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The Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs

4.8 (148)
Rome, IT
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The Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs

4.8 (148)
Rome, IT
Share
Experience the thrill of the Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs. Beat the crowds and enter St. Peter's Basilica as it opens for the day. Take the lift partway up and make the final ascent on foot, reaching the summit for a breathtaking view of Rome and beyond. Your expert Vatican guide will point out historical landmarks in every direction. Then, descend into the lower level of the basilica and explore the "Vatacombs," a fascinating series of grottoes housing papal crypts and incredible artwork. This 120-minute tour will leave a profound impression on your soul as you witness the beauty of St. Peter's Basilica and its surroundings. Don't miss this opportunity to have an unforgettable experience in Vatican City.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Early access to St. Peter's Basilica
  • Climb the dome for breathtaking views
  • Expert Vatican guide to point out landmarks
  • Descend into the "Vatacombs" and see papal crypts
  • Concludes on St. Peter's Square
  • Incredible views of Rome and far beyond which most visitors to the Vatican never see
  • Marvel at astonishing works of art and architecture
  • Beat the crowds by getting an early start inside St. Peter’s
  • Unique experience at the summit of St. Peter's Dome with an expert Vatican tour guide
  • Food and drink
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Necropolis (scavi)

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the wonders of St. Peter's Basilica like never before with the Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs tour. Beat the crowds and be among the first to enter the basilica as it opens for the day. Ascend the majestic dome, enjoying panoramic views of Rome and beyond. Your expert Vatican guide will lead you on an unforgettable journey through history, pointing out significant landmarks and sharing fascinating insights along the way.

What to expect?

During this 120-minute tour, you'll have the opportunity to explore St. Peter's Square, climb the dome, and discover the hidden treasures of the Vatacombs. As you walk through the passageways leading to the top of Michelangelo's dome, marvel at the breathtaking views of Vatican City and Rome. Choose to take the elevator partway up, reducing the number of steps, or challenge yourself with the full climb. At the summit, immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring panorama and absorb the rich history surrounding you.

Who is this for?

This tour is designed for history enthusiasts, art aficionados, and curious travelers of all ages. Whether you're visiting Rome for the first time or a seasoned traveler, this experience will captivate and inspire you. Due to its inclusive nature, anyone with a sense of adventure and a desire to immerse themselves in the cultural heritage of the Vatican should join this tour.

Why book this?

Embarking on the Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs tour offers a unique perspective on the iconic St. Peter's Basilica. By being among the first to enter the basilica, you'll have the opportunity to explore the stunning interior before the crowds arrive. Ascending the dome allows you to witness the beauty of Rome from a vantage point that few have experienced. Additionally, the descent into the Vatacombs offers a glimpse into the rich history and artistry that surrounds the papal crypts. This exclusive tour ensures a personalized and immersive journey, providing you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Vatican's cultural significance.

Good to know

It is important to meet at 7:45 AM for an 8:00 AM departure by the Tiare fountain, just beneath Largo del Colonnato. The duration of the tour is approximately 120 minutes, allowing ample time to explore St. Peter's Basilica, climb the dome, and visit the Vatacombs. Please note that there are 551 steps in total, but the elevator takes you partway, reducing the climb to 380 steps. Comfortable footwear is recommended for the ascent. The tour concludes on St. Peter's Square beside St. Peter's Basilica.

Reviews

Visitors who have taken the Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs tour highly praise the knowledgeable guides who bring the history and artistry of St. Peter's Basilica to life. Travelers have expressed their amazement at the stunning views from the dome and the unique experience of descending into the Vatacombs. This tour has left a lasting impression on many, offering a deeper understanding of the Vatican's cultural significance and providing unforgettable memories.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

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.

Admission Included

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.

Admission Included

Reviews

(148)

4.8 (148)

Marco_C

Nadia was our tour guide, she spoke perfect English, she was engaging, and was extremely knowledgeable. The trek to the dome via all stairs is grueling, but the view from the dome is breathtaking and worth every step. One recommendation for those with extra weight and out of shape: take the elevator, and climb the rest. This is a definite “must do” tour at St Peter’s.

605ashleyp

Wow. What a wonderful tour. The climb to the top of the Dome, though a challenge, the view and experience was worth it! We did the 8:00am tour and the Vatican was a lot less crowed. The Sistine Chapel is always worth it. Paulo, our tour guide was amazing. Spoke great English and was very knowledgeable, warm and funny! Thank you for the restaurant suggestion night. Delicious food and very charming! Ciao - Your favorite couple, Picone!

407wiekej

Marianne gave us a great tour. She told us a lot about the origins of the church and all its leaders. She has a lot of knowledge in this area. We were very fortunate to have her as our guide in the Vatican. We were given plenty of time and space to take photos and there was plenty of room to ask questions. We arrived early and that was good considering the crowds that could be expected during the day. If you go, ask for Marianne as your guide.

Paul_H

The Majesty & Grandeur inside St. Peter's Basilica. Our tour guide Nadia was Excellent! She is by far the Best tour guide we've had in Italy. She was very well prepared, extremely informative & a great communicator. Thanks Nadia! Blessings to You!

Theresa_T

We very much enjoyed this your. Our guide, Nadia, was informative, funny and interesting. Loved seeing the view from the top of Dome.

Maureen_D

Paulo our guide was great! Meeting place easy to find and on time. Well worth taking a tour so you know the history behind what you seeing.

Kristin_F

Very well organized and great with 4 small kids! She was super informative and funny, and we had a blast. Thank you!

Gillian R

We had an amazing trip this morning with Clara our guide, she knew so much to share that we would never have seen without her , she was a wealth of information and also friendly and fun to be around. An amazing trip even though the climb is tough to the top of the Dome it was well worth it. The Basilica is stunning, a great trip , highly recommended Paul (Paulo his new name from Clara) and Gillian

ChristineBernasconi

What an absolutely fabulous tour! After booking the wrong tour date 🤣🤣🤣 the staff bent over backwards to find my son and I a spot on another tour. Our tour guide Flavia, was amazing. She was funny and really knew all the historical aspects of the church. We had to wait a long time to get into the church and she gave us lots of info whilst we were waiting. It was 2 hours wait time until we finally got through for security and up in the lift to climb to the top! Flavia didn’t rush through the tour despite being behind time wise. We loved the climb 🧗‍♀️, the view from the top was spectacular! The Papal crypts were very interesting too. Thanks Flavia for a great tour - it’s obvious you love your job Chris and Nick from Australia

deadkumao

Favorite part of the experience was getting inside of the Basilica and seeing all of these nice art pieces! Chiara Antonelli is a great tour guide to be with, so if you see her, GET HER!
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 17:30
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