St. Peter's Basilica, papal tombs and Dome Climb guide tour
Description
Join a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, an ancient book of wonders in Rome. Learn about the history of the church and get introduced to Vatican City. the smallest country in the world. Explore the golden plated ceiling, optical illusions, Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s statues, and incredible mosaics, immersing yourself in a world full of magic, spirituality, and beauty. After a thorough tour of the church, head down to the Vatican Grottoes. See the tomb of St. Peter, the final resting place of 90 popes, and the remaining columns from Constantine’s original basilica. Finish the tour to a graceful fountain with drinkable water. Finally, enjoy the option to return inside the church and revisit what you saw, or climb the dome and soak in a panoramic view of Rome.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step inside the Basilica to encounter its breathtaking artworks. Traverse the vibrant marble floors, awestruck by the vastness of the structure and the opulent golden ceilings above. Guided by your expert, navigate through the main highlights. Admire the Papal Altar crowned by Bernini's majestic Baldachin and be captivated by Michelangelo's iconic masterpiece, La Pietà, in this holiest of Christian sanctuaries.
The Vatican Grottoes, located beneath St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, are a sacred and historically significant underground complex. This underground space serves as the final resting place for numerous popes, saints and important figures in the history of the Catholic Church. Visitors to the Vatican Grottoes can explore a labyrinth of burial chambers and tombs, including the traditional resting place of St. Peter, one of Jesus' apostles and the first Bishop of Rome (Pope). The caves are adorned with artistic and decorative elements that reflect the rich heritage and religious significance of the Catholic faith. Accessible to tourists and pilgrims, the Vatican Grottoes offer a unique opportunity to delve into the history of the Church and pay homage to its venerated figures. These underground chambers are a place of reverence, reflection, and historical exploration, offering a deeper understanding of the enduring legacy of the Catholic Church.
Then climb your way up to the top of the Dome. Enjoy a bird's-eye view over the marble floors and take an exclusive and close-up look at the mosaics of the dome. Go even higher to find yourself at the top balcony and be amazed by the spectacular panorama over Rome and beyond. Spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, and other iconic monuments from the height of 136 meters. Enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Peters Square and the Vatican gardens
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(2)
Saturday 2 May, we stood in line 2.5 hours out on the square to get into the St. Peter's Church, was informed that this was not normal,Don our guide was extremely knowledgeable,happy and fun. It was also 30-45 min to get up to the Dome Climb great view of the Roma and not least intrinsically from above in the church. Remember good shoes and water bottle (plastic bottles can be brought in) I had no special knowledge from before and would never see and understand everything I saw without a guide.
Thank you so much for your review! It was a pleasure for us and we hope to see you again soon in Rome
A great tour of both the Basilica and papal tombs. This is well worth seeing. And I would definitely do it again. The guide was very informative and helpful with questions. A great tour, that is well worth the time spent there.
Thank you so much for your review! It was a pleasure for us and we hope to see you again soon in Rome