St. Peter's Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes Guided Tour
Overview
Start your Tour at the meeting point, where you will meet the highly qualified Tour Guide.
Admire the marvelous work of St. Peter’s Square, created by Bernini, and its colonnade with 284 columns and 88 pillars, that will remind of a hug.
After entering the Basilica, you will discover the beautiful artworks that fill its space.
While walking on the colorful marbles, you will be mesmerized by the enormous dimension of the building and the ceilings entirely covered in gold.
On the right, you will immediately see the Pietà by Michelangelo Buonarroti, defined as the most beautiful sculpture in the history of art and the most representative opera of the Renaissance.
Following the Tour, you will be faced by the St. Peter’s Throne and the St. Peter’s Baldachin, bronze creations of the sculptor Bernini.
Lastly enter the Papal Grottoes, which are the union between the old Constantinian Basilica and the modern one, and where the previous Pontiffs were buried.
What's Included
- Tour Guide
- Lunch
- Skip-The-Line access to the Basilica
- Ticket for the Dome (if you want to, ask for indication to the Tour Guide at the end of the tour)
Meeting Location
Piazza Pio XII
12 00193, 00193 Roma RM, Vatican City
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
St. Peter's Square
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
St. Peter's Basilica
50 minutes Admission Ticket Free
The Vatican Grottoes
25 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible (with the exception of the Papal Grottoes)
- A strict Dresscode is applied inside the Basilica, therefore shoulders and knees should be covered
- St. Peters Basilica has a mandatory Security Check that cannot be skipped, therefore a queue might form. The lenghth of this queue cannot be predicted. The Tour Guide will escort you during the queue sharing the history of St. Peter, to then continue into the Basilica
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the St. Peter’s Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes Guided Tour?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-10338P16
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.36 out of 5 stars based on 11 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.
- Tour Guide.
- Lunch.
- Skip-The-Line access to the Basilica.
- Ticket for the Dome (if you want to, ask for indication to the Tour Guide at the end of the tour).
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 St. Peter's Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes Guided Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for St. Peter’s Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes Guided 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
- Tour Guide
- Lunch
- Skip-The-Line access to the Basilica
- Ticket for the Dome (if you want to, ask for indication to the Tour Guide at the end of the tour)
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible (with the exception of the Papal Grottoes)
- A strict Dresscode is applied inside the Basilica, therefore shoulders and knees should be covered
- St. Peters Basilica has a mandatory Security Check that cannot be skipped, therefore a queue might form. The lenghth of this queue cannot be predicted. The Tour Guide will escort you during the queue sharing the history of St. Peter, to then continue into the Basilica
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
