Rome St Peters Basilica, Tomb, Grottoes and Climb the Dome Tour
Overview
Experience the spiritual and architectural heart of the Vatican on this guided tour. Led by a professional guide, you will gain a complete perspective of St. Peter’s Basilica, from its soaring heights to its historic depths.
Begin your journey with an ascent to Michelangelo's world-famous Dome. After taking the elevator to the first-level balcony, you will enjoy a unique vantage point of the Basilica’s interior. For those seeking the ultimate vista, continue up the spiral staircase to the summit—the highest point in Rome—for breathtaking, 360-degree views of the Eternal City.
After descending from the Dome, explore the wonders of the Basilica’s main floor. Marvel at the beauty of Michelangelo’s Pietà and the immense Baroque masterpieces that adorn every altar and nave of this world-renowned site.
Your journey concludes with a descent into the Grottoes, which house the final resting places of dozens of Popes and lead you to the most sacred location of all: the Tomb of Saint Peter.
What's Included
- On-site assistance
- St. Peter's Basilica Tickets
- St. Peter's Basilica Tickets Dome/ Elevator Tickets
- English speaking professional tour guide
- Guided Tour of St Peter's Basilica and Crypt
- Guided Tour of St Peters' Basilica Dome
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off and Transfers
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
- This tour does not skip the line (neither the security checks one nor the dome's elevator one)
Meeting Location
Largo del Colonnato
5, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Piazza San Pietro
00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
The Tour will end in St. Peter's Basilica
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
St. Peter's Basilica
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
St. Peter's Basilica
45 minutes Admission Ticket Included
St. Peter's Square
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Vatican City
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Customers have a mandatory meeting time stated 20 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time due to managing and organizational reasons.If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and Vatican Museum. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- 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
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The activity can suffer 20/30 min variation due to organizational resons
- Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events.
- Cancellations, changes or issues due to weather, security and events held by the monument are beyond our control and are directly decided by their administration team. These issues will be reviewed by us and dealt with on an individual basis but are the responsibility of the monument.
- You must have a valid photo ID to enter the monuments (student's ID, Driver License, Passport or State ID all work.) You will be asked to also provide your name, last name and date of birth (at the beginning of the tour, if not provided beforehand.) Security may prevent you from entering the site if the information provided is not accurate and/or don't match the one on your ID.
- Child discount is applied only with a valid ID card
- Note: tour will not operate on religious holidays
- WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO VISIT THE BASILICA DURING RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND CEREMONIES (Audiences, Beatifications, Masses of the POPE). The Basilica is often subject to sudden closures. In these cases it is not possible to guarantee access to the Basilica.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check please allow at least 20 minutes to clear security.
- Please be aware that large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the monument.
- For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened. To facilitate the security checks please insert any object (including mobile phone) in the bag/backpack or in the tray to be included in the X-ray
- No change on a booking can be accepted after 24hrs to the starting time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued.
- For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
- Pets are not allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with claustrophobia and with vertigo.
- Every refund request MUST be done within and not later than 48 hours from the day of the tour
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rome St Peters Basilica, Tomb, Grottoes and Climb the Dome Tour?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-20905P2
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 6 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- On-site assistance.
- St. Peter's Basilica Tickets.
- St. Peter's Basilica Tickets Dome/ Elevator Tickets.
- English speaking professional tour guide.
- Guided Tour of St Peter's Basilica and Crypt.
- Guided Tour of St Peters' Basilica Dome.
- Gratuities.
- Food and drinks.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off and Transfers.
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour.
- This tour does not skip the line (neither the security checks one nor the dome's elevator one).
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Rome St Peters Basilica, Tomb, Grottoes and Climb the Dome Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Rome St Peters Basilica, Tomb, Grottoes and Climb the Dome Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- On-site assistance
- St. Peter's Basilica Tickets
- St. Peter's Basilica Tickets Dome/ Elevator Tickets
- English speaking professional tour guide
- Guided Tour of St Peter's Basilica and Crypt
- Guided Tour of St Peters' Basilica Dome
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off and Transfers
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
- This tour does not skip the line (neither the security checks one nor the dome's elevator one)
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Customers have a mandatory meeting time stated 20 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time due to managing and organizational reasons.If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and Vatican Museum. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- 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
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The activity can suffer 20/30 min variation due to organizational resons
- Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events.
- Cancellations, changes or issues due to weather, security and events held by the monument are beyond our control and are directly decided by their administration team. These issues will be reviewed by us and dealt with on an individual basis but are the responsibility of the monument.
- You must have a valid photo ID to enter the monuments (student's ID, Driver License, Passport or State ID all work.) You will be asked to also provide your name, last name and date of birth (at the beginning of the tour, if not provided beforehand.) Security may prevent you from entering the site if the information provided is not accurate and/or don't match the one on your ID.
- Child discount is applied only with a valid ID card
- Note: tour will not operate on religious holidays
- WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO VISIT THE BASILICA DURING RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND CEREMONIES (Audiences, Beatifications, Masses of the POPE). The Basilica is often subject to sudden closures. In these cases it is not possible to guarantee access to the Basilica.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check please allow at least 20 minutes to clear security.
- Please be aware that large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the monument.
- For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened. To facilitate the security checks please insert any object (including mobile phone) in the bag/backpack or in the tray to be included in the X-ray
- No change on a booking can be accepted after 24hrs to the starting time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued.
- For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
- Pets are not allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with claustrophobia and with vertigo.
- Every refund request MUST be done within and not later than 48 hours from the day of the tour
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
