2 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
At your appointed time, meet your guide and group near St. Peter’s Square.
See the Swiss Guard in their colorful attire as you make your way to St. Peter’s Basilica. With skip-the-line tickets, head right inside the basilica. See highlights such as "La Pietà," an early Michelangelo masterpiece. Rub the foot of a sacred statue for luck, and hear the history that’s steeped into the walls of the grand basilica.
With your guide, take the elevator to the dome’s first terrace to admire its intricate mosaics and other close-up details. The summit of the dome sits atop 231 steps; there’s no quick way up, but the view from the top rewards your efforts. Have your camera ready to capture a stunning panorama of Rome, stretched out from St. Peter’s Square to the Tiber River and beyond.
Before you leave, visit the papal crypt. Discover the most significant tombs, and listen to stories about the men whose bodies were laid to rest in the crypt.
Operated by
Walks - Italy, Spain & Greece
Ratings & Reviews
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Incredible art , great...
Andrei_C, May 2026
Incredible art , great guide , excursion is very well organized , very informative , we enjoyed it so much
Our tour guide was...
Sachin_K, May 2026
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!
Rosalina was Excellent!
Beth H, Apr 2026
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.
Kylie was the star of the tour!
Harry_S, Mar 2026
It should have been a bad experience given the horrendous line caused by sites planning, it wasn’t the tour operators fault. Kylie the tour guide gave us a full free history of Rome lecture while we waited. She made the difference and looked after us all. She was the star of the tour!
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.
15 minutesAdmission IncludedSt. 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.
2 hoursAdmission Included
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Entry to the Papal Crypt of St Peter's Basilica
- Viewing of the Swiss Guard at St Peter's
- Headsets
- 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
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Additional 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.
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.