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Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, La Pietà & Papal Tombs Guided Tour

4.346 reviewsSt. Peter's Basilica

  • 2 hours
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • 4 languages
  • Instant confirmation

Highlights

Join our extraordinary exploration of the Vatican's treasures with our exclusive "St. Peter's Basilica Dome & Papal Tombs Tour," featuring an optional Dome Climb. Limited availability makes prompt reservation highly recommended. Immerse yourself in the rich history of St. Peter's Square and explore the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, adorned with the Baroque and Renaissance masterpieces of Michelangelo and Bernini. Join our tour to experience a descent to the hallowed Papal tombs, unraveling the history of the Popes interred there. Then, for those who choose, the optional Dome Climb offers breathtaking panoramic views, encompassing the Vatican Gardens and Rome. Throughout this journey, your expert guide will provide tickets and profound insights. Guided by a knowledgeable expert, this tour ensures a profound understanding of the Vatican's most significant landmarks. Don't miss this unique opportunity; secure your spot promptly!

Inclusions

What's included

  • Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
  • Sterilized headsets to hear clearly your guide
  • Tour Guide

What's not

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Skip-the-line entry
  • Tickets for the dome climb with elevator access

Itinerary

  1. Begin your journey in St. Peter's Square and marvel at its majestic architecture. Discover the visual effects crafted by the designer, Bernini, and uncover the two "special" spots in the square that make it truly unique.

    10 min

  2. Next, enter the Basilica and witness its grandeur. Admire the golden ceilings and impressive mosaics that took 150 years to rebuild. Follow your expert guide through the renowned masterpieces of Renaissance and Neoclassic art, including Michelangelo's "Pietà". Stand in awe of the harmonious 30-meter-high canopy and appreciate the expressive power and delicate beauty of this iconic artwork.

    40 min

  3. Descend into the underground grottoes and discover the final resting place of St. Peter. Trace the ancient walls of the original 4th-century basilica with your fingertips and imagine the history that surrounds you. Marvel at the beautiful frescoes that adorn the underground chambers and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this holy site. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights into the history and spirituality of this sacred place, making this a truly unforgettable experience.

    15 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

4.3

  • 536
  • 43
  • 30
  • 21
  • 16

Ratings come from 46 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

Meeting point
Upon reaching the designated meeting point, look for the tour coordinator holding a sign labeled "TIX & TOURS". It's crucial to have your voucher ready for check-in. If you encounter any difficulty locating the tour coordinator, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Pickup
Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
Tickets
Tickets are redeemed at a different location from the meeting point.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group size
Up to 30 travellers
Operated by
Tix & Tours
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
  • Please note that the dome's terrace may be inaccessible during adverse weather conditions. In such an event, you have the option to either request a partial refund and proceed with a visit to the Basilica and the grottoes, or 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
  • Kindly note that the security checks at the entrance of the square may require a waiting time of 5-45 minutes.
  • 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

How it compares in Rome

  • Its from-price is 81% below the median of the 8352 experiences we list in Rome.
  • It is shorter than most of them.
  • By number of reviews it ranks 1105 of 8352.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Rome

Rome layers nearly three thousand years of history into one walkable city, from the Colosseum and Forum to Baroque piazzas and Vatican art.

Ancient Rome is still in plain sight. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill sit together at the city's heart, the Pantheon still stands with its open oculus, and fragments of temples and aqueducts turn up between apartment blocks. Across the Tiber, Vatican City holds St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Top-ranked sights in Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel.

See all 8352 experiences in Rome

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