St. Peter's Basilica Dome to Underground Grottoes Tour

Discover St. Peter’s Basilica (one of the finest cathedrals) on a guided small group tour with a professional art historian. Enjoy a rare bird’s-eye view over Rome with this tour that includes a climb to the top of its dome.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • St. Peter’s Square - The most famous and the biggest square of the Vatican City. In the middle of the huge square enjoy the Obelisk from Egypt (over 2500 years old) 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.

  • Vatican Grottoes - Enjoy a visit to 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. Here, you can see where hundreds of popes and members of royalty have been buried since the 11th century.

  • St. Peter’s Basilica - After entering the Basilica, you will discover the beautiful artworks that fill its space. While walking on the colorful marbles, you will be mesmerized by the enormous dimension of the building and the ceilings entirely covered in gold. Here the guide will take you through the main highlights. You will discover the incredible Papal Altar under Bernini’s Baldachin, and marvel at Michelangelo’s other timeless masterpiece, La Pietà, as you explore the most important church in the Christian world.

  • Cupola di San Pietro - From the highest point within vatican, admire breathtaking and panoramic views of the city, including the vatican gardens below. Keep your camera ready to click beautiful panoramic views.

What's Included
  • Skip-the-line access to the Dome via elevator
  • Professional tour guide assistance
  • High-quality headsets for tour commentary
  • All fees and taxes included
What's Not Included
  • Transportation is not included
  • Skip the line
Location
Best In Rome Tour
Borgo Vittorio
Meeting point is very close to the St. Piter's Basilica, just 1 minutes walking distance.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(135 Ratings)
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Juaanquimo
Aug 5, 2024
GREAT - Kathy is an excellent Guide!!! His explanations about the basilica were at the level of an art history class! GREAT!! Highly recommended, attentive and answering any questions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariusz_w
Aug 5, 2024
Great tour - We had great experience. Our guide Ignacio was knowledgeable and experienced. He was funny and informative. Highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Drbaltazarsoto
Aug 3, 2024
Great tour!! - Kathy an excellent and kind guide, was always willing to answer our questions, you have to take water in plastic bottles since glass bottles are not allowed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_h
Jul 12, 2024
Great Tour - Great tour - very informative. I would recommend getting an early slot as it got crowded after noon. Karen, our guide, was fantastic!!
Review provided by Viator
Diana_e
Jun 20, 2024
Worth the tour! - Saint Peter‘s Basilica is such an amazing place! It’s worth every penny to splurge on this tour as you get to learn it’s significance and everything around it! It is such an amazing place!
Review provided by Viator
Grandtour706695
Jun 17, 2024
Our guide was very patient and funny. She was informative and even gave us directions to the Vatican Museums. Thank you! - Excellent guide, funny, friendly and informative. Excellent to have the tour available so early in the morning. Would like to take other tours with this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michele_g
Jun 16, 2024
Gigi was our gide and is excellent! - Gigi was our tour guide and is wonderful! He was extremely knowledgeable and we learned so much from him which enhanced the experience.
Review provided by Viator
Brian_f
Aug 16, 2024
Good guide; she was great. But misleading “skip the lines” by Viator. - Our guide Michel’ was lovely. Informative. Viator, however, misleads when it advertises “skip the lines”. Expect to wait in long hot line at the Vatican.
Review provided by Viator
Alicja_r
Jul 3, 2024
A big no - The guide was completely uninterested and pretty bad. We lost a lot of time that could be spent on sightseeing and the only thing we heard often is that she must watch our radios. Do not recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Dan_h
May 31, 2024
Disappointed at St. Peter’s - We had a small group tour scheduled and the guide was sick. Wanted us to change from 1pm to 8:30am. Voice box was inferior, Pieta was covered, alter area was under renovation, non of which had been communicated to us. We have used Viator in Paris, London, Barcelona and had fabulous experiences. This was a huge disappointment.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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