Viator
4.7
239 reviews
St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome & Crypt
★ 4.7 (333 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor) · Operator: Walks - Italy & Spain
- 2 h on the listing; the time can vary by option
- Up to 20 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
Walks leaves you to climb the dome at your own pace. The St. Peter’s Group Tour covers the Basilica and papal crypt in 2 hours, with up to 20 people.
The Basilica and Grottoes are free to enter. Dome admission is reserved on this tour. From the lift terrace you climb 320 steps without the guide. This route is unsuitable for visitors with limited mobility.
Which Walks St Peter's tour should you book?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Peter’s Group TourSt. Peter’s Group Tour : Discover the history and architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica, from the dome to the crypt, with an expert guide. | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 09:00, 15:00 | English | €50 |
| Private St. Peter’s tourPrivate St. Peter’s Tour: Explore St. Peter’s Basilica from the dome to the crypt with a private guide and discover its history and architecture. | Daily 09:00, 09:15, 12:00, 15:00, 15:15 | English | €310 |
What's included
Included
- Entry to the Papal Crypt of St Peter's Basilica
- Viewing of the Swiss Guard at St Peter's
- Private guide (if option selected)
- Pre-reserved tickets to St. Peter’s Basilica Dome (with optional elevator access)
- St Peter's Square
- Skip the Line Access to St Peter's Basilica
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Tour or official ticket?
The group tour costs from €50, against €22 for the official dome ticket with lift access. The extra pays for guiding in the Basilica and papal crypt before your independent climb. Choose the official ticket if you only want entry and the view.
Meeting point
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. This tour meets at Caffè Leonina, Piazza della Città Leonina, 5. The closest metro stop is Ottaviano.
Itinerary
From the operator: Walks - Italy & Spain's own description of the route.
St Peter's Square
Meet your guide just outside the entrance to St. Peter's Square and head past the crowds, straight into the grand Renaissance-era elegance of the basilica.
St Peter's Basilica
Next, it's time for a journey through the basilica itself as your guide shows you the grandeur that defines one of the holiest sites in the Catholic world. Admire the exquisite detail of the baldachin designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, standing amid the space designed by Michelangelo, and then visit the famous bronze statue of St.
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Peter with the keys to heaven in his hand. Another special experience is waiting for you beneath the basilica as your guide gives you a rare look at the crypts of the Vatican grotto. With more than 100 tombs holding popes, Catholic monarchs, and famous figures, the crypts let you look back through almost 2,000 years of the church's history. Before you part ways with your guide, they'll lead you to an elevator that carries you to the dome's first terrace. From there, you'll be able to climb St. Peter's dome at your own pace. 320 steps lead you up to one of the best views you can get of the city of Rome—from the square below you all the way across the Tiber.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
From the operator: Walks - Italy & Spain's own notes for this tour.
Tickets and ID
- All guests (including children) must bring ID on the day of their tour.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
What to wear
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
Access and children
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- After the terrace where the elevator stops, there are still 320 steps to climb to reach the very top.
- Walks Tours is an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
Reviews
4.7 out of 5 from 333 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor together. 93% gave 4 or 5 stars.
Tripadvisor
4.6
94 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 Walks - Italy & Spain listing, 15 photos in all.
From the operator
From the operator: Walks - Italy & Spain's own description of the tour.
Make the most of your time at visit St Peter’s Basilica, see the papal crypt on this all-access tour complete with priority entry and climb its dome. Starting early, you’ll see St. Peter’s Square without the large daytime crowds. Tour the basilica to admire Michelangelo’s ‘La Pietà’ among other highlights, and pay a visit to the papal crypt — a site normally missed by other tour groups. Numbers are limited to 20 for a small-group experience.
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End your tour at the top of the dome for panoramic vistas over the capital. Walks Tours is proud to be an Accredited Tour Operator with an official ticketing agreement with the Vatican Museums.
