Vatican
3 hours
Varies
Max 20

Highlights

  • Discover St. Peter's Basilica in its full glory with our comprehensive tour, covering the dome, crypts, and everything in between.
  • Climb (or walk!) to the top of the dome and see one of the best views of Rome.
  • Experience the beauty of the basilica without the crowds thanks to a strategically planned early start time.
  • Get insight from your guide that will help you appreciate each magnificent detail of the basilica and the masterpieces held within its walls.

Preview the experience

Loading...

Tour description

Get to grips with Christianity's most important church on this complete St. Peter's Basilica tour.

Explore St. Peter's Basilica from top to bottom with an expert guide and small group of 20 people or fewer. This is the most intimate and extensive St. Peter’s Basilica tour on the market, designed for lovers of great architecture and jaw-dropping churches. We’ll help you to understand the history of the building and point out the details that make the Basilica such a masterpiece. You'll go from the dome to the crypts, from the Pietà to the Baldachin—and everywhere in between.

Climb St. Peter's Basilica Dome for incredible views over all of Rome.

Your St. Peter's Basilica tour starts early in the morning with a stroll around St. Peter’s Square and an introduction to the Swiss Guard. Then it's up to the dome. You’ll arrive before the crowds gather and use your pre-reserved St. Peter’s Basilica dome tickets, which include an elevator ride to the first level. Here you’ll get an up-close look at the stunning mosaics and stucco embellishments inside the dome. These mosaics are beautiful even when seen from below at ground level, but up close, you’ll understand just how impressive they really are.

From there, it’s 281 steps up to the top of the dome. Before you head up at your own pace, your guide will give you some tips on what to look out for so you can better appreciate the view. From the top of the dome, you’ll see the most incredible panorama over St. Peter’s Square, along the straight avenue bulldozed by Mussolini and across the Tiber to the ancient heart of the city. There’s no competition—this is the #1 view in Rome.

Enjoy a 60-minute tour inside St. Peter's Basilica and venture down to the papal crypts.

Back on solid ground, your guide will take you on a full St. Peter’s Basilica tour. Explore the side chapels and the hidden crypts, see Michelangelo’s "Pietà" and hear why this is the only work he ever signed, understand the mastery in Bernini’s Baldachin, and learn how Michelangelo triumphed as the only person who could crown St. Peter’s Basilica with the perfect dome.

Your final stop is the Papal Crypt. This is where many of the Popes have been interred and is an important pilgrimage point for Catholics. Although your guide can’t lead the group here due to site rules, they’ll give you full details on the most important Popes to look out for.

For anyone who loves art, architecture, and amazing churches, this St. Peter's Basilica tour is a unique experience that will give you a different perspective on one of the most sacred sites in the world.

Sites visited

  • St. Peter’s Basilica
  • St. Peter’s Basilica dome
  • St. Peter’s Basilica crypt
  • St. Peter’s Square

Included

Verified guest reviews

4.6 / 5
533 Customer Reviews
  1. Excellent

    397

  2. Great

    100

  3. Good

    18

  4. Average

    7

  5. Poor

    11

John

Dec 20, 2023

Loved going to the top of the dome. Our guide was excellent also. Good length, not too long.

Sophie

Nov 26, 2023

Tour was really interesting. The steps to the top weren’t as bad as expected but it is quite narrow, the views were worth the climb though! Would definitely recommend!

Fiona

Nov 22, 2023

Giuliana was an excellent guide with a very good knowledge. Perfect English.

Patricia

Oct 25, 2023

Itinerary was good, guide was knowledgeable, but lost sight of the guide several times in crowded St Peters because she didn’t carry a flag to help us keep track of her. Focused on finding her rather than taking in the wonders of the cathedral.

Erick

Oct 24, 2023

Our tour guide was excellent. She knew her history very well and was incredibly informative. She deserves to be recognized for her experience and ability to manage a large group.

Know before you book

From $45
Free Cancellation