St. Peter’s Basilica from Top to Bottom with Dome Climb & Crypt

623 reviews

3 hours

Max 20

Why take this tour?

Highlights

  • Discover St. Peter's Basilica in its full glory with our most comprehensive tour
  • Avoid waiting for hours in line with early entry
  • Climb (or walk!) to the top of the dome and see one of the best views of Rome
  • Experience the magnificence without the crowds with an early start time
  • Sites Visited
  • St. Peter’s Basilica
  • St. Peter's Square
  • Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Crypt of St. Peter's Basilica
  • Tour Includes
  • Expert English-speaking guide
  • Skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Pre-reserved ticket to St. Peter’s Basilica dome (with elevator access)
  • Headset

Take the time to explore the most magnificent Basilica in Rome

Book Now

Total Customer Reviews: 623

Verified Ratings
4.6 /5
based on 555 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.7/5
Guest Support
4.6/5
Latest reviews
Great
Our tour guide was outstanding. Of all our tours in Italy, her English was the easiest to understand.
Verified · Regina · Sep 30, 2024 · USA · Female · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
We enjoyed the morning tour before the crowd shows up. Julia was a great guide with plenty of valuable hostoric and local information. We booked various tours with walks and each of them worked very well foe us!
Verified · Thomas · Sep 29, 2024 · USA · Male · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Massimo was excellent and provided an experience that sets the bar high. He guided and directed in away that incorporates humor and knowledge! In his tour he is skilled and make navigation of the are seamlessly easy! He is highly recommended if you want an exceptional experience!
Verified · Marla · Sep 22, 2024 · USA · Female · 45 to 54 years
Excellent
Tour guide Cil was excellent in her informative history but made it fun and interesting. Highly recommended
Verified · Lu · Sep 11, 2024 · USA · Female · 35 to 44 years
Excellent
The tour guide ( Siri)was excellent, knowledge & personality. Tour was a good length, a little bit of fitness for the steps but it wasnt difficult, Walking into the dome is a big WOW factor, takes your breath away Highly recommend this
Verified · Kevin · Sep 11, 2024 · Australia · Male · 65 to 74 years

FAQs

Does St. Peter's Basilica have a dress code?
Yes, although you aren't expected to dress as formally as if you were attending a mass. Unless you actually are attending a mass. The most important rule is NO SHORTS, that applies to both men and women. Shoulders must also be covered, so no tank tops. Small bags and umbrellas are permitted inside but large bags have to be checked at the entrance, next to the official audio-guides desk.
Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs, strollers or for those with mobility impairments?
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at [email protected] or call +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
Is there elevator access to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica
The elevator up St. Peter's dome only goes as far as the first level, to the mosaics. After that, the only way to get to the top is to walk up the 281 steps.
Does this tour visit the Vatican "Scavi" including the tomb of St. Peter?
No. The Papal Crypt and the "Scavi" are different sites. In order to visit the latter you have to make special arrangements with the Vatican.
I'd like to climb to the top of the Dome of St. Peter's. Anything I should know?
The St. Peter's Dome climb requires separate tickets, one allows you to take the elevator up part of the way then climb a further 320 steps, while another permits you to climb the entire 551 steps. Either way the view from the top is worth it!
Is there a long line to enter St. Peter's Basilica?
On our exclusive tours of St. Peter's we avoid standing in the notoriously long line by showing up early. It’s amazing how few people are able to get out of bed in time to be there when the doors open. Even in the height of summer, you can miss the worst of the line by simply sucking it up and getting an early start. Aside from getting there early there is no way to skip the line. In high season (May – September) it can stretch over 2 hours and even in the low season it might reach an hour. The only other alternative is to take a certified Vatican Museums tour with a certified tour group – there is a passageway that runs from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s that is specially reserved for tour groups. Currently, it is the only way to circumvent the line at the entrance to the Basilica.

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