Headout is a brand trusted by millions of guests worldwide offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Our guide Valery is a well of cconnaissance.he made this wonderful tour even more interesting. If we come back in the future we hope to have him as our guide again.merci.
We had the guided tour with Valerio. It was great. He put a lot of effort in telling us everything about the history of the Peters Dome and Vatican City and he was able to answer all of our questions. We climed the dome and the view was fantastic. Everything was organised very well.
Our guide was very passionate about his faith which made for a unique tour experience as he believed the basilica for what it is- not a museum - but a place of worship and reverence. Loads of stories and history along with memorizing sites!
Anna was amazing ! So knowledgable, humourous and so kind to everyone in the tour group! She was very patient and also waited for us all the way until we got to the elevator to get up the elevator to the dome! Highly recommended and be sure to ask for Anna if she's available to do the tour with you 🙏 Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴
Outstanding guide took the group seemlessly through Saint Peter's. She allowed a couple short breaks and provided tons of information. As a religion and history teacher, learning new content is one of the best parts of traveling.
I really liked the cordiality of the guides and the simplicity of the tour, along with the information provided. We started a few minutes after the agreed time, but it was still excellent.
The guide was great and has a lot of experience - he has lived in Rome for 30 years and has many life stories to tell. A very funny and entertaining tour with the necessary background knowledge 😊👍👍👍👍👍
Volodymyr was great. He provided lots of really interesting facts, and was keen to offer information and insights around the interests of members of our group. I particularly liked the fact that he gave quite a balanced view - of some of the corruption over the centuries, as well as pointing out the glories of the artwork, and all the time being respectful of the culture and religion.
Alishba was an amazing guide, so passionate and knowledgeable. She made the tour an exceptional experience Thank you so much Alishba your an amazing lady
Booking the tour was seamless and efficient. From the moment the tour started to when it ended, we enjoyed every part of it. Our Guide (Kelly) was so helpful, fun and informative. She brought the whole group together really quickly making us all feel like a little multi country family. She went out of her way to make all participants of the group feel very much included. The detail that was shared and the pace we went through the tour was perfect. Kelly's explanation of everything made our visit to the Vatican that much more special.
The lady who gave us a lot of information about St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican State was very knowledgeable and extremely friendly and never tired of answering even the last interesting question. A "feel-good tour"!
Super-friendly guide, to the point in her explanations and full of anecdotes. Mastered her subject and was extremely efficient. Remarkable VAV in all aspects of the tour.
Superb visit despite the crowds due to the basilica being closed in the morning. The guide was perfect, full of anecdotes and attention to detail, conveying his passion and love for this monument. The climb up to the dome was well worth it, with its magnificent 360° view of Rome and Vatican City. The only downside is that the meeting point is poorly signposted, as it's a guide with a flag that shouldn't be blue. And it would be simpler to have a bus stop for the meeting point or a reserved room.
The guide, Edward, who was very knowledgeable and personable, was able to engage the group in the tour, giving comprehensive and easy-to-understand explanations even for children.
The church itself was amazing, but our guide topped it with an engaged, huomoristic and very interesting tour. We really learned a lot from him and we all had a great experience and it was worth all the money.
We loved the overall experience and our tour guide was awesome and very knowledgeable. She explained everything patiently and thoroughly. We highly recommend this tour.
We had a very nice tour, especially the guide was very, very nice, knowledgeable, very well read and above all friendly. You could ask him questions, he explained everything, took a toilet break and always kept an eye on his group!!!! I would recommend such a tour!!! It's really worth the money. There was so much going on, yet he kept calm and kept on explaining. We took away so much from this tour, including the history.....If you do a tour like this on your own you don't get this information at all. Thank you very much
Our guide Frédérico was sensational. With great explanations. We lived in the moment. And, above all, in beautiful French.
We took the tour in a small group. The starting point was easy to find. Our guide JAD was attentive to our needs, and we appreciated his explanations.
Many thanks for the experience! A big compliment to our guide. She was very knowledgeable and articulate. Everything seemed very professional and customer-friendly.
It was very interesting a must visit !! The guide Valerio was super cool and very polite he explained every detail
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and patient. She easily moved us through the crowd.
Awesome , my pleased to be here and wish everyone a good, peace fortune
Fantastic and Tour guide Alexandria was exceptional
This experience is perfect for learning about the history of this wonderful basilica and the wonderful Rome
Gain insights into the art, history, and spiritual legacy of St. Peter’s with a licensed guide—and climb the Dome for stunning views over Vatican City.
