St. Peter's Basilica guided tours

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.

• Everything you get: Explore the interiors of the basilica with a local expert guide who brings context to its sculptures, mosaics, and sacred spaces—including Michelangelo’s Pietà and the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes. Then, ride the elevator partway up the Dome and climb the final stretch of stairs to reach the top, where panoramic views of Vatican City and Rome await.
• Why choose this: The Basilica is vast, layered with centuries of history and symbolism. Instead of wandering without context, this tour gives you structure, stories, and expert insight—plus access to one of its most iconic experiences: the climb to the top of the Dome.

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

• The Dome is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with vertigo or claustrophobia. Even with elevator access, 320 steps must be climbed to reach the cupola.
• Knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Explore all three Vatican highlights with skip-the-line access to the Museums and exclusive entry to the basilica via a hidden passage.

• Everything you get: Skip the ticketing queues and follow your expert guide through the Vatican Museums, including the Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms, and more. Get all the context you need before stepping into the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Enter St. Peter’s Basilica directly—skipping the 2-hour queue—through a special passageway from the Chapel.
• Why choose this: This shortcut takes you straight from the Sistine Chapel into St. Peter’s Basilica, saving you hours of waiting. With over a millennium of history, St. Peter’s is packed with must-see treasures, and your guide ensures you don’t miss the iconic rooms and hidden stories you'd likely miss on your own.
• Upgrade: Go for a fully guided tour inside St. Peter’s Basilica for a deeper, more immersive experience. Explore with an expert who brings its history to life and gain deeper context inside one of the world’s most important churches. Prefer a more exclusive experience? Opt for a semi-private tour (max 10 guests) for deeper engagement and a more intimate Vatican visit.
• Go for the early morning tour with Dome climb to explore before the rush and see the Vatican from above.

Inclusions

• Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
• Skip-the-line entry to St. Peter's Basilica
• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
• 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

• Gratuities
• Entry to St. Peter's Basilica Dome

• Names on tickets must match a valid photo ID. Double-check the details at checkout for a smooth entry.
• Your ticket includes a specific entry time. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your chosen slot.
• Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
• While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
• When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.
• Expect a considerable wait at the security line, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!
• Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures. These circumstances are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.
• The Vatican Museums reserve the right to close any section, including the Sistine Chapel, due to unforeseen circumstances. The closure of any museum section does not entitle visitors to any refund.
• With the Jubilee underway, all entrances to St. Peter's Basilica are restricted. Therefore, in order to secure access, it will be necessary to complete the reservation no later than 5 days before the experience.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

• Immerse in an enlightening guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica, the world's largest Basilica, and Vatican City's captivating Papal Grottoes.
• Marvel at the breathtaking interiors of the Basilica, a spectacular showcase of art by Michelangelo and Bernini. Choose between an English or Italian-speaking guide.
• Experience the convergence of art, history, and religion at the Basilica, and walk the hallowed ground where numerous popes rest in the Papal Grottoes.
• This tour also includes a visit to the iconic St. Peter’s Square, ending on a high note with directions to the mesmerizing St. Peter's Dome.

Inclusions

• Tour of St. Peter's Basilica, Square and Grottoes
• Expert English or Italian-speaking guide
• Entrance to the St. Peter's Basilica
• Assistance from a local staff

Exclusions

• Entry to St. Peter's Dome

• Tip: Keep an eye out for Bernini's Baldachin - it's a massive bronze canopy made from bronze stripped from the Pantheon!
• Shoulders and knees must be covered. No low-cut, sleeveless tops or shorts will be permitted. You may risk being denied entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
• Note that the following items are not allowed inside the venue: tripods and flash photography.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

From battlefields to basilicas, explore 2,000 years of Roman history in just one morning.

• Everything you get at Castel Sant'Angelo: An expert guides you through the plundered hall of imperial ashes, hidden prison cells of secret trials, and tales of the fortress’s evolution.
• Everything you get at St. Peter's Basilica: Let your guide show you Michelangelo’s Pietà, explain Bernini’s Baldachin, and lead you through papal tombs to honor the resting souls.
• Why choose this: You get to see both the world's largest church and a 2,000-year-old mausoleum-turned-fortress in one shot. With an expert guiding you at both stops, you'll not only see Rome’s history—you’ll understand how power, politics, and faith shaped it.

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

• Strict dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. The right semicircle of Saint Peter’s Square is equipped with ramp access into the Basilica. For any special requirements, contact accoglienza@fsp.va in advance.
• Sign language guided tours are available at the Basilica. This service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at the following email address: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
• Expect mandatory security screening. The wait at St. Peter’s Basilica may take up to an hour during peak times.
• St. Peter’s Basilica is wheelchair and stroller-friendly (ramps available in the right semicircle of the square). Only some areas of Castel Sant’Angelo are accessible.
• Papal Tombs access may be restricted during religious events. In such cases, extra time will be spent inside the Basilica.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

• Ditch the crowds and explore St. Peter's Basilica on a small-group guided tour, perfect for those seeking an in-depth exploration of its art and history.
• Conquer St. Peter's dome for panoramic views of the city, and spot the Colosseum and Vatican Gardens.
• Descend into the rarely-seen grottoes beneath St. Peter's, uncovering the final resting place of popes and early Christian frescoes.
• Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino are just some of the many masterpieces adorning the grand basilica that you can see.

Inclusions

• 3-hour guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
• Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
• Entry to St. Peter's Dome
• English-speaking guide

• Tip: Head to the viewing platform facing west for a panorama that includes the Tiber River and Castel Sant'Angelo.
• Choose safety and comfort: This experience is not the best fit for people experiencing back issues or claustrophobia.
• Strict dress code: No shorts or sleeveless shirts are allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

• Feel like the dashing Robert Langdon on this unique Angels and Demons tour that takes you through the sites that appear in Dan Brown's worldwide bestseller.
• Embark across Rome in a comfortable air-conditioned coach, along with a professional English-speaking historian tour guide.
• Walk down the Path of Illumination, uncovering centuries-old secrets and decoding mysterious puzzles on your way.
• Visit the places immortalized by the novel as the four Altars of Science - St. Maria del Popolo Church, St. Peter's Square, St. Maria Della Vittoria Church, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona.
• Get the chance to explore the Church of Illumination itself, the stunning Castel Sant’Angelo. Discover the secret passage that connects the fortress with the Vatican.

Inclusions

• Tour admission
• Admission into Castel Sant’Angelo
• St. Maria del Popolo church (outside until October 2024)
• S. Maria Della Vittoria church (inside)
• St. Peter's Square
• Piazza del Popolo
• Piazza Navona
• Coffee and Gelato Break
• English-speaking historian tour guide
• All transfers in an air-conditioned bus

Exclusions

• Hotel transfers

• Note: The Santa Maria del Popolo Church will be closed until October 2024 for renovations. The Church can only be visited from the outside and the guide will provide detailed explanations from there.
• Though this a tour, some of the churches you will be visiting may have restrictions on certain kinds of clothing so we recommend that you wear something that covers your shoulders and back and reaches below your knees.
• Since the tour also involves a fair amount of walking, we recommend you wear some comfortable walking shoes.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.