--- title: St. Peter's Basilica and Papal Grottoes Guided Tour lang: en type: tour city: Rome country: Italy price: 20 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.74 reviews: 158 duration_minutes: 70 languages: [de, pt, en, it, fr, es] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 91 of 138 (Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-09-12 data_updated: 2026-10-03 canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/tours/st-peter-s-basilica-and-papal-grottoes-guided-tour/ --- # St. Peter's Basilica and Papal Grottoes Guided Tour **Guidekin's take:** The Basilica and the papal grottoes with an official guide and headsets at €20 per person, for people who want the church explained without a museum morning attached. Fees and taxes are included, the Museums and the dome are not, though the dome can be added at the entrance. No skip the line, so the security queue sets the length of the visit. In our comparison: #91 of 138 in Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Step into the grandeur of our magnificent basilica, where towering spires kiss the heavens and intricate arches weave tales of antiquity. Let our exceptional guides whisk you away on a journey through time, regaling you with captivating stories that echo through the hallowed halls. But this is not merely a tour; it's an immersive experience where you'll uncover the rich tapestry of history that adorns every stone, every stained glass window, and every whispered prayer. Prepare to be enraptured by the grandeur of the basilica's unique history, where every corner holds secrets waiting to be unveiled. ## Before you book - Meeting point: Meet your guide 15 minutes before, - 8 start times: between 08:30 and 15:30 - Strollers OK: infants accepted - Children from €18: ages 6 to 15 **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €20 per person for the ENGLISH TOUR option; other options up to €39 - Duration: 1h 10m - Rating: 4.74/5 from 158 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Best In Rome Tour - Group: Shared tour - Guide languages: German, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish - Start times: 08:30, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 13:45, 14:00, 15:30 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-12 ## Reviews 4.74 from 158 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 95% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 150 of 158. - 5 stars: 135 (85%) - 4 stars: 15 (9%) - 3 stars: 2 (1%) - 2 stars: 2 (1%) - 1 star: 4 (3%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers praise the guides' historical insight and engaging delivery; long security queues are a recurring caveat. **Praised:** - Detailed explanations of the basilica's history, architecture and artwork - Engaging stories and humour that make the history easy to follow - Patient, friendly guides who answer questions and look after the group - Background stories during the security queue make the wait more interesting **Complaints:** - Some report quick entry, while others face long security queues without skipping the line - Standing in direct sun during queues or commentary can be uncomfortable Written by Guidekin from the 84 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2024-02-07 to 2026-10-02); 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 | |---|---|---|---| | ENGLISH TOUR | €20 / person | English | - | | PORTUGUESE TOUR | €32 / person | Portuguese | - | | GERMAN TOUR | €39 / person | German | - | | FRENCH TOUR | €39 / person | French | - | | SPANISH TOUR | €39 / person | Spanish | - | ## What's included - Headsets to hear the guide - All Fees and Taxes - Official Guide ## Not included - This tour doesn't skip the line - Transportation not included - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel - Dome access at St. Peter's Basilica is available for an additional 10 euros at the entrance ## Itinerary 1. **St. Peter's Basilica** (1h) - Start your tour in St. Peter's Square and experience the all-embracing character of its majestic architecture. Understand the game of visual effects as conceived by its designer, Bernini, and find the two "special" spots in the square. Also, see a 2500-year-old Obelisk from... 2. **St. Peter's Basilica** (10m) - explore St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on a tour with a local guide and visit the Papal Grottoes, revealing centuries of burials. Discover a place where religion, art, history, and beauty come together. ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 08:30, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 13:45, 14:00, 15:30 - 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 Meet your guide 15 minutes before, outside the activity provider's office in Via del Mascherino 88. The meeting point is just a 2-minute walk from St. Peter's Basilica. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJvZvgOmdgLxMRRq7EAWEjRk4 Ends: St. Peter's Basilica, with its rich history, architectural grandeur, and spiritual significance, serves as the ultimate endpoint for pilgrims seeking fulfilment of their faith and connection to the Catholic tradition. ## Good to know - Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap - Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries - Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health - Not recommended for pregnant travelers - Public transportation options are available nearby - Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller - Suitable for all physical fitness levels - The tour duration depends on the security check line. If it takes a long time, the tour will last longer. Booking asks for: dates of birth ## Compared with other Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #91 of 138** | €20 | 1h 10m | 4.74 (158) | 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 #91 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/st-peter-s-basilica-and-papal-grottoes-guided-tour/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/?format=md