--- title: "Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica Tour, La Pietà, Papal Tombs and Dome" lang: en type: tour city: Rome country: Italy price: 30 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.92 reviews: 189 duration_minutes: 60 duration_max_minutes: 120 languages: [de, en, it, fr, es] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 15 of 138 (Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-09-12 data_updated: 2026-10-12 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 €30 per person, and a 4.92 rating across 189 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. In our comparison: #15 of 138 in Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## 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. ## Before you book - Meeting point: Upon reaching the designated meeting… - 9 start times: between 08:30 and 15:00 - Children from €32: ages 6 to 17 **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €30 per person for the Spanish Tour option; other options up to €399 - Duration: 1h–2h - Rating: 4.92/5 from 189 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Tix & Tours - Group: Shared tour · private option available - Guide languages: German, English, Italian, French, Spanish - Start times: 9 start times between 08:30 and 15:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-12 ## Reviews 4.92 from 189 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 98% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 186 of 189. - 5 stars: 180 (95%) - 4 stars: 6 (3%) - 3 stars: 1 (1%) - 2 stars: 1 (1%) - 1 star: 1 (1%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers praise knowledgeable, engaging guides; entry queues can still be long. **Praised:** - Clear explanations of the basilica's history and art - Humour and engaging storytelling make the history easy to follow - Friendly, patient guides who answer questions and attend to visitors' needs **Complaints:** - Some report quick entry, while others describe long queues - A few report late guide arrivals Written by Guidekin from the 98 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2024-03-12 to 2026-10-03); last checked 2026-10-03. ## 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 | €32 / person | Spanish | - | | English Tour | €32 / 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. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJnY7brWdgLxMRDACWHM84iM0 ## 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. Booking asks for: dates of birth ## Compared with other Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #15 of 138** | €30 | 1h–2h | 4.92 (189) | shared | | [Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel](/italy/rome/tours/private-vatican-highlights-guided-tour-with-sistine-chapel/?format=md) | €250 | 3h 15m | 4.99 (1713) | private | | [Rome: Complete Early Morning Vatican Tour / Small Group](/italy/rome/tours/rome-complete-early-morning-vatican-tour-small-group/?format=md) | €99 | 3h 30m | 4.94 (2821) | shared | | [Express Early Morning Sistine Chapel Tour with Max 6 People](/italy/rome/tours/express-early-morning-sistine-chapel-tour-with-max-6-people/?format=md) | €148 | 2h | 4.98 (513) | shared | Ranked #15 of 138 in Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €8 to €4913, median €136; typical length 3h. 57 of 138 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. 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/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/?format=md