St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt
Description
Make the most of your time at visit St Peter’s Basilica, see the papal crypt on this all-access tour complete with priority entry and climb its dome. Starting early, you’ll see St. Peter’s Square without the large daytime crowds. Tour the basilica to admire Michelangelo’s ‘La Pietà’ among other highlights, and pay a visit to the papal crypt — a site normally missed by other tour groups. Numbers are limited to 20 for a small-group experience. End your tour at the top of the dome for panoramic vistas over the capital. Walks Tours is proud to be an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide just outside the entrance to St. Peter's Square and head past the crowds, straight into the grand Renaissance-era elegance of the basilica.
Next, it's time for a journey through the basilica itself as your guide shows you the grandeur that defines one of the holiest sites in the Catholic world. Admire the exquisite detail of the baldachin designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, standing amid the space designed by Michelangelo, and then visit the famous bronze statue of St. Peter with the keys to heaven in his hand. Another special experience is waiting for you beneath the basilica as your guide gives you a rare look at the crypts of the Vatican grotto. With more than 100 tombs holding popes, Catholic monarchs, and famous figures, the crypts let you look back through almost 2,000 years of the church's history. Before you part ways with your guide, they'll lead you to an elevator that carries you to the dome's first terrace. From there, you'll be able to climb St. Peter's dome at your own pace. 320 steps lead you up to one of the best views you can get of the city of Rome—from the square below you all the way across the Tiber.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- After the terrace where the elevator stops, there are still 320 steps to climb to reach the very top.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- Walks Tours is an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
Reviews(327)
It is a great tour of St.Peter’s. You get to see it in all its glory, top to bottom, literally. Be aware of the 304 steps to the cupola. Worth it!
Our guide was great, and very knowledgeable. Perfect amount of time. Priority access was a plus. I recommend
Excellent and informative guide, provided fascinating facts about St Peter's. Small group of 6 made experience even better.
Incredible art , great guide , excursion is very well organized , very informative , we enjoyed it so much
Our tour guide was fantastic! She was so much fun and put so much energy into teaching us and explaining all of the stories of the past. Thank you Yanira!
We had a fantastic experience and much of that was due to our guide, Rosalina! She was extremely knowledgeable and shared so many interesting details with us…Her English was excellent and she fielded a variety of questions so professionally.
It should have been a bad experience given the horrendous line caused by sites planning, it wasn’t the tour operators fault. Kylie the tour guide gave us a full free history of Rome lecture while we waited. She made the difference and looked after us all. She was the star of the tour!
Our guide was very knowledgeable. She spoke good English and answered any and all questions. You must go to the top of the dome.
Excellent tour! Worth every penny. We had a great deal of time in the Cathedral and then we climbed to the roof and the top of the Dome. After the tour, we spent another hour closely examiningg more of the artwork and statuary in the Cathedral. Our guide was excellent
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour worthwhile and enjoyed your time exploring the Cathedral, including the climb to the roof and the top of the Dome, such a memorable experience! It’s great to know you were able to spend extra time afterward appreciating the artwork and statuary. We’re also thrilled that your guide helped make the visit even more meaningful. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!. Kind Regards, Walks Feedback.
Beautiful indescribable and you need many hours to see everything.. crowded please go in a small group.
Hi Patricia, thank you so much for your review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and agree — there’s so much to see that it truly is indescribable. Small group tours are perfect for navigating the crowds and making the most of your experience. We hope to welcome you back for another Devour adventure soon! Warm regards, The Devour Tours Team