Inclusions
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
Expert English, Spanish, French, German or Italian-speaking guide
Dome access (as per option selected)
Exclusions
She was very professional, and her pronunciation was so clear that it was easy to understand her even in a crowded place. She was very kind and explained everything in an engaging way without being boring at all.
Followed the instructions and found the right entry pretty fast. Needed to wait about 10 minutes on the entry and another 10 minutes on security gate, which is nothing compared to the main waiting queue. The audio guide worked good and can be downloaded directly on site. It is not very extensive but is a good extra additionally to the tickets. The only downside was that the tickets weren't sent to us 1 day before the event. I had to contact the 24/7 support via chat at late afternoon. In the morning we had our tickets. -1 star for missing tickets, but +1 for top support. All in all totally worth the money.
Received some refund for undelivered Audio Guide service. It wiuld have been a 5 start if our tickets have been delivered as promised, but I had to followup them on the day of the scheduled tour as our tickets are not available yet. Make sure you are chatting to the real person not on AI when following up your tickets. Thanks to Alex and Maria from Headout for sending me our Skip-the-line tickets 3 hours before the tour and for confirming that we will receive some refund for undelivered audio guide.
Very quick access to St. Peter's Square and thus the basilica. Less than one minute wait at security instead of waiting in a very long line. Top!
Everything . Very well organized .
It's easy to get to and visit at your own pace.
Valid audio guide x appreciate the details of the Basilica
Entrance to the Basilica is free. We bought this ticket because we went in July and imagined it would be very crowded. Even so, the queue was quiet and we didn't need to queue. I don't recommend buying this ticket, but rather getting there early and getting in for free
I loved the structures. It's massive and impressive. I prayed and reflected which was important to me. But not having the guide was a problem for me because the audio was not enough to explain fully the experience
Buying tickets to the Basilica in advance through your company made sense, because we got in practically without queuing. Everything was harmonious and good.
Admission with the ticket was great. Thank goodness everything worked online via the QR code, without a printout. There was a separate route for those with reserved tickets, so we got through without any problems or waiting. St. Peter's Basilica is a must-see.
It was supposed to be a great experience but because we didnt get the digital guide. We didnt get information on the beautiful things we saw. The venue was very nice but nobody gave us a guide. We asked people inside and they all kept saying its inside.
Easy to get the tickets without any queer and to enter both the church and to climb up in the basilica. The audioguide worked out well with our own phones and our own airpods..
Well, I climbed the 522 steps, I felt insecure because I had the lift paid but the man encouraged me and told me that it was an incredible experience and the truth is that it was! Then when I came down and was in the basilica all I could do was cry with emotion! Beautiful and very well organized
The queues were not sufficiently labeled and therefore it was difficult to find out where to go. Otherwise great.
Super good organization and easy to get in. Time slots were not as strict as communicated, which ensured a smooth visit.
Everything went well on site: very friendly staff surprised us with a small snack at the start meeting point, after which we were led together as a group to the entrance to the dome of the cathedral, where we had to wait in a queue for a few minutes. But no problem. The only criticism: the headout app is very poor: our tickets were not displayed, could not be uploaded and the app kept sending advertisements to our cell phones. The help functions were inadequate. Really annoying.
Fabulous experience! Truly we skipped the line! precise directions, we wasted no time and we were followed in every step, I highly recommend it 🤩
Easy purchase, but a bit long wait for tickets, the reason for which is unclear. In case of booking a minor, arrange an audio guide suitable for little ones.
The guides quickly took us through security and up to the dome. An audio guide was included. Please note: this is not a guided tour, the tickets are not valid directly at the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica, the meeting point is at Cafe San Michele in a side street near the cathedral. All good, I'm happy to recommend it. June 2025
Access to the audio guide could be improved. The application you offer is not intuitive and I couldn't access the audio of the tour.
We turned up at 12.15pm as requested and were turned away, asked to come back at 1pm. No audioguide and a long wait under the blazing sun because someone had a problem, so despite the 2 checkers everything came to a halt.
The reservation worked very well, which allowed us not to queue and to get in before the scheduled time. Good audio.
It was absolutely worth the money! We didn't have to queue anywhere and were able to go straight to St. Peter's Basilica. Only at the gate into the cathedral did it take a maximum of 5 minutes. We are glad that we didn't have to stand in this endless queue in the blazing sun with a small child.
