G
Loved my guide!!!
Had a fabulous tour. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable. We had a wonderful. Definitely recommend this tour to anyone coming to Rome and wanting to see the marvel that is St. Peter’s! You will be in amazing hands!
Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour
+9 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2h 30min
- Price from
- $29 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 18 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 25
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- What About Tours
- Meeting point
- The meeting point is near Libreria Ancora. The guide will hold a sign with the name of the tour.
Description
Discover the spiritual and political center of the Catholic world on a guided experience through Saint Peter’s Basilica, one of the most extraordinary monuments ever constructed. Admire iconic masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s monumental Baldachin, while your expert guide reveals hidden symbolism, rivalries, and lesser-known details often overlooked by visitors. You’ll also identify the papal window used for blessings, the Loggia of the Blessings where new popes are presented to the world, and the famous chimney whose smoke announces the outcome of a conclave. Kings and emperors, Charlemagne included, knelt inside this church in a scene designed to broadcast one message: crowns answer to Rome. With headsets provided for clear narration, this tour offers a rich, structured introduction to the art, rituals, and power dynamics that shaped Christianity’s most important basilica. This tour is not suitable for children under 10 years of age.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 9:00 AM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 1+)
- $29
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
St. Peter's Square
An open embrace that welcomes pilgrims — and reminds them who’s in charge.
The Vatican Grottoes
The Vatican Grottoes are the crypt level beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica. Here rest popes, monarchs, and the memory of the Church’s earliest foundations.
St. Peter's Basilica
Saint Peter’s Basilica is the heart of the Vatican. A masterpiece of art, architecture, and religious history.
Baldacchino di San Pietro, Di Bernini
Bernini’s Baldachin marks the high altar of Saint Peter’s Basilica. A baroque masterpiece designed to command space and attention.
La Pieta
La Pietà is Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture. A powerful depiction of sorrow and compassion.
What's included
Included
Entrance fee
A totally new way to interpret art, history, and religion
Engaging and catchy storytelling
Guided tour
Expert Giude
Headsets
Not included
Tips
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
18 reviews
How it compares in Rome
- Rated higher than 79% of 2,290 reviewed tours in Rome
- Starting price $29 is 75% below the typical $113 for tours of similar length in Rome
Excurgo comparison of 8,065 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour take?
Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour cost?
Prices start at $29 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 9:00 AM.
Can I cancel Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is The meeting point is near Libreria Ancora. The guide will hold a sign with the name of the tour. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 25 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Saint Peter's Basilica Vatican Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 18 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by What About Tours.
Reviews(18)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
T
Amazing!!
Amazing way to experience St Peter’s Basilica with a delightful guide. One of the highlights of my trip!!
S
Best tour ever
Iris was my tour guide. She is an incredibly talented young woman, full of passion and wide knowledge. I highly recommend this tour to anyone that wants to learn the secrets behind the biggest Basilica of thw world. Thank you Iris
S
Amazing experience
The tour was absolutely wonderful, and a big thank you goes to our guide Iri, who made the visit truly special. She was very knowledgeable, passionate, and able to share the history and secrets of the Basilica in a clear and engaging way :)
H
Excellent
Truly excellent experience! The guide answered our every single question and made our visit unique. Absolutely recommended!! Thank you very much
C
Best tour in Rome
i loved the tour, my guide was the best, he explained everything in detail and gave a great overview over the basilica, he was full of fun facts about the different artists that participated into the realisation of this beautiful church and he was very respectful about religion, 100% recommended!!
R
St. Peter's Basilica free tour
Iris was a great guide! The tour was fantastic. She was so knowledgeable and friendly, we had a wonderful time and learned so much.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great time with Iris. Her knowledge and friendly personality truly make the experience special. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in Rome!
C
Wonderful tour!
A really wonderful tour!!! We were absolutely amazed. St. Peter’s is so beautiful but it is huge! Thankfully we had a fabulous guide that broke down everything for us - plus they made it super interesting and engaging! We couldn’t recommend this tour more! A must-do
1 people found this helpful
S
Must do for visiting St Peter's!
Such an incredible experience! Our guide was so knowledgeable and truly made our visit to the basilica extremely unique. We would've missed so much if we went on our own! Highly reccomend.
1 people found this helpful
E
The Highlight of Our Trip to Rome
I went on the St. Peter's Basilica walking tour with a friend, and it was one of the best experiences ever. From the very beginning, even waiting in line turned out to be surprisingly entertaining I learned so much about the Vatican and its incredible architecture. Once inside, we followed a special path and were given headphones, which allowed us to hear our guide clearly even from a distance. The tour far exceeded my expectations. In two hours, we saw an amazing amount, and I even made new friends both with fellow tour members and our wonderful guide!
1 people found this helpful
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from$29
5.0(18) Free cancellation