Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
St. Peter's Basilica, located within Vatican City, is a symbol of religious devotion and architectural grandeur. A guided tour of this iconic basilica provides an immersive encounter with its historical, artistic, and spiritual dimensions.
Marvel at the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of this monumental church, including the awe-inspiring dome designed by Michelangelo.
Explore a treasure trove of masterpieces by renowned artists such as Michelangelo's "Pieta" and Bernini's "Baldacchino."
Discover the religious importance of St. Peter's Basilica as the burial site of St. Peter and a hub for major papal ceremonies.
Descend into the Vatican Grottoes to pay homage to the tombs of popes and saints, including the traditional resting place of St. Peter. Ascend to the top of the dome for panoramic vistas of Vatican City and Rome, offering a unique perspective on the Eternal City.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please select the right option for the Dome climb or no Dome climb option
We offer a variety of tour options to suit your preferences: Italian Regular Tour (No Dome), German Regular Tour (No Dome), French Regular Tour (No Dome), Spanish Regular Tour (No Dome), English Regular Tour (No Dome), German Tour with Dome Climb, Italian Tour with Dome Climb, French Tour with Dome Climb, Spanish Tour with Dome Climb, English Tour with Dome Climb
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica is one of the holiest sites in Christianity. It is traditionally believed to be built on the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the first Bishop of Rome (Pope). The basilica holds great religious and historical importance for Catholics. The basilica is renowned for its stunning Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It was designed by notable architects like Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The Vatican Grottoes
The Vatican Grottoes, located beneath St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, are a sacred and historically significant underground complex. This subterranean space serves as the final resting place for numerous popes, saints, and notable figures from the history of the Catholic Church. Visitors to the Vatican Grottoes can explore a labyrinth of burial chambers and tombs, including the traditional resting place of St. Peter, one of Jesus' apostles and the first Bishop of Rome (Pope). The grottoes are adorned with artistic and decorative elements that reflect the rich heritage and religious significance of the Catholic faith. Accessible to tourists and pilgrims, the Vatican Grottoes provide a unique opportunity to delve into the history of the Church and pay homage to its revered figures. These underground chambers are a place of reverence, reflection, and historical exploration, offering a deeper understanding of the enduring legacy of the Catholic Church.
What‘s Included
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
Headsets to clearly hear your guide
Entry tickets to the Dome. IF OPTION SELECTED
Professional and Licenced Guide
Entry to Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
Options
Basilica Private Tour
Basilica Private Tour
German Regular Tour (No Dome)
German Regular Tour (No Dome): This option include complete guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs. The Dome ticket is not included
French Tour with Dome Climb
English Tour with Dome Climb
Italian Tour with Dome Climb
English Regular Tour (No Dome)
English Regular Tour: The option include Complete guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Papal Tombs, The Dome ticket is not included
German Tour with Dome Climb
French Regular Tour (No Dome)
French Regular Tour (No Dome): This option include complete guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs. The Dome ticket is not included
Spanish Regular Tour (No Dome)
Spanish Regular Tour (No Dome): This option include complete guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs. The Dome ticket is not included
Italian Regular Tour (No Dome)
Italian Regular Tour (No Dome): This option include complete guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs. The Dome ticket is not included
Spanish Tour with Dome Climb
Reviews
387 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The tour and tour guide...
David S,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour and tour guide were great. It made the long wait in line go by quickly and made navigating the huge crowds much easier.
Unforgettable experience
William P,May 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Although we studied St. Peter’s Basilica, some, and underground Grottoes before, it is still a very different experience with a knowledgeable tour guide giving us the narratives.
Competent, informative, entertaining - excellent guidance from Michaela!
Fisch Z,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Michaela’s leadership was competent, informative, but at the same time very entertaining, in-depth on the group. The waiting hour in front of St. Peter's Basilica seemed to be part of the program and was quickly over. I do not want to miss the knowledge it has acquired about the Vatican, its history, its inhabitants and its relationship with Rome. Had it taken a little longer, the discussions might have been a little more intense. Looking forward to the visit and, yes, to the wait with Michaela!
Insightful and enjoyable
Indah W,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We arrived late at the meeting point & the tour has already started however fortunately there was staff who was able helping us putting us back to the initial tour as they couldn’t put us into the next slot. We didn’t catch the tour guide’s name, but all we can say is she has done an excellent job providing an insightful history behind St. Peter Basilica and the mastery of arts behind the magnificent architecture, very knowledgeable and able to maintain the whole activity in casual way (and humorous , too). We chose to climb the total 551 steps to the ultimate dome on our own pace and enjoyed the beautiful Rome landscape from the top. Thanks Kay Kay Tour for the unforgettable experience. Highly recommended.
Vatican by KayKay Tours. Tour guide Valentina.
S1794SZjonathana,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely wonderful experience on the Vatican tour on Sunday, 3rd May 2026, thanks to our guide, Valentina. From the very beginning, she was engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the history and art of the Vatican. Valentina brought the entire experience to life with her storytelling. Instead of just listing facts, she connected the history, culture, and meaning behind what we were seeing in a way that made everything memorable and easy to understand. Her explanations of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica were especially impressive—detailed without ever feeling overwhelming. She also managed the group perfectly, keeping everything organized and moving smoothly even in what can be a very busy environment. Her friendly attitude and willingness to answer questions made the tour feel personal and relaxed. What really stood out was her enthusiasm—it was clear she genuinely loves what she does, and that energy made a huge difference in our experience. We would highly recommend Valentina and Kaykay tours to anyone visiting the Vatican. She turned what could have been a standard tour into something truly special.
Very informative....
Bridgett D,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative. Frederico was fantastic. Very enthusiastic and kind. You could tell he enjoys what he is doing. Even though this was our second visit, we learned even more!
St. Peter's Basilica, dome climb and underground tour.
rensebell,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The tour was excellent, our guide was very good and knowledgeable about all aspects of the Basilica and underground toums. As my wife doesn't do stairs we had agreed that I would do the dome climb on my own. We didnt know and the guide didnt tell us that there was an elevator option that took you to the first level ( the internal balcony) which my wife could have done, so she missed out on that part. Apart from that it was a good experience and we learned a lot that we wouldn't have known without the guide. The views from the top ( outside the dome) were fantastic and worth the climb, which is quite extensive. ( 500 steps).
Tip Top Guided tour with humor, patience and lots of information
Sabrina T,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had booked the tour at very short notice, were very satisfied with the organization, care and communication of the organizer despite the imperfections. For guidance itself, Michaela has guided us perfectly and I mean perfectly through the morning. Always with some humorous tips and niche information that you won't find anywhere else. Also the BEST queue I have ever been in 😁😁 Really recommend 6 stars out of 5
St Peter's Basilica and Dome Climb
Lee C,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The overall experience was very good our guide was excellent and the dome climb was a highlight. Only negative was the 1.5hrs in the queue to get in.
A magnificent venue gone wrong
John W,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Never, ever take this tour on a Monday or Wednesday! The crowd was horrible and there was only 2 security gates open. It took and hour before we even got close to the entrance. The tour guide did a good job of making the best of a bad situation but the pushing and shoving was brutal and sometimes hazardous. That being said this is a magnificent place to see, especially Michaelangeli's Pieta.
From €35.00
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Operated by KAY KAY Tour Ltd.