Guided Tours

St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Dome Access

Name: St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Dome Access
Start: 2024-12-20T13:45:00
End: 2024-12-20T15:45:00
Location: Rome

Tour guide leading a group towards the St. Peter’s Basilica Dome in Rome, highlighting its architectural grandeur

Statues on the St. Peter’s Basilica Terrace

Tour guide leading a group towards the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica Dome in Rome, Italy

St. Peter's Basilica Dome interior view during guided tour, Rome, Italy.

Climb to the very top of Michelangelo’s St. Peter’s Basilica dome, and bask in unparalleled views of the rolling green Castelli Romani hills, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the opulent Vatican!

Highlights

An expert guide takes you on a journey through the world's largest church and beacon of the Vatican.
Get breathtaking views of the hills all around from your unique vantage point at the crest of the St. Peter’s Basilica's Dome, the highest point in Rome.
Discover the Papal Tombs and artistic wonders housed in the Basilica, like Michelangelo's Pieta sculpture.
Fuel up for the adventure ahead! Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast with an upgraded English or French guided tour.
Fun fact: Bernini designed the square so St. Peter's Basilica stays the focal point. Look closely, every line leads to the basilica!

Inclusions

Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Dome with entry
Expert English, Spanish, French, German or Italian-speaking guide
Access by elevator to the base and stairs to the top
Breakfast (for French and English options, if selected)

Exclusions

Entry to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Entry to the Necropolis / St. Peter’s Tomb / Scavi

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

4.2

3K ratings

5/5

1.9K

4/5

530

3/5

132

2/5

153

1/5

321

Iasmina

5/5

Dec, 2024

Very thorough explanations, lots of time to walk around, and the guide was available to answer any questions from the group. I initially wanted to book a tour from the official website but it was sold out (I did get it for the Vatican Museums so I have a reference point) and I was a bit skeptical about this one, but totally recommend!

Barbara

5/5

Dec, 2024

It was a very positive experience. Our guide Edoardo De Biasi was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of information without being heavy but on the contrary made us spend two hours immersed in art and history with nice anecdotes. We recommend this experience Barbara Marco Greta and Filippo from Vicenza

View original review in Italian

Anthony

5/5

Dec, 2024

Maria provided the best tour that I have experienced in my life. We are returning in July for the jubilee and if we could get her again, I will do the same tour once again with additional members of my family. We'll done to everyone and wish you the best.

Lilian

5/5

Dec, 2024

Our tour guides were fantastic! Loved the explanations and stories shared. They were also accomodating to keep the group together and honoring everyone's level of physical capability. Very thankful for their care and friendliness.

Catharina

5/5

Dec, 2024

Very knowledgeable guide with a passion for the topic which was infectious and inspiring. My 15 and 18 year old sons found it equally fascinateing. The Basilica and its history is incredible.

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Your experience

Ascend to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica

Avoid the crowds and get an intimate glimpse of the treasures of the Vatican on this early-morning guided tour. The tour begins with an exciting climb that involves both a staircase and an elevator to the highest point of Rome’s iconic St. Peter’s Basilica. The view from here is simply breathtaking. The city of Rome, a striking and glorious confluence of the ancient and the modern, stretches past the wetlands and forests of the Riserva Naturale, and all the way to the Tyrrhenian Sea in the southwest. You will see the Vatican and some of Rome’s most famous landmarks bordered by the Castelli Romani hills. Your guide will point out all the attractions and tell you more about these fascinating places in Rome.

Explore St. Peter’s Basilica and the Holy Papal Tombs

Walk back down to terra firma and enter the Basilica after a short break near the entrance. An artistic and architectural marvel designed by geniuses of the Renaissance like Donato Bramante, Lorenzo Bernini, and Michelangelo, St. Peter’s Basilica has become one of the world’s most ostentatious symbols of Christianity. Your guide will tell you all about the beliefs that surround the real location of the tombs of St. Peter and the first Bishop of Rome. Explore Piazza Risorgimento and Piazza San Pietro areas. Admire some of the artistic masterpieces of Bernini and Michelangelo before heading to see the Papal Sarcophagi of the Basilica.

Know before you go

What to bring

Comfortable shoes are recommended.

What's not allowed

Strict dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
Mobile phones must remain in silent mode inside the Basilica.

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
The climb to the Dome's top involves a substantial number of steps and requires a decent level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for people with heart/back conditions, mobility issues, or late-stage pregnancy.

Additional information

Expect a considerable wait at security, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take over 2 hours!
Around religious holidays at the Vatican, parts of the tour such as the Papal Tombs may not be open. In this case, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.