I highly recommend booking this Tour. It gave us speedy entry to St Peter Basilica. Loved skipping the line. Otherwise we would have waited a long time in the regular line. Inclusive in this ticket was also a Audio Guide.
Entry at your selected time with audio commentary and a mapped route to 27 key highlights.
Inclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Very good experience, Joaquina (our guide in Spanish) a success!!!! We were able to make our dream come true and the tour was more than we expected, her kindness and patience to explain everything was the top of the tour. Highly recommended. What we liked the most was not having to wait in the long lines and the complications to enter St. Peter's Basilica, since being part of the tour allows you to access everything faster!
Paulina was a star! In the heat and in the crowds she led our group through the Vatican museum, Sistine chapel and led us to St Peter's Basilica (where she did pre instruction as she cannot guide there. Our family learned a lot we would not know without the tour.
As someone with no base knowledge besides that the Vatican is the home of Catholicism. This was a great way for me to learn about all of Vatican City and the history of it. I would have been wandering around aimlessly without my tour
The guided tour was great, the guide was very funny and explained things very well. Cutting all the queues was great. I recommend it in French, we were with Paolo 😊👍🏼!
Our guide Marta was very knowledgeable and nice. She was a great storyteller and gave great background throughout the tour in each area. The tour was good and I would recommend them. We had a very nice time on this tour and it went to all the spots we wanted. The description is accurate on what you get with the tour. I only have one suggestion - and that is during times with extreme crowds, it is important to ensure that all of the group is accounted for. My husband and I (and another girl we didn't know) were separated during the tour in a critical area to short cut into the Sistine Chapel. The group was given 15 minutes there, but because we were lost and took the long way, buy the time we got there, we were rushed and didn't get the time the rest of the group had. Please make sure to keep the group together. I do understand it is very hard because of the crowds, so this situation alone would not keep me from taking this tour with this tour group again as everything else in the tour was great.
I recommend this tour and I wish you to find a guide like ours, Antonella.... explained opera by opera.... exciting us and telling us anecdotes . If you choose the skip the line it is better because it will allow you not to stand in endless lines Under the hot sun as in beautiful July! We visited the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica. Inside the tour you will find a couple of fountains where you can refill your water bottles. Comfortable shoes and shoulders covered !!! And have fun !!!
We didn't have a clear understanding of where to meet. Head out and our tour guide did everything to find us and ensure we weren't left out. The tour is breathtaking and unforgettable. This may be the best tour we've taken in any city,any where.
The audio thing does not work good. I had difficulty about hearing. The guide is good and I thing very necessary. Before getting tickets be sure to read all of the information about tour, what you need to and do not need to do. Very crowdy so be ready to this
The tour was great. The tour guide was amazing and really knowledgeable. The price was worth it for skipping the ques for the Vatican Museums alone as they were hours long and we bypassed them all and walked in straightaway. The only reason I gave it good rather than awesome was because of the amount of people allowed into the museums itself. This isn't the fault of the tour guide obviously but it meant the experience was less enjoyable in the 30 degree heat because there simply were too many people
Our guide, Vincenzo, was wonderful. Very funny and knowledgeable. I don't think you can enjoy touring the Vatican without a guide and skip the line. 100% worth it!
Skipping the line was absolutely amazing!!!! The tour guide was absolutely fantastic. Very knowledgeable wonderful tour would not have been the same without her!
Our guide Maria Theresa was amazing! She was very knowledgeable in aspects of the tour. She went out of her way to make sure that the whole group of 17 was taken care of. She had her eyes on everyone throughout and wouldn't let anyone get left behind. With the crowds and other tour croups pushing through she did an exceptional job of communicating with us to keep us together. She gave everyone a potty break in the middle if we needed it. I would highly recommend this tour guide and the company as they all are professionals.
The crowds were very heavy for the jubilee but our guide was wonderful in directing us and keeping us focused on the important details on the museum and Basilica!
The tour guide was very well organized, punctual, very entertaining and in addition to his technical and historical knowledge also liked to have a humorous joke along the way. The group was very pleasant with 10 people, it always moved quickly so that we could see everything and also ask what we wanted from this tour. Thank you very much. We are very happy to recommend this tour.
