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- English
- Italian
- French
Join our exclusive private tour of St. Peter's Basilica, the Necropolis under the Basilica, and climb the Dome to enjoy the panoramic view of Rome.
Start your tour with St. Peter’s Square admiring the architectural masterpiece by Italian Renaissance geniuses, Gianlorenzo Bernini and Michelangelo.
Step inside the basilica, take the elevator to the dome, and walk 330 steps up to the top of Michelangelo’s masterpiece. Enjoy the breathtaking view over all of Rome.
Descending from the dome, you will enter directly into the Basilica to admire the incomparable triumph of art and architecture and learn about the significance of this iconic landmark. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Canopy. The entire interior of St. Peter’s Basilica is decorated with artifacts of the most famous Italian artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The basilica houses relics of numerous Saints, and 90 tombs including the first pope, St. Peter the Apostle.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The guide will have a signboard with your name.
Itinerary
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1St. Peter's Square
Meet your tour guide and learn about St. Peter’s Square. This square, surrounded by a majestic quadruple colonnade displays the largest church of the Christian world: St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro). It is also the heart of Vatican City, the smallest state in the world, which was in antiquity occupied by Nero’s circus and gardens, where many Christians, including St. Peter, were martyred. In the centre of this 320 meter-wide piazza stands an Egyptian obelisk brought to Rome by Caligula in 37 AD. In 1656 Bernini began building the quadruple colonnade of 284 columns in 88 rows, which according to the artist symbolize the “gathering of Christendom.” From two points in the square which are marked on the ground by a stone, the four concentric rings of columns visually merge into one. The balustrade supported by the columns is decorated with 140 statues of saints. The huge door of the basilica is framed by statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
The dome was designed by Michelangelo, who worked on the basilica's construction in 1547. There are two levels to the climb: the first part takes you to the interior of the dome, which offers magnificent views of the basilica below, as well as a chance to see the mosaics up close. Visitors can either walk the 320 steps or take the elevator, and this part of the visit also includes a trip out onto the roof, behind the statues of Jesus and the Apostles. The second part of the visit is optional and is for the slightly more adventurous visitor. It involves climbing a total of 320 steps which become progressively narrower and more winding, ending in a tight, corkscrew staircase. If you suffer from claustrophobia, this is not for you. However, once on top of the Dome, you will have a bird's-eye view of Vatican City and a breathtaking panorama of Rome, spread out 150m below.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
3St. Peter's Basilica
After the Dome and enter St. Peter’s Basilica. Churches don’t get bigger than St. Peter’s Basilica, in every sense of the word. Not only is it physically colossal, but it’s also the home of the Catholic Church. Enter the historic walls of Vatican City, the residence of the Pope, to discover the focal point of a historical and spiritual pilgrimage. One of the apostles and the first Pope, St. Peter was crucified in Rome in 64 AD. There’s strong evidence suggesting that his body is buried beneath the Basilica’s main altar. If you love architecture, St. Peter’s is a stunning example of the style. And even if the spiritual side isn’t for you, it’s hard not to be moved by such a magnificent building. As St. Peter’s isn’t the official seat of the Bishop of Rome, it’s not actually a cathedral and remains a not-so-humble church Started in 306 AD, St. Peter’s took over 1,300 years to reach its complete stage in 1626.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
ENTER THE VATICAN GROTTOES - The Vatican Grottoes is the vast underground graveyard below St. Peter’s Basilica. A grotto is basically a cave of artificial or natural origin that is used by people, usually for burial purposes. The Vatican Grottoes is the vast underground graveyard below St. Peter’s Basilica. A grotto is basically a cave of artificial or natural origin that is used by people, usually for burial purposes. This is the place that houses the tombs of several popes and saints. In fact, the Vatican Grottoes is the burial place of 91 popes and some other church dignitaries such as cardinals dating back to the 10th century and onwards. In addition, the grottoes also include some tombs of secular monarchs such as the tomb of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus, the tomb of the Stuarts, and the tomb of Queen Christina of Sweden. The grottoes are located above the necropolis where you can find the holy tomb of St Peter the fisherman, the first bishop of Rome (Pope).
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Activity not recommended for people with motor lag
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Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Activity not recommended for people with motor lag
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- There is no refund on reservation fees and tickets of monuments that are closed due to event that is out of our control.
- If this is not possible, we will operate the tour and will include other sites to compensate for the site/s being closed. No refund is given on unused tickets due to events that are out of our control.
- To Climb the Dome there is a spiral staircase of 320 steps. You cannot skip the stairs, so be prepared.
- Customers have a mandatory meeting time stated 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time due to managing and organizational reasons.If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
- Cancellations, changes or issues due to weather, security and events held by the monument are beyond our control and are directly decided by their administration team. These issues will be reviewed by us and dealt with on an individual basis but are the responsibility of the monument.
- Without notice the Basilica or parts of it can be closed for unforeseeable events. In this case, partial refund can be requested.
- Every refund request MUST be done within and not later than 48 hours from the day of the tour
- Not recommended for travelers with walking problems
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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