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
Average Rating
4.69
/ 5
318 traveller ratings
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Excellent Tour!
Rebecca_E, Nov 2025
Excellent tour! Worth every penny. We had a great deal of time in the Cathedral and then we climbed to the roof and the top of the Dome. After the tour, we spent another hour closely examiningg more of the artwork and statuary in the Cathedral. Our guide was excellent
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour worthwhile and enjoyed your time exploring the Cathedral, including the climb to the roof and the top of the Dome, such a memorable experience! It’s great to know you were able to spend extra time afterward appreciating the artwork and statuary. We’re also thrilled that your guide helped make the visit even more meaningful. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!. Kind Regards, Walks Feedback.
Indescribable
Patricia_C, Nov 2025
Beautiful indescribable and you need many hours to see everything.. crowded please go in a small group.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Patricia, thank you so much for your review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and agree — there’s so much to see that it truly is indescribable. Small group tours are perfect for navigating the crowds and making the most of your experience. We hope to welcome you back for another Devour adventure soon! Warm regards, The Devour Tours Team
Lovely tour of St. Peters Basilica
pers79, Oct 2025
This tour was awesome! St. Peter’s is a must for visitors to Rome. It’s breathtaking. The basilica is really busy, all day every day, but our wonderful guide Julia made it a smooth and pleasant experience. She had such knowledge of the art, the history, the religious aspect, and of course tips and tricks (including great photo opportunities). The trip up to the top of the dome is worth it, even if the steps are some what steep and narrow. We have had several experiences with Walks of Italy the past week, and all of them have been really well done. We would definitely recommend them, this tour, and of course Julia. Hugs from Norway.
Great tour!
Karin_M, Oct 2025
Our guide was wonderful! Very knowledgeable! The climb to the dome was a little strenuous but worth it! Beautiful views! The crypt was amazing! Much more to see than I expected!
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
- Skip the line access to St. Peter’s Basilica
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Headsets
- Pre-reserved ticket to St. Peter’s Basilica dome (with elevator access)
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.