Private Saint Peter’s Basilica Tour + Optional Dome & Tombs
Overview
Explore the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica on this PRIVATE tour, led by Mike or one of his hand-picked expert guides. Just you and your family will enjoy a more personal experience, the chance to ask questions, and fascinating stories, humor, and insights that bring history to life. Your guide will show you where a priest can bless your religious items.
Discover Michelangelo’s breathtaking Pietà, visit the tomb of Pope John Paul II, learn about the Holy Doors, and hear the dramatic story of St. Peter’s crucifixion. Your guide will reveal the secrets behind the basilica’s treasures, including Bernini’s works and Michelangelo’s iconic dome.
At the end of the tour, choose between an optional climb to the top of St. Peter’s Dome for views over Rome and Vatican City, or descend to explore the Papal Tombs under the basilica. Your guide loves making history fun and memorable and is great with kids, making this a fun experience for the whole family.
What's Included
- Fun tour St. Peter’s Basilica: Pietà, John Paul II, look @ Holy Doors, Bernini, and papal monuments.
- Guide points out the Vatican Post Office, where you can send postcards home.
- Easy to understand FUN guide that explains the whole Basilica (not recorded audioguide)
- Radios to hear the guide at all times
- Entrance to the Tombs after the tour (guide will show you where to go)
- Bring a religious item—our guide explains how to receive a priest’s blessing.
- Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel
- Postcard mailing costs are at the guest’s expense.
- Dome climb is an extra cost that can be paid to Vatican after tour (guide will show you where to go)
Meeting Location
Borgo Pio
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
What To Expect
Book Online
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St. Peter's Basilica
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Saint Peter’s Basilica Tour + Optional Dome & Tombs?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-5553236P1
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Reviews
Average 4.99 out of 5 stars based on 116 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).
- Fun tour St. Peter’s Basilica: Pietà, John Paul II, look @ Holy Doors, Bernini, and papal monuments.
- Guide points out the Vatican Post Office, where you can send postcards home.
- Easy to understand FUN guide that explains the whole Basilica (not recorded audioguide).
- Radios to hear the guide at all times.
- Entrance to the Tombs after the tour (guide will show you where to go).
- Bring a religious item—our guide explains how to receive a priest’s blessing.
- Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel.
- Postcard mailing costs are at the guest’s expense.
- Dome climb is an extra cost that can be paid to Vatican after tour (guide will show you where to go).
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
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 Private Saint Peter’s Basilica Tour + Optional Dome & Tombs is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Saint Peter’s Basilica Tour + Optional Dome & Tombs 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
- Fun tour St. Peter’s Basilica: Pietà, John Paul II, look @ Holy Doors, Bernini, and papal monuments.
- Guide points out the Vatican Post Office, where you can send postcards home.
- Easy to understand FUN guide that explains the whole Basilica (not recorded audioguide)
- Radios to hear the guide at all times
- Entrance to the Tombs after the tour (guide will show you where to go)
- Bring a religious item—our guide explains how to receive a priest’s blessing.
- Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel
- Postcard mailing costs are at the guest’s expense.
- Dome climb is an extra cost that can be paid to Vatican after tour (guide will show you where to go)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
