Viator
4.7
1,023 reviews
Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb
★ 4.8 (1,824 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: ItaliaTours
- 4 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
ItaliaTours puts St Peter's dome before the Museums, with a break between visits. The 8:00 English tour has up to 20 people and includes the Basilica and Sistine Chapel. The second part ends at 13:30.
You meet again after the break. The Museums section starts from a different address. The lift still leaves 320 steps on the dome. A tour without the climb is better if those stairs would be too much for you.
How long is ItaliaTours' dome and Museums tour?
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 AM ENGLISH8:00 AM ENGLISH | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 08:00 | English | €159 |
What's included
Included
- Full tour of entire St. Peter's Basilica covering all the major works of art and sculpture therein
- Get into the Vatican Museums fast with our no-line priority access ticket and a local expert guide
- St. Peter's Dome Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola for truly amazing views of Rome!
- Immersive Sistine Chapel inside experience and a panel-by-panel tour of Michelangelo's ceiling
- Tour of little-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath St. Peter's Basilica which we call "Vatacombs"
- Catch all the classic and ancient sculptures inside world famous chambers, halls and galleries
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Tour or official ticket?
The tour costs from €159, against €22 for the official dome lift ticket plus €25 for the Museums and Sistine Chapel. The difference pays for English guiding across both parts of the visit. Official tickets are the cheaper choice if you can manage the separate visits yourself.
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
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.
Vatican Museums
Vast museums inside the Vatican City which house many thousands of ancient works of art and sculpture. The most important museum complex in the world!
Sistine Chapel
Take in Michelangelo's masterpieces including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement.
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
- 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
- The final ascent by foot requires climbing 320 somewhat steep steps in a confined area. People suffering from claustrophobia or any other health conditions are advised to remain on the terrace level.
- 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 1,824 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 95% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
4.9
801 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, 14 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: ItaliaTours's own description of the tour.
Less than 1% of Vatican visitors ascend St. Peter's Dome, this is a remarkable statistic so for this reason we have decided to take it from the top! Meet your expert Vatican guide by St. Peter's Square. Sacred stairs (and an elevator) will carry you up to St. Peter's Terrace from where you will see all of Rome and even the Tyrrhenian Sea! Back on terra firma you will tour the entirety of St. Peter's Basilica too. Take a break before making the short walk to our Vatican meeting point for your second tour of the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel!
Read more
Get fast track access to the masterpieces which make the Vatican Museums absolutely must-see when in Rome.
