Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica & Underground Tombs Tour
Description
Join a fascinating journey that begins in St. Peter's Square, where you can admire the architectural wonders that reveal themselves to your sight. Explore the optical effects created by the genius designer, Bernini. As you enter the Basilica, get ready to be amazed by its splendor. Observe the detailed mosaics that cover you, and learn why it took 150 years to reconstruct this emblematic building. With your expert guide, walk by famous masterpieces of Renaissance and Neoclassical art. Gaze at the majestic 98.5-foot high canopy, appreciating the expressive force and delicate beauty embodied in Michelangelo's "Pietà." Finish your enriching tour by going down to the underground grottoes, where you'll find St. Peter's tomb. As you touch the ancient walls of the original 4th-century Basilica, enjoy the beauty of the frescoes inside, a witness to the lasting history and artistry that characterizes this sacred space.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin your journey in St. Peter's Square and marvel at its majestic architecture. Discover the visual effects crafted by the designer, Bernini, and uncover the two "special" spots in the square that make it truly unique.
Next, enter the Basilica and witness its grandeur. Admire the golden ceilings and impressive mosaics that took 150 years to rebuild. Follow your expert guide through the renowned masterpieces of Renaissance and Neoclassic art, including Michelangelo's "Pietà". Stand in awe of the harmonious 30-meter-high canopy and appreciate the expressive power and delicate beauty of this iconic artwork.
Descend into the underground grottoes and discover the final resting place of St. Peter. Trace the ancient walls of the original 4th-century basilica with your fingertips and imagine the history that surrounds you. Marvel at the beautiful frescoes that adorn the underground chambers and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this holy site. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights into the history and spirituality of this sacred place, making this a truly unforgettable experience.
At the end of the tour, your guide will point you to the ticket desk where you can purchase optional tickets for the dome climb.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- "Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
- Please Note: The site can become very crowded at certain times of the day. Visitors should expect potentially long queues, as this experience does not include skip-the-line access. Travelers with health concerns related to standing for extended periods or being in crowded areas should take this into consideration.
Reviews(14)
Our tour guide was excellent!! We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of St Peter’s Basilica!! He helped us get in faster through the line and kept the tour interesting even as we waited!
Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and that the guide made the experience smooth and engaging. We truly appreciate your message.
Very friendly tour guide, explaining from the very first moment till to the end . She enriched our experience with the historical facts being explained in a witty and uncomplicated way . It is not easy to keep audience amused and interested in those long cueues , but she excelled it .
I visited St. Peter's Basilica with guide Andrea and was impressed by his passion and knowledge! His ability to tell the story and art of this incredible place was simply extraordinary. Andrea is a professional and friendly guide who knows how to make his guests live a unique and unforgettable experience. The tour was well organized and the team was very helpful and friendly. If you are looking for a guide who will make you discover St. Peter's Basilica in depth and with an extra gear, Andrea is the right choice! I highly recommend this tour to all lovers of art and history.
Grazie di cuore per il suo feedback! Siamo felici che Andrea, con la sua passione e professionalità, abbia reso la visita alla Basilica di San Pietro così interessante e memorabile. Grazie anche per aver apprezzato l’organizzazione del tour.
It is a unique and unforgettable experience. The magestic interior of the Basilica is impressive. Our ALI guide, excellent, attentive, friendly and caring of the group.
¡Muchas gracias por su reseña! Nos alegra saber que vivieron una experiencia única y que la majestuosidad de la Basílica los impresionó. Ali estará encantado de saber que su atención y amabilidad hicieron la visita aún más especial.
Big thanks to Ali , our English Guide who walked through and talked through the whole 3 hours journey with us although we had been waiting in the queue for more than 60mins to get into the entry point . He definitely knows very well about the history and a lot of hidden small details about Vatican City , we enjoyed the trip very much even my 18 years boy paid a lot of interest during the whole trip. Really recommend people who first time visiting here , it will be totally different experience with Ali , you made our day very special in our memories, thanks again from the bottom of my heart .
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We’re truly happy to hear that Ali made your visit such a memorable experience despite the wait. His knowledge and passion really do make a difference, and it’s wonderful to know even your son stayed engaged throughout the tour. Thank you for the warm recommendation—we’re honored to have been part of such a special memory for your family.
There are a lot of people on Sundays and you have to be patient with queues. The basilica is something that no one should miss when visiting Rome.
Gracias por su comentario. Es cierto que los domingos hay mucha afluencia y se requiere paciencia, pero nos alegra saber que considera la Basílica de San Pedro una visita imprescindible en Roma. ¡Gracias por compartir su experiencia!
Worth every penny. Excellent guide, conversations and details. Do not do it alone, use a guide in your language
Thank you for your great review! We’re happy to hear you found the tour worth every penny and appreciated the guide’s insights and details. A guided visit truly makes the difference!
Our guide never showed up!!! We waited and waited but no one ever showed up. Would definitely NOT recommend again!! Viator never responded to repeated calls and texts
We’re very sorry for this experience. Our team tried to contact you multiple times to reschedule, but we didn’t receive a reply. We understand your frustration and apologize for the inconvenience.
We loved our tour with Alex. He shared stories about the history of the architecture and art. Very pleasant guide and attentive. Our whole family learned many facts about the popes and their contributions.
Thank you! We’re delighted you and your family enjoyed the tour with Alex and learned so much about the popes and the Basilica!
We took a long time to get in and once inside he left us before entering the papal tombs it is true that there were a lot of people but the truth that we almost opened free because with the guide we could not see anything
Lamentamos mucho que la experiencia no haya sido la esperada. Entendemos que la gran afluencia de gente puede afectar la visita, especialmente durante estas fechas. Agradecemos tus comentarios, nos ayudan a mejorar la organización y la comunicación con nuestros guías.