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St Peter's Basilica Tour: Dome, Crypt, and Art
4.7
296 Ratings
Roma
Immerse yourself in the history, architecture, and lore of St. Peter’s Basilica with this all-access tour. Avoid long lines and climb up into the titanic dome for amazing views of Rome.
Immerse yourself in the history, architecture, and lore of St. Peter’s Basilica with this all-access tour. Avoid long lines and climb up into the titanic dome for amazing views of Rome.
Duration:
2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- St. Peter’s Square - Meet the guide just outside the entrance to St. Peter’s Square and bypass the crowds to enter the magnificent Renaissance-era basilica. An elevator takes you to the dome’s first terrace, where you are surrounded by stunning artwork, and then 231 steps lead you to one of the most breathtaking views of Rome—from the square below…
- St. Peter’s Square - Meet the guide just outside the entrance to St. Peter’s Square and bypass the crowds to enter the magnificent Renaissance-era basilica. An elevator takes you to the dome’s first terrace, where you are surrounded by stunning artwork, and then 231 steps lead you to one of the most breathtaking views of Rome—from the square below to the expanse across the Tiber.
- St. Peter’s Basilica - Next, embark on a journey through the basilica itself as the guide reveals the splendor of one of the most sacred sites in the Catholic world. Marvel at the intricate details of the baldachin designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, set within the space crafted by Michelangelo, and visit the renowned bronze statue of St. Peter holding the keys to heaven. Another unique experience awaits beneath the basilica, where the guide offers a rare glimpse into the crypts of the Vatican grotto. With over 100 tombs containing popes, Catholic monarchs, and notable figures, the crypts provide a journey through nearly 2,000 years of church history before you conclude the tour with the guide.
What's Included
- Pre-reserved tickets to climb St Peter’s Basilica Dome with elevator access
- Groups of max 20 people
- Expert English local guide
- Pre-reserved tickets to climb St Peter’s Basilica Dome with elevator access
- Groups of max 20 people
- Expert English local guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Additional Information
Maximize your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica with an all-access tour that includes priority entry, a dome climb, and a visit to the papal crypt. By starting early, you can enjoy St. Peter’s Square without the usual daytime crowds. Ascend to the top of the dome for breathtaking views of the capital. Explore the basilica to appreciate Michelangelo’s ‘La…
Maximize your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica with an all-access tour that includes priority entry, a dome climb, and a visit to the papal crypt. By starting early, you can enjoy St. Peter’s Square without the usual daytime crowds. Ascend to the top of the dome for breathtaking views of the capital. Explore the basilica to appreciate Michelangelo’s ‘La Pietà’ and other notable features, concluding with a visit to the papal crypt — a location often overlooked by other tour groups. The tour is limited to 20 participants for a more intimate experience.
- The tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- After the terrace where the elevator stops, there are still 320 steps to climb to reach the very top.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- Please note: starting December 2024, access to St. Peter’s Basilica may be limited due to the Vatican’s Jubilee Year 2025, which includes special events and ceremonies. These closures are determined by the Vatican and are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
- All participants must provide their full names, dates of birth, and passport/nationality details at the time of booking. The information must exactly match what is listed on the ID or passport. Name changes are not allowed. Failure to supply this information will lead to the cancellation of your booking.
Location
Piazza della Città Leonina
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Caffè Leonina, Piazza della Città Leonina, 5. The closest metro stop is Ottaviano.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(296 Ratings)
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Christine_d
Jan 3, 2025
Loved the tour - Fantastic tour !!! Good early we walked right in. Our tour guide was wonderful she had a passion and knowledge for the history .She was an Archaeological, any question you had she knew the answer.
We were able to see the holy doors and pass through them it was such a beautiful experience.
Review provided by Viator
Brian_m
Dec 22, 2024
Perfect - Excellent guide. PhD with decades of experience. Good communicator. Perfect tour. Group size of 20. 8am start was great to avoid crowds. No line at security.
Review provided by Viator
991teril
Dec 16, 2024
Interesting tour - Our guide treated everyone fairly and interacted with each group. Wonderful details and answers to questions from different perspectives.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_h
Nov 3, 2024
St Peters Basilica Tour - Our tour guide, Julia, was excellent. Her knowledge and sense of humor made the experience memorable.
Review provided by Viator
Christine_w
Oct 25, 2024
The dome is spectacular up close - We had a great day despite the wet weather.
Our guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Unfortunately there was a service in the tombs which meant our tour guide had to leave us wander through without him. The dome is spectacular from inside and the rooftop views of the Vatican gardens was a real treat.
Review provided by Viator
Jacqueline
Oct 24, 2024
Informative and fun tour - Our guide, Sev, is a forensic archeology professor, so very knowledgeable. He is also a great storyteller and shared information in a fun, easy to understand manner. The dome climb was the highlight of the tour with incredible views from the top.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah_j
Oct 21, 2024
Amazing Guide - The guide, Sev, was amazing. He presented so much information in an engaging manner. He was able to answer any questions asked. Sev was one of the best guides I have had. The early morning start time was good to avoid as much of the crowd as possible, as the lines to enter the basilica and to use the elevator to the Dome become very long later in the morning. The views from the Dome are beautiful, but the stairs become very narrow and steep at points, so people with mobility issues or claustrophobia may have difficulty with that part of the tour if they choose to do the climb.
Review provided by Viator
Ellie_g
Oct 16, 2024
Great experience - Great tour guide! Passionate and knowledgeable. Very special being there so early and beating the crowds. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Mark_c
Oct 15, 2024
Amazing - Everything! A must do when in Rome. We had a very knowledgeable guide Sev which makes a huge difference.
Review provided by Viator
Sonofaslan
Nov 14, 2024
Worth the tour for the view from the top - The view from the top of the dome is worth the entire tour. Amazing views of St. Peters Square and the papal residence and Vatican gardens. The crypts didn't impress me very much, and sadly the main altar was under renovation (not the tour's fault obviously). You'll have as much time in the Basilica as you want. Make sure you are ready for the climb--don't remember the exact number of steps, but it was over 300. But again, very worth it. The guide provided some useful context and interesting facts--e.g. all the art in the Basilica is actually mosaics, there are no paintings per se because they tend to fade.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
