Viator
5.0
50 reviews
Private Saint Peter’s Basilica Tour + Optional Dome & Tombs
★ 5.0 (118 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: Landmarks & Laughs
- 1 h 30 min on the listing; the time can vary by option
- Private, up to 15 per booking
- Live guide: English
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Editor's take
Landmarks & Laughs gives your party a private guide for St Peter's Basilica. Allow 90 minutes, starting at 9:30 or 14:30. Inside, you visit the Pietà and the tomb of John Paul II.
Your guide can explain how to arrange a priest's blessing for a religious item. You can visit the Grottoes afterwards on your own. If you add the dome, you pay separately and climb without your guide. The Museums and Sistine Chapel are outside this tour.
Does this private Basilica tour include the dome?
1 option. Prices are per adult for a party of two, the usual lowest price of each option. The booking page shows the price for your date.
| Option | When | Guide | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Peter’s Basilica Private Tour + Optional Dome & Tombs | Daily 09:30, 14:30 | English | €78 |
What's included
Included
- Bring a religious item—our guide explains how to receive a priest’s blessing.
- Fun tour St. Peter’s Basilica: Pietà, John Paul II, look @ Holy Doors, Bernini, and papal monuments.
- Entrance to the Tombs after the tour (guide will show you where to go)
- Radios to hear the guide at all times
- Easy to understand FUN guide that explains the whole Basilica (not recorded audioguide)
- Guide points out the Vatican Post Office, where you can send postcards home.
Not included
- Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel
- Dome climb is an extra cost that can be paid to Vatican after tour (guide will show you where to go)
- Postcard mailing costs are at the guest’s expense.
Tour or official ticket?
The private tour costs from €78 per person against €18 for the official guided group visit. Basilica entry is free, so you are paying for a guide reserved for your party. The official tour costs less if you are happy to share a guide.
Meeting point
The meeting point is on the sidewalk outside the McDonald’s. Directly across the street there is an ice cream shop named Vizio.(so you know you're in the right place) PLEASE make sure you're at the BORGO PIO McDonalds, as there are a few.
Itinerary
From the operator: Landmarks & Laughs's own description of the route.
St Peter's Basilica
Discover the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica on this comprehensive tour of its magnificent main floor. Our expert guide will bring history and art to life as you explore the Basilica’s most iconic treasures. Marvel at Michelangelo’s breathtaking Pietà, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture, and visit the serene tomb of Pope John Paul II.
Read more
Stand before the Holy Doors, a symbol of faith and renewal, and witness the preserved body of Pope John XXIII. Learn about the architectural brilliance of Michelangelo’s dome, towering above as a testament to his genius, and admire Bernini’s stunning bronze Baldachin, the centerpiece of the Basilica’s altar. Along the way, discover various monuments dedicated to the popes, each rich with history and symbolism. This tour offers an unparalleled journey through one of the world’s most remarkable landmarks.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
From the operator: Landmarks & Laughs's own notes for this tour.
Access and children
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
Reviews
5.0 out of 5 from 118 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 99% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
5.0
68 reviews
As shown on Viator, read . The rating is for the whole listing, not for one option, and we do not have the review texts.
Photos
From the Landmarks & Laughs listing, 15 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: Landmarks & Laughs's own description of the tour.
Explore the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica on this PRIVATE tour, led by Mike or one of his hand-picked expert guides. Just you and your family will enjoy a more personal experience, the chance to ask questions, and fascinating stories, humor, and insights that bring history to life. Your guide will show you where a priest can bless your religious items. Discover Michelangelo’s breathtaking Pietà, visit the tomb of Pope John Paul II, learn about the Holy Doors, and hear the dramatic story of St.
Read more
Peter’s crucifixion. Your guide will reveal the secrets behind the basilica’s treasures, including Bernini’s works and Michelangelo’s iconic dome. At the end of the tour, choose between an optional climb to the top of St. Peter’s Dome for views over Rome and Vatican City, or descend to explore the Papal Tombs under the basilica. Your guide loves making history fun and memorable and is great with kids, making this a fun experience for the whole family.