Everything that was mentioned in the tour we saw. Our guide Olga explained so much to the in-depth knowledge & history of The Vatican & sacred places. The crowds were overwhelming but Olga was able to guide us safely to the best vantage points
Very complete visit, the meeting point very easy to locate. I would have liked to have been able to enjoy a little more of the Sistine Chapel, but there were many people and we passed quickly. Otherwise everything was great !!!!
Absolutely loved our guide, Antonio that also speaks Japanese. He was knowledgeable and passionate about his tours. He knew the end and outs making it unforgettable.
Very good guide bravo! However, we didn't have time to go to St Peter's Basilica, even though it was included in the ticket.
We visited the Vatican Museums with an exceptional guide named Marco and we were really thrilled with the experience. Marco was very well prepared, clear in his explanations and very passionate: he was able to convey to us the importance and beauty of the works of art in an engaging and never boring way. Thanks to him we were able to better appreciate the richness of the Vatican Museums, and the whole tour. We highly recommend this guided tour, especially with Marco: he made our day unforgettable!
Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about both the history of all sites but also about how to effectively navigate the journey through the spaces during such an extremely crowded time. Due to the jubilee crowds we had some delays, and our tour ran long. She did not rush through the museums, nd gave us the complete tour anyway. Seeing that some on the group were getting tired, she sought out places to sit and rest, and was more concerned with everyone's health and happiness than ending on time. A native Roman, the depth of her knowledge, her personal perspectives, and her passion were amazing! Since the sistene chapel was closed, she spent 20 minutes using picture handouts to talk through the meaning of the art inside. The climb to the dome was my favorite part - to be inside seeing the mosaics and the perspective of such a grand church from above were incredible!
Our guide Theresa was simply great! She told and explained everything so well. The whole tour was super nice and absolutely recommendable.
Fantastic tour! It's worth it to skip the queues and have a guided tour with a small group. Wonderful experience which I would reccomend to anyone and will absolutely do it again.
It was an absolute amazing experience. Guide was amazing
Nice tours at time love it.good service
Enjoyed it very much. Very busy though. That can't be helped though. Your guide was very informative.
Explore all three Vatican highlights with skip-the-line access to the Museums and exclusive entry to the basilica via a hidden passage.
Inclusions
Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
St. Peter's Basilica Access
Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
Semi private tour with a max group of 10 (as per option selected)
Early morning tour with St. Peter's Basilica and Dome climb (as per option selected)
Headphones
Exclusions
We were at Castel Sant'Angelo before our time, there were no tourists there yet and we didn't have to show a ticket
Wow! Incredible! Visiting Castel Sant'Angelo is an incredible experience! The ticket avoided the queue at the ticket office, we went straight to the entrance, read the QRCode on our cell phone and entered. In other words, everything was smooth, safe and perfect! We love it! I thank and recommend Headout!
Everything , is very interesting, the views it offers from the terrace are beautiful !!!! It took us the time it is said 2 hours of tour. The frescoes on the walls each tell a story. I recommend it
She was very professional, and her pronunciation was so clear that it was easy to understand her even in a crowded place. She was very kind and explained everything in an engaging way without being boring at all.
What I liked most about the castle is that the tour was very clear and easy. To improve, the audio guide could have some historical facts in several languages to reinforce the audio guide.
Very quick access to St. Peter's Square and thus the basilica. Less than one minute wait at security instead of waiting in a very long line. Top!
No delay at the entrance with our prebooked ticket. Castel Sant' Angelo is not as glamorous as many of the other big tourist attractions but it has a fascinating history. The visit took in a museum with several models and paintings of how the site looked in different periods. There are great panoramic views of Rome from the higher levels.
This was a great tour. Didn't get chance to see it last time we visited Rome so was top of my list this time. The download guide was useful but we found it hard to know where to go at times as there were different numbers about for different tours but we managed to make our own way round. Low point was the cafe/bar. We wanted a drink... waited but no one came to us so we went inside and she told us to go outside and wait for the waiter. We gave up in the end which made us leave earlier than we wanted to find somewhere to have a drink. So advice is 'take water!'
Walked right in with entry pass. The views from the castle were impressive and got to see great art without the huge crowds in Vatican museums.
The highlight of my visit was that there was excellent attention from the castle staff and at the time I went at 10 am there were not many people.
The castle is amazing and the view from the to incredible. We had the best time there. There is a coffee on the top so that was a plus.
The tickets were cancelled due to the death of the Holy Pope and they should, shortly, give us a refund. We took advantage of the free admission on April 25 after an endless line but could not miss seeing the castle.
