Guided tour of the basilica · Piazza della Città Leonina 2
A guide takes you through St Peter's Basilica, among marbles and mosaics, and then down into the Vatican Grottos, where the popes are buried. If you choose the option, you end up at the top of the dome, with all of Rome around you.
Entry to St Peter's Basilica is free: what you pay for here is the guide, which helps you understand what you're seeing, and the dome if you choose it. The visit lasts from one and a half to two and a half hours, depending on the option, and has 4.8 out of 5 with over 6,200 reviews. According to the reviews, guides are also available in other languages, from Spanish to German.
It starts at the basilica: according to the listing, the marbles, ceilings and mosaics, the Renaissance and Baroque architecture, the dome designed by Michelangelo. Then you go down into the Vatican Grottoes, with the papal and saint tombs and the place where, by tradition, St Peter rests. The listing also promises to touch the original walls of the 4th-century basilica and to see the ancient frescoes in the grottoes.
With the dome option, the ticket for the climb is included. The elevator only goes to the first terrace: from there there are about 320 steps remaining, in a narrow and steep passage. According to some reviews, the wait for the dome can be long on busy days. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not included.
Arrive at least 15 minutes early, as the listing requests: those who arrive late risk missing the departure. Bring your ID and no large bags.
Everyone goes through security checks before entering the basilica, with or without a guide. In the sun the wait feels long: bring water and a hat for the square, which you then remove inside.
The guide tells the story of Peter's tomb, the papal ceremonies and the architecture, and shows you details you would not notice on your own.
You go down among the tombs of the popes and saints, to the place where tradition locates the burial of St Peter.
Elevator to the first terrace, then about 320 narrow steps. At the top, the square and all of Rome below you.
★★★★★Michaela (in German) shared what she knows with spirit and always had an anecdote ready. She made the waiting times pleasant, and the audio worked well. [...] The dome climb (on foot) was tiring and narrow. [...] But in the end, after a short wait, the view repays you.
★★★★★Sophia was an engaging and knowledgeable guide. She told interesting stories and entertained us at every stop. Sophia was also witty and fun. You can see she loves her job, and we were sorry when the tour ended. It was by far our favourite visit!
★★★★★Thanks to Kathia, who managed to capture our attention and tell us so many anecdotes! She is a great historian, I highly recommend her!
★★★★★I strongly recommend a small umbrella for the wait at security checks. The lines can be quite long. And bring water too. [...] Sophia, our guide, was wonderful [...] As for the dome climb, what an effort! [...] the view repays everything!
Read:
Yes, entering the basilica is free. With this visit you pay for the guide, the headsets and, if you choose the option, the ticket for the dome.
With the elevator you reach the first terrace, then there are about 320 steps remaining, according to the listing, in a narrow and steep passage. According to the reviews it is tiring: it is not for those with heart problems or who suffer from claustrophobia.
No. The visit covers St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes with the papal tombs and, with the option, the dome. For the Museums and the Sistine Chapel there is the Vatican guided tour.
With clothing suitable for a place of worship: in the basilica, very short clothing, sleeveless tops or hats are not allowed. The listing requires shoulders and knees to be covered.
Ready to book
St Peter's Basilica and the papal tombs with a guide, and the dome if you choose it. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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