Guided tour

Rome: St. Peter's Basilica Dome to Underground Grottoes Tour

Activity provider: Touriks
Guided tour

Rome: St. Peter's Basilica Dome to Underground Grottoes Tour

Activity provider: Touriks
Likely to sell out

From US$ 52.73 per person

Likely to sell out

Discover the wonders of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica on a guided walking tour. Visit the Dome and soak up panoramic views of Rome, then go underground to admire the historic grottoes. 

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 105 minutes
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Portuguese, Italian, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese
Private or small groups available

Experience

Highlights
  • Climb to the top of the Dome to admire panoramic views of Rome
  • Admire the Basilica's array of impressive marble, ceilings, and mosaics
  • Visit St. Peter’s Tomb and touch the original 4th century Basilica walls
  • Explore the underground grottoes and marvel at the ancient frescoes
  • Choose between a small group or private tour
Full description

Explore iconic sights in Rome on this guided walking tour. Stroll through St. Peter's square and take in the views of the city from the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Admire artwork like Michelangelo's emotive 'Pietà' statue and go below the Basilica to uncover St. Peter's final resting place.

Meet your guide in St. Peter’s Square then start the tour by climbing your way to the top of the Basilica’s dome. Enjoy an exclusive look at the Dome’s impressive mosaics then head further up to the top balcony.

From here, marvel at panoramic views across the city, spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and other iconic landmarks. Descend into the Basilica and admire its impressive interior and discover why it took 150 years to build.

Gaze at the colorful marble, golden ceilings, and intricate mosaics that surround you. Learn about the renowned works of Renaissance and Neoclassic artists that are housed here.  Next, head underground to the Basilica’s historic grottoes and visit St. Peter’s Tomb. Touch the ancient walls of the original 4th-century Basilica and admire its beautiful frescoes. Finish the tour in St. Peter’s Square and soak up its majestic architecture. 

Includes
  • Professional guide
  • Entry fees to the top of the Dome by elevator
  • Sterilized headsets to hear your guide better
  • Use of hand sanitizer during the tour
  • Full on-site assistance
  • Vatican Museums entry
  • Sistine Chapel entry
  • Vatican Necropolis entry
Not suitable for
  • People with claustrophobia
  • People with vertigo

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Largo del Colonnato 5, by the first columns of the Colonnade. Look for a yellow label with the Touriks logo on it. The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square. Do not go through the metal detectors before meeting the guide.

Open in Google Maps ⟶
Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Headphones

Not allowed

  • Shorts
  • Weapons or sharp objects
  • Luggage or large bags
  • Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

  • The Dome's terrace might not be accessible during bad weather. In that case, you can ask for a partial refund and visit the other areas, or cancel for a full refund
  • Modest clothing is required to enter the Basilica (knees and shoulders should be covered)
  • Please be aware that the lines to clear security checks at the entrance are not skippable and may take 15-90 minutes
  • For environmental reasons, it is preferable you bring your own headphones and do not print your voucher. The activity provider will provide headphones if you forget yours
  • You will be required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the square
  • The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Vatican Necropoli are not part of this tour
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 3885 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5
  • Service
    5/5

Sort by:

Traveler type:

Star rating:

The tour started on time and was well-managed. Important to note that attending is not giving you a 'skip-the-line' ticket as entering St. Peter's Basilica does not have that option as far as we were told. Fortunately, the time we waited in the queue was only cca. 30-minutes and in the meantime the guide shared the history of the place. The guidance was very exhaustive. I find a bit overpriced but overall it's worth it. Other option can be without guidance when you enter to the Basilica and to Underground Grottoes free but going up to the Dome may cost you 10 EUR if you choose the elevator. Going up in the stairway is free.

Read more

March 24, 2023

Our tour guide Sara Terracina was really kind , energetic, punctual, ready to answer the questionsand has a lot of knowledge. Because of our tour was early( started 8.45 a.m), we did not wait too much in the line, almost 30 minutes. I and my husband really enjoyed the tour and liked our tour guide Sara. Thank you

March 24, 2023

The tour is a grat way to get history and easy access to the dome and the underground. Our guide lead us though St Peter Basilica and then to the underground and dome taking about history, popes, rulers, works of art etc. Perfect way to enjoy and become knowlegable about what you are seeing.

March 24, 2023

Product ID: 391324