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
Professional and Licenced Guide
Entry tickets to the Dome. IF OPTION SELECTED
Entry to Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
Options
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 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
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
Basilica Private Tour
Basilica Private Tour
Italian Tour with Dome Climb
French Tour with Dome Climb
Spanish Tour with Dome Climb
English Tour with Dome Climb
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
Reviews
337 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour guide
Carma O,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was so knowledgeable and really kept up with everyone. There is so much history there, even for non catholic..
Great experience
Roam293132,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The security line was rather long, as expected, but with skip the line we got right in after that. St Peter’s did not disappoint! Our guide was really knowledgeable and made it very interesting. Loved it!!!
The Signorino family enjoyed the tour of the Vatican. Tour guide was knowledgeable, very funny. We enjoyed her as well.
Joseph S,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Lots of walking so wear comfortable shoes. Be prepared to wait in line. Thankfully we had a very good tour guide. She made standing in line fun so the time passed quickly. Thank you
Beautiful tour with everything to St. Peter's Basilica
Mimi P,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was good that we booked the early visit of St. Peter's Basilica, as the line to the security check was very long at noon after our tour. Our guide Fabio explained everything to us very well and interestingly a little funnier. In any case, the cathedral tour with ascent is recommended. All in all well organized nice small group of 16 people
We did this tour with...
Judy P,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We did this tour with olga. Unfortunately we had to queue for nearly an hour to get through security. Not olgas fault and she did her best to jump in, but it made for a very long time on your feet. St Peter’s is beautiful and well worth a visit but for me having a guide didn’t enhance. It a lot. It might well be the fault of my concentration span but I found it difficult to join together much of the information we received. I was overloaded. The whisper sets were excellent. The tower was worth going up to walk around the dome and admire the gorgeous mosaics close up and it was good to see behind the statues. Walking around the roof was nice. But we ran out of time to go to the very top ( and energy to climb all the steps ) due to the time it took to get started.
Knowledgeable Guide!
supermex4,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Not a Skip the Line Tour. Fortunately, it only took about an hour to get into the Basilica. Considering, how long the line was the wait was not bad at all. Valerio, our guide was very knowledgeable. He gave us a tour of St Peter's Basilica as well as the underground tombs. We did not extend the tour to include because we had already experienced the climb.
St Peter’s Basilica/ underground/dome climb
Virginia d,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We met our guide Frederico outside the Basilica. From the first moment he was so welcoming & kind. We started the tour & Frederico was very knowledgeable about everything! He showed us so much about the Basilica & we learned a lot of historical facts. The visit underground to St Peter’s tomb was so surreal & special. Seeing the reverence given to the Popes is amazing. We then went up to the top of the dome to walk around. Everything on the ground floor looks so small from there! Definitely recommend doing this portion (the elevator was great). My son climbed the rest of the way up & said it was hard but the views from the top made it all worthwhile. We thank Frederico for taking care of us the whole way through the tour & his enthusiasm was infectious! The knowledge he possesses about the Basilica is very impressive! Definitely recommend this tour!
Basilica and Dome Climb
Elizabeth G,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00St. Peter’s Basilica was stunning! Then the view from the top of the Dome was breathtaking. Our guide Valero was knowledgeable and incredibly prepared.
Great guide! Made our day!
portlands2016,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Claudio was fabulous! Incredibly knowledgeable, patient and so interesting. Highly recommend!
Incredible Tour Federico
2scoopscott,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Federico was a excellent tour guide, he was very knowledgeable & explained everything with passion & enthusiasm with all the information & everything we needed/wanted to know, it wasn’t just facts he told, it was a story of history & we could feel the passion & emotion of the history being told. I will never forget this experience. It is well worth going on the tour. As for the dome climb isn’t for the faint hearted but what a magical overall experience to finish with. Thank you KayKay Tours & a special thanks to Federico, I will never forget this experience.
From €35.00
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