St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour + Dome elevator and Papal Tombs | Reserved Entry
Semi-Private Guided Tour: with our Top-Rated Guide, explore St. Peter’s Basilica, admire Bernini’s Colonnade in St. Peter’s Square, enjoy priority access to the Dome elevator for breathtaking views, and visit the Basilica’s masterpieces and the Papal Tombs underground.
Key Information
- Tour mode Semi-Private
Max 6 person tour for an intimate journey
- Duration of the trip
2 hours and 30 minutes
- Skip the Line - Reserved Entry
St. Peter’s Basilica, The Dome
- Live tour guide
Top-Rated Guide available in English
- Free cancellation
100% refund up to 24 hours before the visit
Highlighted
- Reserved entry to St. Peter’s Basilica on a small-group guided tour (max 6 guests)
- Explore the world’s Basilica and its masterpieces
- Michelangelo’s Pietà, sculpted from a single block of Carrara marble
- Bernini’s colossal bronze Baldacchino above the High Altar, marking St. Peter’s resting place
- Discover hidden treasures: the Bronze Statue of St. Peter, the Baptistery Chapel by Carlo Fontana, and Bernini’s Memorial of Pope Alexander VII
- Ascend Michelangelo’s Dome using priority elevator access and a short climb to the interior gallery
- After taking the elevator, enjoy close-up views of mosaics and a dramatic aerial perspective of the Basilica and Baldacchino
- From the Dome viewpoint on the outdoor terrace, enjoy panoramic views of St. Peter’s Square and the city of Rome.
- Visit the Papal Tombs, including the resting place of John Paul II and the believed tomb of St. Peter
Includes
- Guided Tour of St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Michelangelo’s Dome, the Papal Tombs
- Reserved entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
- Priority Access to the Dome elevator
- Michelangelo’s Pietà
- Bernini’s Baldacchino altar canopy
- Statue of St. Peter in Bronze
- Chapel of the Baptistery
- Bernini’s Memorial of Alexander VII
- Top-rated guide expert in art and history available in english
- Tip or gratuity
- Food and drink
Useful Information
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. Please advise our team if you believe that a disability qualifies you for complimentary access to the Vatican [email protected]
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Dress Code: Strict dress code required for places of worship: shoulders and knees must be covered (no tank tops or short dresses). Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
- Stroller: Not stroller accessible.
- Pets: Not suitable for pets.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.
- This tour is offered in English.
- Small-group policy: Each group is guaranteed one guide per six people; occasionally, 1–2 extra guests may join to accommodate traveling families or friends, or you may be in a group with fewer than six participants.
- Jubilee Year 2025 Notice: St. Peter’s Basilica may experience partial or full closures; the guide will adapt the itinerary to maintain the full duration and quality of the tour. No refunds will be issued due to Basilica closures.
- You can find the Meeting Point here: Piazza della Città Leonina, 00193 Roma IT – At the green kiosk (drinks/snacks stand), just outside St. Peter’s Square near the archway into Via di Porta Angelica.
Full Description
Step inside the world’s most iconic church on this exclusive small-group tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, designed to reveal its artistic masterpieces, architectural wonders, and spiritual significance....
Your experience begins with reserved entry into the Basilica, where your expert guide will lead you through the highlights of this sacred space. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà, sculpted from a single block of Carrara marble, and learn why it remains the only work he ever signed. Gaze upon Bernini’s colossal bronze Baldacchino, rising above the High Altar and marking the resting place of St. Peter himself.
Discover hidden treasures along the way, including the Bronze Statue of St. Peter, smoothed by centuries of pilgrims, the elegant Baptistery Chapel by Carlo Fontana, and Bernini’s Memorial of Pope Alexander VII, a striking symbol of humility and devotion.
Next, ascend to Michelangelo’s Dome. Begin at the base, using priority elevator access partway up, then continue on a short climb to the interior gallery, where you can admire the mosaics up close and enjoy a dramatic aerial view of the Basilica and Bernini’s Baldacchino below.
For those seeking the ultimate vantage point, continue climbing the 281 steps to the outdoor terrace. From this panoramic viewpoint, take in St. Peter’s Square and the city of Rome, a breathtaking perspective from the highest point in the Vatican.
Finally, descend to the Papal Tombs, the sacred resting place of many Popes, including John Paul II, and believed to house the tomb of St. Peter beneath the High Altar. This intimate, reflective space provides a moving conclusion to your journey through the heart, history, and heights of the Catholic Church.
With a maximum of six participants, this semi-private tour ensures a relaxed pace, personalized attention, and unparalleled insight into the treasures of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Organizer: LivTours