Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes

In St. Peter's Square in front of the Basilica

Staircase to the top of the dome. Ready?

Close up look at the mosaics of the dome

Very close look at the mosaics of the dome

The outside balcony on the top of the dome

Descending back down to earth from the heavens of the top of St. Peter's dome ;)

Duration1h 45m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesGerman, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish

Group sizeUp to 25 travelers

Overview

Start in St. Peter's Square, where the architectural brilliance of Bernini unfolds.

Then enter 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. The overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged.
The Dome climb is by stairs only; the elevator is not included in this tour.

Options

Private Tour in Italian

Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in Italian

Spanish Group of Max.25 People

Spanish Tour: This option is for a Spanish tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.

French Group of Max.10 People

French tour: This option is for a French tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.

Private Tour in Portuguese

Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in Portuguese

Private Tour in Spanish

Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in Spanish

French Group of Max.25 People

French Tour: This option is for a French tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.

German Group of Max.10 People

German tour: This option is for a German tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.

English Group of Max.10 People

English tour: This option is for a English tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.

German Group of Max.25 People

German Tour: This option is for a German tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.

Spanish Group of Max.10 People

Spanish tour: This option is for a Spanish tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.

Private Tour in German

Private Tour : Select this option for Private guided tour in German

Private Tour in English

Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in English

English Group of Max.25 People

English Tour: This option is for an English tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.

Portuguese Group Max.10 People

Portuguese tour: This option is for a Portuguese tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.

Private Tour in French

Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in French

Italian Group of Max.25 People

Italian Tour: This option is for an Italian tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.

Italian Group of Max.10 People

Italian tour: This option is for a Italian tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.

What's included

Professional art-historian guide
Guided tour of St. Peter Dome and St. Peter's Basilica
Entry fees to the top of the Dome (by stairs)

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
This tour does not skip the line

What to expect

St. Peter's Square
10m

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
40m

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
15m

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.
St. Peter's Basilica
40m · Admission ticket included

Then climb your way up to the top of the Dome (by stairs). Enjoy a bird's-eye view over the marble floors and take an exclusive and close-up look at the mosaics of the dome.

Climb even higher to find yourself at the top balcony and be amazed by the spectacular panorama over Rome and beyond. Spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, and other iconic monuments from the height of 136 meters. Enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Peters Square and the Vatican gardens.
Vatican City
Pass by

All the visited areas are part of the Vatican city.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

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.

End point

Additional information

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 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
The Dome climb is by stairs only; the elevator is not included in this tour
Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia
Not recommended for travellers with vertigo

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

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