Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes

Name: Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes
Brand: TOURIKS
Price: 54 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.58 (2588 reviews)

4.6 · 2,588 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor 89% of star-rated reviews are 4★ or 5★ Rome Operated by TOURIKS Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before

Duration: 1h 45m
Group: Group size varies by option: max 25 from €54 · max 10 from €85 · private from €349
Guide languages: German, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Start & pickup: 08:45, 09:15, 13:30, 14:00 · No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Booking: Instant confirmation · mobile ticket

Guidekin's take

The Basilica done properly: Bernini's square, Michelangelo's Pietà, the papal grottoes and St Peter's tomb, then the dome climb by stairs for the view over Rome, with an art historian guide.

Dome entry is included at €54 per person, the Museums and Sistine Chapel are not. It does not skip the security queue, which can run long.

In our comparison: #133 of 138 in Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).

How we choose tours →Commissions never affect our verdicts.

Options and prices

17 options from the operator, described in its own words. Prices are the operator's from-prices per adult for a party of two. Click an option to book it on Viator.

Option	What the operator says	From, per adult
Italian Group of Max.25 PeopleThe page priceItalian	Italian Tour: This option is for an Italian tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.	€54
French Group of Max.25 PeopleFrench	French Tour: This option is for a French tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.	€54
English Group of Max.25 PeopleEnglish	English Tour: This option is for an English tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.	€54
Spanish Group of Max.25 PeopleSpanish	Spanish Tour: This option is for a Spanish tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.	€54
German Group of Max.25 PeopleGerman	German Tour: This option is for a German tour in a group of a maximum of 25 participants.	€59

French Group of Max.10 PeopleFrench	French tour: This option is for a French tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.	€85
English Group of Max.10 PeopleEnglish	English tour: This option is for a English tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.	€85
Italian Group of Max.10 PeopleItalian	Italian tour: This option is for a Italian tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.	€85
Spanish Group of Max.10 PeopleSpanish	Spanish tour: This option is for a Spanish tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.	€85
Portuguese Group Max.10 PeoplePortuguese	Portuguese tour: This option is for a Portuguese tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.	€89
German Group of Max.10 PeopleGerman	German tour: This option is for a German tour in a group of a maximum of 10 participants.	€89
Private Tour in PortuguesePortuguese	Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in Portuguese	€349 for 2+ people
Private Tour in ItalianItalian	Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in Italian	€349 for 2+ people
Private Tour in EnglishEnglish	Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in English	€349 for 2+ people
Private Tour in FrenchFrench	Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in French	€349 for 2+ people
Private Tour in GermanGerman	Private Tour : Select this option for Private guided tour in German	€349 for 2+ people
Private Tour in SpanishSpanish	Private Tour: Select this option for Private guided tour in Spanish	€349 for 2+ people

Children from €49 (ages 4 to 16). Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 3 October 2026.

Included and not included

Professional art-historian guide
Guided tour of St. Peter Dome and St. Peter's Basilica
Entry fees to the top of the Dome (by stairs)

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
This tour does not skip the line

Reviews

4.6

2,588 ratings
Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor

89% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 2,293 of 2,588

Star breakdown of all 2,588 ratings

5 stars

2,089 · 81%

4 stars

204 · 8%

3 stars

109 · 4%

2 stars

72 · 3%

1 star

114 · 4%

What reviewers say

Reviewers value the historical explanations and dome views; long queues can leave visitors unable to complete the climb.

Praised

Detailed explanations of the basilica's art, history and religious significance
Guides who answer questions and allow time for photos and exploration
Views from the dome that reviewers find worth the climb
Headsets that make commentary audible while visitors look around

Complaints

Some face long security and dome queues, while others report little waiting
The dome climb can be demanding, with narrow stairways that feel cramped
Some find the commentary hard to follow, while others praise clear explanations
Some find meeting directions confusing, while others locate the group easily

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (28 May 2026 to 2 October 2026). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 3 October 2026.

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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.

