on my own. He has lived in Rome his whole life and I loved hearing all of his reflections on this incredible monument. I highly recommend his tours!!!! Thank you Lorenzo for an unforgettable experience :)
Review provided by Viator
846sukhg
Sep 25, 2022
Arturo was Amazing and experience was lovely - Our tour guide was Arturo and he did an amazing jobs explaining the history in regards to the Vatican and St Peter’s Basillica. Very intuitive and a great person to talk to!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cathy
Jun 24, 2023
Didn’t even get to the end of the security line after 1 hour in full sun - nearly passed out- I had hat/water/umbrella. - Disorganised company - no signage where to find a representative. Actual guide was almost impossible to understand. Security line a nightmare.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
