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Vatican Highlights Tour with St. Peter’s Dome Climb

990 reviews

5 hours

Max 20

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Why take this tour?

Highlights

See St. Peter's, climb the dome, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel all in one morning
Take the St. Peter's Dome elevator up the first 320 steps to the terraces
Visit the Vatican Museums with skip-the-line acess
Savour the splendor of the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, Bernini's Baldachin, and the Pieta
Enjoy one of the best views in Rome from the St. Peter's cupola

Sites Visited
St. Peter's Basilica
Dome of St. Peter's Basilica
Michelangelo's Pieta
Bernini's Baldachin
St. Peter's Square
Sistine Chapel
Raphael Rooms
Belvedere Courtyard with Ancient Greek & Roman sculptures
Gallery of the Candelabra
Gallery of the Maps
Gallery of the Tapestries

Tour Includes
Skip-the-line Vatican Museums tickets
Pre-reserved St. Peter’s Basilica tickets
Elevator access to St. Peter's Basilica Dome terrace
Expert Walks tour guide
Headsets

Take it easy on our skip the line 2.5 hour Vatican tour

$102.46

Free Cancellation

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Verified guest reviews

989

5 star reviews 783
4 star reviews 150
3 star reviews 56
2 star reviews 0
1 star reviews 0

Latest Reviews

Our guide was Emma and she did a wonderful job educating us on what we were seeing and she was a joy to be with. The tour was great, climbing to the top of St. Peter’s and then through the Basilica before going through the Vatican Museums. We definitely recommend this tour and our guide.

Grantland Jun 24, 2022

The overall tour was as advertised. The portion of the museum was too long for us. We would have rather had more time in the Basilica and in the Sistine Chapel.

Eduardo Jun 12, 2022

Sabina was the best part of our trip to Rome. We will ask for her again on our next trip. Very knowledgeable and just a fun person to learn from!

Andrew Jun 11, 2022

We are a family of 4 with 2 kids (12yr & 8yr). They were engaged with Michale our guide and his explanation of all the different aspects of the Vatican. The climb to the top of the Doumo was a highlight for them. Skipping the line to enter the Basilica and Vatican museums is key. I highly recommend for anyone traveling with kids.

Yennis Jun 10, 2022

Sabina was an AMAZING tour guide. She kept things interesting and I still remember a lot of what was said because she made it memorable. She was hilarious. Love her and would definitely return to another tour with her as my guide! The sites were great but it was very hot out. We made it through though!

Julie Jun 08, 2022

Meeting Point

Meeting Point

Piazza della Città Leonina, 5 (Caffè Leonina). Please meet your guide in front of the cafe. The closest metro stop is Ottaviano

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

FAQs

Why can't I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?

When the chapel was restored in 1990 the biggest donors to the project (donating a whopping $4.2 million) were a Japanese television network. In return, they received exclusive rights to photograph and film inside and quickly banned any professional photographers from taking pictures. Although they didn't mind if tourists took photos, the Vatican guards decided to enforce the rule on everyone because it was impractical to differentiate between a normal visitor and who was a professional photographer. The Japanese network's exclusive contract has expired now but the rule persists. If you try to take any images in the Chapel Vatican, security is authorized to make you delete them.

I am in a wheelchair/have a mobility impairment. Can I take this tour?

The Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair access, but they are not located on the group tour route. If you have a mobility impairment and/or use wheelchair please contact our customer service department and we will be happy to design a private tour for you. [email protected] We can then work out a suitable alternative.

I've heard the Vatican has a strict dress code. What should I wear?

It does, but it isn't anything too formal. The big rule is to make sure your shoulders and knees are covered - that applies to both men and women. Also remember that shorts of any length are not allowed at all in St. Peter's Basilica so if you are visiting both the Vatican Musuems and the Basilica, wear trousers or a long skirt. Occasionally visitors get away with wearing a bit less but it’s best not to risk it. Hats are also not allowed. Walks cannot be held responsible for guests who are refused entrance due to inappropriate dress so please remember to cover up.

What items can I NOT take into the Vatican Museums

Knives, scissors, and other cutting tools must also be deposited in the cloakroom as a precaution against harming the artwork inside. No hammers, either, as one was once used to smash Michelangelo's Pietá. This probably goes without saying, but firearms are also strictly prohibited for visitors within the Vatican Museums and you can't check them in the cloakroom.

IMPORTANT: Can I bring a bag into the Vatican Museums?

Yes, as long as it's within a certain size. You cannot bring any bag, backpack suitcase or container larger that 40cm x 35cm x 15cm into the Vatican Museums. In fact, size limits apply to all items; because of the sheer number of people that visit the Museums, space is at a premium. You can’t enter with medium to large umbrellas, any umbrellas with spiked tips, camera tripods, signage (apart from signs used by certified guides) or walking sticks – except those required by disabled visitors. All of these items can be left in the cloakroom, which is located at the entrance to the Museums. This means that you will need to walk 15 - 20 minutes back here after you finish your tour at St Peter's Basilica. On our afternoon tours you may need to leave the tour early to collect your bag before the cloakroom closes.

Can I use a wheelchair on this tour?

Yes, but we require advance notice in order to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. After booking, please contact us so that we can organize a private tour for you. If we cannot find a guide to lead you that day we'll offer you the same tour on the next avaialbe date or give you credit for another tour anywhere else in the world.

I want to take a selfie in the Raphael Rooms, can I bring my selfie stick?

No. Selfie sticks are strictly forbidden inside the Vatican Museums, along with flash photography. However, visitors are allowed to take non-flash photographs anywhere besides the Sistine Chapel.

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