--- title: Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica Tour, La Pietà, Papal Tombs and Dome lang: en type: tour city: Rome country: Italy price: 20 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.91 reviews: 127 duration_minutes: 60 duration_max_minutes: 120 languages: [de, en, it, fr, es] free_cancellation: true rank_in_category: 25 of 145 (Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-09-12 data_updated: 2026-09-12 canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/tours/rome-st-peter-s-basilica-tour-la-piet-papal-tombs-and-dome/ --- # Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica Tour, La Pietà, Papal Tombs and Dome **Guidekin's take:** Bernini's square, the Basilica with the Pietà and the Baldachin, then the papal grottoes, with an accredited historian on the headsets for €20 per person, and a 4.91 rating across 127 reviews. Entry to the Museums and the Sistine Chapel is not part of it, and the dome climb is bought separately. Security can take a long time at peak hours. ## Overview Discover the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica with a expert guide and uncover the stories behind Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s magnificent Baldachin, and the historic Papal Tombs. Meet your guide outside St. Peter’s Square and begin with Bernini’s iconic colonnades, fountains, and the fascinating history of this legendary square at the heart of Vatican City. Enter St. Peter’s Basilica and admire its breathtaking architecture, magnificent chapels, and extraordinary works of art. Stand before Michelangelo’s world-famous Pietà, marvel at Bernini’s monumental Baldachin, and hear fascinating stories about the artists, popes, and events that shaped this incredible church. Continue beneath the basilica to explore the Papal Tombs, where many popes are laid to rest. Discover the history and traditions surrounding this remarkable part of St. Peter’s. By the end of your experience, you’ll have a deeper appreciation of Vatican history, Renaissance art, and one of Rome’s spectacular landmarks. ## Key facts - Price: from €20 per person - Duration: 1h–2h - Rating: 4.91/5 from 127 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Tix & Tours ## Tour options Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page. | Option | Price | Guide languages | Details | |---|---|---|---| | Spanish Tour | €20 / person | Spanish | - | | English Tour | €20 / person | English | - | | German Tour | €40 / person | German | - | | French Tour | €40 / person | French | - | | Italian Tour | €40 / person | Italian | - | | Spanish Tour with Dome Climb | €89 / person | Spanish | - | | German Tour with Dome Climb | €89 / person | German | - | | English Tour with Dome Climb | €89 / person | English | - | | French Tour with Dome Climb | €89 / person | French | - | | Spanish Private Tour | €399 / person | Spanish | Dome Climb Ticket included | | English Private Tour | €399 / person | English | Dome Climb Ticket included: English Private Tour Dome Climb Ticket included | ## What's included - Headsets: Ensure clear communication for an immersive experience. - Guided Tour: Explore with a knowledgeable guide leading the way. - Official Guide Historian Expert: Learn from an accredited historian's expertise. - Obelisk Viewing: Admire the ancient Egyptian Obelisk in the heart of the square. - St. Peter's Square: Discover the grandeur of this iconic Vatican landmark. - St. Peter's Basilica: Immerse yourself in the opulent interiors and significant artworks. - Papal Grottoes: Descend into the crypt beneath the Basilica, uncovering centuries of history. ## Not included - Dome climb with elevator - Skip-the-line option ## Itinerary 1. **St. Peter's Basilica** (45m) - Next, enter the Basilica and witness its grandeur. Admire the golden ceilings and impressive mosaics that took 150 years to rebuild. Follow your expert guide through the renowned masterpieces of Renaissance and Neoclassic art, including Michelangelo's "Pietà". Stand in awe of... 2. **La Pieta** (15m) - Discover the stunning Pietà, Michelangelo’s masterpiece, a poignant sculpture depicting Mary cradling Jesus, showcased within the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica 3. **The Vatican Grottoes** (15m) - Descend into the underground grottoes and discover the final resting place of St. Peter. Trace the ancient walls of the original 4th-century basilica with your fingertips and imagine the history that surrounds you. Marvel at the beautiful frescoes that adorn the underground... 4. **St. Peter's Basilica** (30m) - At the end of the tour, your guide will point you to the ticket desk where you can purchase optional tickets for the dome climb. ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 9 start times between 08:30 and 15:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-09-12 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point Upon reaching the designated meeting point, look for the tour coordinator holding a Red sign labeled "TIX & TOUR". It's crucial to have your voucher ready for check-in. If you encounter any difficulty locating the tour coordinator, please don't hesitate to contact us. ## Good to know - Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap - Public transportation options are available nearby - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - 1. Dress Code: Shoulders and knees must be covered as this is a religious site. - 2. Security: Airport-style checks are required, with wait times ranging from 10 to 120 minutes, especially during peak hours. - 3. Possible Closures: St. Peter’s Basilica may close for Vatican events. If this happens, we will reschedule your visit as soon as possible. - 4. Alternative Plans: If the underground is closed, we will extend the visit to the Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. - 5. Exclusions: This tour does not include entry to the Vatican Museums or Sistine Chapel. - 6. Dome Climb (Optional): The dome climb closes at 4:00 PM. The 3:00 PM tour does not include the dome climb option. For the 8:30 AM & 12:30 PM tours, the guide can show you where to purchase dome climb tickets (€15, including elevator access) at the end of the tour. ## How it compares in Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours Ranked **#25 of 145** by Guidekin's weighted score (rating weighted by review volume). 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[express-early-morning-sistine-chapel-tour-with-max-6-people](https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/tours/express-early-morning-sistine-chapel-tour-with-max-6-people/?format=md) — 4.98 (428) Full list: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/vatican-tours/?format=md ## More in Rome - All Rome tours: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/tours/rome-st-peter-s-basilica-tour-la-piet-papal-tombs-and-dome/ ## Query this catalogue with URLs Every listing accepts filter parameters directly in the URL, so you can hand a user a link that already matches their constraints. Combine freely on https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/: | Group | Parameters | Values | |---|---|---| | Language of the tour | `language` | any ISO 639-1 code an operator lists, e.g. en, es, fr, de, it, pt, ru, uk, tr, hi. 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