Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Less than 1% of Vatican visitors ascend St. Peter's Dome, this is a remarkable statistic so for this reason we have decided to take it from the top! Meet your expert Vatican guide by St. Peter's Square. Sacred stairs (and an elevator) will carry you up to St. Peter's Terrace from where you will see all of Rome and even the Tyrrhenian Sea! Back on terra firma you will tour the entirety of St. Peter's Basilica too. Take a break before making the short walk to our Vatican meeting point for your second tour of the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel! Get fast track access to the masterpieces which make the Vatican Museums absolutely must-see when in Rome.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Dress comfortably, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
On days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may become necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour. In the event that the Papal tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica are closed, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended and no refunds made
Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid.
Due to events and ceremonies associated with the 2025 Jubilee, access to St. Peter's Basilica might be restricted. Such closures are beyond our control.
The final ascent by foot requires climbing 320 somewhat steep steps in a confined area. People suffering from claustrophobia or any other health conditions are advised to remain on the terrace level.
Please note: This description is provided as a general example. Actual experiences may vary slightly depending on the season, local conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
Please note that essential travel documents and final itinerary details might be delivered electronically closer to the activity date.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Full tour of entire St. Peter's Basilica covering all the major works of art and sculpture therein
Get into the Vatican Museums fast with our no-line priority access ticket and a local expert guide
St. Peter's Dome Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola for truly amazing views of Rome!
Immersive Sistine Chapel inside experience and a panel-by-panel tour of Michelangelo's ceiling
Tour of little-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath St. Peter's Basilica which we call "Vatacombs"
Catch all the classic and ancient sculptures inside world famous chambers, halls and galleries
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
What To Expect
St. Peter's Square
Meet your expert Vatican tour guide on the threshold of St. Peter's Square and make your way across marble paving to the steps which wind up and around the dome. There are 551 in total so of course this is too much exertion for most. We take the elevator part of the way which cuts the step count by a sizable 171, leaving 380.
St. Peter's Basilica
From St. Peter's Square, enter the passageways which lead up to the top of Michelangelo's magnificent dome for superb views of the Vatican City and Rome.
Options
8:00 AM ENGLISH
8:00 AM ENGLISH
Reviews
1,763 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Not What We Signed Up For
Quentin S,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Tour was 2.5 hours over the allotted time. It started in the Vatican Museum and then ended up at the dome climb. Not what the itinerary explained. If you want to climb 5000 stairs to the top of the dome after you have stood on your feet for 4 hours, more power to you. The guide spent too much time talking. It was an hour and a half before we saw our first exhibit. Glanced over the Basilica which was the most important part. All in all, it just was too much time wasted and too long. However, what we ended up seeing was incredible and worth all the torture we experienced. Bring a water bottle and take bathroom breaks where ever you can. If they had actually given us a break between tour segments as described in the itinerary, it could have been much better. Ended up taking up an entire day for us in Rome! Our tour guide was incredible, but didn’t keep us on schedule. Not sure if it was the tour company or her, but in the end, we were absolutely exhausted, but got to see everything we signed up for.
An excellent tour of the Vatican!
William C,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really enjoyed this tour a lot, and our guide Maria was great and very knowledgeable. We got to visit the museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. The Sistine Chapel was really something special to see, but pictures and videos are not allowed inside the Chapel. I also did the climb to the top of the Basilica dome for some really spectacular views of Rome. Inside the Basilica was really amazing as well, and I got a chance to pray at the tomb of Pope John Paul II. I very highly recommend this tour.
Excellent
maggiew761,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sandra was very knowledgeable and didn’t rush the tour she was able to keep our large group together. I’d recommend this tour
What an amazing tour....
Patrick G,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What an amazing tour. Being able to see all the history and incredible artifacts at the Vatican. The highlight was climbing to the top of Saint peters dome. The views are amazing.
Fantastic
Daniel E,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Maria Elisa was great! She kept a good pace and was able to cover A LOT of information. The elevator for the first half of the dome climb was appreciated.
Great tour and great views
Casey M,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour guide Chiara with Italia tours was the best! Was funny and explained everything very clearly and was incredibly informative. The views are awesome and the Vatican is so beautiful and historic. I would recommend this tour to anyone (who doesn’t have claustrophobia).
Great tour!
N8481RLmariac,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nadya was a wonderful guide! A long tour but definitely worth it. We started at the Vatican Museums and then made our way up the dome. We ended at the Basilica.
Very Long Day, but worth it for skip the line access
CatherineBoutin,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Terrible directions to meeting point. We had a really hard time finding it. Should be clear to stay on the left BEFORE you get to the line security line. Chiara our guide was great and funny.
Great small group tour with Nadya
Susan G,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Small group - very thorough and detail history by Nadia our tour guide. Nadia was excellent and very informative. Highly recommend her for a small group/private tour Since crowds are large, security does not allow much time for groups to pause to take in the surroundings as there is a vast number of items to view. Everyone receives a radio unit , but The level of noise made it difficult to hear so I stayed close to Nadia for better acoustics. The experience was amazing and honestly there is so much to see.
Great tour to see Saint Peter Square, Saint Peter’s Basilica, the tower and Sistine Chapel
Bosco D,
Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide was very pleasant and gave just the right amount of information. Logistically, she carried out the plan to perfection Right with the entrance at Saint Peter Square to the Basilica allowing us time to go to the tower and then from there onto the sistine Chapel the only thing that was missing was a little more information in both the Basilica and the Sistine Chapel while inside. But I guess that may be just enough for time. A tour worth the price!
From $159.00
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