Visits to the city and the Vatican
The history, and the effort for the recovery to be a tour of general interest.
It's an echanted castle were history and art collide
Valid audio guide x appreciate the details of the Basilica
Loved it! The various purposes this structure once held is astounding. So much history and art.
Wonderful experience. Amazing view from terrace. Only one minus: Dirty neglected toilets
Castel Sant'Angelo is huge and beautiful. The view from the castle is unforgettable. Unfortunately the audiguide is not complete. But it was still fantastic!
It was a incredible experience I celebrated my 50th birthday today and enjoyed the visit to the castle and had a cappuccino in the little bar and the staff were so kind and welcoming thank you for the most memorable birthday ever 💕
Everything in Rome seemed to be a scam. I thought I was getting tickets with an audio guide...what I got was expensive tickets and an option to download an app with a guide that couldn't be played in the castle, unless I somehow traveled with headphones on me. Buyer beware, you can get an audio guide at the castle, don't waste your money.
I paid for the audio guide and once there the people explained to me that HeadOut didn't sell access to the official audio guides, only an option that lets you download an audio guide via their app etc etc. We were disappointed because we paid for nothing.
Buying tickets to the Basilica in advance through your company made sense, because we got in practically without queuing. Everything was harmonious and good.
It was supposed to be a great experience but because we didnt get the digital guide. We didnt get information on the beautiful things we saw. The venue was very nice but nobody gave us a guide. We asked people inside and they all kept saying its inside.
Quick and easy booking, skip the que was easy yo follow and quick, the audio guide was amazing Zing, giving time to take your surroundings in and explaining your surroundings in full
Experience Rome’s past in one ticket—explore an emperor’s fortress and the world's largest church.
Everything you get at Castel Sant’Angelo: Explore the fortress's secret passages, medieval weapons, and ancient statues.
Everything you get at St. Peter’s Basilica: Enter St. Peter’s Basilica, where you can see Bernini’s Chair of St. Peter, then descend into the Vatican Grottoes to explore Papal tombs.
Why choose this: Immerse yourself in Rome's religious history by exploring the world’s largest church and the Popes' castle in this budget-friendly combo.
Inclusions
Direct entry to St. Peter's Basilica
Direct entry to Castel Sant'Angelo and terrace access
Digital audio guide
Castel Sant’Angelo
Only some areas are accessible for prams/strollers and wheelchairs.
Visiting with a baby or toddler? Bring a carrier.
Tickets are nominative—bring an ID matching the name on your ticket.
St. Peter’s Basilica
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Initially we weren't on "the list" perhaps due to booking a day prior to the event. We were told to wait until everyone was checked in and was escorted over to a guide. She was amazing. I wish I knew her name to give her an A++ review she deserved. She got us to the front of the line and the best aisle seats to view Pope Leo. Memories to last a lifetime!!
I thought there would be more provided than the free papal audience ticket and the guide walking us into vatican city. The guides were wonderful, and the information he provided was great, but there was really only 15 minutes worth of information. I think I would prefer to save money next time that I want to participate the Papal Audience. We turned in our whisper devices as soon as we arrived at the seats, so there was really very limited amount of description of the papal audience.
Our guide worked very hard to get his small group up close to the viewing - he had an asssociate who was working with him steering him to front row seats! Along the way he explained the up-coming Papal procession, the Vatican state, the Swiss guards and general history. Well Done!
Everything it was a brilliant experience
seeing the Pope live, in the vatican
The process of locating the guide was extremely stressful - I arrived at 630am and still by 715 it was a chaos with tour guides shouting at each other and no one offering helpful service. Only after I had to be very forceful to a staff member to say I'm not a late no show I have a ticket did they allow me to join.
