St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Guided Tour

About this experience

St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour Tickets in Vatican City Book a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs and see the most famous church in Rome with someone who can explain what you are looking at. You enter through a reserved entry line with your group, use a headset so you can hear the guide clearly inside the busy nave, and then head below the main floor to the Papal Tombs, where many popes are buried. It is a part of the basilica that a lot of self-guided visitors walk past. Your guide covers the stories behind the building: why it stands over the traditional burial place of Saint Peter, how Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini shaped it over more than a century, and what to look for in Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's bronze baldachin above the papal altar. Tours run in English, Spanish, French, German or Italian, depending on the option you book. Tour Options: Basilica, Dome or Vatican Museums Basilica and Papal Tombs guided tour: about 1 hour, with reserved entry and headsets. Guided tour plus dome access: about 1.5 to 2 hours. After the tour, an elevator takes you to the first level of Michelangelo's dome, then you climb more than 300 steps on foot to the top for views over St. Peter's Square and Rome. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Basilica: about 2 to 3 hours. You skip the long entry line at the Vatican Museums, see the Sistine Chapel with your guide, then go straight into the basilica through the special passage. What's Included Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs Reserved entry through a faster dedicated line Expert guide in English, Spanish, French, German or Italian (as per option) Headsets for clear audio Dome access by elevator and stairs (dome options only) Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel guided tour (Vatican options only) Food and drinks are not included. Cancellation depends on the option you book. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, with a full refund: all tours in French or German, the Italian tour with dome access and the Italian Vatican Museums tour. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start: the Vatican Museums tour in Spanish. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the start: the Vatican Museums tour in English. No cancellation, refund or rescheduling: the Basilica tour in English, Spanish or Italian, and the tour with dome access in English or Spanish. Meeting Point, Dress Code and Security The meeting point depends on your option and is shown on your voucher. Most Basilica tours meet near the Vatican, for example on Via Vespasiano or Largo del Colonnato, while the Vatican Museums options meet near Viale Vaticano. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early, because late arrivals cannot join the tour or be refunded. Show your mobile voucher and a valid photo ID. St. Peter's is a working church, so shoulders and knees must be covered. Every visitor goes through airport-style security, which can take up to 2 hours at peak times even with reserved entry. Large bags, backpacks, suitcases, strollers, food and drinks, glass and sharp objects are not allowed, and flash photography is not permitted. The basilica, the Papal Tombs and the dome can close at short notice for religious ceremonies. The passage from the Sistine Chapel to the basilica is closed on Wednesdays and during major celebrations such as Easter, when the guide takes you to the Pinacoteca gallery instead. Who This Tour Suits This tour suits first-time visitors who want context rather than just a walk through, and anyone short on time who wants the Papal Tombs included. It is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for children under 6. The dome climb uses narrow, enclosed stairways, so skip the dome options if you have limited mobility or do not like tight spaces. More Things to Do Near the Vatican Many visitors pair the basilica with Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel entry tickets or a walk along the Tiber to Castel Sant'Angelo. For ancient Rome, add Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tickets, or browse more things to do in Rome.

Highlights

• Guided tour inside one of the world's largest churches
• See Michelangelo's Pieta, the only work he ever signed
• Learn about 120 years of construction from Bramante to Bernini
• Expert guide explains the basilica's art and architecture
• Includes access to the Papal Tombs beneath the basilica
• Covers Bernini's bronze baldachin and Michelangelo's dome

What is included

• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica & Papal Tombs
• Expert English, Spanish, French, German or Italian-speaking guide
• Dome access via elevator (as per option selected)

Not included

• Food and drinks

Before you go

Before your tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs, we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Wear comfortable shoes and dress modestly, as you will be walking and exploring a place of worship. Bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and artwork, but be mindful of any photography restrictions. The tour will take approximately 120 minutes, and you will have the opportunity to upgrade to access Michelangelo's dome for breathtaking views of the city. If you have mobility issues, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate your needs.

Cancellation terms

Cancellation depends on the option you book. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, with a full refund: all tours in French or German, the Italian tour with dome access and the Italian Vatican Museums tour. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start: the Vatican Museums tour in Spanish. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the start: the Vatican Museums tour in English. No cancellation, refund or rescheduling: the Basilica tour in English, Spanish or Italian, and the tour with dome access in English or Spanish.