Viator
4.7
43 reviews
Rome: Guided Tour of St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs
★ 4.8 (178 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: ItaliaTours
- 2 h 30 min on the listing; the time can vary by option
- Up to 20 people, up to 20 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
An ItaliaTours guide leads the dome climb before showing you around the Basilica. The 8:00 departure lasts 2.5 hours with up to 20 people. After the lift, you climb 320 more steps.
You can wait on the terrace if the last climb feels too much. The Grottoes visit covers papal tombs. Scavi entry is excluded. You need moderate fitness for the climb, and wheelchairs or mobility aids cannot follow this route.
What does ItaliaTours' dome climb include?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM8:00 AM | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 08:00 | English | €69 |
What's included
Included
- Visit to St. Peter's Basilica (Admission Ticket Free)
- Incredible views of Rome and far beyond which most visitors to the Vatican never see
- Marvel at astonishing works of art and architecture
- Beat the crowds by getting an early start inside St. Peter’s
- Unique experience at the summit of St. Peter's Dome with an expert Vatican tour guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Necropolis (scavi)
Tour or official ticket?
The guided visit costs from €69, compared with €22 for the official dome lift ticket including the Basilica. The difference pays for the live guide through the visit. Book the official lift ticket if you want to set your own pace; the Basilica and Grottoes are free.
Meeting point
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
Itinerary
From the operator: ItaliaTours's own description of the route.
St Peter's Square
Meet your expert Vatican tour guide on the threshold of St. Peter's Square and make your way across marble paving to the steps which wind up and around the dome. There are 551 in total so of course this is too much exertion for most. We take the elevator part of the way which cuts the step count by a sizable 171, leaving 380.
St Peter's Basilica
From St. Peter's Square, enter the passageways which lead up to the top of Michelangelo's magnificent dome for superb views of the Vatican City and Rome.
St Peter's Basilica
A fully guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica follows your dome climb. It's one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and it will leave a profound impression upon your soul.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
From the operator: ItaliaTours's own notes for this tour.
What to wear
- Dress comfortably, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
Access and children
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid.
Route and closures
- 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.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- 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.
- Please note: This description is provided as a general example. Actual experiences may vary slightly depending on the season, local conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
- Please note that essential travel documents and final itinerary details might be delivered electronically closer to the activity date.
Reviews
4.8 out of 5 from 178 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 94% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
4.8
135 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 ItaliaTours listing, 13 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: ItaliaTours's own description of the tour.
Beat the crowds at St. Peter’s Basilica as it opens for the day. Take the lift partway up and make the final ascent on foot—the reward at the top is worth it. Meet your expert Vatican guide by St. Peter’s Square and leave Rome behind you as you cross into Vatican City and enter St. Peter’s Basilica just as it opens to the public. At the terrace level you can decide whether to relax and take in the view or climb the remaining 320 steps up to the summit, where the breathtaking view of Rome and beyond is simply unforgettable.
Read more
Your guide will point out all the most interesting historical landmarks in every direction, be they in Vatican City, the wider city of Rome, or further afield. As what goes up must come down, join us on a descent into the lower level of the basilica to experience the “Vatacombs,” a series of grottoes containing papal crypts and effigies crafted by the most celebrated artists of the centuries.