We were left alone after entering the St Peter's Square
It was a fiasco. I arrived at the given meeting point 45 minutes early. There was no guide to be seen. I eventually made contact with11 other people also at the same point and also unable to make contact with anyone from the Company. When someone eventually responded to frantic phone calls it was to say that the meeting point had been changed and we had been advised. I had certainly not received any communication stating this and neither had any of the other people. By this time it was 8.30 and we then had to do what turned into a 15 minute walk (due to road closures etc by police and military). We then got to the rearranged meeting point where we personally had to ask a girl sat on the steps if she was the person we were looking for. She had nothing to suggest that she was from Headout. No tshirt, no flag. She did not even greet us or make any apologies. Her first words were 'you are very late' which totally annoyed me as I was, as were the others very early. By the time we got into the square the Pope had started his audience. It was so crowded we could not get to the seating area for another 30 minutes. The whole morning was totally ruined by u professionalism. We later met at 12.15 for the tour of St. Peters Basilica- again nothing indicated that it was Headout. In fact it looked like she had tied a dirty bandana/neckerchief onto a pole. For the fee charged I felt it was all totally unacceptable and ruined what should have been a special once in a lifetime (well for me) trip I had done a guided tour the day previous to the Coliseum with another tour company and you could do with learning a few lessons in professionalism from them. Sorry but you will not be getting any recommendations whatsoever from me and I would be interested in your excuses. If it was just myself complaining I would be doubting what happened but there were another 12 people experiencing exactly the same.
The guide Stefan saved the day. Other than that, it was horrible. Waited at the venue sent only to find out it was in a different location. Never again headout
The guide didn't show up at the appointed place because he was with another group. Luckily, other people helped us by showing us the way to attend the hearing even without the guide. Occasionally we found the guide after almost two hours, who was with another group and ended up taking us in on a limited basis.
Nobody was there from headout. We were like crazy asking every tour group. We were there at 7 am but no guide tour was there. Please refund our money. We were scammed🤬🤬🤬Refund our money ASAP
The organizer on site was very disorganized and we waited almost an hour before we went on our tour to St. Peter's Basilica. There we were not let in via the fast track entrance, but had to stand in the blazing sun again for over an hour with the others. All in all, I spent the money for nothing. I could have done it all for free.
We were on our own for the Papal Audience, she simply gave us the yellow invitation and sticker and showed us where to go for security check, which was a huge line the figure ourselves out once inline looking for seats on our own in huge lines. We were then supposed to go back to meet her at McDonalds after Pope audience, but the crowds were huge and hard to walk back in the heat so it was harder to go back in the heat so we went into St. Peter on our own. It was harder to go back looking for her once we were there than to just go ahead and look around own our own. Very inconveniencing
First, No one was holding up an orange umbrella, it was leaning against the wall and couldn't be seen. The guide for the tour, had us wait an hour and another guide made us get out our. Tickets again to split up group. Unorganized. The flag she was holding didn't say "English' but a.small ribbon with a tiny bear. Guide Maria walked us around for 30 minutes not being able to get in. The tour didn't even start and by 12:30 pm we were still in line. Twice we were told by guide to turn around and walk back through crowds to different locations. I video tape me giving back my radio to Maria as others were doing as well. We would have never gotten into Basillica by time it was supposed to be over. Extremely disappointed and I would like a refund I never have bad experiences but every single person in the group was complaining as well about what they said was "a rip off" . I chose to leave this unhealthy experience and all the negative energy. Please refund my money. TY
Witness Pope Leo XIV’s first public audiences with exclusive, reserved seating in St. Peter’s Square.
Inclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Our guide was very passionate about his faith which made for a unique tour experience as he believed the basilica for what it is- not a museum - but a place of worship and reverence. Loads of stories and history along with memorizing sites!
Outstanding guide took the group seemlessly through Saint Peter's. She allowed a couple short breaks and provided tons of information. As a religion and history teacher, learning new content is one of the best parts of traveling.
Volodymyr was great. He provided lots of really interesting facts, and was keen to offer information and insights around the interests of members of our group. I particularly liked the fact that he gave quite a balanced view - of some of the corruption over the centuries, as well as pointing out the glories of the artwork, and all the time being respectful of the culture and religion.
Mateo ( hope I have remembered) gave us a great tour. Very knowledgeable and we learned a lot from him. He was very enthusiastic and helpful.
I thought our guide was fantastic. She covered all the basic information and add lots of interesting facts! The tour was very inclusive. I highly recommend it!!
All staff were very friendly. They had to contact us before due to the Vatican closing for a special service. They rearranged this well. The express tour gave us all the information we needed. It was great that the tour provided direct access & we didn't have to queue to get into the Vatican. Once the tour was over you could stay inside for as long as you wanted.
We were in general line. tour mentooned seperate fast entry but it was general long queue. Tour guide emglish /accent was not very clear, it was not engaging at all. Got bored. Lot of people ledt kn between.
Alex was an amazing tour guide. He knew the history of the Vatican and gave very detailed information. I enjoyed the stories and jokes! It was a great experience.
