Combine several of Rome's most-visited highlights—climbing St. Peter's Dome and the interior of the Basilica on a single tour with a guide. You'll also get the rare chance to visit the the papal crypts and the vatacombs, stops that aren't typically included on standard tours. This tour includes a lot of stairs, and although there are plenty of rest breaks, it is best for those in decent physical shape. As you explore the sites, you'll learn about the Vatican's history and religious significance.

Climb the stairs to the top of St. Peter's Basilica dome
Comprehensive tour with a guide teaches travelers about the history and religious meaning
Access to the papal crypts and vatacombs
Art historian guide provides expert commentary

What's Included

Unique experience at the summit of St. Peter's Dome with an expert Vatican tour guide
Incredible views of Rome and far beyond which most visitors to the Vatican never see
Beat the crowds by getting an early start inside St. Peter’s
Marvel at astonishing works of art and architecture

Food and drink
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Necropolis (scavi)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Largo del Colonnato, 1, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Meet at 7:45 AM for 8:00 AM departure by the Tiare fountain (Fontana delle Tiare), just beneath Largo del Colonnato and in front of the pillars which run around Saint Peter's Square. Your guide will be holding an ItaliaTours signboard. Google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/vZvCNgmmozFLnzT3A

Start time

08:00 AM

End point

Piazza Papa Pio XII, 1, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
The tour concludes on St. Peter's Square beside St. Peter's Basilica.

What To Expect

St. Peter's Square

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St. Peter's Basilica

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
On days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may become necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour. In the event that the Papal tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica are closed, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended and no refunds made
Dome climb is a moderate+ exertion activity undertaken in a short space of time. Please be aware of this before you book
Bring a small bottle of water with you for dome climb
Near public transportation
Infant seats available

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Maximum 20 travelers on this tour
Due to the route covered and/or the means of transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid. Please contact us to inquire about customized tour options for guests with mobility challenges
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

148 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 148 reviews

“Must Do” Tour

Marco_C, Nov 2023

Nadia was our tour guide, she spoke perfect English, she was engaging, and was extremely knowledgeable. The trek to the dome via all stairs is grueling, but the view from the dome is breathtaking and worth every step. One recommendation for those with extra weight and out of shape: take the elevator, and climb the rest. This is a definite “must do” tour at St Peter’s.

St. Peter's Basilica, Dome Climb & Vatacombs

Paul_H, Oct 2023

The Majesty & Grandeur inside St. Peter's Basilica. Our tour guide Nadia was Excellent! She is by far the Best tour guide we've had in Italy. She was very well prepared, extremely informative & a great communicator. Thanks Nadia! Blessings to You!

Great view!

Theresa_T, Oct 2023

We very much enjoyed this your. Our guide, Nadia, was informative, funny and interesting. Loved seeing the view from the top of Dome.

Maureen_D, Sep 2023

Paulo our guide was great! Meeting place easy to find and on time. Well worth taking a tour so you know the history behind what you seeing.

Awesome family tour

Kristin_F, Sep 2023

Very well organized and great with 4 small kids! She was super informative and funny, and we had a blast. Thank you!

Worth it!

Tiare_G, Jun 2023

Irene did a superb job of making sure we stayed together and protected our time by making sure no one cut in front. Her knowledge of history past and present was wonderful. We enjoyed the pictures she showed us to help pass the time when we were standing in cue. Would highly recommend!

VATICAN

Carl_J, May 2023

Very good experience. Tour guide was wonderful. She was very nice and informative. She moved at a quick but comfortable pace.

Excellent definitely recommend!

Linda_F, May 2023

Excellent! Definitely the highlight of our trip to Rome! Georgia was fantastic filled us with information and made it an unbelievable experience!

Great tour!

europe, May 2023

Great tour Sandra was a great guide, knowledgeable and patient. Had much info for us before tour started . Loved this tour!

Did not see the crypts

Caroline_P, Apr 2023

It was a good tour however we did not see the crypts as they were closed on Easter Sunday even though we paid to see them.

Excellent tour! Thank you!

Rebecca_V, Apr 2023

The guide was wonderful!! She was friendly and well educated on the Basilica and we had a wonderful tour with her! She also helped us book another tour for the Sistine Chapel!

Well worth it

Harikleia_C, Feb 2023

Nice tour around the basilica! Our guide was funny and knowledgeable. The climb was a little tough — so please make sure you’re in the right shape to do this! However it was a great accomplishment to get to the top and see Rome from this angle. We left early so I cannot comment on anything but the dome climb, but I do think the tour of the church would have been nice!

Boring and Long

Caroline_B, Feb 2023

The tour let us see everything we wanted, but our guide seemed more interested in telling jokes than learning the history. We weren’t told anything that wasn’t on plaques in front of the exhibit.

Fantastic tour!

Edmund_R, Nov 2022

Sandra was a phenomenal guide. She has an art history background and is passionate about what she is showing to the group. Very upbeat personality and interacted well with everyone in our group.

A Must Do Tour!

Gwendolyn_H, Oct 2022

Basilica is incredible & breathtaking. Climbing dome hard but worth it. Andrea was wonderful guide!!

Mama Mia

Lisa_S, Oct 2022

Chiara was the absolute best guide! Mama Mia! Her sense of humor and knowledge about St. Peter’s was not only entertaining but informative. We wished we had booked the second tour with her instead of the one we had for the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel.

The climb is worth the view

Richard_B, Oct 2022

This is an amazing tour and our guide was very versed on the history too. it's a tough climb and you need to be in shape to climb to the top.

Interesting, informative tour of St. Peters

Phyllis_W, Jul 2022

Great tour. Sandra shared a wealth of knowledge that made the history of the Vatican come alive for us. The dome climb was such a great experience, difficult on a 97 degree day, but the view from the upper level was well worth the effort. Her insight into the art, relics, historical figures was exceptional. She kept the tour moving, on time, and allowed for appropriate breaks. I highly recommend!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Dear Phyllis, Thank you for taking your time to write this review! Sandra will be so grateful for your kind words. We are very happy that her talent and her knowledge won over the heat and the steps. Kindest regards

Let’s climb a dome!

Alana_K, Jun 2022

We had a great time with our tour guide, who is an Art History professor at American University of Rome. He speaks perfect English (thank goodness). Just a great time! We really enjoyed the dome climb!

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you so much for this review! We are really happy to read that the guided tour was so appreciated! We hope that your stay in Rome was great as well! Warmest regards

We really enjoyed the...

Anne_W, Apr 2022

We really enjoyed the tour inside St. Peter’s, especially the stories around the statues and other works of art. Paolo was an excellent guide.