Rome: St. Peter's Dome, Vatican Museums and More Tour
Meet your guide at the Tiare Fountain (Fontana delle Tiare) on the edge of St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), where your expedition begins. Together, head to the bottom of St. Peter's Basilica Dome, to catch an elevator that will take you almost a third of the way up. Then, climb 380 steps up to the cupola to take in views of the city. Afterwards, join your guide for a tour of the church's interiors, where you can admire works by artists like Michelangelo and visit the lesser-known Papal Sarcophagi situated below St. Peter's Basilica, sometimes nicknamed the "Vatacombs." Next, head to the Vatican Museums, where you'll get priority access that will allow you to avoid waiting in long lines. Follow your guide through the dozens of galleries to focus on the highlights, covering the top artworks and the Sistine Chapel in just a few hours.
Highlights
- ✓Beat the crowds with an early depature time
- ✓Get a comprehensive overview in just a few hours
- ✓Don't worry about entry selling out, with this prebooked tour
- ✓Enjoy a bird's-eye view of Rome unavailable anywhere else
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓Vast museums inside the Vatican City which house many thousands of ancient works of art and sculpture. The most important museum complex in the world!
- ✓Take in Michelangelo's masterpieces including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement.
What's included
- ✓Full tour of entire St. Peter's Basilica covering all the major works of art and sculpture therein
- ✓Get into the Vatican Museums fast with our no-line priority access ticket and a local expert guide
- ✓St. Peter's Dome Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola for truly amazing views of Rome!
- ✓Immersive Sistine Chapel inside experience and a panel-by-panel tour of Michelangelo's ceiling
- ✓Tour of little-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath St. Peter's Basilica which we call "Vatacombs"
- ✓Catch all the classic and ancient sculptures inside world famous chambers, halls and galleries
What's not included
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Dress comfortably, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
On days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may become necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour. In the event that the Papal tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica are closed, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended and no refunds made
Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid.
The final ascent by foot requires climbing 320 somewhat steep steps in a confined area. People suffering from claustrophobia or any other health conditions are advised to remain on the terrace level.
Please note: This description is provided as a general example. Actual experiences may vary slightly depending on the season, local conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
Please note that essential travel documents and final itinerary details might be delivered electronically closer to the activity date.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Rome: St. Peter's Dome, Vatican Museums and More Tour
Meet your guide at the Tiare Fountain (Fontana delle Tiare) on the edge of St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), where your expedition begins. Together, head to the bottom of St. Peter's Basilica Dome, to catch an elevator that will take you almost a third of the way up. Then, climb 380 steps up to the cupola to take in views of the city. Afterwards, join your guide for a tour of the church's interiors, where you can admire works by artists like Michelangelo and visit the lesser-known Papal Sarcophagi situated below St. Peter's Basilica, sometimes nicknamed the "Vatacombs." Next, head to the Vatican Museums, where you'll get priority access that will allow you to avoid waiting in long lines. Follow your guide through the dozens of galleries to focus on the highlights, covering the top artworks and the Sistine Chapel in just a few hours.
Highlights
- ✓Beat the crowds with an early depature time
- ✓Get a comprehensive overview in just a few hours
- ✓Don't worry about entry selling out, with this prebooked tour
- ✓Enjoy a bird's-eye view of Rome unavailable anywhere else
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓Vast museums inside the Vatican City which house many thousands of ancient works of art and sculpture. The most important museum complex in the world!
- ✓Take in Michelangelo's masterpieces including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement.
What's included
- ✓Full tour of entire St. Peter's Basilica covering all the major works of art and sculpture therein
- ✓Get into the Vatican Museums fast with our no-line priority access ticket and a local expert guide
- ✓St. Peter's Dome Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola for truly amazing views of Rome!
- ✓Immersive Sistine Chapel inside experience and a panel-by-panel tour of Michelangelo's ceiling
- ✓Tour of little-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath St. Peter's Basilica which we call "Vatacombs"
- ✓Catch all the classic and ancient sculptures inside world famous chambers, halls and galleries
What's not included
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Dress comfortably, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
On days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may become necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour. In the event that the Papal tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica are closed, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended and no refunds made
Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid.
The final ascent by foot requires climbing 320 somewhat steep steps in a confined area. People suffering from claustrophobia or any other health conditions are advised to remain on the terrace level.
Please note: This description is provided as a general example. Actual experiences may vary slightly depending on the season, local conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
Please note that essential travel documents and final itinerary details might be delivered electronically closer to the activity date.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.