Viator
3.0
1 review
St. Peter’s Basilica Group Guided Tour
★ 4.7 (54 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: Gyash Tours
- 1 h 30 min on the listing; the time can vary by option
- Up to 15 people, 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
The Basilica and Papal Grottoes are free; Gyash Tours adds a licensed guide. The English option is Explore Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica Walk. It lasts 90 minutes with up to 15 people.
Your route begins in the square before heading inside. The dome is outside this tour. You still join the normal security queue. If the Grottoes close, your guide spends longer upstairs and in the square.
Does the Gyash Tours Basilica walk include the dome?
2 options. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica Walk | Daily 08:30, 12:00, 13:00, 15:30 | English | €22 |
| Tour in italianoTour guidato in italiano | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 12:00, 15:30 | English | €150 |
What's included
Included
- Headsets to hear the guide
- Descend into the Papal Grottoes, the final resting place of popes and saints
- Guided tour with a licensed guide
- La Pietà
- Marvel at Michelangelo's Pietà, a masterpiece of emotion and artistry
Not included
- Gratuites/Tips
- Food and drink
- Dome access
- Skip the line
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off service
Tour or official ticket?
The English walk costs from €22 per person against €18 for the official guided Basilica visit. Your payment covers the licensed guide and headsets; ordinary Basilica and Grottoes entry is free. Choose free entry to explore alone, or the official tour if a group of up to 20 suits you.
Meeting point
From St. Peter’s Square, walk east on Via della Conciliazione. After 300m, turn left onto Borgo Pio. Walk 200m and turn right onto Vicolo del Farinone. Continue straight, and you’ll find number 23 on the left. Close to Vatican City and Castel Sant'Angelo!
Itinerary
From the operator: Gyash Tours's own description of the route.
St Peter's Basilica
Begin your journey in St. Peter’s Square, where you’ll be captivated by the grandeur of its architecture. Discover Bernini’s ingenious play on perspective as you uncover the two signature spots of the square, and admire the 2,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk standing as a testament to time.
Read more
Next, step inside the Basilica to explore its breathtaking artworks. Wander along colorful marble floors and marvel at the vastness of the space, with ceilings lavishly adorned in gold. As you follow the key highlights, take in the majesty of the Papal Altar beneath Bernini’s iconic Baldachin and stand before Michelangelo’s timeless masterpiece, La Pietà. Your tour culminates with a visit to the Papal Grottoes—a sprawling crypt located three meters below the Basilica, right under the great altar in the central nave. Here, you’ll glimpse the final resting places of countless popes and revered figures, adding a profound layer of history to your experience.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
From the operator: Gyash Tours's own notes for this tour.
Tickets and ID
- Liability: We do not accept any responsibility for any mistakes made during the booking process. If the visitor's name is entered incorrectly, the ticket will be invalid and no refunds or corrections can be made.
What to wear
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Access and children
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person receive free admission to the Vatican Museums and therefore cannot participate in this tour.
Route and closures
- In the rare event the underground is closed, you will spend extra time in the basilica and St. Peter's Square
- St. Peter's Basilica is subject to unforeseen closures due to Vatican affairs. If this happens, the activity provider will contact you as soon as possible to reschedule.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Security: Visitors must pass through airport-style security. The wait at the security checkpoint can last more than 30 minutes, depending on Vatican security.
- All visitors must pass through a security check line like an airport. It might take 10-120 minutes during high season
Reviews
4.7 out of 5 from 54 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 93% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
4.8
53 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 Gyash Tours listing, 4 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: Gyash Tours's own description of the tour.
Discover the Wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica with a Guided Tour Experience one of the world’s most iconic landmarks with an expert-guided visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, the spiritual heart of Vatican City and a symbol of Renaissance brilliance. Your tour begins in St. Peter’s Square, where history greets you with the towering Egyptian obelisk brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula. Surrounded by Bernini’s majestic colonnade, the square sets the stage for the monumental beauty of what lies ahead.
Read more
Step inside the Basilica — the largest church in the world — and be captivated by its grandeur. Your guide will lead you to the most important highlights, from Michelangelo’s stunning dome to his delicate Pietà, sculpted when he was just 24. Stand beneath Bernini’s bronze Baldachin, marking the site of St. Peter’s tomb, and uncover the artistic genius and spiritual meaning behind each masterpiece.
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