Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Overview
Make the most of your time at St Peter's Basilica on this private, all-access tour for your own group, complete with priority entry, a visit to the papal crypt, and a climb up the dome. Starting early, you'll see St. Peter's Square without the large daytime crowds. Tour the basilica to admire Michelangelo's 'La Pietà' among other highlights, and pay a visit to the papal crypt, a site normally missed by other tour groups. This is a private tour for up to 10 guests, just your own group and a guide, with the pace built entirely around you. End your tour at the top of the dome, with your guide by your side throughout the climb, for panoramic vistas over the capital.
What's included
Expert English-speaking guide for your private group
Headsets
Pre-reserved ticket to St. Peter’s Basilica dome (with elevator access)
Priority entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-off
Gratuities
What to expect
St. Peter's Square
15m
Meet your guide just outside the entrance to St. Peter's Square and head past the crowds, straight into the grand Renaissance-era elegance of the basilica.
St. Peter's Basilica
1h 45m · Admission ticket included
Next, it's time for a journey through the basilica itself as your guide shows you the grandeur that defines one of the holiest sites in the Catholic world. Admire the exquisite detail of the baldachin designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, standing amid the space designed by Michelangelo, and then visit the famous bronze statue of St. Peter with the keys to heaven in his hand. Another special experience is waiting for you beneath the basilica as your guide gives you a rare look at the crypts of the Vatican grotto. With more than 100 tombs holding popes, Catholic monarchs, and famous figures, the crypts let you look back through almost 2,000 years of the church's history. Finally, your guide will lead you to an elevator that carries you to the dome's first terrace. From there, you'll be able to climb St. Peter's dome along with your guide. 320 steps lead you up to one of the best views you can get of the city of Rome, from the square below you all the way across the Tiber.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at Caffè Leonina, Piazza della Città Leonina, 5. The closest metro stop is Ottaviano.
End point
On the St. Peter's Square
Additional information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
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.
Walks Tours is an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