Roberta was our tour guide and she was excellent! Our children, 7 year old twins, enjoyed the tour because she found little ways to incorporate them while giving the rest of the group- all adults- all the wonderful history. I would recommend this tour, but specifically this guide! 🥰
We had an excellent lady as a guide. Very communicative in excellent English and had a very good knowledge of the subject. Headout travel highly recommended.
Our tour Guide was excellent. He explained everything so well. He gave such great details. We just loved the experience. Thank you so much for the experience.
The tour company staff were on time, easy to identify so that we knew we were in the right place. The tour guide was knowledgeable but often got too far ahead of our group and didn't allow adequate time for photos at certain points.
We took a guided tour of Castel St Angelo with only 6 people in the group. The Castel itself is steeped in history spanning 2000 years of varying use, and is a fascinating place to visit. The guide that took us around was SUPERB!! Very knowledgeable and very interesting. She also spent more time with us than was planned which was kind of her. (I'm only sorry I can't remember her name. Leopard patterned baseball cap in theirs 30s. You know who you are!) Fantastic.
Mariana was one of the best guide I have ever met. She was very profesional, she managed with calm diffrent situation and helped us too realy feel the history of Saint Peter basilica. Congratulation Headout!
Although there were so many people oir guide told us stories about the basilica especially my kids liked. We will be back in autum. Hopefully the basilica wont be so crowded
We had the tour in english and the guy was really nice. I think his name was Eduardo ( sorry if im wrong ) The whole tour was interresting and time was flying.
It was confusing as to where we were supposed to meet our guide. We followed the instructions but a security guard would not let us go to where we were supposed to go. That uniformed person sent us back out to where they were some concessions and large red umbrella. Someone from your company did come and find us. We had to rush about to catch up with the tour. Also the sign that the guide held was not the same name as what we expected (Head Out.) Even if we were able to get to where we were supposed to meet, we would not have recognised our guide.
Very friendly guide and group and it did what it said on the tin. Good value, excellent service with serveral phone calls to ensure everything was going as it should. Highly recommended.
The guide was knowledgeable but it was out as a 1 hour tour which started on time but we didn't even enter the basilica until over an hour after the tour start time and due to schedule had to leave the tour early when he was 2.5 hours into the time from the tour start. While he did great with what he did show it was frustrating when we were looking for a quicker tour in the time we had available.
It was very thorough. Our great guide did a good job trying to avoid the crowd and giving us the best experience possible!!
Elisabeth was an excellent tourguide. She informed us in an excellenet and very pleasant manner. We ve experienced a winderful afternoon at the basilica
Our tour guide was fabulous! Very engaging and knowledgeable.
Excellent guide - very knowledgeable and exceptional English
Very informative and took quite a few pictures
Our guide Irene was wonderful. She was knowledgeable and personable. Quite a learning experience
From battlefields to basilicas, explore 2,000 years of Roman history in just one morning.
Inclusions Castel Sant’Angelo
Guided tour of Castel Sant'Angelo with entry
Expert English-speaking guide
Group of up to 20 guests
St. Peter’s Basilica
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs
Expert English-speaking guide
Castel Sant’Angelo
Only some areas of the castle are suitable for the use of prams/strollers and wheelchairs.
If you are visiting with a baby or a toddler, get a carrier.
Keep in mind that your ticket is nominative, and you must present a valid ID matching your full name on the ticket for entry.
Spot the Passetto di Borgo, the secret passage used by Popes to flee from Castel Sant’Angelo to Vatican City.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Juan
Stephanie
Hunter
+2 more
Abdel
Mark
Kathrin
Steven
Maxim
You can't visit Vatican City without seeing St. Peter's Basilica, home to a dome so tall you could fit the State of Liberty inside! The basilica stands on the burial ground of St. Peter, the first Pope and one of the Apostles of Jesus. Completed in 1626 by artists like Raphael, Bernini, Bramante, and of course, Michelangelo, with material stolen from other Roman buildings, the church serves as a prime example of Renaissance-era Baroque-style architecture. It took two centuries to build, but you could say it was worth it. And the best part? Entry is totally free!
Once you’ve decided how you’d like to explore St. Peter’s Basilica, here’s a breakdown of ticket options to help you choose the perfect experience:
The inner dome boasts stunning mosaics illustrating scenes from the New Testament visible from the floor below. Their vivid colors and intricate detail create an awe-inspiring spectacle. The double shell, reinforced ribs and massive supporting piers make the dome an enduring testament to Renaissance ingenuity. Note that to visit, you must purchase tickets that give access to the dome.
