Rome: St. Peter's Basilica Tour & Dome Climb

4.9 / 5

11 reviews

Rome: St. Peter's Basilica Tour & Dome Climb

4.9

11 reviews

From $118.62 per person

Begin your day at the Vatican at the top of St. Peter's Basilica before touring the church itself. This is followed by a second highlights tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel on this exciting morning Vatican City experience.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
COVID-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Mobile ticketing
Use your phone or print your voucher
Duration 5 hours
Starting time 8:00 AM
Skip the ticket line
Instant confirmation
Live tour guide
English, Spanish

Experience

Highlights
  • Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola
  • Have a fully guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
  • Benefit from access to the Papal Crypts and Catacombs
  • Get into the Vatican Museums fast with a priority access ticket
  • Enjoy an immersive Sistine Chapel experience
Full description
Meet your expert Vatican guide by St. Peter's Square - a quick ascension by elevator later will carry you up to the top of the dome from where you can see all of Rome and far beyond Rome too. The views are absolutely spectacular. Back on terra firma you will tour the entirety of St. Peter's Basilica - this in itself is rare as most other Rome tour operators do not include it in their Vatican tours. Take a break before making the short walk to the comfortable customer center ahead of your second tour to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Genuine skip-the-line access means that you will be fast tracked to the artistic and archaeological masterpieces which make the Vatican Museums absolutely must-sees when in Rome.
Includes
  • St. Peter's Basilica dome climb ticket
  • Elevator ride part way to the summit
  • Expert licensed St. Peter's Basilica tour guide
  • Faster than fastest track Vatican Museums entrance
  • Expert licensed Vatican Museums guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users
COVID-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
  • The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
  • Customers are required to bring and wear masks

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Prepare for the activity

Meeting point

Important: this tour is broken into two segments, with two separate meeting points. Meet at 7:45am for a prompt 8:00am departure by the Tiare Fountain (Fontana delle Tiare), just beneath Largo del Colonnato and in front of the pillars which run around Saint Peter's Square. Your guide will be holding a signboard. If you are facing St. Peter's Basilica, follow the pillars to the right until you come to the fountain. Vatican tour departs at 11:30am (meet 11:00am) from Via Sebastiano Veniero 21 (green gate, When In Rome Tours offices) nearby.

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Important information

Not allowed

  • Shorts
  • Weapons or sharp objects
  • Short skirts
  • Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

  • Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible
  • There is a strict dress code at the Vatican. Shoulders and knees must be covered for both women and men
  • On the days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may be necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour. In the event the Papal Tombs underneath Saint Peter's Basilica should be closed, the tour of the Basilica itself is extended
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 11 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5.0/5
  • Value for money
    4.8/5
Sort by

Chiara is a real Italian: eloquent (excellent English!), Enthusiastic and personable. She was at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the agreed time. She has in-depth knowledge and knows how to bring a lot of exciting - or funny - details to the man or woman at the right moment. The combination of St. Peter's Basilica (with a dome!) And Vatican museums is great, but you also have to have a little perseverance. In addition, it is very worthwhile to read up on the topic a little before the tour and to prepare well; otherwise, one cannot cope with or classify the wealth of information that Chiara gives one.

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September 22, 2020

M
Reviewed by Manuel – Switzerland

Helpful?

We had our Vatican dome climb and museum tour booked and we had an excellent tour guide in Chiara. She had lots of knowledge and enthusiasm about art and shared so many interesting facts making our tour super enjoyable!We are very thankful to her (Ildiko-ex of Attila and Dani-alpinist :)

July 25, 2020

i
Reviewed by ildiko – Netherlands

Helpful?

Yesterday we did the St Peter's Bassilica with the Dome climb(lots of steps). We then met up with our other guide(Luigi) to go through vatican/Sistine chapel. It really was a fantastic experience, truly fascinating... Luigi and Sandra were so knowledgeable and were very friendly and enthusiastic. I cannot recommend this tour group enough, mainly due to the experience provided by the two reps for when in rome tours.

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November 30, 2019

C
Reviewed by Chris – United Kingdom

Helpful?

Organized by
When In Rome Tours

Product ID: 292010