Meeting point and route

Meeting point

Where: Meet your guide at Largo del Colonnato, 5, by the first columns of the Colonnade. Look for a yellow label with TOURIKS written on it. Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the starting time. The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square. · Open in Google Maps
Departure: 08:45, 09:15, 13:30, 14:00 daily; scheduled year-round (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Pickup: No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Operator: TOURIKS; booking and payment are completed on Viator

Itinerary

1
St. Peter's Square
Start your tour in St. Peters Square and perceive the all-embracing character of its majestic architecture. Understand the game of visual effects as were thought by its designer, Bernini, and find the two "special" spots in the square.
10 min
2
St. Peter's Basilica
Then head towards the Basilica to be amazed by its magnificence. See why it took 150 years to rebuild and marvel at the golden ceilings and the impressive mosaics all around you. Let your art-historian guide lead you through renowned masterpieces of Renaissance and Neoclassic art. Be impressed by the harmonious 30-meters-high canopy and appreciate the expressive power and delicate beauty of Michelangelo's "Pietà".
40 min
3
The Vatican Grottoes
Descend into the underground grottoes and visit St. Peter's tomb. Touch the ancient walls of the original 4th-century basilica and admire the beautiful frescoes.
15 min
4
St. Peter's Basilica
Then climb your way up to the top of the Dome (by stairs). Enjoy a bird's-eye view over the marble floors and take an exclusive and close-up look at the mosaics of the dome. Climb even higher to find yourself at the top balcony and be amazed by the spectacular panorama over Rome and beyond. Spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, and other iconic monuments from the height of 136 meters. Enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Peters Square and the Vatican gardens.
40 min · Admission included
Vatican City
All the visited areas are part of the Vatican city.
Pass by, no stop

About this tour, from the operator

Start in St. Peter's Square, where the architectural brilliance of Bernini unfolds.

Then enter St. Peter's Basilica, a realm adorned with golden ceilings, vibrant marbles, and masterpieces like Michelangelo's Pietà. Delve into the Papal grottoes underground, touching ancient walls and visiting St. Peter's tomb for a profound historical encounter.

The grand crescendo awaits as you ascend to the dome's summit, offering both close encounters with intricate mosaics and panoramic views of Rome's iconic landmarks. From this lofty perch at 136 meters, immerse yourself in breathtaking vistas, spotting the Colosseum, Pantheon, and beyond.

PLEASE NOTE:
In the event that the grottoes or certain areas of St. Peter’s Basilica are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites and artworks within the basilica. The overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged.
The Dome climb is by stairs only; the elevator is not included in this tour.

Walking, children and accessibility

The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.

Walking and health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
We recommend to wear comfortable walking shoes
The Dome climb is by stairs only; the elevator is not included in this tour
Not recommended for travellers with vertigo

Children

Strollers are not allowed in the Basilica. There is a luggage deposit at the entrance of the basilica where you can leave the stroller

Accessibility

Strollers OK
Public transportation options are available nearby
The dome's terrace might not be accessible during bad weather conditions. In that case, you can either ask for a partial refund and visit the Basilica and the grottoes or decide to cancel the tour for a full refund

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered
Please take into consideration that the lines to clear security checks at the entrance of the square might take 15-120 minutes
Please note that you will be required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the square
The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square and the security checks
The Vatican Necropoli is not part of this tour
We might not be able to accommodate, refund or reschedule late arrivals
Please note that this is not a skip-the-line tour
Please provide the full names of all travellers when booking. The tickets are nominative, therefore, failure to present a voucher with all travellers' full names may result in denied entry
Each traveller must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the same name provided at the time of booking for a successful entry
PLEASE NOTE: In the event that the grottoes or certain areas of St. Peter’s Basilica are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites and artworks within the basilica. As a result, the overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged
Pets are not allowed inside the Basilica
Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia

Good to know

Children from €49 ages 4 to 16

The booking form will also ask for: passport details

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ days: Full refund
0-1 days: No refund

Compared with other Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours

Tour	Price	Duration	Rating	Group
This tour · #133 of 138	€54	1h 45m	4.58 (2588)	varies by option
Private Vatican Highlights Guided Tour with Sistine Chapel	€250	3h 15m	4.99 (1713)	private
Rome: Complete Early Morning Vatican Tour \| Small Group	€99	3h 30m	4.94 (2821)	shared
Express Early Morning Sistine Chapel Tour with Max 6 People	€148	2h	4.98 (513)	shared

Ranked #133 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. Compare all 138 Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Tours

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From €54 per adult · Italian Group of Max.25 People