Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes
Embark on an extraordinary journey commencing at St. Peter's Square, where the architectural brilliance of Bernini unfolds.
Then enter the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, a realm adorned with golden ceilings, vibrant marbles, and masterpieces like Michelangelo's Pietà. Delve into the Papal grottoes underground, touching ancient walls and visiting St. Peter's tomb for a profound historical encounter.
The grand crescendo awaits as you ascend to the dome's summit, offering both close encounters with intricate mosaics and panoramic views of Rome's iconic landmarks. From this lofty perch at 136 meters, immerse yourself in breathtaking vistas, spotting the Colosseum, Pantheon, and beyond.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event that the grottoes or certain areas of St. Peter’s Basilica are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites and artworks within the basilica. As a result, the overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged.
Options
ENGLISH GROUP FASTTRACK ACCESS
ENGLISH Group Fast-Track Tour: Small group tour (max 30) with dedicated security check entrance (not for dome access).
Duration: 2 hours
What's included in Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
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".
The 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.
Inclusions
- Professional art-historian guide
- Thorough guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- Sterilized headsets to hear clearly your guide
- Guided tour of St. Peter Dome
- Entry fees to the top of the Dome
- Full on-site assistance
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
- This tour does not skip the line (neither the security checks one nor the dome's elevator one)
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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
- Please take into consideration that the lines to clear security checks at the entrance of the square might take 15-120 minutes
- We recommend to wear comfortable walking shoes
- Please note that you will be required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the square
- The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square and the security checks
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
- The Vatican Necropoli is not part of this tour
- We might not be able to accommodate, refund or reschedule late arrivals
- Strollers are not allowed in the Basilica. There is a luggage deposit at the entrance of the basilica where you can leave the stroller
- Please note that this is not a skip-the-line tour
- Please provide the full names of all travellers when booking. The tickets are nominative, therefore, failure to present a voucher with all travellers' full names may result in denied entry
- Each traveller must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the same name provided at the time of booking for a successful entry
- PLEASE NOTE: In the event that the grottoes or certain areas of St. Peter’s Basilica are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites and artworks within the basilica. As a result, the overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged
- Pets are not allowed inside the Basilica
- Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia
- Not recommended for travellers with vertigo
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- 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.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
- In order to complete check-in time, please arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes before the activity starts - The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square and the security checks - 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 - 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 are not skippable and might take 15-120 minutes - We might not be able to accommodate, refund or reschedule late arrivals - Please note that you will be required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the square - The Vatican Necropoli is not part of this tour - The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour - For environmental reasons, it is preferable that you bring your own earphones (regular wired jack, no usb one, no bluetooth) and do not print your voucher. We will provide earphones in case you forget yours - We suggest you bring your own refillable bottle as you can find drinkable-water fountains everywhere in Rome - Please note that this is not a skip-the-line tour