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

596 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: 596

Verified Ratings
4.6 /5
based on 528 Walks’ customer ratings
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
Loved going to the top of the dome. Our guide was excellent also. Good length, not too long.
Verified · John · Dec 20, 2023 · USA · Male · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
Tour was really interesting. The steps to the top weren’t as bad as expected but it is quite narrow, the views were worth the climb though! Would definitely recommend!
Verified · Sophie · Nov 26, 2023 · Afghanistan · Female · 25 to 34 years
Great
Giuliana was an excellent guide with a very good knowledge. Perfect English.
Verified · Fiona · Nov 22, 2023 · United Kingdom · Female · 55 to 64 years
Great
Itinerary was good, guide was knowledgeable, but lost sight of the guide several times in crowded St Peters because she didn’t carry a flag to help us keep track of her. Focused on finding her rather than taking in the wonders of the cathedral.
Verified · Patricia · Oct 25, 2023 · USA · Female · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
Our tour guide was excellent. She knew her history very well and was incredibly informative. She deserves to be recognized for her experience and ability to manage a large group.
Verified · Erick · Oct 24, 2023 · USA · Male · 35 to 44 years

Meeting Point

Meeting Point Map ⟶

Meeting Point

This tour meets in front of 'Bar Leonina', in Piazza Citta' Leonina, just outside St. Peter's Square. Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. 

If arriving by metro, take the Red Line and get off at the "Ottaviano/San Pietro" stop. Exit to the street level and walk down Via Ottaviano, cross straight through Piazza Risorgimento, and proceed on Via di Porta Angelica. At the end of Via di Porta Angelica you will see two arches ("Il Passetto"), which would lead you into St. Peter's Square. Your tour meeting point is located to your left, just before these two arches, in front of 'Bar Leoninae' (in Piazza Citta' Leonina).

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

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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