Guided Tours

St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Dome Access

Name: St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Dome Access
Start: 2025-01-21T07:15:00
End: 2025-01-21T09:15:00
Location: Rome

St. Peter’s Basilica Dome view from the rooftop in Rome during a guided tour.

Statues on the St. Peter’s Basilica Terrace

Visitors on St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Terrace in Rome, Italy, overlooking cityscape.

View from St. Peter’s Basilica Dome overlooking Vatican City rooftops and Rome skyline.

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

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4.2

3.2K ratings

5/5

4/5

561

3/5

140

2/5

163

1/5

329

Sam

5/5

Jan, 2025

This was a very informative tour and we would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Rome. We purchased tickets ahead of time online which was very convenient.

Michiels

3/5

Jan, 2025

The visit to the Basilica Dome did not take place. It was closed. Could you please refund part of the reservation since the visit to the dome was cancelled? Thank you in advance,

View original review in French

Roque

3/5

Jan, 2025

I was at the Vatican at 1 and I didn't see the information on my ticket, they called me around 1:05 and they told to meet at door 38 l look and asked for door 38 and never found after 25-30 minutes I found the directions to the meet point (about 4 blocks) hoping to find someone to help me,,, today find out that was space 38 not door 38 what they told me to meet. After all that they were able to get me into the dome but ony audio guide.

Melanie

3/5

Jan, 2025

We had to wait 1 1/2 hours at the security checks, which made the tour of St. Peter's Basilica very quick and rushed. We looked at the cathacombs on our own because of the time; the guide's input was missing there. Guide very nice, could explain well.

View original review in German

Roman

5/5

Jan, 2025

I recently had the pleasure of joining the St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Dome Access, and I must say it was an incredible experience! Our guide, Brigida, was absolutely fantastic. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and truly passionate about the history and significance of St. Peter’s Basilica. Her storytelling brought the site to life, and she made sure to answer all our questions with patience and detail. I especially loved how she provided fascinating insights about the architecture and the artwork, making the entire tour both interesting and exciting. Climbing to the dome was breathtaking, and Brigida’s guidance made the journey even more special. Thank you for such a memorable experience! I highly recommend this tour, and if you’re lucky enough to have Brigida as your guide, you’re in for a treat! With respect, Roman from Moldova

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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.