G
Great
Wow breathtaking and the guide was so lovely and informative. There is so much to see and learn about just an amazing place.
St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt
+19 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $54 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 331 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 20
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Walks - Italy & Spain
- Meeting point
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at Caffè Leonina, Piazza della Città Leonina, 5. The closest metro stop is Ottaviano.
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 9:15 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 3:15 PM
- Next available
- Mon, Oct 12
- Adult (ages 15+)
- $54
- Child (ages 2–14)
- $49
- Infant (ages 0–1)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $707.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
Itinerary
St. Peter's Square
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.
St. Peter's 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.
What's included
Included
Entry to the Papal Crypt of St Peter's Basilica
Viewing of the Swiss Guard at St Peter's
Private guide (if option selected)
Pre-reserved tickets to St. Peter’s Basilica Dome (with optional elevator access)
St Peter's Square
Skip the Line Access to St Peter's Basilica
Not included
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
331 reviews
How it compares in Rome
- Starting price $54 is 53% below the typical $113 for tours of similar length in Rome
Excurgo comparison of 8,070 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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.
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 St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt take?
St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt cost?
Prices start at $54 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $707. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 9:15 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 3:15 PM.
How much does St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt cost for children?
Children aged 2–14 pay from $49, adults from $54. Infants go free.
Can I cancel St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt 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 Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at Caffè Leonina, Piazza della Città Leonina, 5. The closest metro stop is Ottaviano. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt 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 20 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
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.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(331)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Great experience!
It was a very good experience. However, even though we had paid for express line was very delayed. It took almost 45 minutes to enter the Basilica.
K
Tour of St. Peter's was fantastic
Our guide was fantastic - she knew everything and made the tour extremely interesting!
8
Great guide
Our guide was fantastic. Really knew her history of the place. Be prepared to walk a lot of steps if you walk to the top of the dome. It’s worth it
R
Dome & Crypt
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!
F
St Peters Basilica
Our guide was great, and very knowledgeable. Perfect amount of time. Priority access was a plus. I recommend
K
Fascinating tour of St Peter's and Dome access
Excellent and informative guide, provided fascinating facts about St Peter's. Small group of 6 made experience even better.
A
Incredible art , great...
Incredible art , great guide , excursion is very well organized , very informative , we enjoyed it so much
S
Our tour guide was...
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!
B
Rosalina was Excellent!
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.
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt | 2 hours | 4.7 (331) | $54 | |
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 Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica | 3 hours | 4.6 (15,490) | $23 | View |
 Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour | 3 hours | 4.1 (9,252) | $80 | View |
 Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel Tour and Basilica Access | 3 hours | 4.4 (4,628) | $74 | View |
 Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica VIP Guided Tour | 2h 30min | 4.8 (1,650) | $86 | View |
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from$54
4.7(331) Free cancellation