Michelangelo’s Pietà is one of the most famous sculptures in the world, located in St. Peter’s Basilica. Carved from a single block of marble, it depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus after his crucifixion. The sculpture, completed in 1499 when Michelangelo was just 24 years old, is renowned for its intricate detail and emotional depth. The Pietà is the only work Michelangelo ever signed, and it remains a profound representation of both suffering and serenity.
The Vatican Grottoes, situated beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, serve as the final resting place for many popes and members of royalty. The Grottoes are home to tombs dating back to the 10th century, offering visitors a chance to explore the rich history of the Catholic Church. Among the most significant is the tomb of Pope John Paul II, a popular pilgrimage site. The Grottoes also house some remnants of the old St. Peter’s Basilica, constructed by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.
The Baldacchino is a monumental bronze canopy that stands over the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and completed in 1634, the Baldacchino is a masterpiece of Baroque art. Rising nearly 30 meters (98 feet), its twisted columns and ornate details symbolize the union of Heaven and Earth. The canopy marks the site of Saint Peter’s tomb and the high altar, where only the Pope is allowed to celebrate Mass.
Saint Peter’s grave is believed to be directly beneath the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica. According to tradition, Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles and the first pope, was martyred in Rome and buried in this spot around 64 AD. Over the centuries, the site became the focal point for the construction of the basilica, and it remains one of the most sacred places in Christianity. Archaeological excavations in the mid-20th century confirmed the presence of a grave beneath the altar, which many believe is that of Saint Peter.
The Veil of Veronica is a legendary Christian relic housed in St. Peter’s Basilica. According to tradition, it is the cloth that St. Veronica used to wipe the face of Jesus on his way to Golgotha, and his image was miraculously imprinted on the fabric. The veil is kept in a chapel within the basilica, though it is rarely displayed to the public. But the statue of Veronica, carved by Francesco Mochi is something you can definitely see!
The Vatican Necropolis, located beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, is an ancient burial ground dating back to the 1st century AD. It was discovered during excavations ordered by Pope Pius XII in the 1940s. The Necropolis contains a series of mausoleums, tombs, and crypts, including what is believed to be the original tomb of Saint Peter. This underground city of the dead offers a fascinating glimpse into early Christian burial practices and the history of the Vatican. Access to the Necropolis is restricted, and you must book special tours to explore this hidden treasure.
Absolutely! You can purchase tickets on-site—guided tour tickets are available at the desk, and dome tickets can be purchased directly at the entrance. However, we do recommend buying tickets online in advance to secure your spot and avoid potential wait times.
A guided tour can greatly enhance your experience by providing expert insights into its rich history, architecture, and art. A knowledgeable guide can share fascinating stories, explain the significance of the Basilica's features, and answer any questions you might have, making your visit more engaging and informative.
To enter St. Peter’s Basilica, you would have to use its main entrance at St. Peter’s Square. Temporarily, the entrance through the Sistine Chapel has been closed to the public.
If you want to explore St. Peter's Basilica at your own pace while learning about its history, an audio guide is ideal. On the other hand, an in-person guide offers a more personalized experience, providing insights and answering questions on the spot. This option is especially beneficial for those who appreciate detailed explanations and interaction during their visit.
St. Peter’s Basilica is easily accessible by public transport. Take a metro to the Ottaviano Station located near the Vatican Walls. From there, it is a short 5-minute walk to St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums.
Yes, since tours are available in non-English languages such as German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese as well.
It depends on the St. Peter’s Basilica ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 24-48 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancellation. Please check before you make your reservation.
Yes, sign language guided tours are offered at the Basilica and must be reserved at least 48 hours in advance by contacting: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
The climb to the top of the Dome involves a significant number of steps and requires a good level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for individuals with heart or back conditions, mobility issues, or those who are in the later stages of pregnancy. Therefore, it may not be suitable for elderly parents with these concerns.
Yes, you can! The Basilica is a family-friendly destination, and children are welcome to explore its vast and awe-inspiring spaces. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Basilica is a place of worship, so children should be encouraged to remain respectful and quiet during the visit. There’s a lot for them to see, from the architecture to the impressive art, which can make the experience enjoyable and educational.
